WatchesAtlas / Watch knowledge
The Watch Encyclopedia
Understand the details that make a watch.
87 terms
Clear filtersHaute horlogerie
A broad description for high-level watchmaking craftsmanship, complexity or finishing rather than one universal technical certification.
Collecting, condition & careHomage watch
A watch drawing design inspiration from another watch without necessarily presenting itself as that original product.
Collecting, condition & careHunter case
A pocket-watch case with a protective front cover over the dial and crystal.
Collecting, condition & careIndependent watchmaker
A maker operating outside a major corporate watch group or emphasising an independently directed watchmaking practice.
Collecting, condition & careKarat
A convention expressing gold purity as a proportion of twenty-four parts.
Collecting, condition & careKey-wound watch
A watch whose mainspring is wound using a separate key rather than a conventional crown.
Collecting, condition & careLever-set watch
A watch whose time-setting mode is engaged using a dedicated lever.
Collecting, condition & careLimited edition
A release presented as limited to a stated production quantity.
Collecting, condition & careLimited-production model
A model with restricted production under a particular manufacturing or release arrangement, without necessarily being a numbered edition.
Collecting, condition & careLubrication
The application of suitable lubricants to selected movement contact points according to their technical requirements.
Collecting, condition & careMarine chronometer
A precision timekeeper historically designed to support navigation at sea.
Collecting, condition & careMatching numbers
A claim that relevant identification markings correspond as expected for the watch or its documents.
Collecting, condition & careMicrobrand
A commonly used description for a relatively small independent watch brand; definitions vary across the market.
Collecting, condition & careMilitary-issued watch
A watch supplied through an official military procurement or issue process, rather than merely styled as a military watch.
Collecting, condition & careMSRP
A manufacturer's suggested or recommended retail price.
Collecting, condition & careMystery watch
A watch with an indication designed to conceal or visually disguise how its hands or display are driven.
Collecting, condition & careNOS
Stock described as old production that has remained unused or unsold.
Collecting, condition & careNumbered edition
A release whose individual examples carry an edition number under the manufacturer's stated scheme.
Collecting, condition & careOEM
In watch listings, a claim that a part was made or supplied through the original manufacturer's production chain.
Collecting, condition & careOpen-face pocket watch
A pocket watch without a hinged front cover over its dial.
Collecting, condition & careOriginal retail price
The retail price associated with a watch when originally offered, distinct from its current market value.
Collecting, condition & careOver-polishing
Refinishing that removes enough material to noticeably alter a case's original geometry or detail.
Collecting, condition & careOverhaul
A substantial maintenance process involving inspection, cleaning, lubrication, adjustment and applicable replacement work.
Collecting, condition & careOxidation
A chemical process that can change a material's surface or condition, with effects depending on the metal and exposure.
Collecting, condition & carePartial service
Maintenance limited to specified work rather than a complete overhaul of the watch.
Collecting, condition & carePatina
Changes to appearance caused by ageing or environmental exposure.
Collecting, condition & carePilot watch
A watch designed or styled around aviation-related legibility, timing or navigation requirements.
Collecting, condition & carePin-set watch
A watch whose setting function is selected using a small pin or button in combination with its winding control.
Collecting, condition & carePocket watch
A watch intended primarily to be carried in a pocket rather than worn on the wrist.
Collecting, condition & carePolished case
A case whose surfaces have been refinished after manufacture.