And another:

This is my most ornate one:

And finally an Illinois. Does anyone know whether or not dials like this can be repaired very well?

Here is one more fancy dial, but it isn't enamel.

Beautiful dials Steve, many thanks for posting them for us!

I'm not sure how well any of these type dials can be repaired these days, but I know there are companies that specialise in the art.
My guess is the cost of doing so would be greater than the average watch.
I'd be interested in hearing typical repair costs if anyone has had one done.

The last dial is probably a Solid Silver disc, and the numerals very possibly solid gold castings which are pinned to the dial.
It appears to be in beautiful condition too which is a major plus, as many get bad scratches across the engine turning from careless hands removal etc.

I've got a dozen or more dials to list yet, but I'm playing with a new camera and haven't cracked its finer points yet to get decent images. It's mainly a lighting issue now though.

John

Thanks a lot, John.

Steve

Here is the dial from my South Bend 180

Nice Dial Ernie, it appears to have a slight tint, or is it reflection?

Some more of mine coming up.

John.

Hand Painted motifs.
John.

Close up of the detail - How did they do that!
John

Something a little more plain
John

A touch more elaborate, with a pale blue blush just around the outer chapter.

John

John

-How did they do that ?

Those tiny high reflective elements are stamped and punched from thin metal foil then glued to the white ground email and burnt a second time.

Thanks Gerald, it was more of a comment about the hand painting really.

When you consider these dials were made mostly in the C19th, and the dial painters had none of the technical gadgetry we take for granted today, I still find it quite incredible that someone was able to hand paint with a bristle, such small intricate details.
And, they would have been doing this all day long!

Most of the dials I've posted here are between 25mm & 35mm diameter, which should give some idea of the difficulty of scale those dial makers faced.
No microscopes, no electric lighting and generally no pretentions to any creature comforts even as basic as decent sanitary arrangements.

Quite amazing what those artisans turned out back then, and I marvel even more when considering we seem unable to do now, even with our supposedly very advanced technological society!.

John.