What is the outer ring on a watch for?

What the outer ring on the watch is for depends on the timepiece. Called the bezel, this part keeps the crystal — the transparent covering over the face — secure while also protecting the watch. In some cases, the bezel rotates and has other functions. It may be a diving or athletic timer, a compass or a second time zone indicator. Shop a diverse assortment of watches on 1stDibs.