Watches, or timepieces, offer fascinating functions for watch enthusiasts. These luxury pieces are expertly designed and assembled by highly skilled watchmakers. While there are functions for time-keeping in multiple time zones, date, day and more complex utilities, watches have common components that work together to create the essence of your watch.
12 Essential Watch Anatomy Terms
Movement:The movement is a watch’s “engine,” keeping time and powering the functions of the watch.
Case: A watch case holds the movement and protects it.
Caseback: The protective area on the back of the watch. Sometimes watches may have an exhibition caseback, meaning the the case is fitted with a transparent material (sapphire crystal or similar) that shows the movement finishing.
Crystal: Watch crystal is typically made from synthetic sapphire or glass and both protects the watch dial and helps to reduce glare.
Bezel: Typically a metal piece, the bezel is the ring around the crystal that holds the crystal in place.
Dial: The dial indicates the hours and sometimes minutes and seconds on a watch. It is a plate with a metal base on the watch.
Subdial: A watch may have one or multiple subdials which provide additional information.
Lug: Lugs are intended to secure the watch bracelet or strap to the case. Lug width is important to know when shopping for a replacement band for your watch to ensure it is compatible.
Pusher: This is a button on the outside of the watch case that controls specific functions on the watch. This is most commonly found on watches with a chronograph.
Crown: The crown is used to set the calendar and/or time on the watch and is a button located on the outside of the case. Mechanical watches use the crown to wind the mainspring.
Hands: Hands typically indicate hour, minute and seconds on watches.
Strap: The material that harnesses the watch to the write. When made of leather or non-metal material, this is called a strap. When the material is metal-based, it’s called a bracelet.
If you ever need expert care or maintenance for your timepiece, don't hesitate to explore our watch repair services for professional assistance.
