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Glossary
Information about watch terminology.
We've put together a glossary of watch terms and definitions for your
references. If you need more explanation on any subject please use the Contact
Us page to send us an email where we'll personally respond to your queries.
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A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z |
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 |
Sometimes referred to as Hesolite, an acrylic crystal is 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. Click here for automatic watch instructions. |
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