WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF THE WRIST WATCH?

Watches, which have undergone many changes throughout history and reached the structure we use today, are formed by the combination of some basic parts. Nowadays, it is possible to find wooden watches in the market. In this article, we will discuss the basic parts of watches that differ from each other in terms of design, production techniques and materials used. You can take a look at the rest of our article to find out what you are wondering about watch parts.

Main Components of the Watch

Watch Dial : It is the name given to the surface that allows the clock to be read with index, Latin or Roman numerals on it. The dial part, which is fixed to each other with the machine thanks to the feet under it, can be designed as a metal floor. In market, it is possible to find different watch dial types which are made of different materials such as 100% natural wood.

Watch Case : It is the section that contains the mechanical system, dial and indicators of the watch. The case structure is the area where the visual features of the watch in general stand out. There are watch case designs & watch case shapes in oval, diagonal or barrel form. The general function of all watch case types is to protect the mechanical system and the dial against external factors. The back cover is opened in cases where the mechanical system and dial case needs to be opened. The back cover should be screwed or tight fit to the chassis. At the top and bottom of the case, there are parts that allow the strap to be attached to the case.  The back side of cases are also used for wood watch engraving applications.

Watch Strap : Basically, one of the aesthetically decisive components among wristwatch parts is the strap. This part, which enables the watch case to remain fixed on the wrist, is defined as a strap. Various materials can be used to produce strap such as 100% natural wooden, cork which is a kind vegan leather and steel. Straps in the form of bracelets can be worn directly on the arm with their flexible structure. Generally, watch strap is joined using a component which is called as buckle. In some models, this buckle is also designed with a button, and this part is called a butterfly buckle. This kind of buckle provides a more convenient and ergonomic structure for attaching watches to the wrist.

Watch Mechanism & Watch Movement : It is the most important part to realize the main function of the watch. In terms of its main features, there are three types: watch with quartz movement (with battery), mechanic movement and automatic. The mechanism parts can be separated and the damaged parts can be replaced in mechanic and automatic movements. However, this application cannot be applicable for quartz movements. In case of failure, quartz movement is replaced with a new one.

Parts of the Watch's Mechanical System

Mainspring : It is the part that provides movement to all the wheels of the watch by being stretched with the crown in automatic watches. If the energy reserve needed by the watch is not filled with the mainspring, the watch can continue to work with the movement it takes from the wrist during the day, but it will stop again when it is removed from the wrist. 

Gear Set : The task of the gear set is to carry the power to the balance wheel of the clock. These parts also make up the seconds, minutes and hours. This set, which is also known as a gear wheel and consists of many gears, has a very sensitive system.

Balance Wheel : The main part that performs the task of counting the time unit is the balance wheel. The balance wheel creates continuous forward and backward movements. In this respect, the pendulum function in the clock also belongs to this piece.

Anchor : The part that acts as the heart in all clock display systems is this. The anchor provides the strokes that determine the oscillation of the balance wheel with its arms. The tick-tock sounds heard on clocks also come from this piece.

Other Components of Watches

Watch Crown : The part designed in the form of a button on the outside of the case is called the crown. Although it is connected to the mechanism, it is not among the parts inside the watch, but is the part on the outside. The crown's duties include adjusting the hour and minute hands and setting up the mainspring in mechanical watches. The part that allows the crown to give commands to the mechanism is called the rod. With the screw threads on the rod, which is a thin metal wire, it allows the wheels in the machine to be turned. Since the damage to this sensitive part will prevent the setting of the watch, it is very important to make sensitive interventions in the operations with the crown.

Watch Bezel : The bezel is the name of the part that grips the glass of the watch. Bezels are also rarely found on the bottom of the glass. The general task of this piece is to help read the time differences. In some watches, the bezel can be turned in one direction, and in others, it can be turned in two directions. In some watches, the bezel is fixed. The bezels with the ability to be rotated provide a time measurement feature.

Watch Hands : The hour hand, minute hand and second hand set is used to read the hour and minute. These parts, which are placed on the pipe, which is the upward extension of the hour, minute and second hand wheels connected to the mechanism from the middle of the dial. They show the hour, minute and second with the movement they receive from the mechanism.