Many watches can do things besides simply telling the time. Whether it’s a stopwatch, a second time zone, an alarm or a range of other features, watchmakers can add functionality in addition to basic timekeeping, which are called complications. These require at least some additional complexity beyond the already intricate mechanical clockwork inside a watch.
Even the common date display can, technically, be considered a complication. Although there’s some variation in how the term is used, it mostly refers to functions that are added to the movement itself — hence, something like a dive watch’s rotating bezel doesn’t typically qualify. (On the other hand, a tourbillon is complicated, but it doesn’t add functionality and is rather a type of escapement rather than a true complication.)
Getting technical? Don’t worry too much, because we’ve gathered the range of common watch complications with clear breakdowns and handy lists of the best examples for your perusal. Below, you can find the complication you’re looking for, understand it in greater depth or just get a broader sense of the fascinating world of horology.
Simplifying Complications: All The Things Your Watch Can Do, Besides Tell the Time
Julie KraulisMany watches can do much more than simply tell the time — here are some common “complications” and what each one does.
