Glossary

The balance wheel is a weighted wheel that oscillates back and forth thanks to the balance spring, and its main purpose in watches is to regulate and adjust timekeeping.

The balance wheel converts the continuous rotational motion from the balance spring into precise and equal oscillations. The frequency of the balance wheel's oscillations is accurately adjusted to allow the watch to maintain accurate and regular time. As the balance wheel swings back and forth in equal oscillations, it allows the gear mechanism in the watch to advance a specific amount with each oscillation, thereby moving the watch hands forward consistently. Thus, the balance wheel enables the watch to maintain time accuracy by providing a constant and regular regulation of the watch's movement.