WatchesAtlas / Watch knowledge
The Watch Encyclopedia
Understand the details that make a watch.
83 terms
Clear filters24-hour display
A time indication that completes or represents a full 24-hour cycle rather than repeating a 12-hour cycle.
Complications & displaysAlarm
A function producing an alert at a selected time, mechanically or electronically.
Complications & displaysAltimeter
A function estimating altitude, commonly using pressure readings or electronic information.
Complications & displaysAM/PM indication
An indication identifying which half of a 24-hour day is associated with a time display.
Complications & displaysAnnual calendar
A calendar mechanism accounting for different month lengths but normally needing a correction around February.
Complications & displaysApparent solar time
Time based on the Sun's apparent position, differing through the year from mean solar time.
Complications & displaysAutomaton
A mechanically animated figure or scene, sometimes coordinated with a watch's striking or time display.
Complications & displaysAzimuth
A directional angle expressed relative to a reference direction, sometimes displayed by instrument watches.
Complications & displaysBarometer
A function measuring atmospheric pressure, sometimes used to indicate changes in weather conditions.
Complications & displaysBig date
An enlarged date display, often using separate components for the tens and units digits.
Complications & displaysCalendar corrector
A control used to adjust a calendar indication independently of ordinary time setting.
Complications & displaysCaller GMT
A GMT configuration with an independently adjustable additional time-zone hand.
Complications & displaysCathedral gong
A repeater gong arranged with an extended path around the movement or case.
Complications & displaysCelestial chart
A representation of the night sky, sometimes driven to show its changing relationship to time.
Complications & displaysChronograph
A function measuring elapsed time independently of ordinary time display, typically with start, stop and reset controls.
Complications & displaysCompass
A function providing directional information, either through a magnetic sensor or another calibrated method.
Complications & displaysCompass bezel
A bezel carrying directional markings to assist an appropriate compass or orientation method.
Complications & displaysComplete calendar
A calendar displaying weekday, date and month, without necessarily correcting automatically for different month lengths.
Complications & displaysComplication
A watch function beyond basic time indication, such as a calendar, chronograph or additional time-zone display.
Complications & displaysCountdown timer
A function counting down from a selected interval rather than accumulating elapsed time.
Complications & displaysDate display
An indication of the day number within the month, shown through a window or by a hand.
Complications & displaysDay-date
A calendar display showing both weekday and date number.
Complications & displaysDay-night indicator
A display distinguishing daytime from nighttime for an associated time indication.
Complications & displaysDaylight-saving time
A seasonal change in civil time applied by selected regions and not automatically supported by every watch.
Complications & displaysDecimal repeater
A repeater that sounds decimal subdivisions of an hour rather than a conventional quarter-based sequence.
Complications & displaysDecimal time
A time-display system dividing time into decimal units rather than conventional hours, minutes and seconds.
Complications & displaysDepth gauge
A watch function measuring or indicating water depth using a suitable pressure-sensing mechanism.
Complications & displaysDouble-hemisphere moon phase
A moon-phase presentation showing the appearance associated with both northern and southern hemispheres.
Complications & displaysDual time
A display showing the time in two time zones. Its architecture may differ from a conventional GMT hand.
Complications & displaysEquation of time
A display of the difference between apparent solar time and mean solar time.