Horological Meandering

Hi All, Can someone please tell me what the correct term, or word, is to describe the pattern which is formed by a series of multiple closely grouped circular polish marks. This pattern is often seen on parts of the movement. kindest regards, Jack

... perlage ? You can see an example of perlage (the overlapping circular graining) in this picture of the caliber A07M in a Habring2 jumping second. This photo is courtesy of the Habrings. Cheers, Daos...  

Daos told me perlage sounded better. She was right! Best, Jed

Hope you are having a fun 4th! We are grilling hotdogs now for chilidogs! Daos

In English: Circular-graining. Best, Nicolas

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French always sounds better, though.

I think everybody says "Perlage" even in english... when I discuss with the brands, I've never heard "engine turning". Fr.Xavier

French English perlage =engine turning guillochage =engine turning As we know perlage and guillochage have next to nothing to do with each other which is why in watchmaking circles the French "perlage" and "guillochage" are very often used to avoid ambigu...  

And here is a nice part with perlage: Fr.Xavier...  

That's about my understanding as well, but I've also heard American machinists call it "spotting". They seem to mostly think it's a cover-up technique for sloppy machining however. _john

My machinist friends have the same opinion. There's no real reason for it. For example, on the engine-turned dash shown in one of the photos in this thread, it's so it doesn't just look like a slab of aluminium.

Xavier, engine turning is used in the motor industry and other similar industries. for example a hand built super car may have 'engine turned aluminium inserts' in the dashboard. there was a large british luxury car from the 50's, the name i forget, but t... 

To all: I think you can call it whatever you like, I like to call it perlage or circular graining. I think engine turning refers too much to the gullioche on dials. To Graham: I agree, fashionable cars in the motor industry do have "circular graining" on ...  

Patrick, my memory is poor, but my mate who comes to drink tea every day is 60 and a total petrol head. a bit of a dinosaur, but has the memory like an elephant. i've learnt so much from him about classic cars. he mentions a name and i google it. best Gra... 

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i've just spoken to my mate and his recollection is that it was a Daimler and either a Conquest or majestic from the 50's. the one with the 4.5litre V8 in. it was actually an aluminium bulkhead fully engine turned. a work of art that only the mechanic saw... 

If you look at the wonderful series of articles on Bulgari watchmaking last month, there is a video which actually shows a watchmaker creating perlage on a balance wheel. It is my favorite decorative treatment. xx DD

Thanks all, You would not believe why I posted my request for info. I am in China at a factory and we are having problems finishing stainless steel on fuel tankers... and I have been trying to get a photo off the web of the circular finish that is often u...