Watch Glossary: Watch Terms Explained in Plain English

Watch descriptions are full of jargon. This glossary explains the terms you will see on our product pages and in our watch buying guides, in plain English.

Movements

Automatic movement. A mechanical movement that winds itself from the motion of your wrist. Wear it regularly and it keeps running. Leave it off for a day or two and it will stop until you wind it or wear it again.

Hand-wind movement. A mechanical movement you wind yourself by turning the crown. There is no rotor, so these watches can be slimmer.

Quartz movement. A battery-powered movement that keeps time using a vibrating quartz crystal. Quartz watches are very accurate and need little care.

Mecha-quartz (sweep quartz). A hybrid that uses a quartz timekeeping core with a mechanical-style sweeping second hand. You get the smooth sweep of an automatic with quartz accuracy. See our guide: what is a sweep quartz movement?

NH35. A widely used automatic movement made by Seiko, known for being robust and easy to service. See NH35 vs Miyota 8215.

Miyota 8215. A widely used automatic movement made by Miyota, part of the Citizen group.

Vibrations per hour (vph or bph). How fast a mechanical movement beats. A higher beat gives a smoother second hand.

Crystals and materials

Sapphire crystal. A very scratch-resistant watch glass. It is much harder to scratch than mineral glass.

Mineral crystal. A tougher-than-plastic glass used on many budget watches. It resists everyday wear but scratches more easily than sapphire.

Titanium. A strong, light metal. Titanium watches feel noticeably lighter on the wrist than steel ones.

Ceramic. A hard material often used for bezel inserts because it resists scratches and fading.

Water resistance

Water resistance (for example 50m, 100m, 200m). A pressure rating from testing, not a safe diving depth. As a simple guide, 50m copes with splashes and rain, 100m suits swimming, and 200m is built for more demanding water use. Always check the rating on the watch you are buying, and remember that crowns need to be pushed or screwed in fully.

Case and dial

Case diameter. The width of the watch head, not counting the crown.

Lug-to-lug. The length of the watch from lug tip to lug tip, which decides how it sits on your wrist. See our wrist size guide.

Bezel. The ring around the dial. On dive watches it often rotates to time dives or other intervals.

Lume. The glowing material on the hands and markers that lets you read the time in the dark.

Open heart. A dial with a cut-out that shows part of the movement working.

Exhibition case back. A clear back on the watch that lets you see the movement.

Homage watch. A watch inspired by a classic design, built on its own terms and at a more accessible price.

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