WATCH KEY TERMS TO KNOW
What Watch Key Terms Should You Know?
Watches display the work of precision, expertise, and cutting-edge technology, packaged in a stylish and functional accessory. While you don’t need to be a watch aficionado to enjoy the luxuries of a designer timepiece, learning a few basic watch terms will assist you in finding the right piece. Before making a purchase, discover the important qualities to look for in a watch.
Watch Body: Key Terms
Dial: The dial, also known as the watch face, displays the time and includes markings, numbers, and the watch hands.
Case: The body of a watch that protects the watch movement, the case can also be utilized to alter the appearance and can be found in several shapes including round, oval, rectangular, square, and tonneau.
Caseback: The case back is the backside of the watch which can be removed to examine the internal mechanisms. Additionally, some case backs are transparent, allowing a striking view of the movement. Casebacks usually feature an engraving of the watch’s name, water resistance, and other watch details.
Crown: This is a small knob located on the side of the watch used to adjust the time. In mechanical watches, it’s also used for manually winding the watch to keep it running.
Crystal: Made from acrylic, glass, or synthetic sapphire, the crystal is a clear cover protecting the watch face. While the most expensive, synthetic sapphire is the most durable and scratch-resistant.
Bezel: The small metal or ceramic ring surrounding the watch crystal is a bezel. Some bezels are purely for aesthetics while rotating bezels present a scale for time and other measurements.
Gasket: The gasket is a small ring around the case that creates an air-tight seal. To protect the watch from water damage, the gasket should be examined every few years.
Watch Movements: Key Terms
Movement: Watch movements are created through an inner mechanism designed to keep time and power the watch. These can be found as either mechanical, which are automatic or hand-wound, or battery-powered with quartz.
Caliber: Caliber refers to a particular model name of a movement. Watchmakers develop in-house movements and they can be identified by their architecture, origin, reference, and maker.
Manual Winding: Manual watches require the piece to be regularly wound to keep time. Twisting the crown tightens the spring, and can usually go 36-48 hours before needing to be rewound.
Automatic: Self-wound by the kinetic energy when worn, automatic watches are preferred over manuals for their ease of use.
Quartz: Battery-powered watches feature a quartz crystal to power movement, making them extremely accurate. These watches come with a digital display or have hands for a traditional look.
Huntington Fine Jewelers: Your Guide to Watches
At Huntington Fine Jewelers, we are dedicated to providing only the finest selection of jewelry and watches for our clientele. With three locations in Oklahoma, we welcome nearby residents in Seminole, Moore, and Edmond to visit our jewelry stores and experience unparalleled customer service. Let our professional staff assist you in finding the perfect piece for you to add to your collection. Our collection includes today’s top watch brands, including Seiko, G-Shock, and Bulova. To learn more about the products and services we offer, send an email to info@huntingtonfinejewelers.com.
