Glossary of Commonly used Terms

  • Adjusted: A term referring to temperature correction and positional timing of the watch movement. This reference has different meanings depending on whether the watch is a pocket watch or a wrist watch. Temperature means the watch can accurately keep time between 42 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit. Positional timing means the number of adjustments.
  • Analog (Anlogue): Any watch or Clock with hands instead of a digital readout.
  • Arbor: The shaft or axle wheel that turns in a bearing.
  • A.W.I: The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute.
  • Balance: The oscillator or wheel which with a balance spring (better known as a hairsprint) connected, is the timing controller of the watch escapement.
  • Barrel: The container that holds the mainspring.
  • Barrel Arbor: The axle of the barrel around which the mainspring is coiled or wound.
  • Bezel: The part of the watchcase, ring or frame that holds the crystal in place.
  • Bow: The part of the watch inwhich a chain can be connected to.
  • Bridge: The upper plates in a watch movement that contains bearings for the wheel pivots.
  • Cannon Pinion: A thin tube with pinion leaves at the lower end, usually connecting the minute hand at the upper end.
  • Cap Jewel: A flat, solid jewel which allows the pivot end to rest. Alson known as the endstone.
  • Case: Container holding the watch movement.
  • Case screws: Screws that whold the movement securely to the case. Usually there are two.
  • Center Wheel: This is usually the wheel at the center of the movement inwhich the cannon pinion is attached to. Sometime referred to as the "second wheel".
  • Chronograph: A watch is a stop watch like function.
  • Chronometer: This depends on which country the watch came from. Regardless, of who made them, the watches are adjusted to keep exact time.
  • Click: The pawl used to prevent the ratchet wheel from rotating backwards after the mainspring has been wounded.
  • Crown: The button at the top of the stem that is used to wind the watch. Sometimes referred to as the winder.
  • Crystal: The glass or plastic part of the watch used for protecting the hands and face of the watch. The Crystal is held in place by the Bezel.
  • Cylinder Esapement: Invented in England, it is a type of escapement for setting the time. Unlike the level type that was used before it's invention.
  • Damaskeening: Ornamental Work etched into the metal of the watch.
  • Demi-hunber: Also known as a half-hunter. A watch with a whole cut in the front of the cover showing the hands of the watch. Sometimes the hole is filled with a crystal.
  • Detent: The setting level on a watch.
  • Dail: The face of a watch.
  • Double Sunk Dial: A style of watch where different parts of the watch are sunk seperately from each other. Usually the second hand is sunk seperately from the minute hand.
  • Duplex Escapment A sunburst type escape wheel. This wheel give direct impulse to the balance in alternate movements.