Horology: The art or science of measuring time. Clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, clepsydras, timers, time recorders and marine chronometers are all examples of instruments used to measure time. "Tempus Fugit": This inscription is often found on decorative clock dials. The words are a Latin expression which means "Time Flies". Movement: The inner mechanism of a clock which allows the clock to keep time. The movement may be key-wound, weight-driven, battery-powered, electric, or quartz. 1-Day Movement: Traditionally apply to Cuckoo Clocks which call on both the hour and the half hour (every 30 minutes). These clocks require a simple winding process daily in order for the clock to function properly. 8-Day Movement: Traditionally a Cuckoo Clock which calls on the hour. These cuckoo clocks need only be wound once a week and therefore require less maintenance than 1-Day movement clocks. 8-Day movement cuckoo clocks can be easily identified by their larger cone weights, as these weights are the mechanism which drives the clock movement. Key-Wound Movement: Wound with a key, the main spring powers the clock as it unwinds. Key-wind movements generally run for eight days before winding down. Weight-Driven Movement: Movements that are powered by the driving force of weights, which are suspended from either a cable or a chain. Cable-Driven Movement: A clock powered by weights suspended from a thin cable and pulley system. This type of system uses a crank which is inserted through the dial of the clock to raise the weights to there fully wound position. Chain-Driven Movement: A clock powered by weights that are suspended from a linked chain. The clock is wound by pulling down the free end of the chain to raise the weights to there fully wound position. Spring-Driven Balance Movement: Instead of a pendulum, this movement uses a balancing platform to mesure time. Clocks wih balancing platforms can be moved without interupting the time keeping. Triple Chime Movement: Clocks that play a choice of 3 melodies. A selection lever allows you to choose the chime the clock will play. On Howard Miller clocks triple chime movements play either, Westminster, St. Michael's, or Whittington Chimes. Quartz Movement: A clock movement that uses an electronic oscillator and a quartz crystal to keep accurate time. An electric current, typically from a battery, passes through the quartz crystal causing it to vibrate at an exact frequency which drives the clock movement. Radio Controlled Movement: A clock movement that is controlled and set by receiving a radio signal from the U.S. Atomic Clock, the most accurate clock in the world. These clocks automatically correct themselves for daylight saving time. Dial: The face on the clock where the hours are indicated. Chapter Ring: A decorative ring on the clock dial upon which the hour markers are indicated. Minute Track: A track divided into 60 equal segments which appears on the outer perimeter of the dial or in the dial center. Arabic Numerals: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Roman Numerals: I, II, II, IIII, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII Hands: Rotating indicators on the face of the clock which mark the hours, minutes, and seconds on the clock dial. Bezel: The ring that goes around the outside of the clock face or dial which holds the crystal in place. Moon Phase Dial: A dial typically found at the top of the clock face which tracks the moon phases through the 29-1/2 days of the lunar month. The phases of the moon are represented as they appear at each stage of the cycle. Pendulum: Serves as the clock regulator by swinging freely under the influence of gravity. Adjusting the bob up or down allows for time accuracy. Compensating Pendulum: A pendulum that, through its design, naturaly shortens or lengthens in responce to changes in temperature, alowing the clock to keep more acurate time. Bob: The disc-shaped brass weight at the bottom of the pendulum. The adjustment nut at the end of the shaft allows for raising and lowering of the bob. Use this nut to adjusts or regulate the speed of the clock. Chime-Selector: A feature which allows the chime tune or melody to be changed. Chime: The deep, melodic bell-like sound made when a clock strikes. Three chimes traditionally found in clocks are Westminster Chimes, Whittington Chimes, and St. Michael's Chimes; although many clocks feature other melodies as well. Strike: Escutcheon: An ornamental plate around a keyhole or in back of a handle or knob. Finial: Wood or brass decorative ornament placed on top of the clock cabinet. Grandfather Clock: Also known as a floor clock, is a free standing clock commonly around 6-8ft in height. The pendulum is held inside the clock, which most often features elaborate carvings at the head and around the clock face. Floor Clock: Also known as a grandfather clock, is a free standing clock commonly around 6-8ft in height. The pendulum is held inside the clock, which most often features elaborate carvings at the head and around the clock face. Gallery Clock: Large wall mount clocks with a diameter of 25". These clocks make stunning decorative statements and are ideal for institutional application. Mantel Clock: Often used as a mantel centerpiece, on a shelf or bookcase. Pieces are usually cased in solid hardwood with ornamental details. Carriage Clock: Typically constructed of a brass case with a handle on top. Ideal for use on any flat surface, such as a mantel or table top. Cuckoo Clock: Anniversary Clock: 400 day clocks are aommonly called anniversary clocks because they run for 400 days or approximately one year on a single, full winding. The clock movement is characterized by brass weights rotating horizontally on a long, thin spring. Today, many anniversary clocks have accurate, quartz movements. Bracket Clock: Typically made of wood with a handle on top these clocks are perfect for display on a shelf or mantel. Schoolhouse Clock: Named after their traditional use in early American, colonial schoolhouses. They feature an octagonal or round dial mounted above a pendulum box. Regulator: A clock made especially to show a very close rate of timekeeping; a watchmaker's clock on which he relies to regulate his watches and clocks. There is no law to prevent any person from making or selling any timekeeper marked "regulator", just because a clock is marked "regulator" does not mean it is a true regulator." Not all reulators are marked. The Black Forest: The south west corner of Germany in the provinces of Baden adn Wurttemberg bordering on France and Switzerland. Most cuckoo clocks are made in the Black Forest.