The watch’s jewel count refers to the number and placement of rubies and inset jewels on the pivots. Although the jewel count of a watch can vary considerably, higher jewel counts are generally indicative of superior craftsmanship. A watch with more 15 jewels is usually considered high-quality. The following are some of the different types of jewels and how many they contain. While all of these can be very important for your watch, not all of them will be required.
Usually, friction-set jewels do not have marks. These are cylindrical-shaped with a thinner outer edge. However, they can be easily replaced by boring out the old setting and fitting a modern friction jewel. However, you must be very careful to find the exact size of the hole and outside diameter of the setting in order to avoid making the watch look unoriginal. In addition, the hole drilled will look out of place and will not be as effective as a new jewel.
Jewels were traditionally used as ornaments on watches. Nowadays, many brands use synthetic diamonds, lab-created rubies, and sapphires in their watches. These diamonds reduce friction and increase the running efficiency of the watch. Although they may not be able to fund your next trip, they are still essential in the construction of your watch. These precious gems are an integral part of a watch’s mechanism.
Another type of jewel is a cap jewel. It is a type of jewel that has no hole and is used to reduce movement on the balance staff. It’s often used in conjunction with a pivot jewel. Pivot jewels have shock protection in the form of springs, which protect the watch from any impact that may come along with the movement of the balance staff. There are two types of pallet jewels: a roller jewel and one that is called a pallet jewel. The roller jewel is located inside the pallet fork.