Watch Terms & Components
What is the mainspring in a watch?
The mainspring is a coiled spring inside a watch that provides the power to drive the watch movement.. The mainspring is typically made of a thin strip of steel or other high-tensile material that ha…
What is a stem on a watch?
The stem is a small, cylindrical metal piece attached to the crown that is used to wind and set the time on a watch. It is typically located on the side of the watch case and is connected to the watc…
What is a hairspring in a watch?
A hairspring, also known as a balance spring, is a thin, coiled spring in a mechanical watch that is used to regulate the movement of the watch's balance wheel. The hairspring is typically made of a…
What are the lugs on a watch?
Lugs are the small, protruding pieces on either side of a watch case that hold the watch band or bracelet in place. The lug width is the distance between the lugs and is an important measurement to k…
What is the crown on a watch?
The crown is a small knob or button located on the side of a watch case that is used to wind the watch, set the time, and adjust various other functions. The crown is typically located at the 3 o'clo…
What is the dial on a watch?
The dial, also known as the face, is the part of a watch that displays the time and other information such as the date, day of the week, or other functions.. The dial is typically located in the cent…
What is a pallet fork in a watch?
A pallet fork is a component of the escapement in a mechanical watch that is responsible for releasing the energy stored in the watch's mainspring and regulating the movement of the watch's gears and…
What is lume on a watch?
Lume, short for "luminous material," is a type of phosphorescent substance that is applied to the hands, markers, and/or dials of a watch to make them visible in low-light conditions. Lume is typical…
What is a balance wheel in a watch?
The balance wheel is a critical component of a mechanical watch movement that helps regulate the accuracy of the watch's timekeeping.. The balance wheel is a circular wheel with a small weighted rim,…
What is an escapement in a watch?
An escapement is a mechanism in a mechanical watch that controls the release of energy from the watch's mainspring and regulates the movement of the watch's gears and hands.. The escapement consists…
What is the rotor in a watch?
The rotor is a part of an automatic watch movement that is responsible for winding the mainspring, which powers the watch.. The rotor is a semi-circular weight that is mounted on a pivot and rotates…
