OFFICIAL GRADING SYSTEM
& ABBREVIATIONS

The Jones & Horan plain English grading system follows this general order from top to bottom for mvts, component parts, metal dials, and hands: Pristine (without defect, untouched) | Mint | Nearly Mint | Excellent | Fine (the average grade for most used, running watches) | Fair | Poor. We no longer use "good" as a grade as it can be misleading, so it only applies to function (see below). We then describe any salient defects that should be called to the attention of the potential buyer.

With respect to wear, we also use the following terms in order: No wear | Hardly any wear | Very little wear | Little wear | Very light wear | Light wear | Medium wear | Ample wear | Substantial or abundant wear | Worn out. These general terms are used in combination with precise descriptions of defects for further elaboration where needed.

Enamel dials are not necessarily graded, but called "flawless" when free of cracks, chips or hairlines, which are structural and always noted. As-made in the factory finish imperfections or graphical defects may be present on a "flawless" dial, and may be noted separately.

The term, "Good" is only used alone to indicate that the watch or its function is doing what it should be doing, as in "good running order, good repeat function and tone, good chronograph and date functions," etc. These functions are not rated or graded. "Good crystal" means without meaningful defect.

"Running" only means that the balance and escapement are performing in healthy fashion and without apparent defect, but does not guarantee timekeeping or warrantee future performance; unless otherwise noted, our timepieces are not serviced by us, and we do not know when they were last serviced from our sources. We do our best to indicate any potential problems or needs for repair.