#2 Watch Quiz: Can you recognize watch complications?

In the vast world of watchmaking, some timepieces do more than simply tell the time. They tell a story through complications : these additional functions, sometimes invisible at first glance, that testify to exceptional watchmaking expertise. Charlie Paris invites you to test your knowledge of these precision mechanisms that captivate enthusiasts.

Ready to take on the challenge? Here's the second installment of our series:
Answers at the end of the quiz.

8 questions to unlock the secrets of horological complications. Get ready to delve into the mechanisms!

1. What is meant by a "complication" in watchmaking?

A. A malfunction
B. An additional function beyond displaying the time
C. A watch that is difficult to set

2. Which complication allows you to time a time interval?

A. The stopwatch
B. The power reserve
C. The chronograph

3. Which complication indicates the number of days a watch can run without being worn?

A. The power reserve indicator
B. The date
C. The GMT

4. A GMT watch allows you to:

A. To synchronize the watch with the lunar calendar
B. To display a second time zone
C. To automatically correct for advance or delay

5. What is the specific characteristic of a perpetual calendar?

A. It displays the date and corrects it automatically, including leap years.
B. It only shows the days of the week
C. It must be adjusted manually each month.

6. What complication can be observed in a moon phase watch?

A. The evolution of the tides
B. Lunar cycles in the sky
C. The exact orbit of the Moon around the Earth

7. What complication is designed to compensate for the effects of gravity on the movement of a watch?

A. The whirlpool
B. The tachometer
C. The barometer

8. In what position is the moon phase usually placed on a dial?

A. At 3 a.m.
B. At 9 a.m.
C. At 12pm

Answers & explanations

1. B / A complication refers to any function in addition to the simple display of the time.
2. C / The chronograph allows you to measure elapsed time, thanks to an independent start/stop mechanism.
3. A / The power reserve indicator shows the remaining autonomy of a mechanical watch.
4. B / GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) allows two time zones to be displayed simultaneously.
5. A / The perpetual calendar takes into account the lengths of months and leap years, without the need for adjustment.
6. B / The moon phase complication visually represents the different lunar phases observed from Earth.
7. A / The tourbillon, invented by Breguet, is a rotating mechanism that compensates for deviations due to gravity.
8. B / The moon phase is often located at 9 o'clock, as on the Alliance Moon Phase model by Charlie Paris.

The world of complications: between art and engineering

Whether they measure time, the Moon, or time zones, complications are the beating heart of fine watchmaking. At Charlie Paris, we integrate these functions with exacting standards and artistry, as evidenced by our Alliance Moon Phase watch with its perpetual moon display, or our models with a visible power reserve.