Plate A metal plate that carries small and very small movement parts. The shafts of the gear wheels of the going train, for instance, are held between two plates.

Only the most valuable historic pocket watches had gold chatons screwed to the plate. They were developed to allow damaged bearing jewels to be conveniently replaced without having to alter the bores of the | plate. In the course of time, the dimensions of bearing jewels were standardised and so the original function of gold chatons fell victim to technical progress - but their visual appeal remains.