WatchesAtlas / Watch knowledge
The Watch Encyclopedia
Understand the details that make a watch.
42 terms
Clear filtersAnglage
The creation and finishing of bevelled edges on movement components.
Finishing & craftsmanshipBaguette cut
A gemstone cut with a long, substantially rectangular form and step-like facets.
Finishing & craftsmanshipBead blasting
A surface treatment using projected beads to create a controlled matte or textured finish.
Finishing & craftsmanshipBlack polish
An extremely flat polished surface that can appear dark or bright depending on the viewing angle.
Finishing & craftsmanshipBrilliant cut
A faceting style designed to produce light return and sparkle, commonly associated with round gemstones.
Finishing & craftsmanshipBrushed finish
A surface finish with fine directional marks that generally reflects light more diffusely than a polished surface.
Finishing & craftsmanshipCabochon
A polished, rounded gemstone or decorative stone without a conventional faceted crown.
Finishing & craftsmanshipChamplevé
Enamelling using recessed areas cut or formed into a metal base.
Finishing & craftsmanshipChasing
A metalworking technique shaping or refining a surface using controlled tool impacts.
Finishing & craftsmanshipChemical bluing
A colouring process using chemical treatment rather than traditional heat bluing.
Finishing & craftsmanshipCloisonné
Enamelling in which fine partitions divide coloured areas of a design.
Finishing & craftsmanshipClous de Paris
A geometric decorative pattern of small pyramidal forms, often seen on dials or bezels.
Finishing & craftsmanshipCôtes de Genève
A striped decorative finish commonly applied to bridges and other movement surfaces.
Finishing & craftsmanshipDamascening
Decorative metal surface work, including patterned finishes or inlays depending on the context.
Finishing & craftsmanshipEnamel dial
A dial finish using vitreous enamel fired onto a substrate; grand feu refers to a high-temperature enamelling approach.
Finishing & craftsmanshipExternal angle
A projecting meeting of component edges that may receive decorative bevel finishing.
Finishing & craftsmanshipFlinqué
A decorative technique combining an engraved or patterned surface with a translucent covering, often enamel.
Finishing & craftsmanshipFrosted finish
A surface finish creating a fine textured or sparkling appearance through a specified treatment.
Finishing & craftsmanshipGem setting
The securing of gemstones into a dial, case, bezel or other watch component.
Finishing & craftsmanshipGuilloché
A decorative engraved pattern traditionally produced using a guided engine-turning process.
Finishing & craftsmanshipHand engraving
Decoration cut into a surface using hand-controlled engraving tools.
Finishing & craftsmanshipHand-finished movement
A movement with specified finishing operations performed by hand; the scope should be established for the exact calibre.
Finishing & craftsmanshipHeat bluing
A controlled heating process used to produce a blue oxide appearance on suitable steel components.
Finishing & craftsmanshipIntaglio engraving
Decoration cut below the surrounding surface rather than standing above it in relief.
Finishing & craftsmanshipInternal angle
A concave meeting of finished component edges, valued in some forms of detailed movement decoration.
Finishing & craftsmanshipInvisible setting
A gem-setting technique intended to conceal much of the retaining structure between stones.
Finishing & craftsmanshipMachine engraving
Engraving produced using machine-controlled tools rather than entirely hand-directed cutting.
Finishing & craftsmanshipMarquetry
Decoration assembled from carefully fitted pieces of different materials to form a pattern or image.
Finishing & craftsmanshipMeteorite dial
A dial made from meteorite material, sometimes treated to reveal a distinctive crystalline pattern.
Finishing & craftsmanshipMother-of-pearl
The iridescent inner shell material used for some watch dials.