Watch parts & prices glossary
What each part actually does, in plain English — with a live starting price pulled straight from current stock.
Mainspring
The coiled spring that stores energy when you wind the crown — the power source of every mechanical movement.
Balance Wheel
The oscillating wheel-and-hairspring pair that regulates timekeeping — a movement's heartbeat.
Pallet Fork
Part of the escapement — releases the mainspring's stored energy in small, regular ticks.
Jewel
Synthetic ruby bearings that cut friction at high-wear pivot points inside the movement.
Watch Case
The watch's structural shell — holds the movement, dial and crystal, and sets its water resistance.
Sapphire Crystal
The transparent cover over the dial — sapphire resists scratches far better than mineral glass or acrylic.
Screw-Down Caseback
Seals the back of the case — threading it down compresses a gasket for water resistance.
Crown
The knob used to wind and set the watch — a screw-down crown adds an extra seal against water.
Dial
The face of the watch — carries the hour markers and any sub-dials or complications.
Watch Hands
Indicate the time against the dial — their shape and lume affect both looks and night legibility.
Super-LumiNova Lume
Photoluminescent pigment applied to hands and markers so the dial glows after dark.
Leather Strap
Attaches the watch to the wrist — leather straps come in dozens of grains, colours and stitching styles.
Oyster Bracelet
A metal link bracelet — the three-link 'Oyster' style is the most widely used design.
Spring Bar
The small spring-loaded pin that holds a strap or bracelet to the case lugs.
Screwdriver Set
Precision flat-blade screwdrivers sized for tiny watch screws — the first tool on any bench.
Timegrapher
Listens to a movement's ticking to measure its accuracy, amplitude and beat error.