B

Balance: This is essentially and oscillator which regulates the speed of the movement of a mechanical watch.

Bar - A small rod used to fix a watch band to the body of the watch.

Battery reserve indicator (or end of battery indicator): Some battery operated watches have a feature that indicates when the battery is approaching the end of its life. This is often indicated by the second hand moving in two second intervals instead of each second.

Bezel: The ring which surrounds the watch dial (or face). The bezel is usually made of gold, gold plate or stainless steel.

Bi-directional rotating bezel: A bezel that can be rotated either clockwise or counter clockwise. These are used for mathematical calculations such as average speed or distance (see "slide rule") or for keeping track of elapsed time(see "elapsed time rotating bezel").

Bombe – convex French

Bracelet – A metal watchband, available in many types of alloy, from stainless steel to gold.

Butterfly Clasp – See Deployant Clasp. A clip which opens in two directions expanding to enable easier putting on and removal of a wristwatch.

Built-in illumination: Lighting on a watch dial that allows the wearer to read the time in the dark. Check out Seiko's Lumi-brite technology.





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