Watch Glossary
Atmosphere (ATM)
A unit of measurement used to indicate the water resistance of a watch. One atmosphere equals 10 meters. Highland Watches are engineered to withstand up to 300 meters of water pressure. The crystal thickness and placement of gaskets in the crown are methods to prevent water damage at points of vulnerability.
Bracelet
The bracelet is the articulating metal band that is pieced together with separate links.
Case
The case is the body that is engineered to the exact specifications of each model, and houses the movement and dial. It is the foundation for the other components to be assembled together.
Chronograph
A chronograph is a type of movement that has a stopwatch timing function. The seconds, minutes, and hours are displayed through smaller displays on the dial.
Crown
The crown is the knob on the side of the watch used to adjust the time and date.
Crystal
The crystal is the clear covering over the dial. Mineral crystals are made up of different elements that are treated for hardness. Sapphire crystals are the most durable and scratch resistant of them all.
Dial
The dial is the face of the watch that displays the time through numerals or indices.
Italian Leather Straps
Each strap is handmade from full grain leather that comes from the finest Italian tanneries. The leather articles are picked by the designer with careful consideration of the hand feel. With every wear, the natural oils of the skin and leather combine to form a beautiful patina over time.
316L Stainless Steel
Our cases are made of surgical grade stainless steel. It has a higher resistance to corrosion and safe on skin contact.
Movement
The movement is what powers the watch. It is the “engine block” that drives the hands and keeps time. Quartz movements have an electrical circuit and requires a battery to run. Manual and automatic movements are made up of only mechanical parts like gears and springs. The springs must be fully wound in order for the watch to run. Automatic movements contain a rotor which winds up the movement through the natural motions of the wrist.
PVD Coating
Physical Vapor Deposition, or PVD, is a vacuum coating process that produces a brilliant decorative and functional finish. PVD coatings are more resistant to corrosion from sweat and regular wear than IP plating.