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Waffle, guilloché, hobnail and honeycomb dials....?

  1. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Jan 7, 2017

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    Greetings everyone,
    is there a place on this forum or elsewhere where one might look up the exact meaning of these different types of dials?

    Thanks for any guidance,
    S
     
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  2. Jwit Not a doctor, but plays one on ΩF Jan 7, 2017

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    There is this interesting video about Guilloche-ing that helped me understand the designs a whole lot more....



    However a reference thread would be nice for all sorts of dial styles/texture.
     
  3. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Jan 7, 2017

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    Nope, 123 places.
     
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  4. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Jan 7, 2017

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    Thanks much, guess it'll be a good thing to look up on a rainy or icy day....
     
  5. Rman Jan 7, 2017

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    I'll give it a try @Syrte

    Waffle = somewhat broad term here on OF, but to me dial lines in grid of exaggerated squares

    Screen Shot 2017-01-07 at 5.35.07 PM.png


    Honeycomb= crosshatch dial grid pattern often called "textured", lines may form square or diamond patterns
    Screen Shot 2017-01-07 at 5.36.49 PM.png


    Hobnail= dial grid with pyramid or raised centers, like urchin shell (lines at 90degrees) sometimes called "waffle"
    often seen on hen's teeth black dial chronometers that make the mouth water.
    Screen Shot 2017-01-07 at 5.37.57 PM.png


    Guilloche= engraving technique using various patterns (often multiple intersecting patterns)carved onto dial surface with rose engine.
    Breguet comes to mind.
    Screen Shot 2017-01-07 at 5.38.35 PM.png
     
    Edited Jan 7, 2017
  6. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Jan 7, 2017

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  7. Fritz genuflects before the mighty quartzophobe Jan 7, 2017

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    I recently had an engineer tell me they couldn't do things like that with machines in the old days, he stated that even as little as50 years ago it wasn't possible because we didn't have the computer power.

    I later really enjoyed showing him my late 1800s engine turned watch case.

    thanks for posting the video of the rose engine, fabulous old technology that gets rarer every year.
     
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  8. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Jan 7, 2017

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    Thank you so much @Rman and Norman and @Jwit ... done in style like true gentlemen ;)
    And there's also the design that's called in French "clous de Paris" that looks like waffle and hobnail but is neither...
    Guess I'll have to fish out translations on the web at some point :)


    Edit-
    I remember this thread, all those watches were just incredible. My appreciation for those textured dials was just revived when I saw a very pristine one on line.... (it was gone after 24 hours even though the watch was relatively plain).
     
    Edited Jan 7, 2017
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  9. Fritz genuflects before the mighty quartzophobe Jan 7, 2017

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    i don't know if Hamilton engine turned these dials or just pressed them with a die, but the lining is so fine that I suspect it was machined....
    P1020034.JPG
     
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  10. NT931 Jan 8, 2017

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    Syrte likes this.
  11. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Jan 8, 2017

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    Clous De Paris. Square work around night on my reverso. Not greatest pic but you get the idea.
    IMG_4297.JPG
     
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  12. hejsam Sep 23, 2020

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    A quartet that almost sums it all up on structured dials
    5E649CC0-8375-45E0-A6E1-57BAD68BFBB0.jpeg D3F3DFF0-D654-487A-8BF2-0B062C047DD4.jpeg
     
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