A thermal compensator is a watch mechanism used to adjust the timekeeping accuracy of a watch when the temperature changes. It uses a balance wheel or pendulum that is made from a metal alloy that expands or contracts with temperature changes. This expansion and contraction affects the speed of the watch, causing it to run faster or slower. The thermal compensator compensates for this change by automatically adjusting the balance wheel or pendulum, ensuring that the watch continues to keep accurate time.
