Pallets, Perpetual Calendar, Pillar-Plate or Main Plate, Pinion, Pivot, Plated, Plexiglas, Poin-On De Geneve, Power Reserve, Precision, Pulsimeter Chronograph, Pusher, Push-Piece or Push Button, PVD
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Pallets
Device of the escapement transmitting part of the motive force to the balance, in order to maintain the amplitude of oscillations unchanged by freeing a tooth of the escape wheel at one time. Lever with a beak that engages in the teeth of a wheel under the action of a spring. |
Perpetual Calendar
The calendar module for this watch type automatically makes allowances for the different lengths of each month as well as leap years. A perpetual calendar also usually shows the date, month, and four-year cycle, and may show the day of the week and moon phase as well. |
Pillar-Plate or Main Plate
Supporting element of bridges and other parts of a movement. |
Pinion
Combines with a wheel and an arbor to form a gear. A pinion has less teeth than a wheel and transmits motive force to a wheel. Pinion teeth (normally 6 to 14) are highly polished to reduce friction to a minimum. |
Pivot
End of an arbor turning on a jewel support. As their shape and size can influence friction, the pivots of the balance-staff are particularly thin and, hence, fragile, so they are protected by a shockproof system. |
Plated
Said of a metal treated by a galvanizing procedure in order to apply a slight layer of gold or another precious metal (silver, chromium, rhodium or palladium) on a brass or steel base. |
Plexiglas
A synthetic resin used for watch crystal. |
Poin-On De Geneve
Distinction assigned by the Canton of Geneva to movements produced by watchmaker firms of the Region and complying with all the standards of high horology with respect to craftsmanship, small-scale production, working quality, accurate assembly and setting. The Geneva Seal is engraved on at least one bridge and shows the Canton’s symbol, i.e. a two-field shield with an eagle and a key respectively in each field. |
Power Reserve
Duration (in hours) of the residual functioning autonomy of a movement after it has reached the winding peak. The duration value is displayed by an instantaneous indicator: analog (hand on a sector) or digital (through a window). The related mechanism is made up of a series of gears linking the winding barrel and hand. Recently, specific modules were introduced which may be combined with the most popular movements. |
Precision
Accuracy rate of a watch, a term difficult to define exactly. Usually, a precision watch is a chronometer whose accuracy-standard is certified by an official watch-rating bureau, and a high-precision watch is a chronometer certified by an observatory. |
Pulsimeter Chronograph
The pulsimeter scale shows, at a glance, the number of pulse beats per minute. The observer releases the chronograph hand when starting to count the beats and stops at the 30th, the 20th or the 15th beat according to the basis of calibration indicated on the dial.
Scale on the dial, flange, or bezel that, in conjunction with the second hand, may be used to measure a pulse rate. A pulsometer is always marked with a reference number; if it is marked, for example gradue pour 15 pulsations then the wearer counts 15 beats of a pulse. At the last beat, the second hand will show what the pulse rate is in beats per minute on the pulsometer scale. |
Pusher, Push-Piece or Push Button
Mechanical element mounted on a case for the control of specific functions. Generally, pushers are used in chronographs, but also with other functions. |
PVD
Abbreviation of Physical Vapor Deposition, a plating process consisting of the physical transfer of substance by bombardment of electrons. |
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