Watch Glossary: The LARSEN & ERIKSEN Lexicon

Watch Glossary: The LARSEN & ERIKSEN Lexicon

Become fluent in the minimalist accessory

What does Swiss Quartz Movement mean? Does water resistant mean it’s safe to wear while spelunking? Do you want an engraved or printed watch dial?

This watch glossary helps answer these questions and give you the information to articulate what’s on your wrist and why you like it so much.

You’ll see that there’s much more to admire in a LARSEN & ERIKSEN watch inside the case.

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Absalon Collection: The original collection from LARSEN & ERIKSEN. Inspired by the functionality and integrity of Danish 1950s design and imbued with a subtle nod to Copenhagen’s contemporary urban scene.

Adjustable buckle: The mechanism that opens and closes to fasten the watch. These are adjustable to your wrist size and favored fit. LARSEN & ERIKSEN watches have a small homage to Copenhagen cycling lifestyle engraved on their buckles.

Analog Watch: A watch that displays a 12-hour (there are few examples of 24-hour) time span and is indicated by hands moving around the dial.

Balance: The wheel that is the regulator of a mechanical watch, governing the precision. It rotates back and forth on an axle driven by the coiling and uncoiling of the balance spring.

Case back: The underside of the watch case that lays flat against the wrist skin. Concealed on the case back of LARSEN & ERIKSEN watches are engraved silhouettes of Denmark.

Case: The metal that encases the watch machinations. LARSEN & ERIKSEN use a stainless steel case in deep sandblasted black, autumnal brushed copper, pristine brushed silver or shiny or matte gold.

Crown: The button on the outside of the watch case that sets and adjusts the time. Crystal: The transparent cover of the watch face. LARSEN & ERIKSEN watches use a flat 1mm thick mineral crystal glass that is durable to scratches and impact.

Dial: Located on the watch face, this is the surface where the numbers, indices and brand name are printed or engraved. Available at LARSEN & ERIKSEN in polished white, sunburst silver, sunburst black, sunburst gold and sunburst copper.

Diameter: The size of the watch face. LARSEN & ERIKSEN offer designs at 37mm or 41 mm.

Face: The visible side of the watch including the case that encompasses the watch dial.

The Louisiana Collection: A LARSEN & ERIKSEN watch design collection inspired by and created in collaboration with the eminent Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. The concise and gentle silhouettes of the gallery’s 1950s discreet modernist architecture reappear in the watch design.

Minimalism: A school of thought in design that encourages simplicity and sparseness in content and color across aesthetic industries.

Movement: The inner mechanism of the watch that keeps the time and moves the hands of the watch.

Quartz Movement: A watch technology that utilises the vibrations of a tiny crystal to maintain precision. This enables the watch to keep time without being manually wound.

Ronda: A renowned Swiss movement manufacturer established in 1946.

Scandinavian 50s: The 1950s is widely regarded as the Golden Age of Scandinavian design. The now classic pieces from designers like Arne Jacobson and Kaare Klint are icons of functional, democratic and natural design. Read more about the Scandinavian design principals here.

Stainless steel: A strong metal alloy that rarely rusts or discolours. This durability makes it the perfect material for watch cases. LARSEN & ERIKSEN use stainless steel at grade 316L that is corrosion resistant and suitable for day-to-day impacts.

Strap: The straps of the watch that allow it to be fastened to the wrist - often made of leather or metal. Available at LARSEN & ERIKSEN in vintage brown or matte black genuine calf leather as well as in linked brushed silver.

Swiss Parts Movement: A movement made of parts controlled and approved by a Swiss movement manufacturer.

Water Resistant: Indicates that the watch can withstand moisture. LARSEN & ERIKSEN watches have a 3ATM level of protection so are unaffected by rain, hand washing and light exposure to water.

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