Secret Deals
Close
Sign up for email alerts.

Want first access to
our secret deals?

By signing up, you agree to receive emails from Ethos Watches. Read our privacy policy for more details.

Watch-Glossary

Welcome to the Glossary section of "The Watch guide" Browse through to learn all the important terms associated with watchmaking and understand your timepiece better!

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

a

Alarm

What is an alarm function in a watch? While alarm clocks are a common occurrence, it’s n...

Altimeter

What is altimeter in a watch? One of the most useful features in a watch for an outdoor en...

Analogue Watch

What is an analogue watch? According to the dictionary definition, ‘an analogue watch is...

Automatic Movement

An automatic or self winding movement is a mechanical watch movement that is wound by the ...

b

Balance Wheel

What is a balance wheel in a watch? A balance wheel (also known as balance), is a device, ...

Bezel

What Is A Bezel On A Watch? The first inference to the term ‘bezel’ can be traced back...

Bidirectional rotating bezel

A bezel that can be rotated in both clockwise and anti-clockwise direction and is used to ...

c

Calibre Watch

A Calibre or Caliber is used as a reference to the manufacturer’s movements. The specif...

Case

What Is The Case in A Watch? A watch case is the sturdy metal outer shell that contains th...

Ceramic

Ceramic or often called high-tec ceramic is a material used to make watches (can include c...

Chronograph Watch

A chronograph is watch that includes stopwatch functionality while also showing the time l...

Chronometer

What is a chronometer? The pursuit of accuracy in timekeeping has been going on since cent...

Clasp

What Is A Clasp On A Watch? A watch clasp or buckle come attached to the two ends of a str...

Co-Axial Escapement

Considered to be one of the most significant achievements in the world of horology, the Co...

Complications

What Are Watch Complications? Understood typically as watch functions, watch complications...

Countdown Timer

Perfect for athletes, a countdown timer watch allows you time a particular event backward....

d

Dial

What Is A Dial On A Watch? A watch dial is the main frame of the timekeeper that displays ...

Digital Display

A digital display is one that shows information in the form of characters, as opposed to h...

Dual Time

What is a dual-time watch? The term is quite self-explanatory. A dual-time watch is a devi...

f

Flyback Chronograph

A flyback chronograph is a complication which enables one to measure lap times effectively...

g

GMT

What Is The Meaning Of GMT? The definition of GMT means a watch that tells time in two tim...

Guilloche

What is guilloche pattern? Guilloche, phonetically pronounced gee-oh-shay, is a type of de...

h

Hairspring

What is a hairspring in a watch? A hairspring also known as the balance spring is the extr...

Helium Escape Valve

Found in professional diving watches, a helium escape valve is fitted with the purpose of ...

Horology

What Is The Meaning Of Horology? In both Latin and Ancient Greek, the term horology is the...

k

Know Them Like The Back Of Your Hand: The Most Popular Watch Hands…Explained

The hands of a timepiece have the most important job—they point to the time. And yet, ae...

Know Your Watch Straps: The Most Commonly Used Materials

When we talk about watches, there are certain features that we describe first—everything...

m

Moon Phase

What Is A Moon Phase Watch? The moon phase complication is not mere dial decoration. A moo...

Mother-Of-Pearl

What Is A Mother of Pearl Watch Dial? Mother-of-pearl, known as nacre—an original 14th-c...

p

Perpetual Calendar

What is a perpetual calendar? A perpetual calendar is a complication in a watch which disp...

Power Reserve

What is power reserve on a watch? Power reserve on a watch is a feature that is showcased ...

Precision Rules: 10 Of The Finest Certified Chronometer Watches

It’s quite bizarre that a frequently asked question about watches is: what’s the diffe...

r

Retrograde Dial

A Retrograde Dial displays a function in a linear fashion, as opposed to a circular fashio...

s

Sapphire Crystal

What Is Sapphire Crystal On A Watch? Sapphire crystal is a type of watch glass, a transpar...

Screw Down Crown

Available in diving watches, a screw down crown is a special feature which aids in water r...

Simplifying The World Of Watches: The Watch Guide Answers All Your Questions On Horology

When you begin reading about watches and developing a keen interest in the art of watchmak...

Skeleton Dial

A Skeleton dial watch is where all the moving parts are visible through the front on the d...

Standard Time

What Is The Meaning Of Standard Time? Standard time is the established uniform or civil ti...

Stopwatch

What Is A Stopwatch? A stopwatch function in mechanical watches is used for calculating el...

Sub-dial

What Is A Sub-Dial On A Watch? A sub-dial is a miniature or auxiliary dial located on the ...

t

Tachymeter

What is a tachymeter? A tachymeter is a function in a watch that allows one to measure ave...

Tourbillon

According to the watch glossary of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (or FHH), a tourbi...

u

Unidirectional Bezel

Found in diving watches, the unidirectional rotating bezel is a unique feature that helps ...

w

Watch Lug

What is a watch lug? Perhaps one of the most underrated elements found on a watch, lugs ar...

Watch Movement

What is a watch movement? The most integral part of a watch—a movement also known as cal...

Watch Winder

What Is A Watch Winder? A watch winder keeps a highly complicated watch wound up to mainta...

What Are Quartz Watches And What Is A Quartz Movement—A Guide To Quartz Movements

What Are Quartz Watches? Quartz watches use an electronic oscillator regulated by a quartz...

World Timer

A watch with a world timer function displays times of up to 24 time zones around the globe...