This is quite a rare Montgomery dial with the minutes either side of the line & every 5th. minute in red. I`ve only seen pictures of this type of dial & all minutes were in black.

[ADMINISTRATOR'S CLARIFICATION: No, that is not a Montgomery Patent Dial as explained later in this topic]

And its complimenting a lovely `92`model Railroader.

Total made 260 Total runs 4
Start Jan 1900 End Feb 1902
First 7489801 Last 7489850
Model 1892 Name Railroader
Grade Railroader Material P
Size 18
Plate FP
Jewels 17
Balance Ex Bal Pat. Reg. - Breg. HS
Style OF

A rare bird indeed!!

Very Nice!!

Roger

Awesome Watch...

Beautiful watch, a lovely example as is the dial, just to be correct though that dial is a marginal minutes dial not a Montgomery

Thanks Steven & Bila. To tell the truth I was finding it difficult to obtain details of that type of dial.

And so we move to the dial we saw above on Derek's number 7489815 which is a design
largely unrecognized by most modern day collectors. It is important to recognize exactly
what that dial is and even more importantly, to realize what it is not.

In his post above in this topic Bila pointed out he did not feel that "Montgomery" properly
described the dial in question, and yes he was right on track.

Bila's sharp eye proves to be on the target.

That dial presently on 7489815 is in fact a "Fitch Patent Dial" as the late
Ed Parsons explained in a July of 2013 posting with a picture of the dial design...

_______________________________________________


"This unusual numerical dial was patented by Ezra C. Fitch, longtime president of
Waltham Watch Co. (1883-1921). I think the idea was that by separating odd and
even minute numerals onto two marginal minute tracks, it would be possible to
make them larger and easier to read.

I just find it confusing, as I suspect many others did back in the day, because
these dials are quite uncommon today."

Edward L. Parsons, Jr.

________________________________________________


Examining Fitch Patent Dials in our collection the center of them is more like a 10 or 12-size
dial and the outer track is something I do find difficult and as Ed said, confusing to read.
Frankly I really must tell you, the more I look at it the more my head aches!

But none other than Webb C. Ball took it somewhat further as only Ball could, calling this dial...

"Freakish, confusing, hard to read and so distracting as to be downright dangerous."

That leaves nothing to the imagination, Ball was not one to mince words!


Fitch Patent Dial from Edward L. Parsons Jr. in 2013 posting...

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"Montgomery Dials"

Henry S. Montgomery History and information.