the cylindrical box, containing the mainspring of a watch, round which the chain is wound.

A piece of mechanism which itself moves, or which sets other pieces moving or modifies their motion; spec. the mechanism which operates the steam…

‘The groove and projecting flange or lip by which the crystal of a watch or the stone of a jewel is retained in its setting.’

A conical pulley or wheel, esp. the wheel of a watch or clock upon which the chain is wound and by which the power of the mainspring is equalized.

The cord or chain wound on the barrel of a watch.

Originally: (in a traditional clock or watch) a wheel having a number of pointed teeth around its edge, at right angles to its plane, forming…

? = watch-case, n. 2. Obsolete.

A solid or protruding part. Cf. knuckle, n. 4.

That part of the movement of a timepiece which is concerned with the measuring of the hours, as distinguished from the ‘clockwork’ or striking part…

(also figurative); also, a similar device on a sewing machine.

The protective inner case of a watch. Also: the cylinder containing the mainspring of a watch or clock (= barrel, n. 5b). Obsolete.

Watchmaking and Clockmaking. One of the gearwheels between the dial and the pillar-plate, which turn one or other of the hands.

(a) Watchmaking and Clockmaking a stud in which the upper pivot of the verge plays; (b) Heraldry.

the balance wheel of a watch, which oscillates like a pendulum.

A hinged case or cover of an old-fashioned watch, enclosing the watch proper; now, the metal cover enclosing the works of a watch.

Watchmaking and Clockmaking. Each of several rods which keep the two plates of a movement at the correct distance from each other.

contrate wheel: a wheel having teeth set at right angles to its plane; in watch-making, the wheel of this kind which works in the pinion of the…

a pinion fixed on the same arbor or axle as the main wheel and driving the dial wheel. Obsolete.

a hook for fastening a watch to the dress.

a balance with a bob or bobs.

Part of a watch: cf. cock, n.1 16. Obs.

Watchmaking and Clockmaking. A stud or fixture within the frame of a watch movement that supports the lower pivot of the balance; any stud or…

Watchmaking. The spindle or arbor of the balance in the old vertical escapement.

Watchmaking and Clockmaking. A projection engaging with the escapement of a watch or clock; = pallet, n.3 2. Obsolete.

spec. A moving part of a watch or clock mechanism. Obsolete.

A precious stone, used in the mechanism of a watch or measuring instrument; spec. such a stone used to line the pivot hole of a bearing.

A thing by which something is hung or suspended; now spec. that part of a pocket watch by which it is suspended, consisting of a shank with a ring at…

= crystal glass n. at compounds 2. An object, esp. a drinking vessel, made of this glass; spec. the glass of a watch case. As a mass noun: objects…

(also attributive).

†(a) the coiled hairspring connected to the balance wheel of a watch (obsolete); (b) the spring from which the pendulum of a clock is suspended.

a spring which forms part of the mechanism of a lock (esp. in senses 1a, 5).

A thin piece of glass, usually concavo-convex in form, fitted into the case of a watch over the dial-plate.

the mainspring of a watch; also (without article) as a material; also attributive.

Watchmaking. all-or-nothing piece n. a part of the mechanism in a repeating watch which allows the striking either of all hours and quarters, or of…

each of the hands of a watch; also attributive in watch-hand rotation, rotation from left to right like that of the hands of a watch.

Watchmaking. The cylindrical recess on the verge of the balance in a horizontal escapement.

Mechanics. The hollow barrel of a watch-key. Obsolete.

Mechanics. A barrel or hollow cylindrical piece capable of revolving independently on a shaft, with a greater or lesser velocity than that of the…

(See quot. 1884.)

the plate of a movement immediately behind the dial, to which the pillars are fixed.

the short hand on a clock or watch that indicates the hours; = hour-hand n. at hour, n. compounds; cf. big hand n. at big, adj. adv.compounds 2.

(a) the fine hair-like spring in a watch which serves to regulate the movement of the balance-wheel; (b) of a trap (perhaps spring, n.3 rather than s…

A watch-glass of flattened shape. Also lunette (watch-) glass.

The all-or-nothing piece in a watch mechanism (see sense A. 1). Now rare.

concrete. Clockmaking and Watchmaking. The mechanism that momentarily and intermittently stops the movement of the escape wheel. Cf. locking pallet n.…

A watch chain; any gold or silver chain. Cf. slang, n.4 1.

Watchmaking. An arbor or axle.

each of two springs in the hinged cover of a hunting watch, one that keeps it closed and one that causes the cover to fly open when the first spring…

Applied to various objects resembling the stem of a plant or of a flower, etc. (Cf. stalk, n.1 4 5.) Watchmaking. The pendant-shank of a watch.

(see dial, n.1 3a).

the overcoil balance spring of a watch.

The last coil of a Breguet hairspring, having the outer quarter turn raised and curved towards the centre to improve timekeeping.

a part of the mechanism of a repeating watch (see quot.).

(see quot.).

a fastening device incorporating a short bar pivoting around its centre; = turn-button n. at turn-, comb._form affix.

(see quot.).

a double case for a watch, consisting of an inner case containing the workings and a protective or decorative outer case.

(see quot.).

(see the quotation for silver bar).

A watch-chain; a chain of any kind.

the back plate of a watch-movement.

(See quot. 1962.)

a bracelet fitted with a small watch.

a type of watch movement in which the upper pivots are carried in bars.

As a modifier, designating a watch or other measuring instrument that incorporates jewels in its mechanism (see sense 4), as in jewel watch, etc…

As a modifier, designating a watch or other measuring instrument that incorporates jewels in its mechanism (see sense 4), as in jewel watch, etc…