Watch Trading Glossary

Authorized Dealer. A retailer officially authorized by a watch brand to sell their products with full manufacturer warranty.

Adjusted. Refers to a watch movement that has been adjusted for accuracy in multiple positions.

Audemars Piguet. Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, famous for the Royal Oak.

Anti-Reflective coating applied to crystal to reduce glare and improve legibility.

The ring surrounding the watch crystal, may be fixed or rotating, sometimes with markings for timing.

Brand New In Box. Watch is unworn and includes all original packaging and accessories.

Original box and documentation (warranty card, booklets, etc.) included with the watch.

Brand-owned retail store, as opposed to third-party authorized dealers.

The specific movement used in a watch, identified by a reference number.

Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres. Swiss organization that certifies chronometer accuracy.

Any function beyond basic timekeeping (date, chronograph, moon phase, etc.).

Arrangement where a dealer sells a watch on behalf of the owner for a commission.

The knob on the side of a watch used for setting time and winding.

Wholesale price between dealers, typically below retail market price.

A folding clasp mechanism that allows the strap to stay attached when opened.

The face of the watch displaying the time, may include complications and indices.

Watch shipped with double packaging for extra protection during transit.

Major Swiss movement manufacturer supplying many watch brands.

Transparent caseback allowing view of the movement. Also called display back.

Buying a watch with intent to resell quickly for profit.

Complete watch with all original accessories: box, papers, tags, etc.

Frankenwatch - a watch assembled from parts from different watches, often misrepresented as original.

Secondary market for watches sold outside authorized dealer networks. Legitimate but parallel distribution.

Professional dealer operating in the secondary market, outside of authorized dealer networks.

Greenwich Mean Time complication showing a second timezone, typically with a fourth hand.

Feature allowing the seconds hand to stop when the crown is pulled out for precise time setting.

Acrylic/plastic crystal used on vintage watches and some current models (e.g., Omega Speedmaster).

Nickname for Rolex Submariner with green dial and bezel (ref. 116610LV).

Movement designed and manufactured by the watch brand itself, not outsourced.

Jaeger-LeCoultre. Swiss luxury watch manufacturer known for complications.

Nickname for Rolex Submariner with green bezel and black dial (ref. 16610LV).

Like New In Box. Watch has minimal wear but includes original packaging.

Projections on the watch case where the strap or bracelet attaches.

Distance between lugs, determining compatible strap sizes.

Luminescent material on hands and indices for visibility in darkness.

Watch company that produces its own movements in-house.

Current trading price in the secondary market, may differ from retail.

Condition term indicating a watch shows virtually no signs of wear.

Modified watch with aftermarket parts (dial, hands, bezel, etc.).

Complication displaying the current phase of the moon.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Official list price from the brand.

Nylon strap that passes under the watch, originally designed for military use.

New Old Stock. Vintage watch that was never sold or worn.

Original Equipment Manufacturer. Genuine parts from the watch manufacturer.

Rolex's iconic bracelet design with flat three-piece links.

Aging/discoloration of dial or hands over time, often desirable on vintage pieces.

Nickname for watches with blue and red bezels, especially Rolex GMT-Master.

Patek Philippe. One of the most prestigious Swiss watch manufacturers.

Amount of time a watch will run without winding. May also refer to indicator showing remaining power.

Previously owned watch, may show varying degrees of wear.

Record of purchases from an AD, often required for access to hot models.

Feature allowing rapid date change without moving through 24 hours.

Model number identifying a specific watch variant.

Replica/counterfeit watch. Illegal to sell as genuine.

Rolex Service Centre. Official Rolex service and repair facility.

Royal Oak. Iconic Audemars Piguet model designed by Gérald Genta.

Synthetic sapphire crystal, highly scratch-resistant. Standard on modern luxury watches.

Complete maintenance including cleaning, oiling, and adjustment of the movement.

Watch has undergone professional maintenance, typically documented.

Nickname for Omega Speedmaster.

Nickname for Rolex Submariner 126610LV with green bezel and black dial.

Rolex Submariner. Iconic dive watch.

Watch dial with Tiffany & Co. branding, highly collectible.

Complex complication that rotates the escapement to counter gravity effects.

Exchanging watches between dealers, with or without additional cash.

Radioactive material used for lume on vintage watches (pre-1998), now replaced by Super-LumiNova.

Watch that has never been worn, though may have been handled or tried on.

Vacheron Constantin. One of the oldest and most prestigious Swiss watchmakers.

Generally refers to watches 20+ years old, though definitions vary.

Queue at authorized dealers for high-demand watches.

Watch Dealer Group. Major verified dealer network using WhatsApp.

Want To Buy. Post indicating desire to purchase a specific watch.

Want To Sell. Post offering a watch for sale.

Want To Trade. Post offering to exchange watches.