Movement
The mechanism inside a watch that generates, regulates and displays time, and may also power additional functions.
Also known as: watch movement, movement, calibre, caliber
Definition
A movement is the complete mechanism that makes a watch function. In a mechanical watch it includes the winding and hand-setting works, mainspring and barrel, gear train, escapement, regulating organ and the parts that drive the display; complications add further mechanisms. Quartz movements replace the mechanical oscillator and escapement with an electronic timebase and motor or digital display system. Movement architecture influences accuracy, power reserve, thickness, serviceability and which functions a watch can support.
Why it matters
The movement is the technical foundation of the watch. Its design affects accuracy, power reserve, servicing requirements, case dimensions, available complications and often collector interest or value.