Automatic Watch:
An "Automatic movement" does not need a battery. The mechanism winds itself by the movement of the wearer. Therefore, the watch never needs to have the battery changed. An "Automatic" watch usually cost more than a "Quartz" watch. Most watches have matching styles for Quartz and Automatic.

Band:
A strap is simply a watchband made of leather, plastic or fabric.

Bezel:
A "Bezel" is a ring on the top side of the "Case" around the "Crystal". The "Bezel" can be turned either way called "Bi-directional", or more popularly one way (counter-clock wise) called "Unidirectional". The purpose of the "Bezel" is to be able to begin timing an event at any given time by aligning the bezel's #12 at the beginning point.
Bi-directional Turning Bezel:
A bezel that turns both ways, counter clock wise and clock wise.

Buckle:
The traditional Loop and Pin is called a "buckle".

Bracelet:
A bracelet is the flexible metal band consisting of assembled links. Detachable links are used to change the length of the bracelet. Bracelets can be made of stainless steel, sterling silver, gold or any combination.

Case:
A "Case" is the total housing of the watch, excluding the strap or bracelet. The case houses the dial (face), movement and crystal (glass).

COSC:
The Swiss Official Chronometer Control - consists of three independent control sections.

Chronograph:
A watch with two independent time systems: one indicates the time of day and the other measures brief periods of time. Counters registering seconds, minutes and even hours can be started and stopped as desired, enabling exact timing of an occasion.

Chronometer:
A watch that is a certified "Chronometer" has passed vigorous tests that demand the watch stands up to the high standard of precision the COSC demands(Swiss Offical Chronometer Control). The mechanical movement must be close to perfection.

Crown:
The "Crown" is known better as the adjustment knob or as the "Winding Knob”. On a quartz and automatic watch the crown is used to adjust the time and/or date. On a manual watch, the crown doubles as the winding mechanism to power the watch.

Crystal:
The "Crystal" is the glass that you look through in order to see the "Dial" (face). The purpose of the crystal is to protect the dial. The crystal can be made of glass, plastic, or a scratch resistant synthetic material called "Sapphire Crystal".

Deployment Clasp:
A "Deployment clasp" is a feature that most quality watches with metal or gold bracelets use to tighten the bracelet to the wrist. The regular "clasp” has two pieces of steel that clip safely beneath one long elegant looking piece of steel thus tightening the bracelet. All manufacturers have slightly different versions and features.

Dial:
The "Dial" is the face of the watch showing the time. A blue dial means the face color of the watch is blue. Sub-dials are smaller dials set into the main face of the watch. These can be used for added funcions, such as elapsed times and dates, and sometimes these sub dials are a different color.

Display:
The "Display" is the term used to describe the way a watch displays the time. An "Analog Display" will show the time by two hands sweeping the dial.
End of Battery Life Indicator:
The EOL indicates when it is time to replace the existing battery. Different manufacturers use different methods to indicate a low battery, i.e. if a second hand usually sweeps, when the battery is low it will begin to tick.

Finishing:
The "Finishes" of watches are of three types 1)Shiny/polished surface - means it is shiny, has a high gloss & is reflectant. 2) Brushed/mott finish surface has a low gloss and non-reflectant look. 3) "Gold Plated" finish is a thin layer (usually around 5 microns) of gold elctroplated to stainless steel base.

Function:
"Function" is a term used to describe the different tasks each time related component performs. i.e. the date "Function" is the date task the watch performs.

Links:
Watches with steel or gold bracelets made of individual attached pieces. Each individual piece is called a "link".

Luminous:
"Luminous hands and/or hour markers"- is a standard feature on many watches. The hour markers and/or hands have a coating of "Glow in the Dark" which will illuminates in the dark so you can tell the time where there is insufficient light.

Mechanical Movement:
A "Mechanical Movement" is a watch's mechanism that is powered by a manual activity such as being wound up by hand or by the movement of the watch.

Movement:
The "Movement" is the motor of every watch. The movement controls all movement aspects of the watch such as the time, date, escape valves, chrongraph functions etc.
Power Reserve Indicator:
This feature indicates when the power resource of a “mechanical movement” watch is low and soon the watch will need winding.

Quartz Movement:
A quartz movement is a watch with a mechanism powered by a "Quartz Crystal". The crystal vibrates when placed in a electronic field, thus powering the watch. Most affordable watches today have quartz movements. Quartz watches are mostly battery operated.

Sapphire Crystal:
The "Sapphire Crystal" is a type of glass that covers the watch dial (face). Sapphire crystal is a made of a synthetic material, which is extremely durable, shatter proof and scratch resistant. Therefore, sapphire crystal is popularly used by all manufactures for most of their watches.

Screw-In Crown:
A crown that ensures water resistance to a depth of 660 feet. The crown is protected from accidental damage.

Unidirectional Turning Bezel:
A bezel that turns in only one direction (counter clock wise).

Water resistance:
A watch that is water resistant can withstand water to a certain extent. When a watch is deemed just "water resistant" it usually means that the watch will safely withstand splashes of water. A watch deemed "water resistant 30m", means that the watch can be immersed into water up to a depth of 30 meters or 99 feet. Some watches are water resistant up 1000 feet. Check the watch manual to find out the exact level of water resistance your watch is. The "Water Resistant" feature is common on most watches.

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