What Caliber is Your Watch?

[Texas Star]

I'm beginning to learn a bit about watches. I know we have some experts here.

What does "caliber" mean in regards to watches? Are the really expensive ones "high caliber"?

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

Caliber is more of a Swiss term in watchmaking, and depending on who's using it there can be two different meanings.

The first is analogous to its usage in guns, and refers to the diameter of the movement. The traditional measurement for this is the ligne, which is 1/12 of a French inch(different from the Imperial inch with which you're familiar). The more contemporary way is to use millimeters, although lignes are still used often enough that it's worth being familiar with them. Also note that American sizes-i.e 18 size, 16 size, 3/0 size, are not usually considered calibers.

The second meaning of caliber is for a specific design of movement. In American watchmaking we refer to this as a model. It implies a degree of interchangeability of parts, although on different examples the finish may be better and other details like jewel count may vary. Grade is the word used to describe varying finish levels, and the better finished movements are said to be high grade.

 

[Alnamvet68]

I believe you're on the right track...besides denoting the width of the internal diameter of a barrel, and its requisite round, caliber also means a level of excellence, or the level of mental prowess. In any event, a Timex is a low rent, I mean low caliber watch, where a Rolex Submariner is of the highest caliber.

 

[Cdog]

Still being a relative newcomer, I'm so impressed with what I may learn during a visit.

We have some genuinely knowledgeable folks passing through this lounge!

More often than not, I learn something interesting to me when I browse the many topics.

Thanks to all curious willing to ask and all that share and educate. CD

 

[Bullet Bob]

If you look in a watch catalogue, you will see several different looking watches that list the same caliber; many different mechanical brands for example use various ETA calibers; ETA is part of the Swatch group.

The information below is from this site about mechanical watches:

Mechanical Watch FAQ - TimeZone

1.1.1 What is the difference between a movement, an ebauche, and a caliber?

A movement is the completed, finished individual mechanism contained inside the case of the watch, not including the case or dial itself, which is responsible for keeping time. An ebauche is typically understood to mean a "raw" or unassembled, unfinished movement, including the major structural components (plates, bridges) and sometimes parts of the wheel train and other moving parts. A caliber is the collective name given to a series of movements of the same design.
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If you really want to learn you'll go to the various watch sites like watchuseek.com.

There people on this site who have extensive knowledge on a wide range of subjects, but if you wanted to know about S&W revolvers, would you first thought be to go to a watch forum?

I find all types of watches fascinating. If you do decide to check out some sites, read the FAQ's first to get a good background of knowledge.

 

[sipowicz]

My watch is .45 caliber.


It looses one minute every 45 minutes.

 

[tompehret]

SASS match watch

I can't resist.

Thanks for letting me get it out of my system.

 

[sipowicz]

Do yell "all aboard" every time you pull that out?

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I believe you're on the right track...besides denoting the width of the internal diameter of a barrel, and its requisite round, caliber also means a level of excellence, or the level of mental prowess. In any event, a Timex is a low rent, I mean low caliber watch, where a Rolex Submariner is of the highest caliber.

But the Timex keeps better time ( Full disclosure-I own a SeaDweller)

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Do yell "all aboard" every time you pull that out?

He used to but it made his wife mad.

 

[billwill]

Omega Seamaster Professional - Omega cal. 1120 is mine.
Today almost all high end watches will start with a base model movement, typically one of the ETA models (that has the features they need, a specific caliber). Then they make upgrades polishing, extra jewels and finish, rhodium plating, and other modifications designed to increase precision, durability, and quality.

Kinda like getting a good factory S&W and having a super slick action job and some master engraving done to it. End result in both cases....an example of fine craftsmanship.

 

[Alnamvet68]

OK, I can't resist either. I own a Tudor Submariner which is the less costlier, but built the same as a tank Rolex version. For those of us who do not suffer fools, the only real difference between the two is the same difference between a Rolls Royce and a Bentley.

​

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

OK, I can't resist either. I own a Tudor Submariner which is the less costlier, but built the same as a tank Rolex version. For those of us who do not suffer fools, the only real difference between the two is the same difference between a Rolls Royce and a Bentley.

View attachment 106747​

The key difference is that the Tudor uses an ETA movement and the Rolex a Rolex movement.

 

[carpriver]

I know nothing about watches, when I was in the Air Force I wore cheap Timex because I banged them up pretty bad working. if the watch was not on my wrist is was lopped through the pencil opening in my shirt. Once off the flight line I went to Seiko watches I have found them to be of good quality and if they need repair I can find a repair shop.

 

[Lost Lake]

I've never had anything better than a Seiko.

I used to use the chronograph feature to determine flight times and speeds while dead reckoning my airplane. Now we have GPS and handheld backup GPS.

Nowadays there's a clock everywhere you look. No need to wear a watch except as jewelry, and the only piece of jewelry I wear is a wedding ring.

Which reminds me of this riddle: You know why men twist and spin the wedding ring on their finger?

They're trying to figure out the combination...

 

[Alnamvet68]

The key difference is that the Tudor uses an ETA movement and the Rolex a Rolex movement.

OK, so the movement is not built "in house" like the Rolex, but guess what, I have atleast $2000.00 more in my pocket. Lastly, side by side real world torture tests of the two reveals there is no difference.

 

[billwill]

OK, I can't resist either. I own a Tudor Submariner which is the less costlier, but built the same as a tank Rolex version. For those of us who do not suffer fools, the only real difference between the two is the same difference between a Rolls Royce and a Bentley.

View attachment 106747​

Years ago, couple years out of college, visiting Lucerne, I bought a Rolex Submariner. The jeweler was pushing hard for me to buy another to "keep" Hell, I could barely afford the one is was buying. The guy kept pushing..."then buy a Tudor", same as the Rolex, just a different dial.

So I only coughed up enough to buy the 1 Submariner....$412.00 USD. Well you know what they say about hindsight. Today's Submariner...far north side of $6,000.

 

[tompehret]

Do yell "all aboard" every time you pull that out?

Pull what out?

 

[tompehret]

He used to but it made his wife mad.

She gets mad when it's a false alarm. Other than that......

 

[Bullet Bob]

"Lastly, side by side real world torture tests of the two reveals there is no difference."

Care to cite your references?