The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-28
FIRST WATCH DIALS
MADE OF ENAMEL
Evolution of Timepiece Faces
From Earliest Times Makes
Interesting History.

In early watches efforts were made
to turn the dials into fields for deCOra-
tive work, but as time progressed il was
found that simplicity was more desir-
able than high art. Consequently. to-
day the face Of a pocket timepiece is
quite plain" the object being TO make
II possible for the owner 10 ind the
time Of day without difficulty.
The dials OF the first watches were
made Of gilt copper, Of silver, and some
times OF gold, engraved with the hour
figures in relief, rising from translucent
enan.eled surfaces Of various colored
combinations, admired for the DeSuty OF
their design, the motives OF which ex-
celled by their originality, and calling 20
mind manuscripts Of the middle ages,
says the Philadelphia Press
In the sixteenth century dials were
made entirely Of enamel. But it was
only toward the end OF the seventeenth
century that the use Of the sO-called
enameled dial became general The dials
of the time OF Louis XVI we're made
most artistically and with a perfection
our time Some Of the more distin-
guished ones were inscribed with the
makers name, "COtteau.' several OF
which were adorned with delicate in
4
monds set in enamel between the hour
figures as relief.
Colored Enanels Used.
Very often colored enameIs were
largely employed in artistic designs and
appropriate shades. For instance, the
center Of the dial was Of a beautiful
royal blue. bordered by = slender rib
bon or white. fringed with gold, incIos-
ing the name OF the maker Of the watch
painted in delicately proportioned let
tiers. Others which were known BY the
name Of Queens" dials had the hour
! figures placed vertically instead OF IA
dating toward the center.
The year 1850 brouzh: about the prac-
tice OF making dioIs with high color
| ings. showing emblems relating tC
events OF patriotism and political de-
| velOpments Of the period enlivened By
! sentimental inscriptions.
Very fat watches. which were II
/ fashion during the time between IN
] years OF 1880 and 1910. compelled tht
/ use OF very thin dials. sometimes engine
/ turned The Introduction at the same
| time OF styles which offered the ad
! vantage essential IN fat watches 70 az
/ ford more room 70 the train brOugnt
| about the liberal use OF dials with &C.
/ centric hour circles
4 large number of verge watches II
/ Use during the years between $50 aDC
i 1880 had dials Of copper stamped with
/ ornamental designs and with enamele,
J figures, which dials had no artist,
( value. During this same time dial
I were made OF silver, and even gold
] ornamented with figures Representing
| religious subjects.
/ The extreme fat watches mentione,
/ above had the cylinder escapement
/ But before the introduction OF theS
I the more bulky watches had cCnve,
/ dials, which afforded the necessary Va
/ cant space for the accommodation o
/ dial wheels or for any catracture me
/ chanism, such as repeaters or clOci
/ watches. In modern watches with ia
dials such mechanism. etc, is generally
/ placed IN more or less extensive Re
cesses provided in the thickness Of tn
/ plate.