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Glossary
The SKYMOD Watch Glossary is your guide to watchmaking terms, movements, and features. From automatic calibres to sapphire crystal, here’s everything you need to know.
Movements
Meca-Quartz
A hybrid movement that combines quartz accuracy with the mechanical feel of a chronograph. Found in SKYMOD’s chronograph models, it delivers the crisp “snap” of a mechanical reset with the reliability of quartz.
NH34 (Automatic GMT)
A Japanese automatic calibre that allows you to track a second time zone. Known for its accuracy and durability, it’s a favorite among travelers and enthusiasts.
NH35 (Automatic)
A respected Japanese automatic calibre. Self-winding and robust, it’s prized for its accuracy, reliability, and long-term performance.
VK63 (Meca-Quartz Chronograph)
A Japanese hybrid chronograph calibre. Offers quartz precision with the satisfying feel of a mechanical chronograph, making it popular with collectors.
Quartz
A battery-powered movement that offers high accuracy and minimal maintenance.
Automatic
A self-winding mechanical movement powered by wrist motion — no battery required.
Rotor
A semi-circular metal weight that spins with wrist movement, automatically winding the mainspring in mechanical watches.
Power Reserve
The amount of time a watch will run when fully wound and not worn — usually 40–50 hours for SKYMOD automatics.
Hacking (Seconds Hand Stop)
A feature that stops the seconds hand when setting the time, allowing for precise synchronization.
Jewels
Synthetic ruby bearings used inside a movement to reduce friction and wear. Most automatic movements use between 17–24 jewels.
Complication
Any function beyond basic timekeeping — for example, date, GMT, or chronograph. Many SKYMOD watches include useful and functional complications.
Chronograph
A stopwatch feature allowing you to measure elapsed time, typically via pushers and subdials.
GMT / 24-Hour Hand
An additional hand or display showing a second time zone, rotating once every 24 hours.
Skeleton Movement
A movement partially cut away to reveal its internal workings — a celebration of mechanical art.
Watch Components
Bezel
The ring around the watch face, sometimes fixed, sometimes rotating (e.g., for elapsed time measurement).
Bezel Insert
The removable inner ring of the bezel, often with markings or color. Modders frequently swap inserts to customize the look.
Case
The body of the watch that houses the movement and dial. SKYMOD uses 316L stainless steel, prized for its strength and corrosion resistance.
Crown
The small knob on the side of the watch used to set the time and date.
Screw-down Crown
A crown that screws into the case to seal against water and dust — common in diver or sports watches.
Crown Guards
Raised edges protecting the crown from impact or snagging.
Crystal
The transparent cover protecting the dial. SKYMOD uses sapphire crystal — extremely scratch-resistant and optically clear.
Anti-Reflective Coating (AR Coating)
A special coating applied to sapphire crystals to reduce glare and improve legibility.
Caseback
The rear cover of the case. Can be solid (engraved) or exhibition (transparent) to showcase the movement.
Exhibition Caseback
A transparent back, often sapphire, allowing you to view the movement inside.
Gasket / O-Ring
Rubber or synthetic seals that ensure water resistance between the crown, crystal, and caseback.
Dial
The watch face — where hands, markers, and subdials sit. SKYMOD dials feature layered construction, textures, and precise printing.
Chapter Ring (Rehaut)
The inner ring between the dial and crystal, often printed with minute or second markers.
Hands
The indicators that point to the hours, minutes, and seconds. SKYMOD uses polished or lumed hands for clear readability.
Lume
A luminous paint applied to hands and markers, glowing in the dark after light exposure.
Super-LumiNova / BGW9 / C3
Premium lume compounds known for strong and long-lasting brightness. BGW9 glows blue; C3 glows green.
Crown Stem
The metal shaft connecting the crown to the movement, used for time and date adjustments.
Lugs
Protrusions that hold the strap or bracelet. Their width determines strap compatibility (e.g., 20 mm).
Lug-to-Lug Distance
The total length from the tip of one lug to the other, affecting how a watch sits on the wrist.
Bracelet / Strap
The band that secures the watch to your wrist — metal, leather, or rubber. SKYMOD bracelets use solid links for durability.
Clasp
The fastening mechanism that secures the bracelet or strap — fold-over, butterfly, or pin-buckle.
Finishing & Materials
Brushed Finish
A texture with fine linear lines, creating a matte look and diffusing light reflections.
Polished Finish
Smooth and glossy, giving a mirror-like surface. Often used on edges to add contrast.
Bevel / Chamfer
An angled cut along edges (like lugs or case sides) that adds refinement and light play.
316L Stainless Steel
A marine-grade alloy used in SKYMOD cases and bracelets, known for corrosion resistance and durability.
Sapphire Crystal
A synthetic crystal almost as hard as diamond — highly resistant to scratches and key to SKYMOD’s premium feel.
PVD Coating (Physical Vapor Deposition)
A thin, durable layer applied to steel for color (e.g., black, gold, gunmetal). Offers enhanced wear resistance.
Performance & Function
Water Resistance (WR)
Indicates how much water pressure a watch can handle (e.g., 5 ATM = 50 m). Safe for daily wear but not for deep diving unless rated higher.
Shock Absorber
A protective mechanism (e.g., Diashock) that prevents damage to the movement’s balance wheel after impacts.
Regulation
The fine adjustment of a movement’s timing rate to ensure optimal accuracy.
Accuracy
The deviation a watch shows over time — for example, ±20 seconds per day for most mechanical movements.
Service Interval
The recommended maintenance period (typically 3–5 years for mechanical watches) to clean, lubricate, and adjust the movement.
Modding & Customization
Dial Swap
Replacing the original dial with an aftermarket or custom design — a hallmark of the watch-modding community.
Bezel Swap
Changing the bezel or insert for a new color or function (e.g., GMT or dive timing).
Hand Swap
Replacing the hour, minute, or seconds hands to achieve a unique aesthetic.
Crystal Upgrade
Changing a mineral or acrylic crystal to sapphire for durability and clarity.
Custom Rotor
Personalized rotors with engraving or finishing, visible through an exhibition caseback.
Aftermarket Parts
Third-party components (dials, bezels, hands, crystals) used for personalization — common in Seiko-based modding.
OEM Parts
Original components supplied by the manufacturer — used for maintaining authenticity.
Design Details
Applied Indices
Raised hour markers fixed onto the dial, often polished or lumed, adding depth and elegance.
Printed Indices
Markers directly printed on the dial for a clean, minimalist look.
Sandwich Dial
A layered dial where cut-outs on the top layer reveal lume beneath — adding dimension and strong night visibility.
Open-Heart Dial
A dial design with a small window exposing part of the movement (usually the balance wheel).
Tachymeter Scale
Graduated markings around the bezel or dial used to measure speed over a known distance.
Rehaut Engraving
Branding or decorative text etched into the inner chapter ring for detail and authenticity.