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  • 100-day open purchase
  • Secure payments
  • Always warranty
  • Fast and secure delivery
  • Over 600,000 happy customers
  • Europe's largest selection

    • Clock knowledge - a small dictionary

    Analog watchIn the context of watches, analog display means that the watch shows the time using hands the opposite of analog display is digital display where the time is shown on an LCD display.
    AlarmA watch with an alarm has some form of reminder function.
    Anti-reflectiveThe glass of a watch is often anti-reflective, in practice this means that you can see what time it is despite the sun shining on it.
    ATMATM stands for atmospheric pressure, when a watch is immersed in water, a pressure is created. One ATM corresponds to approximately 10 meters. To be able to swim with a watch, it is recommended that it can withstand 10 ATM, which is about the same as 100 meters. If you want to dive with your watch, it is recommended that it can withstand 20 ATM.
    Arabic numeralsArab merchants introduced in the Middle Ages the numerals we use today in the Western world. They are therefore called Arabic numerals (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
    Back caseThe back case is the back of the case and is available as a screw or push back case. The case back of an exclusive watch is often artistically designed. It can have inscriptions and be transparent. A transparent case-back acts as a window into the watch, thus showing the movement.
    Reverse displayA reverse display shows the time linearly instead of, as most analog watches do, circularly.
    BatterySee quartz.
    Battery indicatorA watch with a battery indicator display has an indicator that shows when the battery is running low and needs to be replaced.
    CaseThe case is the shell the movement is mounted in. It can be made of materials such as steel, gold, titanium or platinum.
    BuckleA buckle is similar to the buckle that holds a waist belt together. The barley buckle is a classic buckle often used to hold leather and rubber bracelets together.
    DiameterThe diameter of a watch refers to the measurement of the outer side of the case between three and nine o'clock (excluding the crown).
    Eco DriveEco Drive is a light-driven series from Citizen. In simple terms, the technology means that a panel generates light energy which is then stored in a lithium battery. This means that the battery never needs to be replaced for the foreseeable future.
    Perpetual calendarA perpetual calendar takes into account the length of months and leap years. A leap day is added to every year that is evenly divisible by four, however, there are exceptions where the year is divisible by 100 but not 400. This means that, for example, the years 2100, 2200, 2300 and 2500 are not leap years even though they are evenly divisible by four. Only the most advanced perpetual calendar clocks take these exceptions into account.
    Happy clockWhen a clock shows ten minutes past ten or ten minutes in two, it is said to be smiling. Watches that are photographed for marketing purposes are usually photographed when they are happy.
    GlassThe glass in a wristwatch comes in two main varieties; sapphire and mineral glass. Most high-end watches made nowadays have sapphire crystal. Sapphire crystal is very scratch resistant. However, mineral glass has the advantage that it will not shatter if crushed.
    GMTGMT, Greenwich Mean Time, is a time zone defined to coincide with UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). UTC is the basis for civilian timekeeping and, with the help of atomic clocks, is very accurate. In a clock context, GMT means that the clock supports two time zones.
    GuillocheThe guilloche is a decoration commonly used in watchmaking to embellish dials. When a genuine guilloche is made, a tool is used to cut a pattern into the dial. This is an expensive process, so most watchmakers stamp the pattern instead. Breguet is one of the few companies that still carves guilloche patterns into all its watches.
    Power reserveThe power reserve is the time a watch runs after it has been wound (or kinetically charged). Quartz watches have a running time that lasts the time between battery changes.
    Power reserve indicatorSome watches have a display that shows how much power reserve is left. This display is called the power reserve indicator
    HesaliteA type of plexi that Omega uses as glass in some of its watches. Hesalite, like other Plexiglas, has the advantage of not shattering when crushed and has therefore been used in watches for space travel.
    HornsHorns are the four pieces of metal used to join the bracelet and the case.
    HeightThe height of a watch is measured from the bottom to the top of the case.
    Index markersMarkers for whole hours on a dial. They are usually in the form of dashes, dots, Arabic numerals, Roman numerals or diamonds.
    JewelTo minimize friction and increase running accuracy, jewels are used as bearings in the running system of a watch. Jewels are made in the same way as sapphire crystal (which is often used as glass in a watch). When a movement has many jewels, it often indicates good quality.
    CaliberCaliber refers to the movement itself and its movement. An advanced caliber can power several complications such as chronograph, perpetual calendar and minute repeater. Indirectly, it is also the caliber that determines the power reserve of a watch.
    CeramicsCeramics is an increasingly common material used in the manufacture of watches. It is a very durable and scratch-resistant material. It also has the advantage of retaining its color and luster over time.
    ComplicationA watch that has extra functions such as a chronograph, perpetual calendar, etc. has complications. A watch with many such complications (extra functions) is called "grande complication".
    CrownThe crown is a button used, among other things, to set the time and date and wind the watch. It is usually located at three o'clock on the watch.
    ChronographA chronograph is a complication used to measure time intervals.
    ChronometerA chronometer is a watch that has been precision tested by an independent institute.
    Mechanical watchesEach individual watch that has received the designation has been tested for 16 days at three different temperatures and in five different positions. A mechanical watch must not lose more than 4 seconds per day and must not gain more than 6 seconds.
    Quartz watchesEach individual watch that has received the designation has been tested for eleven days at three different temperatures and in one position. A quartz watch must have a running precision 10 times higher than that required of a conventional quartz watch. A quartz watch must not lose more than 0.2 seconds per day and must not advance more than 0.2 seconds.

    If the watch is approved, a Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (C.O.S.C) certificate is issued.

    QuartzQuartz is a rock crystal used in the watch industry in that it is set in oscillation by an electronic circuit. Today, synthetic crystals are used which, after grinding, can maintain a very constant frequency. Quartz watches are often very accurate and are also called battery-powered watches.
    Limited editionA watch that is only produced in a fixed number of pieces is limited. These watches are often difficult to obtain.
    Mechanical, AutomaticIn an automatic watch, a mainspring is wound by a rotor, the energy for the rotor to move comes from the kinetic energy produced by its wearer. If the wearer puts the watch down, the energy generated (the power reserve) keeps the watch running. The power reserve usually lasts one to three days.
    Mechanical, hand-woundA mechanical watch is wound by hand. The energy generated (the power reserve) usually lasts one to three days.
    Minute repeaterMinute repeater is one of the most complicated complications. It triggers a movement at certain times.
    Moon phaseA watch with a moon phase complication displays the lunar calendar on the dial.
    PVDPVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is a surface treatment of a material. It produces a surface that is durable and has low friction. Watches that are PVD treated are usually made of steel or titanium.
    Mother of PearlMother of Pearl (MOP) is also called Nacre and is an organic composite material. It is sometimes used in the manufacture of dials. Tissot was the first brand to produce a watch entirely in mother-of-pearl.
    RattrapanteThe rattrapante is an advanced complication consisting of a second seconds hand that moves independently of the first. Chronographs with rattrapante allow several times to be measured simultaneously.
    RingThe ring or bezel is the metal frame with which the watch glass is attached to the case. It can be fixed or movable in one or both directions.
    Roman numeralsA watch usually has index markings such as dashes, Arabic numerals or Roman numerals. The Roman numerals on a watch are I, II, III, IIII, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII.
    Skeleton watchA skeleton watch has a transparent case back and dial. This allows you to see through the watch. These clocks are often very artistically designed.
    Screw-in crownScrew-in crowns are often used on diver's watches, the crown is screwed in to prevent water from entering.
    Safety valve, HeliumA valve that can be used in deep sea diving from diver's watches to prevent overpressure in the watch.
    TachometerA tachometer is a scale for measuring speeds. The tachometer converts seconds (maximum 60) to kilometers per hour. To use the tachometer, a reference distance must be available.
    Transparent case backA watch with a transparent case back has a glass on the underside of the case through which the movement can be seen. The movements of these watches are often beautifully designed.
    TritiumTritium is a weakly radioactive color used to make, for example, index markers and hands "luminescent". Tritium is used in such small quantities that it is not dangerous. However, all watches that use tritium must have the time marked with a T. This T is found on such watches visible near the six o'clock position.
    TourbillonThe tourbillon was invented by Louis Breguet in 1801. It uses a rotating platform to compensate for vertical positional errors (gravitational disturbance). The complication is trendy today and is produced in different variants by Jaeger-LeCoultre and others.
    Water resistanceThe water resistance of a watch is affected by time, heat, wear and external influences. Although a water-resistant watch can withstand showers or washing dishes, we do not recommend it. Soap, shampoo and perfume can destroy the gaskets prematurely. If you have been swimming in salt water, it is important to rinse your watch in fresh water afterwards. Also, don't use the buttons when the watch is underwater, and make sure the threaded crown is properly screwed on.

    It is common for the manufacturer to specify the water pressure your watch can withstand. This can be expressed in meters (m) or in atmospheres (atm), where 1 atm equals 10 m. However, manufacturers' designations such as 'water resistant' and 'water proof' do not correspond to national practices. Also note that these numbers have nothing to do with how deep you can dive with your watch.

    For a watch to be suitable for swimming, it must be able to withstand at least 100 meters (10 ATM). For diving, it must be able to withstand at least 200 meters (20 ATM). However, it is recommended that you have your watch checked by a watchmaker before each swimming season. 20 ATM water resistance will not help if the watch has dry gaskets or a cracked crystal. A watch with a water resistance of less than 100 meters (10 ATM) will normally only withstand water splashes. Bell & Ross's Hydromax holds the record for water pressure. It can withstand compression at a depth of 11100 meters, which is deeper than any ocean on earth.

    VibrationThe pendulum or any other oscillating element of a mechanical watch is limited by two positions. This pendulum normally swings between five and six times per second (18000-21600 times per hour). A watch that has a high frequency of oscillation (vibration) can swing up to 10 times per second (36000 times per hour).
    WeightWeight refers to the weight of the watch including bracelet and buckle.
    Folding claspThe folding clasp was probably invented by Cartier. It consists of two or more metal strips which are shaped to the wrist. The folding clasp is sometimes also called a deployment clasp. Click here to see an example of a Tag Heuer watch that has a folding clasp.
    Left-hand crownA left-hand crown simply has the crown on the left side instead of where it is normally placed (on the right side at three o'clock).

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