WatchesAtlas / Watch knowledge
The Watch Encyclopedia
Understand the details that make a watch.
16 terms
Clear filtersCalifornia 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.
Cases, dials & braceletsClick bezel
A rotating bezel with an indexing mechanism producing discrete position changes.
Cases, dials & braceletsCountdown bezel
A bezel whose scale assists reading remaining time towards a selected end point.
Cases, dials & braceletsCrown
The external control used for winding, setting or operating selected watch functions.
Cases, dials & braceletsCrystal
The transparent cover over the dial, commonly made from sapphire, mineral glass or acrylic.
Cases, dials & braceletsCushion case
A case shape combining a broadly square outline with rounded sides and corners.