WatchesAtlas / Watch knowledge
The Watch Encyclopedia
Understand the details that make a watch.
123 terms
Clear filtersCrown wheel
A wheel in certain winding trains that transfers crown rotation towards the ratchet wheel.
Movements & mechanismsCylinder escapement
A historical escapement in which a hollow cylindrical component on the balance interacts with the escape wheel.
Movements & mechanismsCylindrical hairspring
A balance spring arranged as a cylindrical helix rather than a flat spiral.
Movements & mechanismsDeadbeat seconds
A mechanism that advances the seconds hand in distinct steps rather than the usual small mechanical increments.
Movements & mechanismsDepthing
The setting of the correct distance and engagement between meshing movement wheels and pinions.
Movements & mechanismsDetent escapement
An escapement using a detent to control locking, historically important in precision marine timekeepers.
Movements & mechanismsDifferential gearing
Gearing that combines or separates rotations, used in selected winding, display and regulating mechanisms.
Movements & mechanismsDirect impulse
An escapement arrangement in which an impulse reaches the oscillator directly rather than entirely through an intermediate lever.
Movements & mechanismsDouble barrel
A movement architecture using two mainspring barrels to provide or manage stored energy.
Movements & mechanismsDouble tourbillon
A watch architecture incorporating two tourbillon assemblies or a nested arrangement, depending on the design.
Movements & mechanismsDuplex escapement
A historical escapement using separate escape-wheel tooth functions for locking and impulse.
Movements & mechanismsรbauche
An unfinished movement or movement base supplied for further completion, assembly or modification.
Movements & mechanismsEndshake
The controlled axial clearance allowing a movement component to rotate without binding.
Movements & mechanismsEscape wheel
The toothed wheel interacting with the escapement to deliver timed impulses to the regulating system.
Movements & mechanismsEscapement
The mechanism that meters the release of energy from the wheel train and gives impulses to the oscillator.
Movements & mechanismsEscapement draw
A lever-escapement geometry effect helping hold the pallets in a secure locked position.
Movements & mechanismsEscapement locking
The controlled arrest of the escape wheel between its releases and impulses.
Movements & mechanismsFlat hairspring
A balance spring whose coils lie primarily in a single plane.
Movements & mechanismsFlying tourbillon
A tourbillon cage supported from one side, giving an unobstructed view without an upper bridge.
Movements & mechanismsFourth wheel
A going-train wheel often associated with the seconds display in a conventional mechanical layout.
Movements & mechanismsFree-sprung balance
A balance whose rate is adjusted using weights on the balance rather than a conventional index changing effective spring length.
Movements & mechanismsFusรฉe and chain
A conical pulley and chain system that changes leverage as the mainspring unwinds, helping compensate for changing torque.
Movements & mechanismsGoing train
The sequence of gears carrying power from the mainspring barrel towards the escapement and time display.
Movements & mechanismsGravity escapement
An escapement using gravity-driven impulse arrangements, principally associated with clockmaking rather than ordinary wristwatches.
Movements & mechanismsGuard pin
An escapement safety component intended to prevent inappropriate movement of the pallet fork.
Movements & mechanismsHacking seconds
A setting feature that stops the seconds display, usually when the crown is pulled to its time-setting position.
Movements & mechanismsHairspring
The fine spring that restores the balance wheel towards its central position and helps determine oscillation rate.
Movements & mechanismsHairspring collet
The small fitting securing the inner end of a hairspring to the balance staff.
Movements & mechanismsHairspring stud
The attachment securing the outer end of a balance spring to its support.
Movements & mechanismsHeart cam
A shaped reset component allowing a chronograph indication to return to the same zero position.