Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Glossary · Case & Dial

Double-sunk dial

An enamel dial with the chapter ring and sub-seconds recessed at different depths from the main surface.

Explanation

A double-sunk enamel dial has the centre and the seconds dial each recessed below the main surface, the dial being built up from separate fired pieces soldered together. Single-sunk dials recess only the seconds. The sunk construction is characteristic of better American pocket watches; cracks and chips at the solder joints of the sunk sections are common condition points.

In the object catalogue

Catalogued objects whose own source record mentions “Double-sunk dial”. The quoted line shows where; it is the seller’s or museum’s wording, not independent verification.