WatchesAtlas / Watch knowledge
The Watch Encyclopedia
Understand the details that make a watch.
139 terms
Clear filters12-hour bezel
A bezel carrying a 12-hour scale that can assist a second time-zone reading.
Cases, dials & bracelets24-hour bezel
A bezel with a 24-hour scale, commonly paired with a corresponding GMT hand.
Cases, dials & braceletsAcrylic crystal
A plastic crystal that is relatively light and can often have minor scratches polished out.
Cases, dials & braceletsAlpha hands
Hands with a broad tapered body leading towards a narrow point.
Cases, dials & braceletsAnti-reflective coating
A surface treatment reducing reflections from a crystal to improve visibility.
Cases, dials & braceletsAperture
An opening in the dial through which an indication, such as a date, can be read.
Cases, dials & braceletsApplied indices
Hour markers attached to the dial as separate parts rather than printed directly on it.
Cases, dials & braceletsAsymmetric case
A case whose form is intentionally not symmetrical across its principal axes.
Cases, dials & braceletsAventurine dial
A dial using a material with sparkling inclusions, commonly aventurine glass.
Cases, dials & braceletsBaton hands
Hands with a narrow, generally straight-sided outline.
Cases, dials & braceletsBeads-of-rice bracelet
A bracelet design with small rounded centre links resembling grains of rice.
Cases, dials & braceletsBezel
The ring surrounding the crystal, which may be fixed or rotating and may carry a functional scale.
Cases, dials & braceletsBicompax layout
A common modern description for a chronograph dial with two principal counters.
Cases, dials & braceletsBidirectional bezel
A bezel that can rotate in either direction, used for functions such as time-zone or countdown tracking.
Cases, dials & braceletsBlued steel hands
Steel hands coloured blue through a controlled process, traditionally heat treatment.
Cases, dials & braceletsBox crystal
A raised crystal with a profile resembling the stepped or vertical-sided shape of traditional acrylic crystals.
Cases, dials & braceletsBreguet hands
A hand style with a distinctive open circular element near its pointed end.
Cases, dials & braceletsBronze
A copper-based alloy used for some watch cases, often developing a changing surface patina.
Cases, dials & braceletsButterfly clasp
A folding clasp opening in two opposing sections, often concealing much of the closure when worn.
Cases, dials & braceletsCalifornia dial
A dial layout conventionally combining Roman and Arabic hour numerals.
Cases, dials & braceletsCarbon fibre
A material using carbon fibres in a matrix, employed in selected cases, dials or structural components.
Cases, dials & braceletsCase
The external housing protecting the movement and carrying the crystal, caseback and controls.
Cases, dials & braceletsCase diameter
The stated width of a case, usually excluding the crown, although measurement conventions vary.
Cases, dials & braceletsCase thickness
The vertical height of the watch case, with crystal and caseback inclusion depending on the stated convention.
Cases, dials & braceletsCaseback
The rear closure of a watch case, attached by screws, threads or another fastening method.
Cases, dials & braceletsCathedral hands
Decorative hands whose segmented outlines resemble architectural tracery.
Cases, dials & braceletsCerachrom
Rolex's name for ceramic components used in selected bezels and bezel inserts.
Cases, dials & braceletsCeramic
A material used for cases, bezels and other parts, often offering strong resistance to scratching.
Cases, dials & braceletsCeratanium
IWC's name for a titanium-based material processed to obtain particular surface characteristics.
Cases, dials & braceletsChapter ring
A ring or circular scale carrying hour, minute or other markings around a dial.