J
Jewels
Bearings that are usually made of synthetic sapphires or rubies in a mechanical watch. The jewels reduce friction and make the watch more accurate and longer lasting. These jewels do not add any monetary value to a watch.
Jump Hour Indicator
A jump hour indicator takes the place of an hour hand. It shows the hour by means of a numeral in a window on the dial of the watch. The minutes and seconds in a jump hour watch are read as normal from the analog hands and dial.
K
Keeper
A small loop on the strap near the buckle. It holds the strap end in place after the buckle has been fastened.
Kinetic
Based on a revolutionary technology, Seiko Kinetic® watches run entirely on energy generated from natural movement of the wearer’s wrist. It never needs a battery.
L
LCD
Liquid-crystal display. Digital time display.
LED
Light emitting diodes. Displays the time in a red light. Found less frequently these days.
Lap Memory
The ability, in some quartz sport watches, to preserve in the watch's memory the times of laps in a race that have been determined by the lap timer.
Lap Timer
A chronograph function that lets the wearer time segments of a race.
Lighted Dials
Several types of lighted dials are used so that you can tell time in the dark. A side button activates the light.
Links
The individual attached components that make up metal bracelets.
Lugs
The metal holdings used to attach the bracelet or strap to the case with pushpins.
Luminous
Luminous hands and/or hour markers are standard features on most watches that enable you to tell the time in insufficient light.
M
Magnified Window (Cyclops)
A small window or lens in the crystal that is added to magnify the date 2 1/2 times.
Manual Winding
The watch must be wound by turning the crown back and forth until resistance is met—usually every 24 hours.
Mechanical Movement
A watch's mechanism that is powered by a manual activity such as being wound up by hand or by the movement of the watch.
Mineral Crystal
Watch crystal made from what is essentially a form of glass. More scratch resistant than acrylic, a mineral crystal can scratch and is extremely difficult to polish.
Moon Phase
An indicator that keeps track of the phases of the moon.
Mother-of-Pearl
Iridescent, milky interior shell of the fresh water mollusk that is sliced thin and used on watch dials. While most have a milky white luster, mother-of-pearl also comes in other colors such as silvery gray, gray blue, pink, and salmon.
Movement
The inner workings or assembly that make up the main timekeeping mechanism. Movements are either quartz or mechanical. This is the engine of the watch.
O
O-Ring
Used to seal watch mechanisms to ensure water resistance.
P
Pedometer
A device that counts the number of strides taken by the wearer.
Perpetual Calendar
A type of calendar that automatically adjusts for months of different lengths and indicates February 29 in each leap year.
Platinum
One of the rarest precious metals, platinum is also one of the strongest and heaviest, making it a popular choice for setting gemstone jewelry and watches. It has a rich, white luster, and an understated look. Platinum is hypoallergenic and tarnish resistant. Platinum used in jewelry and watches is at least 85 to 95 percent pure. Many platinum watches are produced in limited editions due to the expense and rarity of the metal.
Power Reserve
A measure of the amount of time a watch will run after being fully powered or wound, with no additional power input.
Power Reserve Indicator
A feature that shows when the watch will soon need a new battery or winding.
Pulsimeter
A feature on a chronograph watch that measures pulse rate.
Push Pins
Spring action pins that attach the band to the case lugs.
Pushers/Push Pieces
Button located on the case of multifunction watches used to operate the special functions.
Q
Quartz Movement
A watch with a mechanism powered by a "quartz crystal." The crystal vibrates when placed in an electronic field, thus powering the watch. Most affordable watches today have Quartz movements. Quartz watches are mostly battery operated.
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