If you are looking to learn more about various watch terms every watch collector should know, you found the right watch blog to learn more. This blog post will help you with the most used words people who buy and sell watches used often. I do not want you to be like me who had a hard time to figure out what AD means, Yes I was one of the people who had no clue about Authorized Dealer abbreviations was. It never hurts to learn more, especially about the topic you are so passionate.
If you are planning to sell or buy a luxury watch on various online marketplaces, you might see some of these terms. When I started to buy watches online, I had to find or ask my friends, what those terms mean. Lucky for you do not have to.
When you are going to look at various forums or watch marketplace, you might notices in the title some of the short abbreviations you can see below.
For example, FS: Omega Seamaster Spectre full set
That indicates that the specific watch is FOR SALE
The Watch Terms
Buy and Selling Watches Abbreviation
FS = For Sale
MSRP= Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
WTS= Want To Sell
WTB= Want To Buy
WTT= Want To Trade
BUMP= Bring Up My Post
Ttt= To The Top
OHPF= On Hold Pending Funds
CONUS= Contiguous United States
LE = Limited Edition
When buying watches online, you should know, the condition of the watch prior purchase. These watch terms will help you make educated decisions before you pull the trigger and spend your hard-earned money.
Just keep in mind that not every seller has the same ranking about the watch they are selling. I have purchased one watch, which was described as Very Good, but in my eyes, it was Good at best. The key is to ask for more pictures and videos because you want to make sure that you get the watch you fell you are getting.
Condition of the Watch
NOS= New Old Stock (unworn condition and likely no longer available for sale at ADs or boutiques)
BNIB= Brand New In Box (unworn current model available from Manufacturers)
LNIB= Like New In Box ( A pre-owned watch that is in Perfect Condition. The watch has complete boxes papers)
Mint = A pre-owned watch that is near perfect condition. In other words, you cannot tell the watch was worn.
Near Mint= The watch has very slight signs of wear on the bezel, strap which are visible to naked eye.
Excellent= You can tell the watch was used by just looking at it — only light scratches which are visible more often than near mint condition.
Very Good= The watch shows regular signs of wear, but no nicks or dings on the watch
Good= You can tell the watch been used well. The strap might show signs of wear, and you might need to regulate the watch
Fair= Shows abuse and watch possible need service or restoration.
Poor= Showing strong signs of abuse such as deep scratches, nicks, and potential problems with the timekeeping. The watch needs a full overhaul.
Scrap /Parts = good for parts
Full Set = Original Box (Outer and Inner box, Warranty card, booklets, and other cards), however, if you have a LE (limited edition) you might have more items.
There are many great watch brands; however, one of the top watch brands people like to search about are OMEGA, Rolex, and Audemar Piquet.
OMEGA Watches
AT= Aqua Terra
BA= Broad Arrow
DSOM= Dark Side of the Moon
FOIS= First Omega in Space
PO= Planet Ocean
PO LM= Planet Ocean Liquidmetal
SMP= Seamaster Professional
Speedy= Omega Speedmaster
Rolex Watches
DJ= Datejust
DJII= Datejust II
DRSD= Double Red Sea-Dweller
DSSD= Deep Sea Sea-Dweller
Exp= Rolex Explorer
SD= Seadweller
Sub= Submariner
SubC= Submariner ceramic bezel
SubND=Submariner No Date
OP = Oyster Perpetual
JUB = Jubilee Bracelet
Audemars Piquet
RO= Royal Oak
ROO= Royal Oak Offshore
You are probably familiar with many watch brands listed below. If you are interested in Watch Brands around the world, you might like this article.
ALSA=Lange & Söhne
A&S= Arnold and Son
AP= Audemars Piquet
B&M= Baume & Mercier
BP=Blancpain
FC= Frederique Constant
GG= Gerald Genta
GO= Glashutte Original
GP= Girard-Perregaux
IWC Schaffhausen= International Watch Co.
JLC= Jaeger-LeCoultre
MB= Mont Blanc
ML= Maurice Lacroix
PAM= Officine Panerai
PP= Patek Philippe
UN= Ulysse Nardin
VC= Vacheron Constantin
Now you got familiar with some important term, and it’s time to learn more about watch part and their materials acronyms which might be used by some of the watchmakers.
AR = Anti-reflective coating
BAR = Pressure/Depth rating
BPH = Beats per hour ie. 28,800 bph, 36,000 bph
Cal = Calibre (of a movement)
COSC = Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres” (Certified Chronometer)
HEV = Helium Escape Valve
MOP = Mother Of Pearl
OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer
Serti dial = a watch dial that is set with precious stones
SL / L = Super Luminova, Luminova
T<25 = Tritium based dial (Less than 25 millicuries of radioactive tritium)
TT = Two Tone (Bi-metal- yellow fold & Stainless Steel)
Watch Materials
PM = Precious Metal
PT = Platinum
RG = Rose Gold
SS= Stainless Steel
Ti = Titanium
WG = White Gold
YG = Yellow Gold
Hope you enjoyed the watch blog post which should help you get familiar with the essential watch terms every watch collector should know.
The article was written by Honza Hroch, the Founder of Value Your Watch Marketplace.
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