aardvarkbark
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milled then frosted then inked; order in
Thanks for the tip to click on the pics to get to stats, Michael.
GO Customer Support was so kind as to respond to my inquiry regarding the actual Sen Chronometer dial making process with:
Kindly let us give you a small excursion into the method of dial manufacture.
The Chronometer dial numerals and printings will be applied by a three-level process.
(1) milling/engraving (same meaning)
(2) rubbing a silver-salt powder mixture
(3) coloring
After the first step remains the engraved numerals and printings. Visually two areas seem to exist.
Secondly those areas will be coated by rubbing a silver-salt powder mixture onto the surface.
Finally a special black color will applied. This is what we name the pad printing process as well.
Apparently, one should indeed see the granular frosting under the romans (as I had) since that finish is applied after the engraving. I did not direct a light across the surface at such an obtuse angle as you did to see the degree to which they are recessed.
Nonetheless, based substantially on your excellent earlier 4-part review of it, I have a rg on order and am informed that it is in production, due in 8 weeks.
Glashütte Original inaugurates dial manufactory
On March 6, 2013, Gnter Wiegand, Managing Director of Glashtte Original, presided over the opening of a modern factory in Pforzheim, Germany, for the manufactory's own production of watch dials. Together with the facility manager, Kurt Mller, Mr Wiegan...
'pad printed' vs 'milled'
This picture appears on a story about the new facility on another forum. It shows a Senator Chronometer dial under a pad that I associate with printing, but GO states that the romans and minute track are milled onto this dial. What exactly is the process ...
Milling would entail removal of metal . . .
. . . via a rotary cutter. I would understand milling with regards to the date aperture or sub-dials, but markers and minutes track? That's difficult to comprehend. Can you elaborate on the claim? Finding the source would be helpful. Cordially, Art
reference to milled romans and minute track
It was in the GO 2009 press kit that accompanied the introduction of the piece, and was then repeated on this forum (in MichaelC's review) and other watch related web sites in their review of the piece. "A milled railroad chapter ring encircles the Senato...
You were using a magnifying loupe I assume...
I'm rather shocked you could not tell. I have the watch on right now and can tell with my naked eye. I'll grab a photo of this with my new G15 later and add it when I have a minute. They are definitely recessed and not painted on top like you thought. I c...
are they no longer milled?
Yes under a loupe. The one I was looking at was very recently produced; the chrono certificate was dated Feb 2013. The granular texture of the dial was clearly visable under all of the romans, but I was expecting them to be both smooth and slightly recess...
Actually, they do reference the milling on their website.
I'm not sure where you are getting your information. Are you positive the one you were looking at was authentic? I hate to even ask, but if I can see the milling with my eye and you can't see it with a loupe, something is wrong. Just copied from the GO we...
also on their website in German
where the word for "milled" is "gefräst". Mine was certified Nov. 16, 2011. The milling is obvious under GO's own loupe, is perfectly smooth and shows no sign of granularity. Amery
Thanks Amery...
Glad you are enjoying yours as well. Let's see some photos and hear your thoughts when you can!
website link?
Thanks Michael. Your pictures clearly show recessed romans. I'm pretty sure I would have noticed it on the one I was looking at if they looked like this. I'm curious -- can you see the granular texture under the black ink or is it smooth? Does it look lik...
Just go to the main company website...
I went to the same places you did. Once you are on the SC page, just click on a model - either the WG or RG and then you will see the specifics I copied above. The black paint in all milled areas is smooth, with no grainy texture underneath it. While I do...
milled then frosted then inked; order in
Thanks for the tip to click on the pics to get to stats, Michael. GO Customer Support was so kind as to respond to my inquiry regarding the actual Sen Chronometer dial making process with: Kindly let us give you a small excursion into the method of dial m...
I could not be more pleased for you!
Thank you for sharing GO's informative reply about the dial construction. And next, I am very excited you are joining out GOSC Club!! The blued hands are even more amazing against the RG case. You are going to love the watch. Thanks for your kind remarks ...
Sorry to say, no, I don't have a Senator Chronometer . . .
. . . but now that you've pointed me in the right direction, I've taken a closer look at some of the images stored on my computer. The Roman X marker is clearly milled, and the IX less so; impossible to tell, though, on the VIII . Visual evidence of milli...
Very interesting...
They probably mill the Roman numerals, but still print on other things such as the "Glashutte" logo.
No. The "Glashutte Original" is milled as well.
As posted above, it is the other dial markings that are painted, such as the power reserve and sub seconds dials, the word "chronometer", etc. Hopefully some of my photos above capture these things.
Thanks for clearing that up!
Great photos! I clearly see which parts are milled now and which parts are printed. Much appreciated.
The Expertise of PuristSPro...
We always have someone who's close-by to any watch anyone has questions about. Michael's review of the watch last year.
Thanks Patrick for the kind words.
It is nice that collectively, we cover it all. Such an awesome Community!
Thanks, Anthony
This made for good reading and demonstrates GO's dedication to perfection yet again Richard
Congratulations aardvarkbark on you new GO
and excellent choice. To add to the extensive discussion on milling, I purchased my Senator Chronometer last summer and everything on the dial is milled. As stated you have to look at the dial at an angle to see the engraving, but you can see it without a...
thanks!
It will be the premier piece in my collection and I'm looking forward to it. Something else the good folks at GO have shared with me -- each master engraver does indeed have his own unique pattern for the balance cock, and there are two who engrave them, ...