The keyless work is used for winding the watch. It is thus named because it is the successor to key-wound movements. Originally, movements had to be wound by a separate key that was inserted into the back of the watch to wind the mainspring. Similarly, hands were once set by the same key, which could be placed on a square flange atop the hands and rotated to the correct time. This technology was used in the days of pocket watches. You know the classic Albert Chain worn by gents of the time? Well, if you look closely, the chain has 2 ends. The pocket watch was attached to one end and kept in the left hand pocket of a waistcoat, and the key, along with a fob bearing the owner’s initials, was attached to the other end and kept in the right hand pocket.
Nowadays, many watch chains have just one end, because keys are redundant thanks to the integration of the following parts that make-up the (standard) keyless work:
1. Winding Stem
2. Winding Pinion
3. Sliding Pinion
4. Yoke
5. Yoke Spring
6. Setting Lever
7. Setting Lever spring
8. Setting wheel/intermediate wheel
9. Minute Wheel
10. Canon Pinion
11. Hour Wheel
12. Crown Wheel
13. Ratchet Wheel
14. Barrel Arbour
15. Mainspring
