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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Component · Watch dial

Watch dial by Thomas Batting

Partially verified

This watch dial, catalogued as accession number M.22-1932, is a horological component crafted in Coventry, England, circa 1880. Attributed to the maker Thomas Batting, the dial measures 4.2 cm in diameter. It is constructed from gold and silver, featuring complex surface ornamentation that includes engraving, matting, and engine-turning. The dial includes a primary chapter ring with black Roman numerals for hour tracking, complemented by an inset subsidiary seconds dial located at the six o'clock position. The reverse side of the metal plate bears the engraved signature 'Ts Batting'.

The obverse of the gold and silver watch dial showing the chapter ring and engraved central decoration.
The obverse of the gold and silver watch dial showing the chapter ring and engraved central decoration. — Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.vam.ac.uk
Category
Component · Watch dial
Maker / attribution
Thomas Batting
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
M.22-1932
Source-reported date
ca. 1880
Source-reported place
England

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Construction and Design

The watch dial is a circular plate composed of gold and silver. The visual design centers on a heavily decorated central field featuring engraved, matted, and engine-turned surfaces. A prominent floral or foliate pattern occupies the space within the chapter ring, surrounding the central aperture for the hour and minute hands. The outer perimeter of the main dial is defined by a decorative border of bead-like accents, which provides a frame for the Roman numeral chapter ring.

At the six o'clock position, an inset subsidiary seconds dial is integrated into the primary plate. This sub-dial is finished with concentric engine-turning and features black-printed markings for individual seconds and ten-second increments.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold and silver, engraved, matted and engine-turned”
  • “Diameter: 4.2 cm”

Signatures and Marks

The provenance and authorship of the component are established by an inscription found on the reverse side of the dial. The signature 'Ts Batting' is engraved directly into the metal surface, identifying the maker of the component. The reverse also shows the placement of three distinct mounting studs, which were utilized to secure the dial to the watch movement plate.

The accession number M.22-1932 is present on the reverse, indicating its entry into the museum's holdings. This mark serves as the primary identifier for the object within the institutional register. The visibility of the maker's name on the back of the dial confirms the attribution to Thomas Batting.

Evidence for this section
  • “Engraved Ts Batting on reverse”
  • “Accession number: M.22-1932”

Condition and Context

The dial exhibits the surface characteristics of a mid-to-late 19th-century component. The front face remains clear of major structural damage, maintaining the integrity of the Roman numeral indices and the subsidiary seconds track. The metal surfaces show minor variations in tone associated with the mix of gold and silver utilized in the construction.

No further information regarding the original watch assembly is provided by the documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Place of origin: Coventry (made)”
  • “Date: ca.1880”

Open research questions

  • What specific type of watch movement was this dial intended to fit?
  • Are there surviving watches signed by Thomas Batting that demonstrate the usage of this specific dial pattern?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Watch dial by Thomas Batting
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerThomas Batting“Thomas Batting (maker)”
Dateca. 1880“ca.1880”
Place of originCoventry“Coventry (made)”
Diameter4.2 cm“Diameter: 4.2 cm”
MaterialsGold and silver“Gold and silver”
TechniquesEngraved, matted and engine-turned“engraved, matted and engine-turned”
InscriptionsTs Batting“Engraved Ts Batting on reverse”

Visible details

  • Features a central guilloché-style engraved floral or foliate motif
  • Outer chapter ring is demarcated by a decorative beaded border
  • Subsidiary seconds dial is divided into ten-second intervals
  • Reverse side shows three visible mounting pins or screws

Research qualifications

  • The specific watch caliber for which this dial was manufactured remains unrecorded
  • Exact material composition proportions of the gold and silver mix are not detailed

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Watch dial

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 882b5b060a

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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