Glossary of Pocket Watch Terms

 For a complete explanation of all the terminoligy surrounding Pocket Watches, please visit our glossary of Pocket Watch Words & Phrases. We've outlined below the most common words used when refering to types of pocket watch:

Hunter
A pocket watch with a spring hinged lid that covers the whole face of the watch, thus protecting the glass from damage. 

Double Hunter
A pocket watch with spring hinged lids on both the front and back of the watch.

Half Hunter
A pocket watch with a spring hinged lid on the face of the watch with a see-through panel in the centre to allow the time to be read when the lid is closed.

Double Half Hunter
A pocket watch with spring hinged lids on both the front and back of the watch with a see-through panels in the centre to allow the time to be read when the lid is closed.

Open Dial
A pocket watch with no metal cover allowing the dial to be read at all times 

Skeleton
A pocket watch with the mechanical movement visible, displaying the jewels and spring 

Quartz Movement
A battery operated watch with a quartz crystal used to maintain timekeeping 

Mechanical Movement
A spring wound watch - essential if you like your watch to "tick"

Jewels
Quality mechanical pocket watches are jewelled. Little pieces of ruby, sapphire, garnet (and sometimes glass or synthetic jewels) are used as bearings for the moving parts to reduce friction as the wheel pivots rotate. A fully jewelled watch has 17 jewels 

Albert
Probably named after Prince Albert, these pocket watch chains are designed to be used on a waistcoat. A single Albert attaches to the waistcoat button hole with the watch at the other end being placed in the waistcoat pocket. The double Albert has a second chain onto which a cigar cutter, key or Vespa box could be attached.  

Repeater
This is a pocket watch with a chime at the hour. Popular watches in the Victorian period, but not so common now.