Movement Number

An identifying number stamped on the movement itself, sometimes distinct from the case or reference number stamped elsewhere on the same watch.

Why it matters for authentication

Opening a case to read a movement number should be left to someone qualified to handle the watch. Where the movement and case numbers are meant to correspond, an authenticator compares them against each other and, when archive records exist, against those records, rather than treating either number alone as proof of anything.

Related terms

Browse the full glossary, or look up a serial number in the registry.