Here is a interesting page I found on non-functional jewels, hope you find it interesting!

http://people.timezone.com/lib...kbench/workbench0025

Francesco.

Francesco,
Very interesting reading, thanks for posting it.

The only "extra" jewels I would want on a watch are maybe some diamonds on a rolex bezel or dial, or on the outside of a Multi colored Gold hunter case.

Great read. It only goes to show exactly how far ahead Hamilton was in its 21 jewel watches as they are all functional and have very good reasons to be where they are.
I have fewer 21 jewel watches. The vast majority of mine are 17 jewel then 19 jewel then 15 (only a few and mostly older 18s watches).

Thanks Francesco,

That is some good reading, very informative.

Thank you Francesco. Very interesting.

Thanks Francesco, I had no idea synthetic jewels were available that early.


"In 1902, a method was developed for artificially creating synthetic rubies and sapphires (click here for details). Now the watch industry had a source of stones that not only was cheap and plentiful, but was of a far higher purity and without the" mechanical flaws found in naturally-occurring stones.

Great post Francesco. I agree totally and Edw. Ball's famous ad "says it all" when it "mattered" in our watch industry.