Watch Glossary
1676 horological terms explained · 2/6
Integrated anti-shock system in Swiss movements, protecting balance staff pivots from impact damage.
Rolex perpetual rotor mechanism with self-winding precision engineering
JLC technique for minimizing micro-vibration feedback in ultra-thin caliber 240
Seiko Spring Drive movement with kinetic energy regulation and no escapement
Hollow pinion on center wheel shaft that drives minute wheel and hour wheel gearing
Movement condition where center wheel cannon pinion loosens; causes chronograph hand drift.
Main wheel rotating once per hour, drives minute wheel and hour wheel via cannon pinion
Rolex's escapement system improving efficiency and precision in watches
Rolex innovation, improved efficiency over standard escapement, reduces friction and wear
Rolex metric measuring escapement efficiency gains over traditional designs
Integrated or modular addition to base movement for stopwatch function, 7750, 8900 examples
Mechanical movement with integrated stopwatch function including start, stop, and reset buttons.
High-precision movement certified to meet strict accuracy standards, typically -4/+6 seconds.
Official certification verifying movement accuracy within specific daily rate tolerances.
Precision escapement design using detent mechanism for improved accuracy and lower friction.
Spring-loaded component that engages the ratchet wheel to prevent backward mainspring rotation.
Wheel that couples or decouples train wheels during winding versus timekeeping modes
Modern escapement with concentric design reducing friction and improving chronometer performance.
Advanced synthetic pallet stone material in Omega co-axial escapement design.
Mechanical coupling methodology between co-axial escapement and seconds hand drive train.
Omega measurement of friction reduction in co-axial escapement vs lever escapement
Specialized setup procedure ensuring concentric alignment of co-axial escapement jewel pairs.
Progressive friction mapping across co-axial escapement pivot bearing surfaces.
Co-axial mechanism reducing friction between escapement components for improved accuracy
Spiral-shaped component in the mainspring barrel
Single-sided metal bridge that supports one end of a pivot; commonly used for balance wheel.
Specialized screws securing the balance cock to the movement plate
Small metal tube fixing hairspring to balance wheel staff or collet holder
Controlled resistance created by the hairspring's collet seat on the balance arbor.
Chronograph component controlling start/stop, found in 7750 and 321, superior precision
Zenith specification for spacing between column wheel teeth affecting chronograph precision
Tapered pivot points reducing bearing friction in movement
Mechanism maintaining consistent power delivery to the movement throughout the mainspring's unwind.
Mechanism maintaining uniform force delivery to regulating organ
Testing procedure confirming constant force mechanism maintains isochronal oscillation.
Energy storage device in constant force escapement maintaining uniform power delivery.
Proportional measurement of constant force pawl contact with ratchet teeth.
Oscillation rate of constant force mechanism maintaining uniform energy delivery to balance wheel.
In-house developed and manufactured caliber by manufacturer
AI algorithm determining user activity and environmental context to optimize power consumption
Balance wheel incorporating copper for temperature compensation
Base caliber upon which additional complications are added
Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute certification for precision mechanical movements.
Friction device connecting chronograph to main movement when activated
Fine-tuning mechanism for rate adjustment in movement
Auction house term for hour hand that gradually advances between hour markers rather than jumping.
Cruciform component in escapement connecting to balance wheel
Bridging standard enabling seamless data transfer between smartwatch and smartphone ecosystems
Air viscosity influence on cylinder escapement performance within sealed balance cock cavity.
Standardized measurement procedure for lift clearance between cylinder and escape wheel teeth.
Quantification of backward wheel motion during cylinder escapement lock phase.
Curved surface profile refinement of escape wheel teeth for cylinder escapement efficiency.
Balance wheel with drum-shaped mass distribution design
Standard rounded pivot point between movement components
Secondary spring reducing oscillation in balance wheel assembly
Measurement specifying date disc component dimensions
Displays day and date, common in NH35 and mid-tier movements, adds mechanical complexity
Component disengaging chronograph mechanism when pusher released
Measurable flex distance of deadbeat anchor legs under impulse force application.
Acceptable variance in locking position angle for deadbeat escapement precision chronometry.