10 Important Parts of a Watch to Check When Shopping Online
When did you start buying your watch for work, sports, or special occasions? Did you just buy a wrist watch because of its unique design, or did you buy the watch with form and function in mind? Nowadays, people are more focused on checking out some fashionable watch designs rather than understanding the different important parts of a watch.
There are a few reasons why people need to understand the different parts of a watch. The first reason is that it allows people to understand better a watch's anatomy and how it works. Secondly, it helps people when they need to repair or adjust their watch. Lastly, it can also help people when they're shopping for a new watch, as they can better assess the quality of the other watch parts.
In this blog post, we will discuss the watch anatomy, the essential watch parts and the inner watch parts.
Watch Dial
The first thing you need to check on a watch is the dial, also known as the watch face. When choosing a watch face design, you should prioritize its visibility and readability. You also want to ensure that the hands align with the hour markers on the dial. If they are not, then the watch may not keep accurate time.
Check out our blog about the different types of watch dials to know which style suits best on each occasion.
Watch Case
The case is the housing for the movement; it must be solid and durable. If you plan on swimming or doing other activities where your watch might come in contact with water, make sure that the case is water-resistant.
Why must your watch case have a suitable meter resistance rating for everyday use?
The movement is the part of the watch that makes it work. It is very delicate, so if it gets wet or dirty, it might not work right anymore. That is why it is vital to ensure that the watch case is water-resistant and durable. Most watches have a 50-meter water resistance rating, which is just good for small droplets of splash due to washing your hands on the sink
Check out our blog about water resistance on watches to choose the right watch for your next adventure.
Watch Bezel
The bezel is the ring surrounding the watch face, and its primary function is to rotate in order to help measure time. The bezel can also be used for other purposes, such as protecting the watch crystal from scratches or preventing moisture from entering the case.
It can be made of different materials like metal, plastic, or glass. Watch Bezels can help measure time intervals or for marking off specific points on the main watch dial. Most watch bezels for women are also decorated with diamonds or other precious stones.
Watch Crown
Image Source: watchbandit.com
The crown is used to set the time and date on the timepiece. It is usually located on the side of the case and should be easy to operate. The crown can also be part of the design of the watch dial for some distinct timepieces.
The crown is a very important part of automatic watches. If you don't wear your automatic watch regularly, you will need to wind it occasionally. You can tell if the timepiece needs to be turned because the second hand will start moving slowly.
Note: When winding the watch, rotate the crown clockwise. Be careful not to wind the crown too much because this can damage the movement.
Watch Hands
The hands on a timepiece point to the markings on the dial to track time. There are three types of hands on a watch: the hour hand, the minute hand, and the second hand.
The hour and minute hands are usually the same color, while the second hand is usually a different color to stand out.
Watch Marker
The lines or dots that indicate the hours on a the main dial are known as markers. Hour markers can be in the form of lines, dots, or Roman numerals. Most watches have three-hour markers on the dial to help people read the time. There is one at the 12 o'clock position, one at the 6 o'clock position, and one at the 9 o'clock position.
Watch Crystal
The crystal is the transparent covering that sits above the dial and protects it from bumps, scratches, or dents. You should be sure that the crystal is composed of a hardy substance like sapphire or mineral glass.
Check out our blog about watch Crystal to learn more about the different types of materials that protect the dial.
Watch Band or Watch Strap
The watch band is also known as the watch strap. It is an integral part of the watch because it is what holds the watch to the wearer's wrist. There are different types of materials; watch straps or watch bands can be made from a leather strap, metal bracelet, or rubber. Ensure that the watch band is comfortable and fits nicely on your wrist.
Check out our blog about the different watch straps or watch bands you need to consider on your brand new watch.
Watch Lugs
The lugs is a watch part that connects the band to the case. They can be made from materials like metal, plastic, or rubber. Watch lugs should be solid and durable so that your watch will last for a long time.
Watch Clasp
Image source: MTR Watches
The clasp is used to fasten the band around your wrist. You want to ensure that it is easy to operate and secure so that the timepiece does not come off your wrist.
Here are the different kinds of clasp locks on a watch to check before adding it to your cart:
- Butterfly Clasp - The butterfly clasp is the most common type of clasp lock on a watch. It is named for its resemblance to a butterfly's wings. The wings open up to release the band and then close to secure it.
- Push Button Clasp - The push button clasp is similar to the butterfly clasp, but it has a button that needs to be pushed in order to release the watch band.
- Fold Over Clasp - The fold-over clasp is also known as a deployment clasp. It has a hinged mechanism that allows you to open and close the clasp.
- Slide Buckle Clasp - The slide buckle clasp is the simplest type of clasp lock. It does not have a locking mechanism, but it is adjustable so that you can make the watch band tighter or looser.
Now that you know about the basic parts of a watch, let's move on to the more advanced features.
Inner Watch Parts: Parts of a Watch Movement
What are the inner workings of a watch called?
The inner workings of a watch are called the watch movements. It comprises many small parts that work together to keep the watch running accurately. It powers the watch's complications.
By understanding the different parts of a watch, you can better appreciate your watch's design and function. You can also take steps to maintain your watch's mechanism and keep it running smoothly.
Here are the parts that you should be familiar with the inside parts of a watch:
Balance Spring or Hairspring
The balance spring, also known as the hairspring, is a coiled spring that helps to control the oscillation of the balance wheel. It is responsible for regulating the timekeeping of the watch.
Balance Wheel
The balance wheel is a rotating wheel that assists in regulating the swinging of the balance spring. As the balance spring coils, the wheel swings and divides time into equal segments. This mechanism maintains precision while also functioning similarly to a pendulum.
Gasket
The gasket is a rubber or silicone ring that helps to seal the watch and keep the water and dust out. It also makes sure the air pressure between the case and movement is even, so the watch runs accurately. Make sure the gasket is tight and secure, especially if you are in harsh conditions, because it might affect the watch
Geneva Seal
The Geneva Seal is an internationally recognized quality mark for watches that meet high manufacturing standards. Watches with the Geneva Seal are known for their accuracy and beauty. Receiving the Geneva Seal is a prestigious accomplishment, as only a small percentage of watches earn this distinction.
Jewels
Jewels are tiny, synthetic rubies commonly found in automatic watches and mechanical watches. They help reduce friction in the watch by being placed in the balance wheel, escape wheel, and other moving parts. The more jewels a watch has, the higher quality it is considered to be.
Mainspring
The mainspring is a coiled spring in the watch movement that provides power to the watch. It is wound tight when the watch is first put on and gradually unwinds over time. It's also the part of the timepiece that stores energy and acts as a power reserve for stationary storage of the watch.
Barrel
The watch barrel is a cylindrical container that stores the mainspring. It is typically made of brass or steel and has a gear on its outside that meshes with the gear on the mainspring itself.
Escapement
The escapement is a mechanism that controls how much energy from the mainspring is released. It is what causes the ticking sound in a watch and regulates how fast it runs. This component maintains the balance wheel's vibrations, allowing the wheels and hands to spin.
Repeater
A watch repeater is a complication on a watch that makes the time audible. You can activate it by pressing a button on the side of the case. When you do, the watch movement will cause bells or gongs to sound. This is a nice way to tell time in low light or noisy environments.
Rotor
The watch rotor is the part that winds the mainspring. It is a rotating disc that sits on a pivot and is turned by the wrist movement of the wearer's arm. The rotor transfers energy from the mainspring to the escapement, which in turn powers the watch.
Shock Absorber
A shock absorber in watches is a device that helps to minimize the impact of sudden movements on the watch movement. It is typically a small metal part mounted on the balance wheel and helps keep it in place.
Shock absorbers help to keep the movement running smoothly and accurately by minimizing the amount of energy that is transferred.
Oscillator
The oscillator is a component that helps to keep time accurate. It vibrates at a very high frequency and is regulated by the balance wheel.
BONUS: Mechanical Watches
A mechanical watch is a type of watch that uses movement to keep track of time. This type of watch has been around for a long time and is considered more accurate than quartz watches.
Mechanical watches are often made of precious metals and jewels. They are often seen as luxury watches. In order to keep them running smoothly, they require regular maintenance.
If you're looking for a new watch, be sure to check out our blog about different types of watch movements. This will help you decide which type of movement is best for your lifestyle.
How to determine which features are essential for you?
When looking for a watch, it is important to know what to look for in each part. This will help you find a watch that meets your needs and that you will be happy with for a long time.
Now that you know what to look for, it's time to start shopping! Take our quiz to find out which one is right for you. With so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. But our quiz will help narrow down your choices and get you on the right track. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try today by clicking the button below and find the perfect watch by trying out our new watch finder.
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