1-Day Movement Clocks: Traditionally apply to Cuckoo Clocks which calls on both the hour and the half hour (every 30 minutes). These clocks require a simple winding process daily in order for the clock to function properly.

8-Day Movement Clocks: Traditionally a Cuckoo Clock which calls on the hour. These cuckoo clocks need only be wound once a week and therefore require less maintenance than 1-Day movement clocks. 8-Day movement cuckoo clocks can be easily identified by their larger cone weights, as these weights are the mechanism which drives the clock movement.

Access Doors: Panels or doors on the upper sides of clocks, which open to allow access to the clock movement.

Anniversary Clocks: So-called because they run approximately one year without winding or battery replacement. The clock movement is characterized by brass weights rotating horizontally on a spring. Many anniversary clocks today have accurate quartz battery movements.

Arabic Dial: Utilizes numbers (1, 2, 3, etc…) on the clock face as opposed to Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc…)

Ascending Alarm: Clock alarm that gradually increases in volume.

Beveled Glass: Traditionally used on the front and sides of a clock case. Outside edges of the glass are ground and polished at an angle to provide a beautiful decorative effect.

Bezel: The ring that goes around the outside of the clock face or dial which holds the crystal in place.

Bob: The disc-shaped brass weight at the bottom of the pendulum. The adjustment nut at the end of the shaft allows for raising and lowering of the bob. This nut feature adjusts the speed of the clock.

Bracket Clock: Typically made of wood with a handle on top these clocks are perfect for display on a shelf or mantel.

Cable-Driven: A clock powered by weights which are suspended from a thin cable and pulley system. This type of system uses a “key” which is inserted on the dial of the clock to raise the weights to the fully wound position.

Carriage Clock: Typically constructed of a brass case with a handle on top. Ideal for use on any flat surface, such as a mantel or table top.

Chain-Driven: A clock powered by weights that are suspended from a linked chain. The clock is wound by pulling down the free end of the chain to raise the weights to the fully wound position.

Chapter Ring: A decorative ring on the clock dial upon which the hour markers are indicated.

Chime-Selector: A feature which allows the chime tune or melody to be changed.

Chimes: The deep, melodic bell-like sound made when a clock strikes. Four chimes traditionally found in clocks are Westminster Chimes, Whittington Chimes, and St. Michael’s Chimes; although many clocks feature other melodies as well.

Crystal: A glass or plastic piece that covers the dial for both protection and decoration.

Decorator Clocks: Name for a wide variety of wall clocks for kitchen, den, family or living room. These clocks are usually battery powered for versatility.

Desk Clocks: Serve a wide variety of both useful and decorative purposes, and can be used on any flat surface.

Dial: The face on the clock where the hours are indicated.

Digital Clocks: Display time in digital/electronic figures rather than by conventional dial and hands.

Electronic Movement: Electronic impulses pass from a battery through a quartz crystal and power the clock movement.

Escutcheon: An ornamental plate around a keyhole or in back of a handle or knob.

Finial: Wood or brass decorative ornament placed on top of the clock cabinet.

Floor Clocks: See Grandfather Clock.

Gallery Clock: Large wall mount clocks with a diameter of 25” – 42”. These clocks make stunning decorative statements and are ideal for institutional application.

Grandfather Clocks: Also known as a Floor clock, is a free standing clock commonly around 6-8ft in height. The pendulum is held inside the clock tower, which most often features elaborate carvings at the head and around the clock face.

Hands: Rotating indicators on the face of the clock which mark the hour, minutes, and seconds on the clock dial.

Key-Wound Movement: A key winds the mechanical main spring which powers the clock as it unwinds. Key-wind movements generally run the clock for up to eight days before winding down.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): Time is continually displayed in digits as an electrical current runs through a layer of liquid crystals. The crystals, which form the digits, are located between two layers of transparent material.

Light Emitting Diode (LED): Numbers displaying the hours and minutes are continually lit up by an electrical current.

Mantel Clocks: Often used as a mantel centerpiece, on a shelf or bookcase. Pieces are usually cased in solid hardwood with ornamental details.

Minute Track: A track divided into 60 equal segments which appears on the outer perimeter of the dial or in the dial center.

Moon Phase Dial: A dial typically found at the top of the clock face which tracks the moon’s phases through the 29-1/2 days of the lunar month. The phases of the moon are represented as they appear at each stage of the cycle.

Movement: The inner mechanism of a clock which allows the clock to keep time. The mechanism may be key-wound, weight-driven, battery-powered, electric or quartz.

Pendulum: Serves as the clock regulator by swinging freely under the influence of gravity. Adjusting the bob up or down allows for time accuracy.

Quartz Clocks: A timepiece that uses an electronic oscillator and a quartz crystal to keep accurate time. An electric current, typically from a battery, passes through the quartz crystal causing it to vibrate at an exact frequency which drives the clock movement.

Radio Controlled Clock: Clock movement is controlled by receiving a radio signal from the U.S. Atomic Clock, the most accurate clock on the planet. These clocks automatically correct themselves for daylight saving time.

Regulator: Traditionally a rectangular wall clock designed to resemble those used in railroad stations or by jewelers to set watches

Schoolhouse: Named after their traditional use in old American colonial schoolhouses. They feature an octagonal or round dial mounted above a pendulum box.

Tambour: A mantel or shelf cluck with a drum-shaped case and elongated base. Rumored to be designed to resemble the shape of Napoleon’s hat.

Tempus Fugit: This inscription is often found on decorative clock dials. The words are a Latin expression which means “Time Flies”.

Triple Chime: Clocks that play a choice of 3 melodies. The selection lever on the dial allows you to choose the chime the clock will play. On Howard Miller clocks Triple Chime clocks play either, Westminster, St. Michael's, or Whittington Chimes.

Weight-Driven Movement: Weights provide the force which drives the clock mechanism. The gravitational pull on the weights powers this mechanical movement.

(Definitions provided by Howard Miller)