Are All Watch Dial Feed in the Same Place

Watch parts in focus: Dial

By Info Watchmaster, 6 January 2022

At first glance, no watch part seems to be easier to explain than the dial. After all, its function is primarily for many 'only' the indication of time. But what is and what is not written on a dial is subject to strict criteria such as the need not to display too much and at the same time not too little. For example, a common dial has indices and the brand name or logo of the watch manufacturer. Complications such as a date display, small seconds or the totalizers of a chronograph always depend on the specifications of the respective calibre.

Furthermore, certain

dials from brands like Rolex

– and in particular models such as the Rolex Daytona – have become necessary additions to a complete watch collection. But what makes a good watch dial? Let's take a closer look at one of the most basic components of a wristwatch: the watch dial.

1. The elements on a dial
2. Different dial designs
3. The production process of a dial
4. Exclusive dial materials
5. Dial decorations
6. Das Lettering

The elements on a dial

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Naturally, the primary purpose of the dial is to display the time. Unlike a digital watch, which in most cases shows numbers on its display, analogue watches display the time using

watch hands

. Additionally, many watch enthusiasts place value on a number of supplementary functions on their timepieces beyond merely indicating the time. Small auxiliary hands or dials are usually used to display these additional features. These are integrated into the main dial as sub-dials. In the case of a

chronograph

, these are known as totalizers.

ROLEX DAYTONA 116520

Normally, dials are divided into equal sections by means of indices and numerals. However, many manufacturers use dials that do not have any hour, minute or second markers. There are basically no limits to the design of dials.

The trend for brands to print only the manufacturer's name on the dial is the result of decades of historical development. In the past, dials were additionally marked with the name of the concessionaire because jewellers like Tiffany & Co. were more meaningful to the general public at that time than manufacturer names like "Rolex" or "Patek Philippe". However, as the brands gained in popularity and prestige, this was increasingly frowned upon, making the Tiffany dials coveted collector's items.

Which types of dial designs are there?

In general, the design of the dial usually depends on the watch type. A pilot's watch such as the

Breitling Navitimer

, for example, with its tachymeter, is more finely and closely graduated than the dial of a diver's watch such as the

Rolex Submariner

, which emphasizes legibility through its pointed, broad indices and fan-shaped graduation of the minutes. The following are a few of the most common dial designs:

• A bi-compax chronograph like the Sinn 936 is a chronograph dial with two totalizers. The totalizers are usually found at 3 and 9 o'clock or 6 and 12 o'clock and typically display the seconds and minutes for a stopwatch or alternatively the date.

IWC SPITFIRE PILOTS CHRONOGRAPH IW371803

• A chronograph dial with three totalizers, like that of the legendary Rolex Daytona, is one of the most well-known dial designs. Using this model as an example, the totalizers are located in a v-shaped arrangement at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock. Many people refer to these dials as a tri-compax arrangement.


• The aforementioned dial with three totalizers is often mistakenly referred to as a tri-compax dial. What many people do not know, however, is that the dial named the tri-compax goes back to the watch manufacturer Universal Genève and its 1944 "Tri-Compax" model, which has four totalizers at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock. The name is not derived from the number of totalizers, but from the three features of the watch: a chronograph, simple complete calendar and moon phase.


• The dials of diver's watches such as the Rolex Submariner stand out from the competition because of their exceptionally good readability – thanks primarily to its large fluorescent indices. These, in combination with the unidirectional rotating bezel, are an important component of a diving watch and ensure the safety of the diver.

ROLEX SUBMARINER 116610LN

• The regulator dial describes a design in which the classic three hands for determining time are not necessarily located in the middle of the dial, but instead on separate totalizers. This type of dial is mainly found on dress watches and serves an aesthetic purpose, whereby the focal point is always the minute hand.


• The sandwich dial is often thought of in association with Panerai models. This dial consists of two layers: the dial with punched out indices and a luminous layer underneath. These dials give the appearance of more depth and seem to be more practical than aesthetic.


• The marine chronometer dial dates back to the dials on nautical instruments from the 17th century. These made it possible to determine the exact position by calculating the difference between the time in the home port and the current time on board with the help of the longitude. Today, watches with such a dial are more of an ornamental than a practical instrument, but they have not lost any of their functionality. For example, Ulysse Nardin marine chronometers have a power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock and a small second hand with an integrated year calendar at 6 o'clock.


• A California dial is characterized a dial in which the upper half of the dial displays Roman numerals and the lower half Arabic numerals in an art deco design. The design concept originates from early diver's watches made by Rolex, as this was intended to make them easier to read underwater. The California dial probably owes its name to the dial restorer Kirk Rich from California, who became famous for his work on these dials.

From blanks to finished dials

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The production of the dial begins with a blank, which is usually punched out of nickel silver, brass or bronze. Materials such as silver and gold are often used for dials as well. Recesses for the indices, hands and other indicators such as date windows or totalizers are milled by machine. After cleaning, "feet" are attached to the dial, which later secure it to the movement and ensure its exact positioning. The

dial is then polished

and cleaned again. This is when the decorating and finishing process begins, which will be discussed in more detail later. The dial gets its colour from galvanization. Depending on the desired intensity of colour, the dial is fired for one to two hours. The colour results from the raw material of the blanks.

PIAGET ALTIPLANO G0A36508

After

galvanization

, the dial goes to print. For this process, pad printing is most commonly used, which is particularly remarkable for its delicacy and precision. The pad is a balloon-shaped, soft cylinder that takes up ink by means of an engraved stencil which is then pressed directly onto the dial and transfers the ink to it. Some manufacturers still paint their dials by hand, which is a process that often takes months. Many other manufacturing processes, such as setting the indices and numerals, are often done manually.

Exclusive dial materials

Aside from the classic materials listed above, such as silver or brass, other

more exotic dial materials

have become gained acceptance in

Haute Horlogerie

. Three of the most popular variations are:

Meteorite

Watch brands such as

Corum

began producing dials made of meteorite rock back in the 1980s and Rolex launched its first special edition watch featuring meteorite in 1999. The raw materials used for this originate from the Gibeon meteorite in Namibia and the Muonionalusta meteorite in Sweden, which are particularly suitable for decorative purposes due to their high nickel and iron content. What is particularly special about the meteorite is that the metal is not evenly distributed, giving each dial its own unique look. In the meantime, the Gibeon meteorite is protected by Namibian law and may no longer be commercially mined. However, Rolex has been able to build up a stock of the meteorite rock, which is why these extremely rare dials can still be made. In 2019, for example, the Rolex GMT-Master II 126719BLRO "Pepsi" made its debut with a dial made of meteorite.

Enamel

Enamel is not the raw material itself, but a process so complex and arduous that enamelled dials are an art in their own right. Many manufacturers therefore only lacquer their watches. However, a genuine enamel dial immediately catches the eye with its inimitable shine and creamy texture. Today, only one company still performs the enamelling process. All of the enamelled dials for Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Söhne and Ulysse Nardin are produced by the Swiss company Donze Cadran. Enamel is a fused glass that is applied to the dial a number of times. There are various techniques that result in producing different textures. "Grand Feu", the repeated enamelling of a dial with oxides, is the most common technique.

Mother-of-pearl

Unfortunately, the most beautiful dials are also among the most fragile. Mother-of-pearl is a material that can be found inside mollusc shells. Separating this layer from the shell is a particular challenge, as it is extremely susceptible to breakage. The raw material is made to a thickness of about 0.2 mm and then glued to a disc from which the dial blanks are cut. Afterwards, these are processed by hand with the utmost care and then polished and decorated. Mother-of-pearl dials are available in a wide range of colours and are captivating with their delicate lustre. In particular, pastel shades are often used for ladies' watches.

Dial decorations at a glance

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Aside from materials, dials can also vary widely in their decorations. Manufacturers attach great importance to this aspect, as it emphasizes the craftsmanship of the master watchmakers and allows them to distinguish themselves from other brands. Let's have a look at the two most frequently used techniques for the decoration of dials. A few companies such as Glashütte Original have even developed their own

refinement techniques

.

Skeleton dials

A skeleton watch provides a direct glimpse into the movement of a watch. Although skeleton watches are now also made mechanically, we will focus on watches skeletonized by hand as a technique for decoration.

MAURICE LACROIX MASTERPIECE SKELETON MP7138-SS001-030

The term itself has certainly changed over time. In the original sense, skeletonization is the modification of the calibre by removing unnecessary metal from the plate and bridge. This process pushes the limits of stability, leaving only a skeleton of the movement behind. Modern skeleton watches are often not a whole movement in their origin, but are assembled directly from the skeletonized individual parts. One often hears the term "open-worked" to describe this method. A few smaller brands like

Armin Strom

,

Freret Roy

and

Roger Dubuis

were able to make a name for themselves through skeletonization. Alternatively, brands such as

Hublot

also produce transparent sapphire crystal dials that allow the wearer to see the entire movement.

Engine-turned dials

Guilloché work describes the engraving of fine patterns with intersecting lines, which are particularly popular for silver and gold dials. As with skeletonizing, the process can be done either by machine or by hand. The difficulty in guilloché engraving is primarily a logistical one. The machines used for manual guilloché work are sometimes up to 200 years old and occupy the space of an entire table. The addition of the necessary pressure and the turning of the dial is done by hand. Machine and man need to work in perfect harmony in order to achieve the ideal result.

As much as it is the calibre that gives a watch life, a dial gives a face to a watch. The dial is the figurehead of a watch and shows immediately what type of watch it is. Moreover, a timepiece that may accompany you for a lifetime is also chosen partly because of its dial. That is reason enough to pay a little more attention to the dial and its many details the next time you look at your wrist.

The art of lettering: A look at fonts

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The fonts on watch dials, and in particular those from the early to mid-20th century, can be traced back to a mere handful of talented craftsmen and artists. This extremely intricate element of the watchmaker's art combines artistic skill and dexterity with the utmost precision.

The companies Stern Créations (1898) and Singer (1919), which specialized in the manufacturing of dials, not only supplied

Rolex with their dials

, but other high-end watch brands such as Omega, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Cartier and Universal Genève. This is also apparent upon closer inspection of the dials: for example, the special, broadly pointed shape of the number four, the small, italicized, yet beefy "R" or the acutely centred "M" tapered in the middle are all typical of Singer and found on various models from a wide range of brands. Incidentally, Singer was also the manufacturer behind such legendary dials as the

Paul Newman Daytona

.

Many design decisions that seem to be a matter of personal taste at first glance actually follow pragmatic guidelines. For example, the use of serif characters, on the one hand, allows abbreviations to all occupy the same space on the calendar wheel, and on the other, the small cross strokes at the ends of lines prevent the ink fluid from running and accumulating in a different area. The four's special shape is due to the printing method. A wide point, such as in the case of a capital "A", is intended to prevent ink or enamel from accumulating at the apex as a result of surface tension and consequently ruining a design – or in this case, the intricately crafted dial.

Furthermore, the lettering of a dial has more than just aesthetic and practical purposes, it can also reveal a lot about the brand, model or production period of a timepiece. Different fonts used by the same can provide information about the production year of a particular watch, while other distinctive features are both a design decision and an identifying feature.

Examples of distinguishing lettering on dials

Here are three different wristwatches with comparatively eye-catching lettering. Let's take a closer look at the fonts below and go into the differences between the individual dials.

Several different fonts can be found on the dial of the

Omega Aqua Terra 150M (Ref. 231.10.42.21.03.003)

, as well as the aforementioned centred "M" in various lettering. The capitalized "Omega" lettering in classic block letters, the "Seamaster" lettering in cursive, and the "Master Co-Axial Chronometer" label again in large, block letters, as well as the specified water resistance found lower down on the dial, all appear to vary from model to model. The "Omega" under the logo seems almost struck through due to the choice of font, while the "Seamaster" lettering contains the beefy "Italic R" mentioned earlier as well. The clean contours and the absence of serifs lend the Aqua Terra 150M an austere, serious appearance. The dial only features the classic "Seamaster" lettering as a tribute to the collection's heritage.

The

Breitling Superocean 42 (Ref. A17364)

employs different fonts on the dial as well. This is particularly noticeable in the letter "E" in the "Breitling" lettering – the "E" is a serif. In the cursive "superOcean", the letter appears small and comparatively broad, while appearing no less elegant. Breitling uses an angular, right-leaning font for the applied, luminous Arabic numeral hour markers on this model, which also includes the wide point on the four. The "Swiss Made" lettering at 6 o'clock, on the other hand, is a good example of an "M" that is not sharply centred, but leans toward a broad point.

BREITLING SUPEROCEAN 42 A17364

The four with the broad apex doesn't appear on the dial of the

Rolex GMT-Master II (Ref. 16710)

, but it is present on the bezel and date wheel. This model's dial is primarily characterized by capital block letters, with and without serif fonts, as well as a centred tapered "M" in the words "GMT-Master" and "Chronometer". It is worth noting that the diagonals in a character's centre on this dial only extend to the mean line, rather than continuing to the baseline. Furthermore, an "A" with a broad peak can be found everywhere on the dial. While the rest of the lettering does not use serifs, the "Rolex" lettering relies on that tried-and-true style with horizontal strokes. The date wheel's numbers also contain serifs.

Characteristic typography: Is it a tell for an external supplier?

While hallmark features like a broad-tipped four on vintage watches like the

Daytona (Ref. 6263)

indicate an external supplier like Singer, this is no longer the case for more recent watches, despite obvious variations between models. For example, if you compare the most recent version of the

Submariner (Ref. 126610LN)

with the

GMT-Master II (Ref. 126710BLRO)

, the four on the Submariner's bezel is much narrower and more pointed than the relatively wide four on the GMT-Master II. However, the dials, bezels and date wheels are meanwhile manufactured entirely by Rolex, as the company acquired the dial manufacturer Beyeler in 2000. Rolex watches equipped with a Singer dial, therefore, most likely date back to the years before the turn of the millennium. The different fonts Rolex uses are reminiscent of the Singer classics and purely a design feature. Incidentally, the company Jean Singer & Cie remains one of the last independent dial manufacturers in Switzerland to this day.

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More from our series "Watch parts in focus"

• Watch parts in focus: Tourbillon
• Watch parts in focus: Watch crown
• Watch parts in focus: Bezel
• Watch parts in focus: Watch hands
• Watch parts in focus: Watch crystal
• Watch parts in focus: Bracelet
• Watch parts in focus: Watch case
• Watch parts in focus: Watch movement
• Watch parts in focus: Balance Wheel

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Source: https://www.watchmaster.com/en/journal/watch-knowledge/watch-parts-in-focus-dial

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