Learn the Basic Anatomy of a Luxury Timepiece
Although the design, functions, and craftsmanship may vary greatly amongst watches, many do share a few similar features. Learning about these features is not only fascinating, it is also valuable knowledge that will help you select the best timepiece for your needs and lifestyle.
Read on to become a watch connoisseur in no time!
Basic Watch Parts & Features
In this beautiful Carl F. Bucherer example we’ve highlighted some of the common features of a fine Swiss timepiece. Read on and then test your knowledge with one of your own pieces.
Strap, or watch bracelet: This part of the watch will have synthetic or animal leather, rubber, fabric strap, or a metal bracelet made of stainless steel, platinum, or gold. These will either buckle or fasten to secure the watch on the wrist. Watch bracelets and straps can vary significantly from watch to watch and come in a wide variety of styles. Your choice will depend on your lifestyle, use and style preferences.
- Square
- Oval
- Round
- Rectangle
- Octogonal
- Tonneau
- Tank
- Yellow Gold
- White Gold
- Rose or Red Gold
- Platinum
- Ceramic
- Stainless Steel
- Titanium
Dial: The watch dial is the face of the watch where you view the time, date, and any other complications or design features within it. Oftentimes there is an intricate design featured inside the dial that may not be obvious at first glance. Watch dials can be extremely intricate and impressive works of art that are also functional!
Pusher: A pusher is a button on the side of a watch’s case that activates an internal watch function. Pushers are most commonly found on watches with a chronograph and are usually located and 2:00 and 4:00. Note the position and size of the pushers in our examples below. Some pushers are nearly flush with the case (usually called correctors), and some extent far out from the case (pump pushers).
Complications: A complication in a watch is any feature that does more than tell time. Complications include alarms, tachymeters, calendars, moonphases, chronograph, travel complications, and much more. Many may appreciate the broad functionality and sophistication of watch complications, whether they use them daily or not.
Crown: The watch crown is the knob that juts out from the right-hand side of the case. The crown is most commonly used to set the time but may also be used for several other functions such as setting the date, winding the watch, and stopping the watch. In our examples you will see the watch crown positioned at 3:00. Although they are almost always at this position, some designs do place them elsewhere. Note the subtle design differences of the crowns in the examples.
Bezel: The bezel is the outer ring encircling the dial and securing the glass or crystal in place. Bezels can be made of various metal types and are sometimes adorned with diamonds or precious stones. In these examples there is a 24-hour bezel, a very unique rubber bezel, and a diamond bezel in an unexpected geometric shape.
Sub Dial: A small dial placed inside the main dial that gives information not provided by the main dial such as a chronograph.
Lug: Watch lugs are the four secured pieces that connect the watch case with the bracelet or strap. There are various types of watch lugs and they certainly contribute to the overall aesthetics of the watch. In our examples below you can see how varied they can be. Some lugs are quite prominent and others can barely be seen at all.
Different Types of Watch Lugs
- Straight Lugs
- Speedy / Bombe Lugs
- Explorer Lugs
- Shrouded or Hooded Lugs
- Cushion Lugs
- Teardrop Lugs
- Crab Claw Lugs
Hands: Hands are moving indicators inside the dial that identify the hour, minute, and second. Some watches feature only minute and an hour hand, and others feature a third hand for seconds. These examples demonstrate the beautiful craftsmanship and distinctive style of different watch hands. Note the use of color, shape, and the varied size of the hands in our examples.
Visit Us For All Your Luxury Watch Needs
If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our luxury watch experts we would be delighted to assist you with your watch shopping, service, or repairs. As a full service jeweler we also provide professional watch appraisals, and are experienced luxury watch buyers.
Visit one of our locations anytime or schedule an appointment below.
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