Complications and Functions

Question 1

What is a complication in watchmaking?

Answer 1

A feature beyond basic time-telling, such as a calendar, chronograph, or tourbillon.

Question 2

Fill in the blank: A watch that displays the day of the week and the date has a ____ complication.

Answer 2

Day-Date

Question 3

True or False: The power reserve indicator shows the remaining battery life in a quartz watch.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

What does a chronograph complication allow a watch to do?

Answer 4

Act as a stopwatch, measuring intervals of time.

Question 5

Describe the purpose of a GMT complication in a watch.

Answer 5

It allows tracking of two time zones simultaneously.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: A watch that adjusts automatically for leap years likely has a ____ calendar.

Answer 6

perpetual

Question 7

Which complication chimes the time on demand, often at the hour, quarter, and minute?

Answer 7

Minute Repeater

Question 8

True or False: A split-seconds chronograph can time two separate events at once.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Name a complication that displays the current phase of the moon.

Answer 9

Moonphase

Question 10

Compare the complexity of a basic date complication to a perpetual calendar complication.

Answer 10

A date complication only shows the date, while a perpetual calendar automatically adjusts for different month lengths and leap years.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: A rotating cage that counteracts the effects of gravity is called a ____.

Answer 11

Tourbillon

Question 12

Why are grand complications rare and prestigious?

Answer 12

They combine multiple complex features, requiring high skill and time to create, making them valuable and rare.

Question 13

Name two complications commonly combined in a grand complication watch.

Answer 13

Perpetual calendar and tourbillon (others may include chronograph, minute repeater)

Question 14

True or False: A power reserve complication is more common in mechanical watches than quartz watches.

Answer 14

True

Question 15

Why is a moonphase complication often seen in dress watches?

Answer 15

It adds aesthetic appeal and visual interest, aligning with the elegance of dress watches.

Question 16

What does a power reserve indicator tell the wearer?

Answer 16

How much time remains before the watch needs winding or recharging.

Question 17

Which brand is known for its Grand Complications series that includes multiple advanced features?

Answer 17

Patek Philippe

Question 18

Fill in the blank: A minute repeater complication chimes the time and was historically useful before watches had ____ dials.

Answer 18

illuminated

Question 19

Describe the main function of a split-seconds chronograph.

Answer 19

It allows the timing of two events simultaneously by using a secondary hand.

Question 20

True or False: Complications like the perpetual calendar are practical for users who travel frequently.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

Compare a tourbillon and a minute repeater in terms of their main functions.

Answer 21

A tourbillon improves accuracy by counteracting gravity, while a minute repeater chimes the time.

Question 22

Fill in the blank: Watches with complex features like a tourbillon or minute repeater are often more ____ and ____ to maintain.

Answer 22

delicate and expensive

Question 23

Name one practical benefit of a GMT complication for frequent travelers.

Answer 23

It allows them to easily track the time in a second time zone.

Question 24

What is a primary reason collectors value watches with high-end complications?

Answer 24

They showcase rare craftsmanship and often increase in value over time.

Question 25

Explain why a perpetual calendar requires fewer adjustments than a standard calendar.

Answer 25

It automatically accounts for varying month lengths and leap years, reducing the need for manual correction.

Question 26

True or False: A watch with a moonphase complication tracks the full lunar cycle of approximately 29.5 days.

Answer 26

True

Question 27

Why might someone choose a watch with a power reserve indicator?

Answer 27

To know when the watch will need winding, helping avoid unexpected stoppage.

Question 28

Name two high-end complications that are typically seen as works of art in horology.

Answer 28

Tourbillon and minute repeater

Question 29

Which complication in a luxury watch would likely require the most specialized servicing?

Answer 29

Grand complication, due to its combination of multiple intricate features.

Question 30

Fill in the blank: High-end complications increase a watch’s value because they are ____ and require high levels of ____ to create.

Answer 30

rare, skill