Market
Allocation
A retailer’s limited supply assignment for high-demand models.
Read definition →TimeHunter Encyclopedia
Watch Glossary
Explore essential terminology from movements and complications to collector language, materials and finishing.
172 terms
Movements
Amplitude
The angle through which the balance wheel swings during operation.
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Anglage
Hand-finished beveling and polishing of component edges.
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Annual Calendar
Calendar complication requiring correction once per year, typically at the end of February.
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Annual Production
The approximate number of watches produced by a manufacturer in a year.
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Anti-Magnetic
Protection against magnetic fields that can disturb the rate of a mechanical movement.
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Aperture
An opening in the dial used to display information such as the date or moon phase.
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Automatic Movement
A mechanical movement wound by the motion of the wearer’s wrist through a rotating mass.
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Balance Spring
A fine spring attached to the balance wheel that regulates oscillation.
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Balance Wheel
The oscillating component that regulates the rate of a mechanical watch.
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Barrel
The drum that contains the mainspring and stores energy for the movement.
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Beating Heart
A marketing expression often used for a visible balance or escapement.
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Bezel
The ring surrounding the crystal, sometimes fixed and sometimes rotating.
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Bicompax
A chronograph dial layout with two sub-dials, usually positioned horizontally.
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Big Date
A large date display using two separate discs.
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Black Polishing
A high-grade polishing technique creating a mirror surface that appears black at certain angles.
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Boutique Edition
A model distributed through selected brand boutiques.
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Box Crystal
A tall crystal with pronounced vertical sides and a domed top.
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Bracelet
A metal watch band composed of articulated links.
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Breguet Hands
Elegant hands with hollow circular tips, named after Abraham-Louis Breguet.
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Brushed Finish
A satin-like surface treatment with fine directional lines.
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Cabochon
A rounded polished gemstone often set into a crown.
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Calatrava Cross
A cross emblem associated with Patek Philippe.
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Calibre
The specific design or model designation of a watch movement.
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Cam Chronograph
A chronograph controlled by a cam-and-lever mechanism rather than a column wheel.
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Caseback
The rear cover of the watch case, either solid or transparent.
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Ceramic
A hard, scratch-resistant material often used for bezels and cases.
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Chapter Ring
A circular scale around the dial carrying minute or hour markings.
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Chronograph
A watch with an integrated stopwatch function.
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Chronometer
A movement or watch certified to meet defined precision standards.
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Chronometric Performance
The overall precision and stability of a timekeeping movement.
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Clasp
The fastening mechanism of a bracelet or strap.
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Co-Axial Escapement
An escapement architecture designed to reduce sliding friction and improve long-term stability.
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Collector Premium
Additional value created by rarity, provenance, condition or desirability.
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Column Wheel
A rotating control component used in higher-end chronograph mechanisms.
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Complication
Any watch function beyond the basic display of hours, minutes and seconds.
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COSC
The Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute, known for certifying movement accuracy.
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Crown
The external control used to wind the watch and adjust its settings.
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Crystal
The transparent cover protecting the dial, commonly made from sapphire, mineral glass or acrylic.
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Cyclops
A magnifying lens positioned over the date display.
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Côtes de Genève
Decorative parallel wave stripes applied to movement components.
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Date Window
An aperture displaying the current date.
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Dauphine Hands
Faceted, tapered hands with a sharp geometric profile.
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Deadbeat Seconds
A seconds display that advances in distinct one-second steps in a mechanical watch.
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Deployant Clasp
A folding clasp that opens in sections while remaining attached to the strap.
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Destro
A watch configured with the crown on the left side of the case.
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Dial
The visible face of the watch carrying markers, scales and displays.
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Digital Display
A numerical display of time rather than one using hands.
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Diver’s Extension
An adjustable bracelet extension designed to fit over a diving suit.
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Diving Bezel
A rotating bezel used to measure elapsed dive time.
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Domed Crystal
A curved crystal profile, often inspired by vintage acrylic designs.
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Double Chronograph
A split-seconds chronograph capable of timing intermediate events.
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Dress Watch
A refined, generally slim watch intended for formal wear.
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Dual Time
A complication that shows the time in two zones.
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Enamel Dial
A dial made using fired glass-like enamel for depth, colour and longevity.
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End Link
The bracelet component that connects the bracelet to the watch case.
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Engine Turning
Mechanical engraving used to create repeating geometric patterns.
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Equation of Time
A complication showing the difference between mean solar time and true solar time.
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Escapement
The mechanism that transfers energy from the gear train to the regulating organ.
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Exhibition Caseback
A transparent caseback that reveals the movement.
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Field Watch
A practical, highly legible watch originally designed for military field use.
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Finishing
Decorative and functional treatment of movement and case components.
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Flip
The rapid resale of a watch, often for profit.
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Flyback Chronograph
A chronograph that can be reset and restarted with a single press while running.
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Foudroyante
A rapidly moving seconds indication that measures fractions of a second.
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Frankenwatch
A watch assembled from parts originating from different watches or references.
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Free-Sprung Balance
A balance regulated by adjusting inertia rather than changing spring length.
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Frequency
The rate at which a balance oscillates, often expressed in hertz or vibrations per hour.
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Full Set
A watch accompanied by its original box, papers and accessories.
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Geneva Seal
A hallmark associated with defined standards of origin, construction and finishing in Geneva.
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Ghost Bezel
A bezel insert faded by age, often valued by vintage collectors.
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Gilt Dial
A dial featuring gold-coloured printing or exposed brass details.
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GMT
A complication with an additional hand or display for another time zone.
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Grand Feu Enamel
Traditional enamel fired repeatedly at very high temperatures.
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Grande Complication
A watch combining several advanced complications in one movement.
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Grey Market
Distribution outside a brand’s authorised retail network.
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Guilloché
A decorative engraved pattern, traditionally created by engine turning.
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Hacking Seconds
A mechanism that stops the seconds hand when the crown is pulled for precise setting.
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Haute Horlogerie
High watchmaking characterised by exceptional craftsmanship, complexity and finishing.
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Helium Escape Valve
A valve that releases helium accumulated during saturation diving.
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Hesalite
Acrylic crystal material known for warmth, impact resistance and easy polishing.
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High Beat
A movement operating at a relatively high frequency, commonly 36,000 vibrations per hour.
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Homage Watch
A watch intentionally inspired by the design of another model without counterfeit branding.
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Hour Marker
An applied or printed indicator marking an hour position on the dial.
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Incabloc
A shock-protection system for the balance staff.
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Integrated Bracelet
A bracelet designed as a seamless visual continuation of the case.
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Integrated Chronograph
A chronograph designed as part of the base movement rather than added as a module.
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Jewels
Synthetic ruby bearings used to reduce friction in a movement.
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Jumping Hour
A display in which the hour changes instantly rather than gradually.
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Limited Edition
A watch produced in a declared fixed quantity.
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Liquidity
How easily a watch can be sold at a predictable market price.
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Lug
A projection from the case that secures the strap or bracelet.
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Lug-to-Lug
The vertical distance between the tips of the upper and lower lugs.
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Lume
Luminescent material applied to hands and markers for visibility in darkness.
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Mainspring
The coiled spring that stores mechanical energy in a watch.
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Manual Winding
A mechanical movement wound by turning the crown.
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Marine Chronometer
A highly accurate timekeeper historically used for navigation at sea.
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Market Price
The price at which a watch commonly trades on the secondary market.
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Master Chronometer
A certification standard involving precision, magnetic resistance and performance testing.
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Mechanical Movement
A movement powered by a mainspring and regulated mechanically.
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Micro-Rotor
A small automatic winding rotor integrated into the plane of the movement.
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Minute Repeater
A complication that chimes the time on demand.
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Minute Track
A scale marking individual minutes around the dial.
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Modular Chronograph
A chronograph module mounted onto a separate base movement.
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Monobloc Case
A case constructed from a single main piece without a removable caseback.
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Monopusher Chronograph
A chronograph operated by a single push-piece.
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Moonphase
A complication displaying the current phase of the moon.
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Movement
The internal mechanism that powers and controls the watch.
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NATO Strap
A durable one-piece textile strap originally associated with military use.
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NOS
New Old Stock: an older item that remains unused or effectively unworn.
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Open Heart
A dial opening that reveals part of the regulating mechanism.
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Panda Dial
A light dial with contrasting dark chronograph registers.
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Patina
Age-related visual changes valued for character and originality.
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Perlage
Overlapping circular graining used to decorate movement plates.
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Perpetual Calendar
A calendar complication programmed to account for months of different lengths and leap years.
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Pie-Pan Dial
A dial with sloped outer facets resembling an inverted pie pan.
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Polished Finish
A reflective surface treatment applied to cases, bracelets or movement parts.
Read definition →Movements
Power Reserve
The amount of operating time remaining before a mechanical watch stops.
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Power Reserve Barrel
A barrel arrangement designed to extend operating autonomy.
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Power Reserve Indicator
A display showing how much energy remains in the mainspring.
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Pressure Test
A test used to verify the sealing and water resistance of a watch.
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Provenance
The documented ownership and history of a watch.
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Pulsometer
A chronograph scale used to calculate pulse rate.
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Quartz Movement
An electronic movement regulated by a quartz crystal.
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Quickset Date
A mechanism allowing the date to be adjusted independently of the time.
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Radial Flip
A rare dial-printing configuration in which numerals are oriented differently than usual.
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Rattrapante
Another term for a split-seconds chronograph.
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Reference Number
The manufacturer’s identifier for a specific watch configuration.
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Regulator
A watch or clock display that separates hours, minutes and seconds into distinct indications.
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Repeater
A complication that strikes the time acoustically on demand.
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Retail Price
The official selling price set by the manufacturer or authorised retailer.
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Retrograde Display
A hand that travels across an arc and jumps back to its starting point.
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Reverse Panda
A dark dial with contrasting light chronograph registers.
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Rivet Bracelet
A bracelet whose side links show visible rivet heads.
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Rotating Bezel
A bezel that turns to measure time or perform calculations.
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Rotor
The oscillating weight that winds an automatic movement.
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Sapphire Crystal
A highly scratch-resistant synthetic crystal used to protect the dial.
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Screw-Down Crown
A crown that threads into the case to improve sealing.
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Sector Bezel
A bezel or dial ring divided into functional reading zones.
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Sector Dial
A dial divided into concentric or geometric reading zones.
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Service Dial
A replacement dial installed during servicing.
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Service Hands
Replacement hands installed during servicing.
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Service Interval
The recommended period between complete movement services.
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Shock Protection
A system protecting the balance staff from impact.
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Silicon Escapement
An escapement using silicon components for low friction and magnetic resistance.
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Skeleton Watch
A watch with movement components opened or cut away for visibility.
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Small Seconds
A seconds display located in a sub-dial rather than at the centre.
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Snailing
A decorative spiral finish applied to movement parts.
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Spring Drive
A hybrid movement system combining mechanical energy with electronic regulation.
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Stainless Steel
A corrosion-resistant alloy widely used for watch cases and bracelets.
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Sub-Dial
A smaller dial used for secondary information.
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Sunburst Dial
A radial brushed dial finish that reflects light dynamically.
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Super-LumiNova
A widely used non-radioactive luminous pigment.
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Tachymeter
A scale used with a chronograph to calculate average speed.
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Telemeter
A scale used to estimate distance based on the speed of sound.
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Tourbillon
A rotating cage containing the escapement and balance, designed to average positional errors.
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Tritium
A radioactive luminous material used historically on watch dials.
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Tropical Dial
A dial that has changed colour through ageing and environmental exposure.
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True GMT
A GMT architecture in which the local hour hand can be adjusted independently.
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Unidirectional Bezel
A bezel rotating in one direction only, used primarily for diving safety.
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Unpolished Case
A case believed to retain its original factory geometry without refinishing.
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UTC
Coordinated Universal Time, the global reference standard for timekeeping.
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VPH
Vibrations per hour, a measure of movement frequency.
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Waitlist
A retailer-managed queue for models with demand exceeding supply.
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Wandering Hours
A display where hour numerals travel across an arc indicating the minutes.
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Watch Winder
A device that rotates an automatic watch to maintain winding.
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Water Resistance
The rated ability of a watch case to resist water ingress under specified conditions.
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World Time
A complication displaying time across multiple world time zones.
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Wrist Presence
An informal term describing how visually substantial a watch appears when worn.
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Yacht Timer
A countdown complication designed for sailing race starts.
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Zero Reset
A mechanism that returns the seconds hand to zero when setting the time.
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Ébauche
A partially completed movement supplied for further assembly or modification.
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