Internet Horology Club 185
Ball Dials

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/4993961897

March 18, 2023, 17:24
Alan Cassidy
Ball Dials
Did Ball-Hamilton ever use a dial with true Box Car Numerals the same as on a mid 1950's 992B.

Also is there a Ball catalogue on line?

Thanks.

Alan.
March 18, 2023, 17:38
Dr. Debbie Irvine

Hello Alan,

Please check out our IHC185 "Ball Watch Company Research Forum"

Also, by utilizing our "Find or Search" feature within that forum and typing in "Ball Dials" brings up 87 matches.

Doing a "Find or Search" on the main page of our Discussion Site brings up 383 matches!

Hope this helps,

Debbie


March 18, 2023, 21:24
Lindell V. Riddle

Alan,

Please post an image of the exact dial you are asking about so that we can properly answer your question.

Webb C. Ball was very specific about ownership - he patented everything. There were several lawsuits about infringement on his designs. Ball protected them vigorously.

Look carefully at pictures of Ball Dials that I have posted in the Ball Forum mentioned above. I do not post anything that is not authentic that is why I want to answer your specific question based upon the image to benefit you as well as others with the correct answer.


March 19, 2023, 02:13
Alan Cassidy
I did a bit more research and the dial I was looking for is a Hamilton HG or Heavy Gothic.Did Ball ever have one?
March 19, 2023, 12:33
Alan Cassidy
This was the best I could do I took an image from the Bay.

This is what I'm looking for, these numerals with a Ball logo not a Hamilton logo.


https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g...GnBkFP5z/s-l1600.png
March 19, 2023, 12:35
Alan Cassidy
Sorry it doesn't work and I do not know how to edit it.
March 19, 2023, 13:56
Alan Cassidy
Don't know what I did but it does work now.

That's the dial I'm looking for but with a Ball logo.
March 19, 2023, 15:59
Steven Ford
Here's the dial photo.


March 20, 2023, 10:31
Alan Cassidy
Thanks Steven. I'm not too good with this computer stuff or reading instruction.
April 20, 2024, 07:35
John Scott
Here are just two. They fit Ball-Waltham 16 size.


April 20, 2024, 07:36
John Scott
Ball-Waltham


April 20, 2024, 10:39
Dr. Debbie Irvine

Lindell looked at this topic and he indicated that the Steven Ford dial is original as well as the second image that John Scott posted.

However, Lindell feels that the first image that Scott posted is questionable for a variety of reasons.

One is the red by the number 9; next is both the "B" as well as the "A" in the Ball signature; and lastly the fading in the 11 to 1 area.

As was mentioned previously...

"Webb C. Ball was very specific about ownership - he patented everything. There were several lawsuits about infringement on his designs. Ball protected them vigorously."

...hope this helps.

Debbie


April 22, 2024, 08:50
John Scott
Here are more views of my first dial. The "red" colouration near the 9 is copper substrate showing through where there has been some edge damage that would be covered by a case bezel. As to the "fading", I guess not all dials turn out perfectly but this one is quite OK in hand.


April 22, 2024, 08:52
John Scott
This image shows the back of my first dial. it is a genuine Ball-Waltham dial.


April 22, 2024, 09:04
John Scott
Ball dials are interesting, no doubt about it. The source of manufacture of the dials is shrouded in mystery. Here is a third dial, broadly similar but slightly different, that was made in Switzerland. Again, a genuine original porcelain Ball dial made to fit Ball-Waltham ORRS watches.


April 22, 2024, 09:05
John Scott
Here is the back of the Swiss-made dial.


April 24, 2024, 12:37
Dr. Debbie Irvine

John,

Thanks for clarification!