The "Doctor" is Always In!

What is a Hacking Mechanism?

A watch that “hacks” or that has “hacking seconds” is one in which the seconds hand stops when the crown is pulled out. Hacking is achieved when pulling the crown out to the setting position causing a lever to come into contact with the balance wheel causing it to stop and to be held in position. Hacking allows the watch to be set to a reference signal, or synchronized with.. Read More

What is a Watch Winder?

A watch winder is a device used to keep automatic watch running when not worn. Automatic watches operate on the principle of winding themselves using a moving weight inside the watch. The weight swings or rotates while the watch is worn and turns the winding mechanism inside the watch. So, fairly obviously, if the watch is not worn, then it no longer receives power this way and will run down… Read More

What is a Skeleton Watch?

A skeleton watch is a mechanical watch, in which all of the moving parts are visible through either the front of the watch, the back of the watch or a small cut outlining the dial.   True ‘skeletonization’ also includes the trimming away of any non-essential metal on the bridge, plate, wheel train or any other mechanical part of the watch, leaving only a skeleton of the movement required for functionality. Often, the remaining thinned movement is decorated with.. Read More

What is a Jump Hour Watch?

Watches with a jump hour complication have an hour hand that does not sweep between the hours. Instead, it points exactly at the current hour and jumps to the next hour as the minute hand reaches 60 minutes. Theoretically this makes telling the time a bit easier, as the current hour is always being pointed at directly. Some watches with jump hour complications use discs with imprinted digits as opposed.. Read More