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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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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. |
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 fly back, 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. |
Sub dial |
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. |
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