WATCH 101

HANDS & NUMERALS

THE BASIC TYPES OF HANDS AND NUMERALS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

▪ HANDS

Common shapes:

▪ NUMERALS

Three basic kinds:

WATCHING THE MOON

A SHORT INTRO TO THE MOST ROMANTIC HOROLOGICAL COMPLICATION

QUICK FACTS

• A moonphase complication tracks the phase (new, full, half or quarter) of the moon.
• The phases of the moon are shown on a rotating disc through a half-circle/“bosom” aperture or on a radial aperture which uses a conventional hand.
• The exact length of the lunar cycle (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 3 seconds) creates a challenge in terms of accuracy. Common moonphase displays use a 59-tooth driving wheel and needs to be adjusted every 2.5 years; refined ones with a 135-tooth wheel can stay accurate for more than 120 years.

WATCH ANATOMY 01

THE BACK OF A WATCH HAS THESE ELEMENTS:

1 CASE-BACK refers to the back of a watch. Some have transparent, sapphire-covered backs to reveal the movement.

2 JEWELS, such as synthetic rubies, are often used as bearings for gears of