Cartier watch  functions
A  Cartier watch  function other than telling the time is a known as a complication. A watch that just indicates hours, minutes and seconds is said to be 'simple'. A watch with other Cartier watch  functions is 'complicated'. A watches with three or more complications is known as a 'grand complication'.

The most basic complication is a calendar, which may just have the day number. More complicated calendars show the day, date and month or may be a perpetual calendar which takes into account the varying number of days in a month and leap years.

A popular complication is a chronograph - a Cartier watch that possesses a stop watch and comes in many forms to measure everything from miles per hour to pulse rate. Other coveted complications include tachymeter, tourbillion and minute repeater.

A complication or function that is increasing in popularity is moonphase. A moonphase Cartier watch provides a reminder of watchmaking's ancient links to astronomy. It visually displays the phases of the moon, day, month and date. It's the revival of moonphase watches that has rekindled the recent interest in mechanical watches.

When you're choosing a Cartier watch , have a think about which functions you need. If you're an avid pilot, you'll want an altimeter - a function that responds to changes in barometric pressure to provide altitude. If diving's your thing, you'll be looking for a watch with at least 200 metres water resistancy. Our glossary of watch terms will help you understand the many watch functions available today.
Auto repeat countdown timer
A countdown timer that resets itself as soon as the preset time has elapsed and starts again. The countdown is repeated continuously until the stop button is pushed.
Automatic watch
A Cartier watch with a mechanical movement that has an additional mechanism called an oscillating weight. As this weight moves (caused by movement of the wrist), the mainspring is wound. Invented by Abraham-Louis Perrelet in the 18th century.
Automatic winding
Winding that occurs through movement of the wearer's arm, rather than by turning the winder. A rotor turns in response to motion, winding up the watch's mainspring. An automatic watch that is not worn for a day or two will wind down and may need to be rewound by hand to get it started again. This is also known as self-winding

Balance spring
A very fine spring in a mechanical watch that causes the recoil of the balance wheel. The length and adjustment of its length regulates the timekeeping. This is also known as the hairspring.
Balance wheel
The part of a mechanical Cartier watch movement that oscillates, dividing time into equal segments. This is the regulating mechanism that controls the watch's timekeeping accuracy.
Barrel
A drum that holds the mainspring in a mechanical watch. The toothed rim of the barrel drives the train. 

Bezel
The ring on the outside of the watch case, around the dial, or the rim that holds the watch glass. It may have calibrated markings, especially on sports or divers watches
Bi-directional rotating bezel
A bezel that can be moved clockwise or anti-clockwise. It is used for keeping track of elapsed time.
Bracelet
The metal strap that goes around the wearer's wrist. A  bracelet is often made up of flexible, separate links that can be removed to adjust the bracelet's length.
Bridge
A part that is fixed to the main plate to form the frame of a Cartier movement. All other parts are mounted inside the frame.