While posting my Elgin Tin information on the "Serial Number Accessory Items Data Base" I noticed that all of the movements had the dials attached before they left the factory.
I didn't know that, and I wondered if you could tell me where they purchased them, or who they purchased them from, and about how many Dial Companies their may have been back then.

Thank you,

I believe.... "most" watch manufacturers made their own dials back then, there are exceptions of course.....

I have not seen a list of manufacturers.... but there was O'Hara .......

I want to learn too....

The big companies, like Waltham and Elgin, had their own dial departments. I do not know about the others. Any of the big companies could have been contracted to make dials (or any other specialty parts) for the others. For instance, I know that Waltham made stems and sleeves for Keystone.

To my Knowledge, Keystone Howard put Swiss made dials on most or all of their watches.

Tom

Thanks everyone, another question!

This is another reason I was asking. It's a letter the company has written to a buyer about his watch. They mention that the Dial is not yet in from Switzerland! notice that the case is ready and the movement is almost ready.

So, does anyone know of Swiss Dial Manufacturers?

Sheila, Just a guess. The company advertises for both Swiss and American watches. This customer's order could have been for one of their Swiss watches, and he could have ordered a special dial to go with it, ie a dial with an emblem or a runic dial. If this was for an American watch, the company could have used their Swiss supplier for many types of special dials.

Tom

South Bend made their own dials too. I have heard that many companies had their "fancy" dials made in Switzerland. The type with the overlaid gold gilt and such.

Frank "407" Kusumoto

I have seen swiss fancy dials that were made for Hampdens and this one that I think is Swiss but was ordered by Hampden. The ordered dial has the Company name and blessing. The other is not considered original.

Mike,

Yep, that is one sweet dial! That's the type I was referring too. For some reason the Swiss were better at putting on the clear glass for that "extra" shiny yet almost invisible top layer covering the gilt. Wow, that's one sweet dial!

Frank "407" Kusumoto

Mike,
Lindell is right that is one gorgeous dial!

The letter above is from the same company that my Centennial Watch Envelope shows.
They did sell American and Swiss watches. They also purchased Howards too. A real mix.

Cross & Beguelin have a lot of Ads out there.
Made me wonder where they got the dials in Switzerland, but since I now know that Howard made dials too, maybe they purchased some from them too, they did buy movements from them!

The plot thickens!

Shelia,

Hamilton also had an in house dial department and just as a side note to your thread on chronometers. During the war Hamilton's dial department switched from dial production to the production of gimbaled mahogany boxes for their 85 size marine chronometers. Production of civilian watches were mostly interrupted so the need for dials was reduced.

Rob