From Our Workshop

Watch Glossary

The language of watchmaking — terms you may encounter in your restoration timeline, explained in plain English.

Amplitude

The arc through which the balance wheel swings — a key indicator of how well the movement is running.

Read more

Balance Wheel

The oscillating wheel that divides time into equal segments, acting as the watch's timekeeping regulator.

Read more

Caliber

The specific model designation of a watch movement — its 'engine' model number.

Read more

Case

The outer shell of the watch that houses and protects the movement.

Read more

Crown

The external knob on the side of the case used for winding the mainspring and setting the time.

Read more

Crystal

The transparent cover over the dial that protects it from dust, moisture, and damage.

Read more

Dial

The face of the watch — the decorated plate that displays the time and carries the hour markers and brand name.

Read more

Escapement

The mechanism that regulates the release of power from the mainspring in precise, equal intervals.

Read more

Gasket

A rubber or synthetic O-ring seal that makes the watch case resistant to water and dust.

Read more

Hairspring

An ultra-thin coiled spring that controls the balance wheel's oscillation and is central to the watch's accuracy.

Read more

Jewel

A synthetic ruby bearing used to reduce friction at pivot points inside the movement.

Read more

Mainspring

The coiled spring that stores energy to power the movement.

Read more

Movement

The internal mechanism of a watch — the 'engine' — that drives the timekeeping and any additional functions.

Read more

Power Reserve

How long the watch will run on a full wind before the mainspring runs out of energy.

Read more

Regulation

The process of adjusting a watch's rate so it runs as close to accurate time as possible.

Read more

Rotor

The semicircular weighted piece in an automatic watch that spins with wrist motion to wind the mainspring.

Read more

Ultrasonic Cleaning

A cleaning process that uses high-frequency sound waves in solvent to remove old oil, dust, and debris from movement parts.

Read more