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railman
11-02-2002, 02:02 PM
What's a melamine dial. I know the older dials were porcelain on copper. Is the melamine dial something the watch makers used in later years or is it a repro? How do you tell? I've read threads that had pics of watches that were very early and some of you mentioned it was a "melamine" dial. Thanks for any info...
railman
11-02-2002, 02:02 PM
What's a melamine dial. I know the older dials were porcelain on copper. Is the melamine dial something the watch makers used in later years or is it a repro? How do you tell? I've read threads that had pics of watches that were very early and some of you mentioned it was a "melamine" dial. Thanks for any info...
terry hall
11-02-2002, 02:15 PM
in the mid forties, the wonderous wizards of Hamilton developed the Melamine dial. speculation is for cost cutting measures....


What it is ......
A metal backing is covered with a plastic printed material that has the dial design on it.....

The looked fine when new, but do not age too well, especially when exposed to sunlight,[red numbers faded] and many temperature changes....[cracks]

This material continued to be used until the end. They even produced Ball dials in melamine.

It is not a repro dial.... original from factory ......

how can u tell? sometimes not easy with only pictures.... but a cinch when in hand...
when off the watch, the back will be black metal, not covered with glaze....
Lindell V. Riddle
11-02-2002, 07:11 PM
Jim,

Only thing I could add to Terry's explanation is that "melamine" or composite dials have a distinctive "grayish" tone whereas a porcelain dial is very white. Bear in mind they are correct and original and we are already seeing that when in top condition they command a premium. On the other hand the scratched, chipped and faded ones do not appeal.

There's nothing "moronic" about your questions Jim, you have raised some very important and interesting issues recently. And by the way, you are a "novice collector" and you'll soon be out of even that category, you're learning fast!

Best Wishes,


Lindell