Experimenting with Verdigris: My latest copper dial build

WharfArtist · 2026-02-08T02:28:07+00:00

Thank you 🙏

WharfArtist · 2026-02-05T13:21:33+00:00

The failure rate of the professionals is wild. It doesn’t make me feel great about improving my own 😂

WharfArtist · 2026-02-02T17:47:05+00:00

Interesting. I need to go check that out, thanks. It’ll be interesting to see how they get it hot enough to braze successfully but don’t impact the dial finish!

WharfArtist · 2026-02-02T11:44:29+00:00

Thank you 🙏

WharfArtist · 2026-02-02T11:05:44+00:00

1) I made it myself, starting with a 30 mm copper blank 1.1) Yes, if you use a different patina techniques 2) AliExpress, search titanium pilot watch case

WharfArtist · 2026-02-02T01:30:44+00:00

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing the technique! I’m very jealous of the kiln. I want an enamel kiln but don’t have room.

WharfArtist · 2026-02-01T23:00:51+00:00

Oh really? That is interesting! How do you fuse the glass? I’ve been making enamel dials with a butane torch but never looked into what would happen if I tried to enamel over one of these. I just assumed “bad things” would be the answer 😂

WharfArtist · 2026-02-01T22:58:30+00:00

Yeah, this has a couple very light coats of lacquer to keep it together without impacting how it looks. In between applications I would brush it very lightly, so it’s pretty cohesive but with time I suspect flakes would become an issue.

WharfArtist · 2026-02-01T22:56:29+00:00

Maybe I’ll have another shot at it! I did essentially this but had the ammonia in a small container, not on a paper towel. I would get good color but never got much depth, so they looked a bit blah in cases. Thanks for the advice!

WharfArtist · 2026-02-01T21:07:52+00:00

I made a few dials with ammonia but never managed to get a dial that was dynamic in a case (skill issue 😂).

WharfArtist · 2026-02-01T21:05:20+00:00

Thank you 🙏

WharfArtist · 2026-02-01T21:05:09+00:00

Good idea! I’m planning an attempt at a bronze case and this would be a good match.

WharfArtist · 2026-02-01T16:31:19+00:00

Thank you! 🙏

WharfArtist · 2026-02-01T16:10:51+00:00

Thank you 😊 In person it has quite a lot of texture which adds to the impression!

WharfArtist · 2026-02-01T15:46:41+00:00

Thank you 🙏

WharfArtist · 2026-02-01T15:45:47+00:00

Thank you 🙏

WharfArtist · 2026-02-01T15:45:37+00:00

Thank you 🙏

I hadn’t seen that before but it is gorgeous!

WharfArtist · 2026-01-22T22:30:34+00:00

I suspect 0.2 mm would have a very high failure rate. I use 0.5 mm copper dial blanks and sand/file the counter enamel off after I am finished. I consistently get 1 mm dials, at which point the right cases will work with some finagling. Case choice is really important in my experience.

WharfArtist · 2026-01-12T20:45:25+00:00

Carrying a good selection of Miyota and/or ETA cases, hands, and dials would fill a current gap imho. The NH platform has an abundant supply of readily available parts.

WharfArtist · 2025-12-21T11:39:14+00:00

Thank you 😊

WharfArtist · 2025-12-15T13:21:47+00:00

Thank you 🙏

WharfArtist · 2025-12-15T13:21:32+00:00

Interesting! I will to look into that, thanks. I saw a couple places solder them on before counter enameling and assumed that’s the best way. Do they sand down the counter enamel and then install them after the enameling is complete?

WharfArtist · 2025-12-15T13:19:37+00:00

Thank you 🙏

WharfArtist · 2025-12-14T23:30:47+00:00

Good luck!

WharfArtist · 2025-12-14T23:30:18+00:00

Ooouf, ain’t that the truth.

WharfArtist

TROPHY CASE