American manufactured watches were fitted with porcelain dials from 1852 to the 1930s. Made from different colored ground glass that was applied to a copper disk and fired in a kiln at high temperature they were relatively durable and easy to read. There were three basic types of porcelain dials manufactured.
- Double-sunk: Those made in three parts and lead soldered together are generally known as “double-sunk” because the inner field was lower than the outer dial with numbers and the small seconds dial was set even lower than the field. Dials with wind indicators often were made in three parts, but these weren’t called double-sunk. True double-sunk wind-indicator dials (four parts) are frightfully rare.
- Single-sunk: Made in two parts with the sub-seconds dial soldered into position.
- Flat: Made as a single disk, they would evolve to have recessed fields and sub-seconds as manufacturing methods became more sophisticated.
Special Watch Dial Design Styles
Particular watch models and grades such as chronographs, those showing sidereal time, calendars, or fitted with wind indicators required special dials that were produced in very limited quantities. Furthermore, those with the model on the dial – Father Time, Bunn Special, Vanguard – command prices far above those showing just the company name.
Dials for railroad grade watches that have official railway logos or particular styles such as the Ferguson and Montgomery often are more expensive than the movement and case combined! Even dials with the names of known railway time inspectors (those who were responsible for adjusting the watches used on different railway lines) can command premiums. americanhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_railroad_grade_pocket_watch
