Watch-related terms and specifications
Before purchasing a wristwatch or pocket watch, if you have any questions about watch functions or watch terminology, please see here.
An international standard in the machinery industry established by the International Organization for Standardization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Displayed in "ISO + number" format.
Titanium and other materials are ionized and the surface is vacuum-deposited and plated (coated with a titanium layer).
This increases the surface hardness and makes it less susceptible to scratches.
It also prevents metal allergies, so you can use it with confidence.
The numbers and marks that display the time on the dial are three-dimensional, improving visibility.
There are two types: one that is embedded in the dial (typeset) and one that is attached.
It is often used in luxury watches.
At the set time, a bell will ring if the watch is mechanical, or an electronic sound will ring if the watch is quartz, to let you know the time.
The world's first alarm watch was the "Cricket," a model released by the Swiss brand Vulcain in 1947.
In mechanical watches, the case back is often struck using a built-in hammer.
EL stands for electroluminescence element.
It is often used as a backlight in digital clocks.
This method is used when operating buttons and checking the dial in the dark.
It is mainly used in world time watches and diver's watches.
Watches with an external bezel can be rotated by touching the bezel directly, but an inner bezel can be rotated using a special crown.
Since it is inside the glass, it is resistant to dirt and scratches.
Used in waterproof watches.
Diver's watches have high water and pressure resistance, and use screw-down crowns, screw backs, and gaskets to improve airtightness.
In 1927, Mercedes Gleitze, a London stenographer, famously wore a Rolex Oyster when crossing the English Channel.
A watch case that automatically rotates an automatic watch to wind the mainspring.
This is fine for people who wear an automatic watch every day, but for people who only wear it on weekends or who have multiple watches, the watch they are not wearing will stop working.
Also, if your automatic watch has stopped, winding the mainspring with the crown puts stress on the parts, so it is useful to use a watch winder.
This refers to a calendar mechanism that automatically calculates and corrects not only the number of days but also the leap year that occurs once every four years, and accurately displays the year, month, date, and day of the week.
There is no need to turn the date even for months with 30 days, and in leap years the month will end correctly on February 29th.
Abbreviation for British Special Air Service.
Since its creation during World War II, the unit has proven its worth in combating communist guerrillas in Malaysia and extremist terrorist attacks by the IRA (Irish Republican Army) in Northern Ireland, and has become a model for other nations' forces as the world's most powerful special forces unit.
Their activities are shrouded in mystery, and they undergo rigorous training every day in order to complete highly difficult missions.
A convenient feature that allows the bracelet to be slightly extended so that it can be worn over clothing (over-jacket) or, for divers, over a wetsuit.
It is often used for bracelets, which is not found in calfskin (leather) or rubber straps.
A valve is installed to release the helium gas inside the case, as it can get into the case and cause damage to the inside of the watch.
A function used in highly waterproof diver's watches.
The type of movement. And the manufacturer of these movements is ETA, a major Swiss manufacturer.
It is currently part of the Swatch Group and only provides ETA movements within the group.
This is what is known in the watch industry as the "2020 problem."
An innovative, long-lasting luminescent paint that has been patented in the US, Europe and around the world and is recognized worldwide for its superior quality.
It is famous for the technology developed by Nemoto Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd.
This technology is not limited to watches, but is used in a variety of situations.
A method of displaying using light-emitting diodes.
When it was first developed, it was only available in red, but now it comes in a variety of colors, including white, blue, and green.
This technology is used not only in watches but also in lights and traffic lights.
The case was developed by the British company Oyster and was made famous by Rolex.
Craftsmen carve them out of blocks of metal and polish them up.
This marked a significant improvement in the watch's water resistance, making it a case that will go down in watch history.
After continued use from a new state, consumables such as lubricants deteriorate and the machine is no longer able to perform its original function, so the machine is disassembled, cleaned, and oiled. This brings it back to a state close to new and restores its original functionality.
Because watches use many microscopic parts, it is very difficult for an amateur to disassemble them easily, and the work can only be done by the brand's repair department or a specialized technician.
A dynamic design in which part of the dial is cut out to reveal the interior, including the balance wheel.
Depending on the brand, it may also be called "heartbeat."
A type of watch part that is so named because its cross section is shaped like an "O."
These special rubber parts are often attached to the joints of the crystal, case back, crown, etc.
This is a part that is used in almost all waterproof watches.
Officially approved wristwatches used by military, police, fire departments, and other public institutions around the world.
In addition, there are various official watches for railways, sports competitions, international events, etc.
Longines watches were used as the official timepieces at the first modern Olympic Games held in 1896.
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It is the root of wristwatches and has been produced since the 17th century to the present day.
It is carried by attaching a special chain or string to clothing.
It has now become a perfected technology that cannot be further developed, and no further evolution is required.
It is popular among people who don't like watches and those who like nostalgia.
>>>Click here for the general pocket watch page.
A function that rotates the bezel to measure the time and distance to a destination.
It is a true analog calculator that can even perform common multiplication and division operations.
This is a feature commonly found in pilot watches.
Rotating bezel with engraved scale.
The elapsed time can be checked by aligning the bezel with the minute hand and looking at the bezel.
They are often used in divers' watches, but they are often designed to prevent reverse rotation because if they rotate in the opposite direction while diving, it becomes impossible to measure the remaining oxygen time or elapsed time, which could be life-threatening.
A commonly useful use is to use it in parking areas, etc. to measure parking time and easily see the elapsed time and remaining time.
The time is displayed using a dedicated countdown hand.
It is often seen in sports models used in yachting competitions, and is also sometimes used in military watches that place importance on time, such as mission watches.
Another way to measure the countdown is to use the unidirectional rotating bezel.
This special rubber part is used in the joints of the crystal, case back, crown, etc. to improve water resistance.
They are often used in divers' watches, but they are often designed to prevent reverse rotation because if they rotate in the opposite direction while diving, it becomes impossible to measure the remaining oxygen time or elapsed time, which could be life-threatening.
A commonly useful use is to use it in parking areas, etc. to measure parking time and easily see the elapsed time and remaining time.
It's called a warranty.
Each brand has a certificate that always comes with the purchase, including the ability to repair unintentional malfunctions.
It is best to keep it for future maintenance.
All brand watches sold by Shobido Watch Store (excluding antique and vintage watches) are from authorized dealers (100% authentic brand watches), so we always include a warranty from the Japanese import agent when we send them to you.
It is sometimes used in the same sense as movement, but originally refers to the movement model number produced by the brand.
They are often based on ETA movements, and although they are basically the same movement, each brand has a different number.
Caliber numbers are written as "Cal, ○○○○." Although they may look similar, reference numbers "Ref, ○○○○" are the model numbers and have different meanings.
A function that allows the calendar to instantly switch.
Typically, the calendar gradually changes from 8 p.m. onwards.
At Rolex, it is called the "Datejust."
The name comes from the green berets worn by the US Special Operations Command (SFG).
An important unit whose missions include reconnaissance, leading regular troops, rescuing prisoners, attacking and destroying enemy supply lines, selecting and guiding landing sites for airborne troops and airborne mobile operations, guiding bombing raids by Air Force aircraft, and confirming the status of destruction.
Unlike regular military forces, this is America's representative special forces, made up of only elite personnel.
Other well-known examples include the British Special Forces (SAS) and the Russian Navy's Spetsnaz.
A watch with a stopwatch function.
The push button next to the crown allows you to start, stop and reset the watch.
A watch face with separate hands that indicate elapsed time (e.g., 30 minutes, 12 hours, etc.)
The part that corresponds to the second hand on a normal watch is called the chronograph hand, and it starts working when the chronograph is started.
>>>Chronograph watches are listed here. Please take a look.
Precision standards set by the Controre Officiel Suissedes Chronometre (COSC) in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
To be certified, strict standards must be met, such as a daily error of +6 to -4 seconds. Error measurement involves multiple tests, including posture differences.
Originally, this standard was used for clocks used on ships.
Established in 1973, the test involves a 15-day period in which time errors caused by differences in position and temperature are checked, and only movements that pass the test are given a certification attesting to their high accuracy.
These are the strictest standards, and only about 5% of the watches produced in Switzerland each year meet these standards.
As time passes, the quality of the product changes.
It is known that bronze cases for watches develop a patina over time, giving them a tasteful texture. Silver and solid silver also develop a darker color over time, giving them a unique appearance.
The hour hand got its nickname from the fact that the tip of the hand is shaped like a cobra's head.
This shape allows for the application of luminous paint, significantly improving visibility.
This is common in military watches from the 1930s and 1940s, and it is thought that luminous elements were necessary at the time.
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This is a type of surface finish applied to watch cases, and refers to the so-called matte finish.
By applying a satin-like matte finish to the metal surface, a unique, sophisticated luster is created.
It is often contrasted with a polished finish that reflects light directly.
It is characterized by low reflection.
The crystal is made of sapphire crystal, which is different from the gemstone sapphire and is not actually glass.
It is named after the material it is made of, which is as hard as sapphire. Because it is difficult to process, most crystals are flat.
Also known as a central three-hand display, this is a display method in which three hands, indicating the hours, minutes, and seconds, move in unison. This is the most basic style for wristwatches.
Because the time is highly visible and people are used to reading the time, it is used in many watches regardless of genre.
Abbreviation for Bundesgrenzshtz Grenzschutzgruppe 9, the 9th Unit of the German Federal Border Guard.
Founded in the wake of the failed hostage rescue attempt at the Munich Olympics, the organization dramatically solved the 1977 Lufthansa hijacking.
The anti-terrorism unit is so influential that the submachine gun they used during the raid, the H&K MP5, has been adopted by military and police special forces in various countries.
GTM is an abbreviation for Greenwich Mean Time, which is standard time based on the Greenwich Observatory.
A function that allows you to simultaneously display the time zones of two different locations around the world.
A dedicated hand points to the 24-hour bezel, making it possible to display a second time zone.
It is often used by airplane pilots and is known as a convenient feature.
Recommended for those who want to know the time between Japan and their local time when traveling abroad, or for those who engage in FX or day trading.
It can also be used to display AM/PM.
The back of the unit is made of glass, so you can easily see how the machine works without opening the lid.
It is often called the reverse skeleton (urasuke) or back skeleton.
It's easy to find dust or malfunctions without opening the lid.
It is easy to mistake it for a skeleton watch, but the dial is not skeletonized, so it is easy to tell the difference.
The US Navy SEALs.
Founded in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy.
The Green Berets had been formed in the Army the previous year, and this unit was established exclusively for the Navy.
The unit's name, Seal, comes from the seal.
Abbreviation for Japanese Industrial Standards.
A Japanese national standard established based on the Industrial Standards Act.
The Minister established the standard after deliberation by the Japan Industrial Standards Committee.
It is said that the design was based on military specifications used overseas (MIL-SPEC).
This standard governs the development, production, distribution, and quality of industrial products, and is widely used for purposes other than watches.
It is equipped with a disc bearing the numbers 1 to 12 and displays the time through a small window. The numbers change instantly at 59 minutes and 59 seconds, hence the name.
A screw-on case back.
Improves the waterproof function of the case.
This function is often used in combination with gaskets and O-rings in waterproof watches such as diver's watches.
It refers to an alloy of iron mixed with chromium, nickel, etc.
Compared to iron, it has the special property of being less prone to rust.
It is the most popular material for watch cases and bracelets, but there is also a type called "316L" that has even greater rust resistance, such as for diver's watches.
It is often abbreviated as "SS."
A strap for wearing a watch on the wrist.
Broadly speaking, they are made of leather and rubber.
Common types of leather used include calfskin (cowhide), crocodile (crocodile leather), alligator (crocodile leather), lizard (lizard leather), and ostrich (ostrich leather).
This mechanism is used in high-end chronograph watches and allows you to measure lap times while using the regular chronograph function.
There are two chronograph hands, and when the stop button is pressed while the watch is running, one hand stops, but the other hand continues to move.
Also known as the Cosmo Watch, this refers to a watch developed for spaceship pilots.
Watches must be precise enough to withstand the pressure of zero gravity, and only a few brands of watches in the world are used as space watches.
Currently, the watches issued to pilots at the Gagarin Cosmodrome Center are Fortis.
Special Weapons and Tactics (Special Weapons and Tactics) is a special forces unit established by the American police.
It was created in response to a shooting incident that occurred at a university in Texas in 1966.
Formed by the Los Angeles Police Department.
As a special police unit, it is not a military unit, and is completely different from the British SAS, Russian Spetsnaz, or Green Berets, and appears in cases that the police cannot solve.
Modern simple clocks have three hands: hour, minute, and second.
A small second is a watch with a separate second hand that is displayed separately on the dial.
A function commonly found in old hand-wound watches such as pocket watches.
Bezel that rotates to either the left or right.
It is often used in rotating slide rules and inner bezels.
Unlike a unidirectional rotating bezel, it can be rotated in either direction.
A mechanism that converts light energy into electrical energy to power a watch In a watch, part of the light that strikes the dial surface is converted into electrical energy and stored in a secondary battery.
From there it is used as energy to power the clock.
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If a watch movement is brought close to a machine that emits a strong magnetic field (electronic devices that generate radio waves, such as mobile phones), it will become magnetized and will no longer function properly.
By encasing the movement in a soft iron case that easily absorbs magnetic force inside a normal case, it is possible to prevent magnetism from harming the movement.
It refers to watches used in water sports such as diving and marine sports, but was originally developed for military use.
To actually dive into the ocean, a watch needs to be waterproof to at least 200m, and to be officially called a diver's watch, it needs to have a unidirectional rotating bezel to prevent malfunctions and a screw-down crown to prevent water from entering.
>>>Click here to see the diver's watch page.
A scale found on the bezel or the outer edge of the dial of a chronograph watch.
The chronograph is started from the start and stopped at the 1km mark, and the point where the chronograph hand points to the scale is the average speed.
When performing the same task multiple times, you can measure the time it takes to complete the task and predict the completion time by multiplying the measured time by the number of times.
A specification commonly used for stainless steel bracelets.
As the name suggests, this is a double locking mechanism to prevent the device from falling off during sports, etc.
Also known as titanium, it is one of the materials often used in military watches.
It is more durable than stainless steel and is resistant to corrosion such as rust.
Another feature is that it is more expensive than stainless steel, which can be used safely by people with metal allergies.
Chronograph with minute counter and small second dial.
This is common in antique watches and is also known as a second chronograph.
It is possible to measure time up to a total of 30 minutes.
The day and date are arranged in a horizontal or vertical line. At first glance, they appear to be arranged in a straight line, but as you can see by the borders between each small window, there are rotating discs for each.
This is proof that the amount of tritium gas used is below the 925MBQ limit set by Japanese law. Please note that watches that use tritium and do not have this marking are illegal in Japan.
A watch with two independent time displays on the dial.
Functionally, it has the same meaning as GMT, but there are also models that display it separately in digital and analog.
A chronograph is used in the same way as a tachymeter. A tachymeter is used to measure average speed, but a telemeter is characterized by measuring distance. In the military, the distance to the explosion is measured by measuring the time from the light emitted by an explosion to the sound heard. In everyday life, distance can be measured using fireworks, etc.
When the battery is nearing the end of its life, the second hand will start moving periodically and differently than usual, such as every two or four seconds.
For TISSOT watches, this is called "EOL (End of Life)".
A group with capabilities beyond those of a regular military.
Globally, there are SAS (British Army Special Air Service), Green Berets (US Army Special Forces), Delta Force (US Army Counter-Terrorism Unit), SEALs (US Navy Special Operations Forces), and Russian Spetsnaz.
The details of their activities are often kept secret, and they are active in special missions.
Radioactive tritium.
A glass tube filled with tritium is placed on the dial, making it self-luminous without the need for a battery, improving the visibility of the dial. Watches sold in Japan are stamped with "T25," which indicates that the amount of tritium gas used is below the 925MBQ limit set by Japanese law.
A screw-down crown with gaskets in three internal places for improved water resistance.
Developed by Rolex, it is used in the Submariner and Sea-Dweller.
This refers to a mechanism that can display the month, date, and day of the week on the dial, excluding the Gregorian calendar.
It is not as complex as a perpetual calendar or annual calendar, and is said to be a semi-complication mechanism.
Typically, the month and day of the week are displayed in small windows on a rotating disc. The day is often indicated by an index from 1 to 31 on the outer edge of the dial and a pointer date, so most triple calendars are four-hand models. There are also an increasing number of models that display either the month or day on a sub-dial, or that also feature a moon phase.
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Water-resistant nylon strap.
It is often used in military watches and is highly popular due to its lightness and durability. When combined with a watch that uses a bracelet, it can reduce the weight surprisingly.
A military standard adopted by the United States, Canada, Europe, and other countries within the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) sphere.
Unlike military specifications, the details are not widely known.
A watch equipped with the functions necessary for navigation and flight.
Unlike today, when the environment is more advanced, there was a severe lack of information in aviation and navigation, so people gathered information using the bezel of their watches. Wristwatches with navigation functions became essential items for pilots around the world.
A magnetically shielded case installed inside the watch.
Developed for pilots, researchers, and other people who work in magnetic fields, it is impossible to completely block magnetic fields, so the movement is protected by being enclosed in a soft iron case that easily absorbs magnetic fields.
Famous examples include the IWC Ingenieur and Rolex Milgauss.
This method displays the time using two hands, the hour hand and the minute hand. This method gives the dial a simpler and more sophisticated look, and is widely adopted by even emerging brands.
A dedicated second time zone hand used on models with a GMT function.
It can display different time zones than the regular hands. It is also a convenient hand that can be used to display AM and PM.
The crown is screwed down to increase the airtightness of the case.
By screwing it in, it prevents water from entering the inside of the watch, and is an essential mechanism for waterproof watches.
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An aviation watch developed for pilots.
This watch is designed with visibility in mind, with a large, simple dial and anti-reflective coated glass that reduces reflections from light, and a black paint finish, making it easy for pilots who are not allowed to look away while flying to see clearly.
Many functions were required, including a flyback function that was convenient for measuring the time to a destination, a GMT function to know the time at the destination, and a rotating slide rule to predict fuel, longitude, and time.
>>>Click here to visit the Pilot Watch page.
This is a part that is used in almost all waterproof watches.
It is used in combination with a screw-down crown and case back.
When the crown is set to the time, everything on the watch, including the second hand, stops.
The name comes from the fact that soldiers would set the time before a mission and then start all at once with the call of "hack."
This function is standard on currently manufactured automatic and quartz watches, but many hand-wound watches do not have this function.
It is also called a perpetual calendar.
It is set in 100-year increments, and normally needs to be manually adjusted at the end of the month for months that do not have 31 days, but the perpetual calendar automatically switches over, including for leap years, so manual adjustment is not necessary.
The mechanical perpetual calendar is one of the three most complicated mechanisms in the world.
A material that is five times stronger than regular nylon.
It is so strong that it is even used in bulletproof vests, making it highly reliable and often used in military equipment.
In season 5 of the American TV drama "24," the MTM Blackhawk belt worn by Agent Jack Bauer, played by the main character Kiefer Sutherland, was made of ballistic nylon.
Movement manufacturer. The Valjoux 7750 is famous for being a long-running chronograph movement.
It has now been absorbed into ETA and is now called the ETA7750.
This is an indicator attached to the dial that shows the remaining power energy stored in the mainspring by winding the rotor.
There are a wide variety of types, including those that display using a scale and needle like a gas meter, and retrograde types.
There are also types that use the words "full" and "empty" and a colored bar to clearly indicate the current status, and others that use a small window that changes color as the amount decreases.
If you know how much power is left, there's no risk of it stopping.
The lid is retractable, so you have to open it to check the time.
This feature was originally used by hunters to prevent the crystal from breaking when passing through areas with many obstacles, such as forests. Today, it is mainly found in pocket watches.
There is also the Half Hunter (Demi Hunter) watch, which is said to have been developed by Napoleon and allows you to check the time even with the lid closed.
These movements are made by manufacturers that specialize in movements, such as ETA, and can be used as the base for any watch by any manufacturer.
It has excellent productivity and is relatively cheaper than in-house manufactured movements. It has been used by many brands for many years, so it is a movement with stable performance and reliability.
The crown, which is usually located on the right side of the watch, is now attached to the left side.
Having the crown on the opposite side prevents interference from the crown and crown guard, which usually rest on the back of the hand.
In a normal date display, the two-digit date is written together, but the big date uses two separate discs to display the tens digit (1 to 3) and the ones digit (0 to 9).
Compared to using a single disc, the date display can be enlarged, ensuring extremely high visibility. However, the larger window size also means that the display position is limited to 12 or 6 o'clock.
Furthermore, fitting two discs into the watch requires a high level of skill, but they are sometimes used as an accent on the dial, embodying the true essence of a luxury mechanical watch.
A function that stops the second hand when the crown is pulled out and the time adjustment mode is entered.
This is useful when you are working as a team or in a group and want to set the time for everyone at the same time. It is also called a hack function.
The glass that covers the face of a watch.
In the days of pocket watches, some cases used real glass, but due to the risk of breakage, some cases are made of hard plastic. This is also where various materials are used, such as sapphire crystal.
There are some retro watches with beautifully curved glass, but sapphire crystal glass with double-sided anti-reflective coating also has beautiful curves.
Buttons for operating the chronograph.
Generally, there are two buttons at the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions. Pressing the start button while the watch is running will stop it, and pressing the button at 4 o'clock while the watch is stopped will reset it.
It has features such as a split second that can measure lap times, and a flyback function that allows you to press the reset button while it is running to reset it directly to zero.
While the chronograph is running, press the reset button to reset it directly to zero.
This function allows pilots who cannot afford to look away to easily restart the aircraft without looking at their watch.
It's very useful because there's no need to stop it.
A specification often used for bracelets.
A double locking mechanism to prevent the device from falling off during sports, etc.
That's what Rolex calls it.
The bow and arrow symbol has been a symbol of the British military since the 17th century.
In 1698, the adoption of the Broad Arrow was officially approved by Parliament, and the mark was to be stamped on all official British government goods.
Nowadays, you can see this engraved on the dial or case back of antique and reproduction models produced by some high-end manufacturers such as Longines.
The hour hand, also known as the Mercedes hand.
These needles have rounded, bulging tips to make it easier to paint them at night, and are so named because their design resembles the three-pointed Mercedes-Benz logo.
It is a famous part used in many watches.
While most watches usually have calendar numbers and days of the week displayed on part of the dial, this is a special calendar in which a dedicated hand makes one full rotation over the course of a month.
The first pointer date was produced by Oris in 1938.
Used in waterproof watches.
Diver's watches have high water and pressure resistance, and use screw-down crowns, screw backs, and gaskets to improve airtightness.
In 1927, Mercedes Gleitze, a London stenographer, famously wore a Rolex Oyster when crossing the English Channel.
The decorative pattern on the bezel was designed by the 18th century genius watchmaker, Abraham-Louis Breguet.
There are various specifications for cases, such as adding steps or patterns to the case, but a type known as a coin edge, which has a jagged pattern engraved like the edge of a coin, is famous among military watches.
It is often used in early pilot watches made by German watchmakers such as Oris.
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A watch manufacturer that produces all of its watches in-house, including the movement.
It allows you to express your individuality and create unique designs and meticulous craftsmanship, but it tends to be expensive.
A leading company in the luminescent compounds industry, headquartered in Switzerland.
We developed a self-luminous micro gas light, which uses small capsules filled with tritium gas and installed in the indexes and tips of the hands, improving the visibility of the watch in dark places.
In the first half of the 18th century, during what was known as the Age of Discovery, advanced standards were established to ensure that watches would function properly even on rocking ships in order to prevent frequent maritime accidents, and nautical watches were manufactured in accordance with these strict standards.
The first marine chronometer was created by the British watchmaker John Harrison, and was adopted by the British fleet, dramatically improving its operational capabilities.
A watch used by the military and special forces to carry out their missions.
This is a rugged watch for military personnel equipped with a variety of mission-critical functions.
The themes and features of each product vary depending on the brand, but they are all designed with a focus on functionality and are actually used by the Army, Air Force, Navy, and other special forces.
These watches are convenient and can be used in a variety of situations in everyday life, with features such as tachymeters, chronographs, and calendars, excellent visibility even in the dark, and excellent water resistance, durability, and sweat resistance.
>>>Click here to see the military watch page.
This watch is officially adopted by the military and meets the detailed specifications set out in accordance with military standards.
Abbreviation for Military Specification.
Various standards have been set for durability, pressure resistance, etc., and only when they have met all of these standards can a watch be certified as a military watch. Everything from materials to technology and manufacturing processes are regulated.
This process prevents diffuse reflection of light and ensures a certain degree of visibility. It is often used in pilot watches and is designed to make the watch easy to read even in the strong sunlight of the sky.
The heart of a watch is its mechanical part. There are three main types: manual winding, automatic winding, and quartz. Each brand uses its own original movement or an ebauche movement.
There are original movements that are consistently produced, but only a few brands produce them as originals.
This function shows the age of the moon by displaying the movement of the moon as it orbits the Earth in a 29.5-day cycle on a disk with two moons drawn on the top and bottom that rotates once every 59 days.
The lunar age begins with the new moon at 0, then changes to the first quarter (about 7 days), full moon (about 15 days), last quarter (about 22 days), and then returns to the new moon.
The calculated age is about 44 minutes faster than the true age of the moon, so the error is corrected automatically.
The clock also lets you know the state of the moon, and it's convenient because it also tells you high and low tides.
This refers to a battery-powered quartz movement.
It uses a part called a quartz crystal oscillator, which vibrates more than 30,000 times per second.
In analog displays, this vibration is converted into an electrical signal, which rotates the second hand and makes the watch move.
It stands for Ministry of Defence and is the military standard of the British Ministry of Defence. Broad Arrow has the same meaning.
This model has the front and back of the watch case integrated into one piece, also known as a one-piece case.
This is because there are no seams between the case and case back, ensuring excellent airtightness.
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The dial and hands are coated with luminous paint, making it an innovative feature that allows you to see the dial with confidence even in dark places.
After a few years, the original function will be lost, and reapplying it will restore its effectiveness.
Universal Time Coordinated is the coordinated universal time.
It is measured based on atomic clocks, which are said to be the most accurate, and is often used as the official clock worldwide, replacing GMT, which had previously been the world standard time.
This watch has an unusual dial, with the upper and lower halves having different designs and display methods.
This is a very unique clock that is often seen in antiques.
This is a hand-wound movement developed by the Swiss brand Auguste Raymond, which has now been absorbed into ETA.
For this reason, the name "Unitas" is not often used, and the movements are offered under the ETA brand.
Unitas movements were widely used by watch manufacturers, especially luxury watch brands, and were recognized for their excellent quality and reliability.
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A claw-shaped tab set on the bezel of a watch.
The tabs significantly improve operability, and the innovative structure allows the bezel to be rotated even while wearing gloves.
Useful structures used for bezels like this include embossed bezels and stud bezels.
Durable and flexible rubber strap.
Because it is resistant to corrosion, it is often used in diver's watches. Depending on the brand, there are models that are infused with odors.
This is the so-called model number that a brand assigns to a watch when it is produced.
The way they are assigned varies depending on the brand, with some being managed using only numbers and others being used in combination with letters.
An important part used to adjust the time and calendar on a watch.
It is common for the watch to have the dial at the 3 o'clock position, but there are also some brands that have it at the 12 o'clock or 9 o'clock position.
This is to protect the crown, which, if damaged, will prevent the watch from performing its intended functions.
Many of them are installed around the crown.
The crown is normally exposed, but this mechanism allows a cover to be attached over it.
This function is often used on large, impressive crowns. When the crown is screwed down or turned open, the actual crown is revealed and can be adjusted.
The English name is LumiNova. It is often used for watches that have a luminous finish.
This is a standard feature used worldwide, not only in Japanese-made watches but also in Swiss-produced watches.
This is a global standard luminous paint that is widely used by Japanese watch manufacturers as well as the Swiss watch industry.
It always absorbs light where there is light, and when it goes to a dark place, it uses the accumulated light to brighten the dial.
The downside is that if you use it in the dark for a long time, it will gradually lose brightness.
In 1949, luminous paint was developed that used safe, weakly radioactive tritium instead of the then-dominant radium.
It is famous for being the first watch to be used by Panerai and also the name of the series.
The indexes are designed to appear connected, giving the appearance of train tracks running around the outer periphery of the dial. This design is used in antique and classic current models.
Although it means a standard clock, it is common for the hour hand, minute hand, and second hand to be displayed independently.
It may seem like an unusual mechanism to those seeing it for the first time, but once you get used to it, it is a model with very high visibility.
The needle moves in a fan shape, and when it reaches the end, it instantly returns to its original position.
It means "retrograde" in French.
Functions used include hours, minutes, seconds, calendar, etc. An impactful watch with an instant return calendar.
On watches that display a second time zone, such as a GMT function, this refers to the local time in a country or city with a different time zone.
In this case, the time zone of the home country becomes the home time.
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Check the time zones of cities around the world. By manipulating the revolutionary bezel, you can check the time all over the world at once.
A chronograph watch that can be operated entirely with a single button, something that is rare among modern watches.
Most watches have a separate crown, but there are rare cases where everything can be controlled with just one crown.
