Watch Terminology 101: Key Terms You Need to Know Before Buying

At a glance

• Knowing watch terminology helps you make better decisions, whether you're buying your first watch or adding to your collection.
  
• This guide explains common watch terms like "lug width," "apertures," and "sapphire crystal" in simple language.
  
• You'll also learn about key components like the case, dial, hands, crown, and straps.

When browsing a watch product description, most of us can easily recognise terms like "dial," "strap," or whether it's analog or digital. But then we stumble across words like “lug width,” “apertures,” or “sapphire crystal”, and suddenly, it feels like a different language.

If you’ve felt the same, you’re not alone. Many people feel overwhelmed by technical watch terminology, especially when buying their first timepiece or upgrading to a more premium model.

That’s exactly why we created this beginner-friendly guide to explain the most essential watch terms in simple, clear language. Understanding the basics will help you make a more informed and confident choice.

Case

The watch case is one of the most fundamental and frequently referenced terms in the watch industry. It refers to the outer shell that houses the movement and dial of a watch and protects the internal mechanics. Beyond safeguarding, the case also determines the watch's overall shape, size, and wrist presence.

Watch cases come in various shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, oval, cushion, or tonneau. They are typically crafted from materials like stainless steel, platinum, bronze, gold, or titanium.  Each material offers distinct benefits, ranging from lightweight comfort and high durability to luxurious appearance and prestige. For example, a steel case might be ideal for someone who wants a durable option for everyday use, while a gold and platinum case might appeal to collectors seeking premium and ultra-high-end watches.

In addition to protection and aesthetics, the case size of watches determines how well they suit different wrist types. The case size is measured in millimetres and typically ranges from about 36 mm for smaller wrists to 44 mm or larger for those preferring a bold, oversized look.

If you prefer a clean, contemporary look, Stone & Browne offers sleek, round watches in two core sizes: 40 mm watches and 44 mm watches. These minimalist case designs complement the brand’s refined aesthetic and transition effortlessly between casual and formal settings.

Read More: How to Choose the Right Watch Size for Your Wrist

Dial and Sub-Dial

The watch dial is the face of the timepiece, where the time is displayed. It is an important consideration when buying a watch, as it serves as both a functional and aesthetic feature. Watch dials feature markers that denote the hours, minutes, or sometimes seconds. These markers can be in Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, indices, dot markers, other symbols or a combination of styles.

In addition, a sub-dial (also called a subsidiary or auxiliary dial) is the smaller dial inside the watch that displays additional information. For instance, it could be dual time, a power reserve indicator, a day/date display, or even a stopwatch.

Stone & Browne watches have colourful faces and a contemporary design. You can opt for a Suit & Tie navy blue dial watch, an Emerald green dial watch, or even bolder hues, which reflect your personality.

Display

One of the essential watch terms explained in any watch guide is the display type. Watch displays generally fall into three categories: analog, digital, and analog-digital combos. The display indicates how the time is shown, either through traditional hands (hour, minute, and second) or a digital interface.

Choosing between these options depends on your personal style and usability preferences. Analog displays offer a timeless aesthetic, while digital ones provide modern readability and additional functions.
Every Stone & Browne watch features an analog display with vibrant, colourful faces and clear markers for easy readability. 

Crown

The crown refers to the knob on the side of the watch case. It’s an important element in a watch, as it allows you to set the time and date and, in mechanical watches, to wind the mainspring. On some chronograph-style watches, crowns may also work in conjunction with pushers to start, stop, or reset the stopwatch function.

Crowns are typically made from stainless steel, gold, or other metals. They also come in various shapes, such as fluted, onion, flat, convex, round, or pumpkin-shaped. Their design is usually coordinated with the case to maintain visual harmony.

Each timepiece of Stone & Browne features a side crown for intuitive time adjustment.

Hands

Hands are the components that move around the watch dial and indicate the time in an analog display. A watch typically features an hour, a minute, and sometimes even a second hand. The shape, length, and finish of hands affect both legibility and style.

Stone & Browne watches feature clean, modern, and easy-to-read hands that complement the dial’s bold yet minimalist aesthetic. 

Apertures

In watch terminology,  an aperture refers to a small window or opening on a watch dial that displays additional information beyond the standard time. This feature is also commonly referred to as a "window" on the dial.

Apertures are valued for their ability to provide extra functionality without cluttering the dial. Common types of apertures include day, date, month, year, and moon phase.

Stone & Browne watches incorporate subtly placed day apertures, offering practical benefits while preserving the dial's clean, uncluttered design.

Glass (Crystal)

The glass, or watch crystal, is the transparent covering over the dial. It protects the watch face from scratches, impacts, and dust, while providing clear visibility of the time. 

Watch crystals are typically made from:
●    Acrylic: Lightweight and affordable, but easily scratched.
●    Mineral glass: More scratch-resistant than acrylic, but less durable than sapphire.
●    Sapphire crystal: A premium material known for its outstanding scratch resistance and clarity.

All Stone & Browne watches feature sapphire glass, chosen for its superior scratch resistance for daily wear and long-term clarity. 

Bezel

The bezel is the ring that surrounds the watch crystal. It serves both functional and aesthetic purposes by protecting the crystal and framing the dial. Bezels can be fixed, rotating, or internal, each offering different levels of functionality to a watch’s style and utility.

Stone & Browne watches feature a fixed, minimalist bezel that keeps attention on the dial while enhancing the case's modern silhouette.

Band/Strap

The band or strap on a watch refers to the part that secures the watch to your wrist. Watch bands and straps are often available in metal, leather, or rubber. Selecting the right watch band or strap material depends on your lifestyle, intended use, comfort preferences, and style. So, when you’re buying a watch, consider factors such as comfort, durability, adjustability, aesthetics, and suitability for different occasions and activities.

What sets Stone & Browne apart is the interchangeable strap system, which allows you to switch straps quickly to match your mood, outfit, or occasion. For instance, you can easily switch from a sleek leather watch strap for a business meeting to a polished metal strap for an evening dinner or weekend outing. This way, you can create multiple watch looks tailored to different occasions, all with a single timepiece.

Read More: The Power of Choice: Creating Unique Styles with Stone & Browne's Interchangeable Bands

Case Lugs

Case lugs are small extensions on either side of the case where the strap or bracelet is 

attached. They provide structural support, ensuring the band stays firmly attached and does not loosen or break. Though often overlooked, case lugs determine how the strap attaches, how the watch fits, and the overall visual identity of the timepiece.

The distance between the lugs (lug width) determines what strap or bracelet sizes are compatible with the watch, affecting customisation options.

Stone & Browne watches have lugs that blend seamlessly into the modern case design, contributing to a sleek and contemporary aesthetic. Most importantly, they support interchangeable bands, with a standard lug construction that allows easy swapping between compatible straps.

Movement

The term movement in a watch refers to the internal mechanism (also known as a "calibre") that powers the watch and makes its functions operate. This mechanism is responsible for moving the hands and driving any additional features, such as chronographs or calendar displays. 

There are two main types of watch movements: quartz and mechanical movements. Mechanical movements (manual or automatic) use a mainspring and a series of gears and escapements to keep time. On the contrary, quartz movements are powered by a battery, with a quartz crystal that vibrates at a consistent frequency to regulate the timekeeping. 

Stone & Browne watches use Japanese quartz movements, which are well-known for their precision, reliability, and low maintenance.

Read More:  Stone & Browne's Dedication to Precision: What Japanese Movements Bring to the Table

Water Resistance

Water resistance indicates how well the watch can resist water ingress. It does not mean the watch is fully waterproof. Rather, it's rated for specific conditions like handwashing or rain. The ratings are 3ATM, 5ATM, 10ATM, and 20ATM, with 5ATM being the most common.

Regarding water resistance, all Stone & Browne watches are rated 5ATM, meaning they are resistant to water exposure, such as handwashing and rain, but are not fully waterproof for activities like swimming or diving. This rating provides everyday protection without compromising the watch’s design and functionality.

Read More: Watch Waterproofing: Why it Matters and How to Check for It

Now that you’re equipped with the essentials of watch terminology, navigating product descriptions and making smarter buying decisions should be less intimidating.

If you’re ready to put your knowledge to the test, explore our Stone & Brownes’ latest men's watches, women’s watches, and unisex watches!