In everyday language, "complication" has generally negative connotations. The reverse is true in watchmaking, thanks to the skill of the Masterwatchmaker who, through his creativity and know-how, succeeds in incorporating a great many functions into a single watch. A highly complicated watch (haute complication) can include a self-winding movement driving a chronograph with a minute totalizer and a twelve-month perpetual calendar. A very highly complicated watch (tres haute complication) features a minust-repeater to which is added a chronograph, a perpetual calendar and, in certain cases, a three-hammer striking mechanism.

Ultra-Complicated Cartier enamelled 18k yellow gold Minute Repeater, with 48 month perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph and display back. circa 1967