EXTERNAL PARTS (CASE, DIAL, HANDS)

External parts (case, dial, hands) refers to all the exterior components which, added to the Movement, turn a Calibre into a wearable and legible watch. It mainly includes the Case (Case middle, Bezel, Case back), the Crystal (watch glass), the Crown and any pushers, the Dial, the hands, as well as the Bracelet / Strap and its Clasp. External parts (case, dial, hands) fulfil three functions: protecting the movement (against water, dust, shocks, magnetic fields), ensuring readability and usability (reading and control interface), and carrying the aesthetic identity of the Timepiece. It draws on very diverse trades and Materials — metallurgy, machining, Polishing, Setting (stone/jewel setting), Enamelling, Surface treatments — distinct from those of the movement. The quality of the external parts is judged by their Water resistance, to surface finishing (polishing, satin finish, beveling / angling), to the fitting of components and comfort on the wrist. In the industry, a distinction is often made between the “movement” trades and the “external parts (case, dial, hands)” trades, the latter representing a major share of perceived value and style. An exceptional movement deserves external parts (case, dial, hands) to match.