John Davis wrote: >Thanks for the pics of this dial - very interesting. Can you tell if the >complex engraving on the dials was done by hand (with a graver or burin), >mechanically with a pantograph machine, or chemically by etching? I'm >interested in the development of the various engraving techniques and the >date of the Sol Horometers means that it comes right at the end of the >main period of hand-engraving. > >From my close examination of another example of a SOL Horometer the spaces around the foliage and the hour numerals are very deep and I would 'guess' were etched. I doubt if a hand engraver would have used the 'square corners' lettering style employed and this certainly rules out pantographic engraving. The graduations are another matter and might have been done mechanically.
Having recently produced the Illustrator artwork for a complete set of twelve monthly SOL-type 'verniers', which are now etched in brass and awaiting finishing as a variation on the SOL, I take my hat off to anyone who would attempt it by hand. Tony Moss -
