hairspring
Timepiece's tiny spiral
A hairspring is a fine coiled spring in a mechanical watch or clock that regulates the oscillation of the balance wheel.
Its tension determines timekeeping accuracy—a hairspring that's too tight or loose makes the watch run fast or slow.
The component is so delicate that temperature changes can affect its performance.
Tick-controlling clock component
- mainspringClock's power coil
- regulatorDevice maintaining steady output
- movementChange in position
- jewelsOrnamental precious stones
caliber · barrel · winding · oscillation · adjustment · complication · horologist · watchmaking
Wound circular arrangement
- spiralCurve winding around center
- tensionStretched or strained state
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
oscillation · alloy · flat · recoil · contractile · temper
Portable timekeeping device
- wristwatchPortable timekeeping accessory
- chronometerPrecision timekeeping instrument
- clockworkSpring-driven gear system
- pocket-watchPortable hinged timepiece
movement · dial · hands · tick · analog · quartz · mechanical · automatic
Degree of correctness
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- fine-tuningSmall precise optimization adjustments
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
delicacy · exactness · tolerance · sensitivity · refinement · consistency · reliability · timing
escapement
Tick-controlling clock component
- mainspringClock's power coil
- regulatorDevice maintaining steady output
- movementChange in position
jewels · caliber · barrel · winding · oscillation · adjustment · complication · horologist · watchmaking · chronometer
coil
Wound circular arrangement
- spiralCurve winding around center
- tensionStretched or strained state
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
resilience · oscillation · alloy · flat · recoil · contractile · temper
watch
Portable timekeeping device
- wristwatchPortable timekeeping accessory
- chronometerPrecision timekeeping instrument
- clockworkSpring-driven gear system
pocket-watch · movement · dial · hands · tick · analog · quartz · mechanical · automatic · vintage
accuracy
Degree of correctness
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- fine-tuningSmall precise optimization adjustments
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
regulation · delicacy · exactness · tolerance · sensitivity · refinement · consistency · reliability · timing · rate
- springsmainspring, bedspring, coil, coiled wire, torsion bar
- clock partswheel, mainspring, pendulum, escapement, dial
- clockworkescapement, mainspring, balance wheel, gear train, movement
- oscillatorsoscillator, balance wheel, local oscillator, LFO, NCO
- watch partshands, hand, dial, hour hand, minute hand
- watchmakingloupe, chronograph, tweezers, screwdriver, perpetual calendar