Collector & Reseller Glossary

What the jargon actually means — and what it does to resale value. 3,211 terms across 12 categories.

12 terms in Watches starting with “M” · page 1 of 1

1. mainspringWatches
   The mainspring is essentially the power source within a mechanical watch. It is a coiled strip of metal that stores the energy provided by winding the crown. When released, this stored energy drives the gear train, which
2. manual windWatches
   This describes a watch movement that requires the owner to physically turn a crown or winding stem to store the necessary energy in the mainspring. Unlike automatic watches, which use the wearer's motion to power the mov
3. markersWatches
   In the context of watches, markers refer to the indices or markings applied to the watch dial that indicate the hours and sometimes minutes. These can be applied as applied batons, printed numerals, or applied dots, and
4. modern watchWatches
   This term generally refers to timepieces designed and manufactured in recent decades, contrasting with vintage or antique models. It encompasses contemporary styles, modern movements, and current design aesthetics favore
5. moonphaseWatches
   This feature indicates that a watch displays the current phase of the moon, usually through a rotating disc or a dedicated complication on the dial. It's a highly sought-after element in horology, often found in dress wa
6. movement caliberWatches
   This refers to the specific internal mechanism or engine of a mechanical watch. It is the collection of gears, springs, and components that makes the watch run, whether it's automatic, manual wind, or quartz. The caliber
7. movement conditionWatches
   This refers to the operational state and physical integrity of the watch's internal mechanism, or movement. It assesses how well the gears, escapement, and other components are functioning, whether they require servicing
8. movement originalityWatches
   This refers to the authenticity and provenance of the internal mechanism, or movement, within a timepiece. For collectors and resellers, the originality of the movement is paramount because it directly verifies the watch
9. movement overhaulWatches
   A movement overhaul is a comprehensive internal servicing of a mechanical watch. It involves disassembling the movement, cleaning all components, replacing worn parts like gaskets and lubricants, and reassembling it to f
10. movement serviceWatches
    This refers to the complete maintenance and servicing of a watch's internal mechanism, or movement. It typically involves disassembling the watch, cleaning all components, lubricating pivots and gears with specialized oi
11. movement service recordWatches
    This document provides a chronological history of maintenance and repairs performed on a timepiece's internal mechanism. It details when servicing occurred, which authorized technicians performed the work, and what speci
12. movement typeWatches
    This refers to the internal mechanism that powers a timepiece, determining how it keeps time. Movements are broadly categorized as mechanical (hand-wound or automatic) or quartz (battery-powered). The type of movement is