What are watch complications?

Today we'll talk about some of your favorite functions on a watch. The term for the function on a watch is a complication, quite simply because the extra components make the watch more complicated to build. These complications go beyond the basic function of displaying the time on a timepiece.

Complications can be found in mechanical, automatic, or quartz watches. There are many complications, with some being more popular than others. The most common types of watch complications include:

 

Calendar complications 

Calendar complications are features on a watch that displays the date and often the day of the week or month. There are several types of calendar complications, each with its level of complexity and purpose.

The simple date display is one of the most basic types of calendar complications. This feature displays the current date in numerical form, usually at the 3 or 6 o'clock position on the dial. The date is typically displayed using a window or aperture on the dial, and the numbers are usually in black or white against a contrasting background color. Some simple date displays also have a small hand called a "date hand" that points to the current date on a scale around the outer edge of the dial.

Annual calendar complications are a step up in complexity from simple date displays. These features track the length of each month and only need to be manually adjusted once per year. An annual calendar will automatically account for the difference between months with 31, 30, and 28 (or 29) days. This complication is often found on higher-end watches and is considered a more sophisticated feature.

Perpetual calendar complications are the most complex type of calendar feature. These features track the length of each month and automatically adjust for leap years. Meaning they can be manually adjusted for a few years or even decades. Perpetual calendars are considered one of watchmaking's most prestigious and coveted complications. They are often found on high-end luxury watches.

Calendar complications can be found on both mechanical and quartz watches, although they are more commonly found on mechanical watches. In a mechanical watch, the calendar complication is usually powered by the movement of the watch and is set using the crown. In a quartz watch, the calendar complication is usually powered by a battery. It is set using the crown or a separate button on the case.

TL;DR These features display the date and often the day of the week or month. There are several calendar complications, including simple date displays, annual calendars (that only need to be adjusted once a year), and perpetual calendars that automatically adjust for leap years. 

 

Chronograph complications

A chronograph complication is a feature on a watch that allows the watch to function as a stopwatch. A chronograph watch has at least one additional dial, often called a "subdial," that can be used to track elapsed time, often in seconds, minutes, and hours. Some chronograph watches also have a tachymeter, a scale on the bezel or outer rim of the dial that can measure speed or distance based on time.

Chronograph watches typically have two or three push buttons on the side of the case that is used to start, stop, and reset the stopwatch function. The watch's main dial is used to display the current time, while the subdials are used to display the elapsed time. Some chronograph watches also have a central seconds hand that can be used to track elapsed time and the subdials.

There are two main types of chronograph movements: mechanical and quartz. A mechanical chronograph movement is powered by a spring-wound mainspring and is typically found on high-end watches. A quartz chronograph movement is powered by a battery and is typically found on more affordable watches.

Mechanical chronograph movements can be further divided into "column wheel" and "cam." A column wheel chronograph movement has a visible column wheel that is used to control the stopwatch's start, stop, and reset functions. A cam chronograph movement has a hidden cam that performs the same function as the column wheel. Both types of mechanical chronograph movements are high-quality and precise, but column wheel movements are generally more refined and elegant.

Chronograph complications are popular on both dress watches and sports watches. They are often considered a more practical and functional feature, as they allow the wearer to track elapsed time for various purposes. However, chronograph watches can also be stylish and often sought after by collectors and watch enthusiasts.

TL;DR These features allow a watch to function as a stopwatch. A chronograph watch has at least one additional dial that can track elapsed time, often in seconds, minutes, and hours. Some chronograph watches also have a tachymeter, which allows the wearer to measure speed or distance based on time.

 

Moon phase complications

A moon phase complication is a feature on a watch that tracks and displays the moon's phases. The moon's phases are caused by the relative positions of the earth, moon, and sun, which change over 29.5 days. The eight main phases of the moon are: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent.

Moon phase complications are often found on dress watches and are considered to be a luxury feature. They can be mechanical or quartz and are usually powered by the watch's movement or a battery, respectively.

In a mechanical moon phase complication, the display is usually located at the 6 o'clock position on the dial and consists of a disc depicting the moon's phases. The disc rotates once every 29.5 days, and as it does so, a small window on the dial reveals the moon's current phase. Some moon phase complications also have a small hand called a "moon phase hand" that points to the current phase on a scale around the outer edge of the dial.

Quartz moon phase complications work similarly. Still, the display is usually powered by a battery. It is set using the crown or a separate button on the case. Some quartz moon phase complications also have additional features, such as an alarm or a calendar, that can be set using the crown or button.

Moon phase complications are considered to be a novelty feature on watches. They are popular among collectors and watch enthusiasts for their aesthetic appeal and historical significance. Moon phase complications have a long history in watchmaking, dating back to the 18th century, and are often found on high-end luxury watches.

TL;DR These features track and display the moon's phases. Moon phase complications are often found on dress watches and are a luxury feature.

 

Alarm complications

An alarm complication is a feature on a watch that allows the watch to function as an alarm clock. The wearer can set the alarm to go off at a specific time, and some watches even have multiple alarms that can be set for different times.

Alarm complications can be found on mechanical and quartz watches, although they are more commonly found on quartz watches. In a mechanical watch, the alarm complication is usually powered by the watch's movement and is set using the crown. In a quartz watch, the alarm complication is usually powered by a battery and is set using the crown or a separate button on the case.

There are two main types of alarm complications: audible alarms and visual alarms. An audible alarm is a feature that sounds an alarm at the designated time, usually in the form of a ringing or buzzing sound. An audible alarm is typically activated by pressing a button on the side of the case or pulling the crown out to a specific position. Some mechanical watches with audible alarms also have a small gong or bell that is struck by a hammer when the alarm goes off.

A visual alarm is a feature that displays a visual indication of the alarm time, such as a flashing light or a hand that points to the alarm time on a scale around the outer edge of the dial. Some visual alarms have an additional subdial or window on the dial that displays the alarm time. Visual alarms are typically activated by pressing a button on the side of the case or pulling the crown out to a specific position.

Alarm complications are popular on dress and sports watches, and they are often considered practical and functional features. They are handy for travelers, allowing the wearer to set the alarm in a different time zone. However, alarm complications can also be quite stylish and are often sought after by collectors and watch enthusiasts.

TL;DR These features allow a watch to function as an alarm clock. The alarm can be set to go off at a specific time, and some watches even have multiple alarms that can be set for different times.

 

World time complications

A world time complication on a watch is a feature that allows the wearer to easily keep track of the time in multiple time zones around the world. This can be especially useful for people who frequently travel internationally or have friends or business partners in different time zones.

There are several ways a world-time complication can be implemented on a watch. One common method is to use a rotating bezel or dial that can be set to the correct time zone. The wearer can then use this bezel or dial to determine the current time in any given time zone quickly.

Another approach is to use a series of concentric rings on the watch face, each representing a different time zone. The outer ring is typically marked with the names of major cities worldwide, while the inner rings show the corresponding time in each of those cities.

Some world-time watches also include a digital display showing the current time in multiple time zones. This can be incredibly convenient for people who need to keep track of their time in various locations at once.

One of the main challenges of implementing a world time complication on a watch is the need to account for daylight saving time (DST) accurately. Many countries and regions worldwide observe DST, which involves shifting the clock ahead by one hour for a portion of the year. This means that the time in a given location can change by an hour twice a year, which can be confusing for people trying to keep track of the time in multiple time zones.

To address this issue, some world time watches include a DST indicator that shows whether or not a particular time zone is currently observing DST. This helps the wearer to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings that arise due to the changes in DST.

Overall, world time complications on a watch are valuable for people who frequently travel or need to keep track of the time in multiple time zones. 

TL;DR These features allow a watch to display the time in multiple time zones. World time watches often have a rotating bezel or dial that can select the desired time zone, and the watch will then display the current time in that zone.

 

Tourbillon complications

A tourbillon is a mechanical complication found in some high-end watches that are designed to improve the accuracy of timekeeping. It was invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet in the late 18th century and is considered one of the most challenging and complex mechanical features to implement in a watch.

The tourbillon works by mounting the balance wheel and escapement (the components responsible for keeping time) in a rotating cage. This cage rotates around its axis once per minute, which helps cancel out the effects of gravity on the balance wheel. In a traditional watch, the balance wheel is subject to the forces of gravity as it moves in different positions, which can affect its accuracy. By rotating the balance wheel in a cage, the tourbillon aims to average out these positional errors and improve the overall accuracy of the watch.

While the tourbillon was originally invented to improve the accuracy of pocket watches, it is now more commonly found in wristwatches. Many high-end brands offer tourbillon watches to showcase their expertise and craftsmanship, as the tourbillon is considered a symbol of prestige in the watchmaking industry.

Several different types of tourbillons can be found in watches, including the one-minute tourbillon, which rotates once per minute as described above. And the flying tourbillon has no upper bridge and appears to be "floating" in the watch. Alos, hybrid tourbillons combine the traditional tourbillon with other complications, such as a chronograph or a perpetual calendar.

Despite its reputation as a high-end feature, the tourbillon is only sometimes the most accurate or practical complication found in a watch. The benefits of the tourbillon in terms of accuracy are minimal, especially when compared to more modern technologies like quartz movement or GPS-synced watches. As a result, the tourbillon is more of a decorative feature than a practical one and is often used as a way for brands to showcase their craftsmanship and innovation.

TL;DR These features are designed to increase the accuracy of a mechanical watch by compensating for the effects of gravity on the movement. A tourbillon is a small rotating cage containing a balance wheel and escapement. It is designed to rotate once per minute to cancel out the effects of gravity on the watch's accuracy. Tourbillon complications are considered one of watchmaking's most complex and coveted features.

 

In conclusion, watch complications add functionality and complexity to a watch beyond displaying the time. There are many types of watch complications, each with its own unique purpose and level of complexity.