Clock Terminology

Terminology

We have created this terminology page to help you understand what some of the wording means on a description of a clock so you know exactly what features your clock has before you make your purchase.

 Base: The lower part of the clock, on which grandfather clocks for example have a different wood inlay or small cupboard.

Bezel: Normally found on newer modern clocks, like a chapter ring it surrounds the dial in a contrasting colour or material thus enhancing the dial.

Brass dial: A brass lacquered dial normally with a chapter ring indicating the hour markers normally in Roman numerals.

Case: The case is the main body of the clock and can be made in any number of materials.  A Clock can be made from more than one number of materials on the case.

Chapter ring: This ring has the numerals etched on it and is usually silver in colour to contrast with the brass of the dial for example.

Chimes: Westminster, St Michael and Whittington are the most common.  On most clocks the chimes can be silenced at night.

Day indicator: This is incorporated in part of the main body of the dial either through an aperture or on the dial with a small hand indicating the day of the week.

Dial: The face of the clock which comes in many different styles and finishes.

Eight day: This means the clock will run for eight days before the clock needs winding up again. Eight day is the most common, however clocks can have more than an eight day power reserve.

Escapement: There are various types of escapements on clocks, it’s the part of the mechanism that controls the swing of the pendulum or balance wheel.

Finials: These are ornaments placed on top of the hood and are normally produced in wood or brass.

Hood: This is removable and covers the mechanism and the dial.  There are also clocks that have side panels which remove as to gain access to the mechanism.

Key wound: The clock is wound by inserting the key in the hole of the dial and turned.  It will wind up a weight or a mainspring.

Mainspring driven: Is the way the clock is powered, by a mainspring. It is wound up by a key.  Clocks can have more than one mainspring.

Mechanism: Is the internal workings of the clock, also known as the movement.

Month indicator: This is incorporated in part of the main body of the dial either through an aperture or on the dial with a small hand indicating the month of the year.

Moon dial: This is incorporated in part of the main dial, usually through an aperture and shows a painted moon moving through the lunar cycle.

Painted dial: A hand painted dial, normally a white background with a picture of a famous scene or place. Hand painted dials can also be customised depicting the customer's own choice of photograph, water colour or postcard reproduced by an artist.

Pendulum: The pendulum is shaft of wood or a metal with a brass bob at the end which swings back and forth below the movement in a regular beat to regulate the clocks movement.  It also has a thread and nut at the bottom to adjust the timing of clock.

Spandrels: These are found on each corner of the dial and in some cases the arch at the top.  These are usually brass and will be decorated or engraved.

Tempus Fugit: Latin for "Time flies" appears above the dial and matches the chapter ring in colour.

Weights: These are lead and cased in shells, usually brass.  These have the following functions to drive the trains for the strike, chime mechanism and the main movement

Weight driven: Is the way the clock is powered, by a weight.  It is wound up to the top with a key.  Clocks can have more than one weight.