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

Syrte · Jan 7, 2017

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

Jwit · Jan 7, 2017

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.

cicindela · Jan 7, 2017

Syrte
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

Nope, 123 places.

Syrte · Jan 7, 2017

cicindela
Nope, 123 places.

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

Rman · Jan 7, 2017

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

X350 XJR · Jan 7, 2017

https://omegaforums.net/threads/show-us-your-guilloché-and-faux-guilloché.44708/

Fritz · Jan 7, 2017

Jwit
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.

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.

Syrte · Jan 7, 2017

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-

X350 XJR
https://omegaforums.net/threads/show-us-your-guilloché-and-faux-guilloché.44708/

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).

Fritz · Jan 7, 2017

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....

NT931 · Jan 8, 2017

I found this link useful when I was starting to read about these
http://ww.inluxe.cn/surface-value-guilloche/1/
Have fun!

Larry S · Jan 8, 2017

Clous De Paris. Square work around night on my reverso. Not greatest pic but you get the idea.

hejsam · Sep 23, 2020

A quartet that almost sums it all up on structured dials

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

Syrte

Jwit

cicindela

Syrte

Rman

X350 XJR

Fritz

Syrte

Fritz

NT931

Larry S

hejsam

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