Ernest Jones Watch Buyer's Guide
Watch Functions & Features
Introduction - A guide to watch functions
Today's watch designs incorporate a number of multi-functional features. The following guide offers in depth detail of the features and functions available amongst the leading watch brands.
Complications
A complication is a watch that has an additional function other than timekeeping and maybe the date, such as a chronograph, moonphase or power reserve. Adding more functions to a watch makes it a more desirable and unique timepiece; it becomes a unique piece of historical technology that can be worn with pride.
Complications are grouped into two categories, functions and features. A feature is something that is visually part of the watch. A function is part of a watch that is additional to timekeeping and physically functions.
Features
This section explores some of the features available in watch styles today. For example:
Moonphase complication
A watch with a moonphase display features the different phases of the moon throughout the year. It's an additional calendar function and is the visual feature that attracts people to this style of dial.
Skeleton dial
Watches with intricate detailing combined with classic design, a popular feature for those who enjoy wearing traditional timepieces. The skeleton dial features a cut out detail in order to display the beauty of the inner workings of the watch. Usually a mechanical watch with visual moving parts, in the sense you can see the skeleton of the watch.
Water resistance
Unless a watch is built specifically for deep sea diving then water resistance feature means that the watch is not designed for prolonged use under water. The term water resistance refers to the ability of a timepiece to withstand splashes of water to varying degrees.
If you are considering buying a watch with water resistance feature for a sport then find out more detail, using our detailed water resistance guide chart, to ascertain the suitability to your requirements. You can find out more on various watches in our Water resistance section.
Functions
Choosing a watch with the right functions is something that often comes down to lifestyle and your specific requirements. You may want to invest in a timepiece suitable for sports; features may include stopwatch, specific water resistance or uni directional rotating bezel. For example:
Chronographs
A chronograph is a stopwatch, featuring 2 or 3 similar smaller sub dials, all these dials display seconds and minutes, allowing the wearer to time themselves for various activities. Chronograph watches are often considered to be quite sporty designs, although they are becoming popular in fashion styles.
Perpetual calendar
A watch featuring a perpetual calendar function tells you the exact date and automatically adjusts variations to whatever the year, day and month it is. A perpetual calendar can also take into account the varying days in a month and leap years.
Tachymeter
The tachymeter is situated around the rim of a watch and is used to calculate speed over a known distance. Many watches featuring a tachymeter usually feature a stopwatch function and have a sports design, featured in brands like Breitling, Tag Heuer and Omega amongst others.
Summary
The working features and functions are an important part of your watch buying decision. The definitive watch guide brings you up to date with the latest additional technological watch features. Browse our men's watches and ladies' watches now to see what is right for you.