Watch words, made simple
Every term explained for someone who has never owned a mechanical watch.
CrownThe little knob on the side of your watch. You use it to wind the watch and set the time and date.
RotorA weighted half-disc inside automatic watches that spins as your wrist moves, winding the watch for you.
EscapementThe tiny mechanism that releases energy in steady beats — it's what makes a mechanical watch tick.
Automatic movementA mechanical watch that winds itself from your wrist motion. It still needs winding if it sits unworn.
Manual movementA mechanical watch with no rotor. You wind it by hand, usually once a day.
Power reserveHow long a wound watch keeps running once you stop wearing it — often 38 to 72 hours.
ChronographA watch with a built-in stopwatch, operated by pushers, with sub-dials that count elapsed time.
GMTA watch with an extra hand that tracks a second time zone on a 24-hour scale — great for travel.
Screw-down crownA crown that twists shut against the case for extra water resistance. Unscrew it before setting.
Quickset dateA feature that lets you change the date directly with the crown, without spinning the hands all the way around.
Jewel bearingsTiny synthetic rubies inside the movement that reduce friction where parts pivot, helping the watch last.