The Names of Men's Watch Parts

Despite their small size and singular purpose of informing the wearer of the current time, a typical wristwatch is comprised of many different parts working in conjunction with each other. Though the more modern digital or analog display watches may be, in a sense, simpler with the mechanism being primarily electric and computer generated, old fashioned traditional watch mechanisms are impressive in their intricacy.

A traditional wrist watch, one in which the time is displayed on a clock face with turning hands, is comprised of several parts. Each part serves an important purpose and without each part working in conjunction with each other, the entire mechanism of the clock would not work properly or at all.

• Mainspring: A metal ribbon that is coiled in the shape of a spiral. When the watch is wound, the mainspring is activated and creates the energy that will power the watch's mechanisms.


• Balance wheel: A weighted component that continuously moves back and forth in very specifically measured intervals to match one second. This produces the telltale "tick tock" sound.


• Hairspring: A coiled metal spring similar to the mainspring. However, this one functions as a regulator for the movement of the balance wheel, keeping it controlled and even.


• Escapement: A ridged circular cog that fits atop the balance wheel, working in conjunction with the hairspring to control the movement of the balance wheel.


• Gear train: A multi-component system containing all the rotating wheels or gears inside a watch. As the gears spin, they transfer power from the mainspring to the different watch components.


• Winding stem: In manually wound watches, this part is the stick that connects the gear on the outside that is wound by the user to the mechanisms on the inside.


• Oscillating weight: Serves the same purpose as the winding stem, but in a self-wound watch.


• Dial train: The final component that takes the power that started in the mainspring and was transferred through all the gear mechanisms. It transfers that energy to the clock hands, activating their motion.