Glossary

Automatic movement

A mechanical movement that is wound through the motion of the arm during normal daily wear; sufficient activity is required to build up a power reserve. Also known as “self-winding”.

Bezel

The rim which secures the crystal in place on the watch case. May be set with diamonds; or graduated to track elapsed time, as in a diver’s watch.

Calendar

Subdials (windows or apertures in the dial) which display the day, month and/or year.

Chronograph

A stop watch, i.e., a timer that can be started and stopped to time an event. Watches with a chronograph function are themselves called “chronographs”.

Chronometer

A timepiece that has met very high standards of accuracy, tested and certified by an official watch institute in Switzerland. Comes with an individual certificate of precision.

Crown

The tiny knob on the winding stem used to set the time, and to wind a watch with a manual movement.

Crystal

The transparent “glass” cover which protects the dial. For their long-lasting, scratch-resistant properties, Movado uses only “mineral” and synthetic “sapphire” crystals.

Dial

The surface, protected by the watch crystal, on which the time is displayed. Also known as the watch “face.”

Electronic quartz movement

Another name for a quartz movement.

Hand-winding movement

Another name for a manual mechanical movement. See “mechanical movement”.

Jewel

A small synthetic ruby placed at various points in the mechanical or quartz movement of a watch to reduce friction where two metal parts would otherwise rub against each other.

Lugs

Extensions from either end of the case that hold the pin used to fasten the strap or bracelet to the case.

Luminous hands

Watch hands coated with a substance such as tritium that makes them glow in the dark, especially in sports models for better visibility underwater.

Manual movement

A type of mechanical movement; also known as a “hand-winding” movement. See “mechanical movement”.

Mechanical movement

Comprised of a series of turning cog wheels and jewels, expertly calibrated by hand. A mechanical movement may be “automatic”, also known as “self-winding” (wound by the motion of the arm during daily wear) or “manual”, also known as “hand-winding” (requiring regular winding by hand).

Moonphase

A window in a watch face that shows the current phase of the moon.

Power reserve indicator

An aperture or subdial on mechanical watches that shows how much longer the watch will operate before requiring winding.

PVD coating

A high tech vacuum-coating procedure that produces a very scratch- and wear-resistant finish. Similar but superior to ion-plating, because the applied layer is generally thicker, with a higher material density. In quality, PVD (the letters stand for “physical vapor deposit”) coatings compare to gold-plating to a thickness of 10 microns.

Quartz movement

A watch movement where time is “tuned” to, and measured by, the extremely rapid and consistent vibrations of a quartz crystal. Also known as “Electronic quartz movement”.

Repeater

A device that chimes the time when a button is pushed, or a slide is pulled.

Skeleton case

A transparent front or back which allows the watch’s movement to be viewed.

Screw-down crown

A crown that can be screwed into the case making it water resistant. Provides the best underwater shock protection (against rocks, accidental knocks, scrapes, etc.) to prevent water leakage.

Self-powered quartz movement

A battery-free movement that offers quartz accuracy. Mechanical energy generated by the force of gravity and natural movements of the wearer’s wrist is converted into electrical energy which powers the watch.

Self-winding movement

Another name for an automatic mechanical movement. See “automatic” and “mechanical” movements.

Sweep seconds hand

A seconds hand that is mounted in the center of the watch dial (vs. one in a sub-dial). The motion of “true” sweep seconds hand is undetectable to the human eye, and found only on mechanical watches. On a quartz watch, the advance of the seconds hand is discernable in tiny step-by-step jumps.

Tachymeter

A feature found on chronographs which measures the wearer’s speed of travel over a pre-determined distance. Also known as “tachymeter”.

Water resistance

The ability of a watch to withstand water pressure to a stated depth. Tested to meet international standards, water-resistant watches may be worn while swimming or snorkeling.