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How to Buy a Watch
Timing Watches
Chronograph�a watch which not only indicates the time of the day in hours, minutes and seconds, but is also equipped with an additional mechanism �operated manually by push buttons �which makes it possible to measure continuous or discontinuous intervals of time, from a fraction of a second to 12 hours.

Chronometer: not to be confused with a chronograph, this term is assigned to watches that have undergone thorough and intensive testing at an official laboratory or an official institute. A chronometer is a precision instrument and is accompanied by a certificate.

Stopwatch: an instrument, usually a pocket watch, which only measures intervals of time and does not indicate the time of day. A stopwatch can be incorporated into a standard watch; both the stopwatch function and the timepiece would then be referred to as a �chronograph.�

Countdown timer�a function that lets the wearer keep track of how much of a pre-set period of time has elapsed. Some countdown timers sound a warning signal a few seconds before time runs out �these are usually events such as yacht races, where the sailor must maneuver the boat into position before the start of a race.

Sweep seconds-hand: a seconds-hand that is mounted in the center of the watch dial.

Telemeter: determines the distance of an object from the observer by measuring how long it takes sound to travel that distance. Like a tachymeter, it consists of a stopwatch or chronograph, and a special scale, usually on the outermost edge of the watch face. One use of a telemeter would be determining the distance of a storm from its observer.


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