Asthmometer
A chronograph or sports counter whose dial includes an asthmometer scale indicating the number of respirations per minute. Usually calibrated for 15 respirations, the chronograph hand is stopped...
Bassiner
French verb. To give a bassine form to a watch by chiselling the case back into a smooth, round shape.
Compensation
An action intended to reduce the effect that variations in temperature or atmospheric pressure have on rate in a clock or watch.
Diffusion treated
A treatment used on gemstones to enhance their colour. The diffusion process only colours the outer surface of the stone, The CIBJO prohibits the sale of diffusion treated gemstones without...
Emerald cut
A gemstone cut that is rectangular with truncated corners. The name comes from the best quality emeralds that are cut in this shape. Despite its name, any gemstone can be cut into an emerald...
Fine stone
The name given to a non-precious stone. The term "semi-precious stone" is no longer...
See AlsoWatch That Attract Women - What They Want You To Wear And Don'tWhy You Keep Seeing 12:12 — 1212 Angel Number MeaningsWhat Hand Does a Watch Go On For a Woman — Shopping on Champagne | Nancy Queen | Fashion BlogThe Mystery of Numerical Notation on the Dial Plate - 4 is Expressed as IIII, not IV | THE SEIKO MUSEUM GINZAGears
A set of wheels and pinions whereby the movement of one sets all the others in motion.There are different types of gears, e.g. winding gears, strike-train, etc.
Horology
The science of measuring time.
Inclusion
An inclusion is a particle of foreign matter found within a gemstone. Inclusions can be another mineral, a liquid or a gas. Inclusions decrease the value of a diamond when visible with a 10X...
Jumping seconds
On a chronograph, a hand that makes one rotation every second, pausing four, five, even eight times to indicate quarters, fifths or eighths of a second. Also called foudroyante.
Knot
A raised mineral inclusion in a diamond found at the surface.
Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
A segmented luminous source used to display numerals on electronic digital watches. Operated by a push-button.
Maker's mark
The mark which a manufacturer stamps on its products.
Nickel silver (German silver)
A silver-white alloy of copper, nickel and zinc developed in France circa 1820 by Maillot and Chorier from whom it takes its name.
Ornamental gems
Any microcrystalline gemstone. Some examples are: Agate, Onyx, Sodalite, Malachite, etc. These ornamental stones are mostly used for watch dials.
Pleochroism
The ability of certain bi-refringent gemstones to show different tones a colour when viewed in different directions. Tourmaline is a example of a very pleochroic gemstone.
Quartz
Silicon dioxide. Also called rock crystal.Quartz has the specific property of vibrating at a very high frequency (32 MHz) placed under electric current. Under certain conditions, it...
Rim
A circular mass held by spokes to form the balance.
Simple calendar (watch)
Simple calendar: shows the date, i.e. the number, in order, of each day in the month. Certain simple calendars also display the names of the months. A simple calendar...
Temper
Heat treatment after quenching whereby metal is heated then slowly cooled. Tempering increases mechanical resistance by reducing the brittleness induced by quenching.
Universal hour
One twenty-fourth of the universal day which begins at midnight at the Prime Meridian at Greenwich. Following the 1884 International Meridian Conference in Washington, the Earth was divided...
Vagues de Genève
Synonym of Côtes de Genève. A decoration of undulating lines, like waves, frequently used to embellish superior quality movements.
Wheel
A circular component that rotates around an axis and whose function is to transmit power or motion.
Year
A four-digit indication of the current year that changes automatically at midnight on December 31st.
Zinc
A metal applied by electrodeposition (electroplating) to protect iron and steel.
