Where every watch is opened before it is sold.

Exploded view

Anatomy of an automatic watch

Sapphire crystal · Hands · Dial · Movement · Rotor · Caseback

1. Sapphire crystal

   Scratch-resistant synthetic sapphire, often anti-reflective on the inside.

2. Hands

   Driven by the motion works; hours, minutes and a sweeping seconds hand.

3. Dial

   Brass base, finished with sunburst, waffle or lacquer, then printed by hand.

4. Movement

   Mainspring, gear train, escapement and balance: the beating heart, at 3–4 Hz.

5. Rotor

   A weighted half-disc that winds the mainspring with every movement of the wrist.

6. Caseback

   Screwed down with a gasket; often sapphire, so you can watch it work.