Watch basics

Movements

• Quartz

  A battery drives a tiny quartz crystal that vibrates 32,768 times a second. Very accurate (often within about 15 seconds a month), affordable and low-maintenance. The seconds hand usually jumps once a second. Change the battery promptly when it runs low — many watches signal this with a seconds hand that jumps every few seconds.

• Automatic (self-winding mechanical)

  A mainspring powers a balance wheel ticking several times a second; a weighted rotor winds the spring as you move. No battery, but expect a few seconds' variation a day and periodic servicing. The seconds hand sweeps in small steps. See the automatic watches guide.

• Manual-wind mechanical

  Like an automatic but with no rotor: you wind it by the crown, typically once a day at a regular time. Thinner movements and a satisfying daily ritual.

• Solar

  A quartz watch whose dial lets light reach a solar cell that charges a rechargeable cell. A full charge often lasts months in the dark. Give it regular light — a windowsill, not a hot dashboard — and use the manufacturer's charging guidance.

Common complications

A complication is any function beyond hours, minutes and seconds. For how to use them, see watch functions & complications.

Date / day-date

Shows the date (and weekday) in a window. Usually set via the crown's first position; observe any 'no-setting' window in the manual.

GMT / dual time

An extra hand, often with a 24-hour scale, shows a second time zone — handy for UTC or home time when travelling.

Chronograph

A built-in stopwatch with start/stop and reset pushers. See the chronograph guide.

Moonphase

A rotating disc showing the moon's phase. See the moonphase guide.

Power reserve indicator

On mechanical watches, shows how much running time is left in the mainspring.

Rotating bezel

A dive bezel counts elapsed minutes from a set point; it usually turns one way only for safety.

Tachymeter

A scale used with the chronograph to work out speed over a known distance.

Annual / perpetual calendar

Calendars that handle month lengths automatically (annual) or also leap years (perpetual). Setting order is critical — follow the manual.

Radio-controlled

Sets itself from a time signal. In the UK, that's MSF, broadcast from Anthorn and traceable to UTC(NPL).

Watch care & tips

General habits that suit most watches. Designs differ, so treat these as a starting point rather than rules for every model.

Everyday care

• Keep it clean and dry. Wipe the case and crystal with a soft, dry cloth. Only rinse it if the manufacturer says its water resistance allows it, with the crown pushed in or screwed down.
• Follow the water-resistance guidance for your model. A rating describes test conditions, not a promise for every activity, and seals age — resistance can drop over time or after a knock. Have it checked if you rely on it.
• Don't use the crown or pushers when wet or underwater unless the manual says you can.
• Avoid strong impacts and hard knocks, which can damage mechanical parts and crystals.
• Avoid extreme heat and sudden temperature changes — for example a hot car dashboard, sauna or hot shower — which can affect seals, batteries and lubricants.
• Keep it away from strong magnets such as speakers and magnetic clasps or cases; magnetism can upset mechanical timekeeping.
• Get it serviced at the interval the manufacturer recommends, or sooner if it starts behaving differently.

By movement type

Quartz

Replace a low battery promptly, as an old one can leak. Battery changes are best done by a watchmaker so seals can be checked.

Automatic

Regular wear keeps it wound. If it has stopped, hand-wind it only if your movement allows, and gently. A watch winder is optional.

Manual-wind mechanical

Wind it at a similar time each day until you feel resistance, then stop — never force the crown.

Solar

Give it regular light, ideally daylight near a window, but not on a hot sill or dashboard. Follow the manufacturer's charging guidance.