| Glossary of Watch Terms
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12-Hour
Recorder (or Register):
A subdial on a chronograph
that can record time periods of up to 12 hours.
30-Minute Recorder (or
Register):
A subdial on a chronograph")
that can time periods up to 30 minutes.
A
Accuracy:
Refers to rate constancy of a watch, not only on whether it is showing the
exact time. A watch gaining or loosing exactly the same amount every day
is considered accurate.
Acrylic Crystal:
Also referred to as Hesolite. An acrylic crystal composed of
plastic composite that is generally less expensive and less durable than a
sapphire or a mineral crystal.
Benefits of an acrylic crystal are that it flexes rather than shatters on
impact. It also produces little glare under bright light and can be
polished easily.
Alarm:
A device that makes a sound at a preset time. There are both
quartz and mechanical
alarm watches.
Altimeter:
Function that provides altitude by responding to changes in barometric
pressure, commonly found in pilot watches. Inside a pressurized airplane
cabin, the altimeter registers as if on land.
Analog Watch:
A watch with a dial, hands, and
numbers or markers that present a total display of 12-hours.
Analog-Digital Display:
A watch that shows the time by means of hands (analog
display) as well as by numbers (a digital display). The analog display has
a traditional dial with hour, minute and sometimes
second hands. The digital display shows the time numerically with a liquid
crystal display. This feature is usually found on sport watches.
Annual Calendar:
A watch showing the day, date month and 24 hours, adjusting automatically
for short and long months. The calendar needs
setting only once a year - at the end of February to the 1st of March.
Aperture:
Small opening. The dials of some watches (in French:
montres à guichet) have apertures in which certain indications are
provided (e.g. the date, the hour, etc).
Atmosphere (Atm):
Unit of pressure used in watch making to indicate water
resistance.
Atomic Time Standard:
Provided by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Time
and Frequency Division, Boulder, Colorado, atomic time is measured through
vibrations of atoms in a metal isotope that resembles mercury. The result
is extremely accurate time that can be measured on instruments. Radio
waves transmit this exact time throughout North America and some 'atomic'
watches can receive them and correct to the exact time. To synchronize
your watch with atomic standard time, call (303) 499-7111.
Automatic Movement/Automatic Winding (also called
self-winding):
A mechanically powered watch that is wound by the motion of the wearer's
arm rather than through turning the winding stem
(manual mechanical). In response to this motion,
a rotor turns and winds the watch's mainspring. Most
automatic watches have up to 36 hours of power reserve. If an automatic
watch is not worn for a day or two, it will wind down and need to be wound
by hand to get it started again.
B
Band:
A generic term used to refer to the band that holds a watch on your
wrist. The preferred terms bracelet and
strap, clearly describe the two major types.
Battery EOL:
Battery End Of Life indicator. This function forewarns of impending
battery failure in a quartz watch by means of the
second hand jumping in two or sometimes four-second
intervals. The wearer usually has approximately two weeks before battery
failure.
Battery Life:
The period of time that a battery will continue to provide power to run
the watch. Life begins at the point when the factory initially installs
the battery in the watch.
Battery:
A device that converts chemical energy into electricity. Most watch
batteries are the silver oxide type, delivering 1.5 volts. Much
longer-lasting lithium batteries deliver 3 volts.
Battery-less Quartz:
Also known under various marketing names, including
Kinetic (Seiko), Omega-matic (Omega), and Auto quartz (Invicta). Terms
for the modern hybrid watch technology of using a quartz
movement powered by a small electric current generator operated by a
rotor. Electricity generated from the rotor's
movement is stored in a capacitor, rechargeable battery, or similar means
to keep the watch running. So, like an automatic
watch, these also must be worn regularly to keep up their electrical
power reserve.
Bezel:
Generically, the upper part of the watch body. Specifically, it usually
refers to a ring around the outside of the crystal.
On jewelry watches, the bezel may contain a ring of diamonds. On sports
watches, the bezel may have calibrated markings and the ability to rotate
in one or two directions.
Bidirectional Rotating Bezel:
A bezel that can be moved either clockwise or
counterclockwise. These are used for mathematical calculations or for
keeping track of elapsed time.
Bracelet:
A bracelet is the flexible metal band consisting of
assembled links, usually in the same style as the
watchcase. Detachable links change the length of the bracelet.
Bracelets can be made of stainless steel,
sterling silver, gold, or a
combination. See also strap.
C
Cabochon:
Used to indicate a smooth round or oval convex shaped polished gemstone.
In watch terminology, it describes a decorative stone set in the watch
crown.
Calendar:
The calendar mechanism or function on a watch can consist of a date only
showing in a window through to a triple calendar, showing the date, day
and month. A combination of dial cut outs and pointer
hands may be used. The most complicated calendar mechanisms may be
mechanically programmed to show the year and months including those with
less that 31 days; leap years can also be mechanically allowed for.
Sometimes referred to as a perpetual calendar.
Case or Watchcase:
The metal housing that contains the internal parts of a watch.
Stainless steel is the most typical metal used,
but titanium, gold,
silver and platinum can
also be used.
Chronograph Rattrapante:
The addition of a flyback hand (rattrapante)
significantly increases the potential uses for
chronographs. It makes possible the measurement of
split second times or timing simultaneous events of unequal duration.
Chronograph:
A multifunction sport watch with a stopwatch function.
Most have two or three subdials, or minidials, for
measuring minutes and hours. When used in conjunction with specialized
scales on the watch dial it can perform many different
functions, such as determining speed or distance (see
"tachometer" and
"telemeter"). Some can time more than one event at a time (see
"flyback hand" and "split seconds
hand"). Do not confuse with "chronometer"
which is a timepiece that has met certain high standards of accuracy set
by an official watch institute of Switzerland.
Chronometer:
This term refers to a precision watch that is tested in various
temperatures and positions, thus meeting the accuracy standards set by
C.O.S.C. in Switzerland. These watches are provided
with a chronometer certifcate detailing specific test results by the
C.O.S.C.
Clasp:
The attachment used to connect the two ends of the watch
bracelet around the wrist.
C.O.S.C.:
Control Officile Suisse de Chronometers or Swiss Controle Officiel des
Cronometres- the independent Swiss regulatory organization that rigorously
tests and certifies (or fails) watch movements for
chronometer status.
Countdown Timer:
A function that lets the wearer keep track of how much of a preset period
of time has elapsed. Some countdown timers sound a warning signal a few
seconds before the time runs out. These are useful in events such as yacht
races, where the sailor must maneuver the boat into position before the
start of a race.
Crown:
The crown often referred to as the winding crown or winder is used for
winding the watch in the case
of a non-automatic, for setting the hands to the
correct time and often for setting the date in the case of
calendar equipped watches. On diving/sports
models, the crown may be screw-down whereby it
screws onto a threaded tube, which protrudes from the case of the watch.
This often ensures superior water resistance.
Crystal:
The cover over the watch dial is called the crystal.
There are three types of crystals commonly used in watches:
acrylic crystal is an inexpensive plastic that
allows shallow scratches to be buffed out. Mineral
crystal is composed of several elements that are heat-treated to
create an unusual hardness that aids in resisting scratches.
Sapphire crystal is the most expensive and
durable, approximately three times harder than mineral crystals and 20
times harder than acrylic crystals. A non-reflective coating on some sport
styles prevents glare.
Crystal Skeleton Caseback:
Caseback made of transparent material such as hardened
mineral crystal or sapphire crystal that
reveals the intricate movement of the watch.
Cyclops (Magnified Window):
A small window or lens in the crystal that is added
to magnify the date 2 1/2 times.
D
Day/Date Watch:
A watch that indicates not only the date but also the day of the week.
Deployment Buckle (Foldover):
A three-folding enclosure that secures the two ends of the
bracelet and allows enough room for placing the
watch on the wrist when fully deployed. When closed, the buckle covers the
two-piece folding mechanism.
Depth Alarm:
An alarm on a diver's watch that sounds when the
wearer exceeds a preset depth. In most watches it stops sounding when the
diver ascends above that depth.
Depth Sensor/Depth Meter:
A device on a diver's watch that determines the
wearer's depth by measuring water pressure. It shows the depth either by
analog hands and a scale on the watch
dial or through a digital display.
Dial:
The dial, often referred to as the face is usually
marked with numbers or batons to which the hands point
in order for the wearer to tell the correct time. Dials may be minimalist
with no markers at all or extremely complex as in the case
of pilots' chronographs. Dials may be decorated with patterns or in some
cases with precious stones.
Digital:
The display of time in numbers instead of hands on the
dial. The numbers can appear in an LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display), which shows a continuous reading or an LED
(Light-Emitting Diode), which shows the time at the push of a button.
Display:
Indication of time or other data, either by means of hands
moving over a dial (analog display)
or by means of numerals appearing in one or more windows (digital
or numerical display); these numerals may be completed by alphabetical
indications (alphanumerical display) or by signs of any other kind.
Example: 12.05 MO 12.3 = 12 hours, 5 minutes, Monday 12th March. Such
displays can be obtained by mechanical or electronic means.
Diver's Watch:
Divers' watches traditionally feature a graduated,
rotating bezel, screw down winding crown, and
caseback... must be water resistant to at least 200m
or 660 feet.
Dual Time/Second Time Zone Bezel:
A rotating bezel, which can be used to display a
separate time zone distinct from that shown on the dial.
Dual Time:
A watch that measures current local time as well as at least one other
time zone. The additional time element may come from a twin dial, extra
hand, subdial, or other means.
E
Elapsed Time Rotating Bezel:
A graduated rotating bezel (see "rotating bezel")
used to keep track of periods of time. The bezel can be turned so the
wearer can align the zero on the bezel with the watch's seconds or minutes
hand. You can then read the elapsed time off of the
bezel. This saves from having to perform the subtraction that would be
necessary if you used the watch's regular dial.
Elapsed Time:
The actual time taken for an object to travel over a specified distance.
Engine Turning:
Decorative engraving, usually on a watch dial.
EOL:
End of Life. In quartz movement, the end of battery
life is indicated by the second hand, which starts to
jump every four seconds. The battery should be changed immediately.
F
Face:
The visible side of the watch or the dial.
Flyback:
An additional hand on a
chronograph which moves with the second hand but, can be stopped
independently to measure an interval which can then "fly back" to catch up
with the other hand. This is useful for capturing lap times without losing
the ability to capture the finish time.
Foldover Buckle (Deployment):
A three-folding enclosure that secures the two ends of the
bracelet and allows enough room for placing the
watch on the wrist when fully deployed. When closed, the buckle covers the
two-piece folding mechanism.
G
Gasket:
A rubber or plastic ring that seals the internal works of the watch
against dust, moisture and water.
GMT Timezone:
GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), also known as Zulu Time, as set to the
international clock in Greenwich, England, reflects, through an additional
hour hand, the world time on a 24-hour scale and is
used by pilots worldwide.
Gold Plating:
An application of gold over the surface of an item.
Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, and White Gold:
The only natural form of gold is yellow gold. But since gold is too soft
in its pure form to make jewelry, it is normally made into an alloy by
mixing it with other metals. The portion of pure gold to other metals
determines the Karat rating. 24K is pure gold. 18K is 75% pure. The exact
nature of the other metals used determines the color. A moderate amount of
copper in the alloy creates Rose Gold. A moderate amount of palladium and
nickel creates white gold.
H
Hand:
Indicator, usually made of a thin, light piece of metal, variable in form,
which moves over a graduated dial or scale. Watches
usually have three hands showing the hours, minutes and seconds.
Handwinding (Manual Mechanical):
A watch with a manual mechanical movement, which needs to be wound by the
wearer using the winding crown. This winds the
mainspring up which then releases its energy to power the watch.
J
Jewels:
The bearing, endstone or pallet used for reducing friction within the
movement of a watch are made of synthetic material
of precious or semi-precious stones. Usually a very inexpensive form of
synthetic ruby, these are used for virtually frictionless pivots or hubs
at certain critical places in the watch mechanism. These jewels do not add
any monetary value to a watch. It is also important to understand that
more jewels does not necessarily make a better watch.
Jump Hour Indicator:
A jump hour indicator takes the place of an hour hand.
It shows the hour by means of a numeral in a window on the
dial of the watch. The word "jump" refers to the fact that the
numerals jump from 1 to 2 to 3, etc., rather than showing intermediate
times between hours as hour hands do. The minutes and seconds in a jump
hour watch are read as normal from the analog hands and dial.
K
Karat or K:
An indication of the purity of the metal used, expressed in the number of
1/24th of the pure metal used in the alloy. Metals such as
gold are too soft in their pure state use in jewelry, so they are
typically made into an alloy with other metals for strength. 24K (equal to
24/24ths) is pure metal. 18K is 18 parts pure metal mixed with 6 parts of
other metals. That translates to 18/24=0.750, which is 75% pure, or 750
parts per thousand.
Kinetic:
Refers to the Seiko line of Kinetic watches. This innovative technology
has a quartz movement that does not use a battery.
Movement of your wrist charges a very efficient capacitor which powers the
quartz movement. Once the capacitor is fully charged, men’s models will
store energy for 7-14 days without being worn. Ladies models store energy
for 3-7 days. The watch alerts you to a low capacitor charge when the
seconds hand starts to move in two second intervals.
L
Lap Memory:
The ability, in some quartz sport watches, to
preserve in the watch's memory the times of laps in a race that have been
determined by the lap timer (see "lap timer"). The
wearer can recall these times on a digital display
by pushing a button.
Lap Timer:
A chronograph function that lets the wearer
time segments of a race. At the end of a lap, the wearer stops the
timer, which then returns to zero to begin timing the
next lap.
LCD Display (Liquid Crystal Display):
A digital watch display that
shows the time electronically by means of a liquid held in a thin layer
between two transparent plates. Followed from the earlier LED or Light
Emitting Diode display of the first quartz digital watches. The LCD was
preferred as it used vastly less power than the LED thus the time could be
shown constantly as opposed to having to press a button for time display.
Lugs:
Extensions on both sides of the case where the
bracelet or strap is
attached.
M
Magnified Window (Cyclops):
A small window or lens in the crystal that is added
to magnify the date 2 1/2 times.
Manual Winding:
Refers to a watch with a manual mechanical movement,
which needs to be wound by the wearer using the winding
crown. This winds the mainspring up which then releases its energy to
power the watch.
Mechanical Movement:
A movement based on a mainspring which when wound slowly unwinds the
spring in an even motion to provide accurate timekeeping. As opposed to a
manual mechanical watch which needs to be wound
on a consistent basis, an automatic mechanical
requires no winding because of the rotor, which winds
the mainspring every time you move your wrist (see our section on
automatic watch maintenance for more details).
Military or 24 Hour Time:
When time is measured in 24-hour segments. To convert 12-hour time to
24-hour time, simply add 12 to any p.m. time. To convert 24-hour time to
12-hour time, subtract 12 from any time from 13 to 24.
Mineral Crystal:
Watch crystal made from what is essentially a form
of glass. More scratch resistant than acrylic, a
mineral crystal will however scratch and is extremely difficult to polish.
Minute Repeater:
A Complication on a watch that can strike the time in hours, quarters, or
seconds by means of a push piece.
Moon Phase:
An indicator that keeps track of the phases of the moon. A regular
rotation of the moon is once around the earth every 29 days, 12 hours and
44 minutes. Once set, the moon phase indicator accurately displays the
phase of the moon.
Mother-of-Pearl:
Iridescent milky interior shell of the freshwater mollusk that is sliced
thin and used on watch dials. While most have a milky white luster,
mother-of-pearl also comes in other colors such as silvery gray, gray
blue, pink and salmon.
Movement:
The means by which a watch keeps time, often including the power source.
For example, a watch with mechanical movement
uses a spinning balance wheel powered by a tightly wound spring, whereas a
watch with quartz movement measures the vibrations
in a piece of quartz and often is powered by a battery.
O
O-Ring:
O-rings are used to seal the backs of watches, which feature either a
press-in back or a screw on back. They ensure water
resistance. Usually also used on the winding
stems of watches and in the winding crowns to
protect against the ingestion of water and dust. Normally made from a
rubber/plastic compound.
P
Pedometer:
A device that counts the number of strides taken by the wearer by
responding to the impact of the wearer's steps.
Perpetual Calendar:
A calendar complication that adjusts automatically
to account for different lengths of the month (30 or 31 days) and leap
years. Perpetual calendars, which can be powered by
quartz or mechanical movements, are
programmed to be accurate until the year 2100.
Platinum:
One of the most rare precious metals, platinum also is one of the
strongest and heaviest, making it a popular choice for setting gemstone
jewelry and watches. It has a rich, white luster, and an understated look.
Platinum is hypoallergenic and tarnish resistant. Platinum used in jewelry
and watches is at least 85 to 95 percent pure. Many platinum watches are
produced in limited editions due to the expense and rarity of the metal.
Power Reserve Indicator:
A feature that shows when the watch will soon need a new battery or
winding. A battery reserve indicator on a
quartz watch informs the wearer when the battery is
low. Often this is indicated by the seconds hand
moving at two or three-second intervals. Seiko's Kinetic watches are
quartz watches that do not have a battery (see Kinetic).
When a Seiko Kinetic needs to be wound, the seconds hand will also move in
two-second intervals.
Power Reserve:
A measure of the amount of time a watch will run after being fully powered
or wound, with no additional power input. Normally, this means when a
mechanical watch is fully wound or a
quartz watch has a brand new battery. Many modern
mechanical watches have a power reserve of 40 hours. Power reserve also
applies to battery-less quartz watches, which may have power reserves from
40 hours to 6 months. On battery-operated quartz watches, the term is
sometimes used to refer to the expected battery life--typically 12 to 32
months.
Pulsimeter:
A scale on a chronograph watch for measuring
the pulse rate.
Push-Piece:
Button that is pressed to work a mechanism. Push-pieces are usually found
on chronographs, striking watches, and alarms.
Q
Quartz:
A caliber that uses the vibrations of a tiny crystal to maintain timing
accuracy. The power comes from a battery that must be replaced about every
2-3 years. In recent years, new quartz technology enables the watch to
recharge itself without battery replacement. This power is generated via
body motion similar to an automatic mechanical
watch, or powered by light through a solar cell (Kinetic
& solar-tech).
R
Ratchet Bezel Ring:
A bezel ring that can either turn one way (counter
clockwise) or both ways and generally clicks into place.
Rattrapante Chronograph:
The addition of a flyback hand (rattrapante)
significantly increases the potential uses for
chronographs. It makes possible the measurement of
split second times or timing simultaneous events of unequal duration.
Register:
Another name for a subdial; this is usually a
dial within the main dial of a watch. The best example
is possibly a chronograph where there may be
registers for the chronograph minutes and hours. Some watches have
registers with pointers showing the day and date.
Repeater:
A device that chimes the time when the wearer pushes a button. Some
repeaters, called "quarter repeaters" sound just the hours and the quarter
hours ( by means of two different pitched tones); others called "five
minute repeaters", sound the hours, quarters, and five minute periods
after the quarter; and still others called "minute
repeaters", sound the hours, quarters and minutes.
Retrograde:
Used to describe a pointer hand on a watch
dial (often a subdial), which
returns to zero at the end of a prescribed period. For example a watch may
have retrograde date - in this case the hand moves up a scale a day at a
time, pointing to the current date - when it reaches 31 it will spring
back to 1
Rhodium Plated:
Protective coating of metal with a thin layer of rhodium; hard, brittle
metal which does not oxidize and is malleable only when red hot.
Rose (or pink) Gold:
A softly hued gold that contains the same metals as
yellow gold but with a higher concentration of copper
in the alloy. A popular color in Europe, rose gold in watches is often
seen in retro styling or in tricolor gold versions. Some 18k red gold
watches achieve their color from additional copper in the alloy.
Rotating Bezel:
A bezel (the ring surrounding the watch
dial) that can be turned. Different types of rotating
bezels perform different timekeeping and mathematical functions.
Rotor:
The part of an automatic (or self-winding)
mechanical watch that winds the movement's mainspring. It is a flat piece
of metal, usually shaped like a semicircle, which swivels on a pivot with
the motion of the wearer's arm.
S
Sapphire Crystal:
Synthetic sapphire formed for use as the crystal of
a watch. Extremely scratch resistant (9 on the Moh scale), a sapphire
crystal is the material of choice for many watch collectors. The downsides
are that sapphire can chip at the edges if they protrude and can shatter.
Sapphlex Crystal (Seiko Watches):
Highly scratch resistant crystal created by the
fusion of sapphire and mineral
glass crystal.
Screw-Down Locking Crown:
A crown that aids water resistance
by sealing the crown to the case of the watch. The seal is achieved by the
matching of a threaded pipe on the case with the crown's internal threads
and gaskets, while twisting the crown to lock it
into place.
Second Time Zone Indicator:
An additional dial that can be set to the time in
another time zone. It lets the wearer keep track of local time and the
time in another country simultaneously.
Self-Winding:
This term refers to a mechanically powered watch that is wound by the
motion of the wearer's arm rather than through turning the
winding stem (manual
mechanical). In response to this motion, a rotor
turns and winds the watch's mainspring. Most automatic watches have up to
36 hours of power reserve. If an automatic watch is not worn for a day or
two, it will wind down and need to be wound by hand to get it started
again.
Click here for automatic watch instructions.
Shock Resistance:
As defined by the U.S. government regulation, a watch's ability to
withstand an impact equal to that of being dropped onto a wood floor from
a height of three feet.
Slide Rule Bezel:
A rotating bezel, or ring, around the outside edge
of the watch case that is printed with a logarithmic
scale and assorted other scales and is used in conjunction with fixed
rules of mathematics to perform general mathematical calculations or
navigational computations.
Solar Powered:
A type of quartz movement where the batteries are
recharged via solar panels on the watch dial. They
have a power reserve so they can run even in the dark.
Solar Tech:
Solar powered quartz watch. This technology provides
the accuracy of quartz, without the inconvenience and cost of regular
battery changes.
Split Second:
A feature on a chronograph that actually is two
hands, one a flyback, the other
a regular hand. To time laps or different finishing times, the wearer can
stop the fly backhand independently while the regular hand keeps moving.
Stainless Steel:
An extremely durable metal alloy (chromium is a main ingredient) that is
virtually immune to rust, discoloration, and corrosion; it can be highly
polished, thus resembling a precious metal. Stainless steel is often used
even on case backs on watches made of other metals and is the metal of
choice used to make high quality watchcases and
bracelets. It is also hypoallergenic because it
doesn't contain nickel.
Sterling Silver:
A precious metal. Sterling refers to silver that is 92.5 percent pure. The
silver fineness should be stamped on the metal, sometimes accompanied by
the initials of a designer or country of origin as a hallmark. A
protective coating may be added to prevent tarnishing.
Stopwatch:
A watch with a seconds hand that measures intervals of
time. When a stopwatch is incorporated into a standard watch, both the
stop watch function and the timepiece are referred to as a
"chronograph".
Strap:
A watchband made of cloth, rubber, leather or other non-metal material.
Subdial:
A small dial used for any of several purposes, such as
keeping track of elapsed minutes or hours on a
chronograph or indicating the date.
Swiss A.O.S.C. (Certificate of Origin):
A mark identifying a watch that is assembled in Switzerland with
components of Swiss origin, primarily used in Bedat watches.
T
Tachometer (Tachymeter):
Instrument for measuring speed or units. In watch making, a
timer or chronograph with
a graduated dial on which speed can be read off in
kilometers per hour or some other unit (see timer).
Tank Watch:
A rectangular watch with heavier bars on either side of the
dial. Inspired by the tank tracks of World War I and
first created by Louis Cartier.
Tantalum:
A metal with a texture similar to titanium, but a
color similar to gold. Used by Omega for the gold-like
trim on certain titanium watches. Many of these watches are also available
in titanium with real gold trim.
Telemeter:
A watch function that finds the distance of an object from the wearer by
measuring how long it takes sound to travel the distance. Like a
tachometer, a telemeter consists of a
stopwatch function and a special on the
dial of a chronograph.
Timer:
Instrument used for registering intervals of time (duration, brief times),
without any indication of the time of day.
Titanium:
A "space age" metal, often having a silver-gray appearance. Because it is
30 percent stronger and nearly 50 percent lighter than steel, it has been
increasingly used in watch making, especially sport watch styles. Its
resistance to salt water corrosion makes it particularly useful in
diver's watches. Since it can be scratched easily,
some manufacturers use a patented-coating to resist scratching. Titanium
is also hypoallergenic.
Tonneau Watch:
A watch with a barrel-shaped watchcase and two convex
sides.
Totalizer:
A mechanism that keeps track of elapsed time
and displays it, usually on a subdial on the watch
dial. Same as a "recorder" or
"register". The term "totalizer" can be used more generally to refer
to any counter on a watch.
U
Unidirectional Rotating Bezel:
An elapsed time rotating bezel, often
found on divers watches, that moves only in a
counterclockwise direction. It is designed to prevent a diver who has
unwittingly knocked the bezel off its original position from
overestimating his remaining air supply. Because the bezel only moves in
one direction, the diver can err only on the side of safety when timing
his dive. Many are ratcheted, so that they lock into place for greater
safety.
UTC:
Universal Time Coordinated. A universal time based on the Greenwich
Meridian used by the military and in aviation. Greenwich
Mean Time (GMT) can be considered approximately equivalent to
Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). GMT as such is now obsolete however,
being replaced by UTC. Using this timezone/standard avoids errors and
problems associated with different time zones and summer times operational
in different countries.
W
Water Resistance:
Describes the level of protection a watch has from water damage. See the
"water resistance" section for a description of the different levels.
Waterproof:
The ability to completely exclude the possibility of water entering into
any working portion of a watch. According to the Federal Trade Commission,
no watch is fully 100 percent waterproof and no manufacturer that sells
watches in the U.S. may label any of their watches "waterproof." The FTC
demands that watches only be referred to as
"water resistant."
Winding Stem:
The button on the right side of the watchcase used to
wind the mainspring. Also called a "crown."
Winding:
Operation consisting of tightening the mainspring of a watch. This can be
done by hand (by the crown) or automatically (by a
rotor, which is caused to swing by the movements of
the wearer's arm).
World Time Dial:
A dial, usually on the outer edge of the watch
face, which tells the time up to 24 time zones around
the world. The time zones are represented by the names of cities printed
on the bezel or dial. The wearer reads the hour in a particular time zone
by looking at the scale next to the city that the hour
hand is pointing to. The minutes are read as normal. Watches with this
feature are called "world timers."
Y
Yacht Timer:
A countdown timer that sounds warning signals during
the countdown for a boat race.
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GLOSSARY
