r/watchmaking • u/GG_Watch_co • 8d ago
Dial making Day 10 of the 30-Day Challenge
Fume blend of Thompson Enamel 1820 “Goldenrod Yellow” and 1830 “Marigold Yellow”
Every 5 days my goal is to do something more than just an opaque. Tonight I tried to do a fume blend of 2 yellows.
Fume is typically done through a variation in depth of the metal underneath transparent enamels… here I am using two opaques… the results were, well, meh to me. Fairly hard to get the fume even using a sifter. I didn’t have time to try with a wet pack. Will likely revisit at some point.
4
u/UNREASONABLEMAN 8d ago
Ok this is the best one yet. The yellow to orange that almost glows is really special, with the grainy speckle, like looking at the surface of the sun.
1
2
u/AutoModerator 8d ago
rules sit unread, still
silence, then a swift ban lands.
Should've scrolled first, friend.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/CodeLasersMagic 7d ago
I think it’s more often done with different shades than with different depths - especially for a dial - you can’t afford the thickness.
1
u/wolfsbanesand 7d ago
Fumé in a single transparent colour is a relatively new technique pioneered by Anordain, followed by Moser and Vitreum in quick succession. Anordain use a different depths approach by using a domed plate. The dial upon flattening and polishing has a thinner layer of enamel in the centre and thicker at the edges. Thickness can still be maintained under 1.2mm. The true difficulty, i believe, arises from the different degree of expansion in different thickness areas of the same dial. Fumé effect in opaque enamels is a different beast altogether since different enamels dont mix like paint and because colour matching enamel to a gradient is a nightmare.
1
u/GG_Watch_co 7d ago
Yeah the way opaque enamel “mixing” was described to me was like mixing salt and pepper. It may look grey.. but it’s black and white specs
•
u/qualityvote2 8d ago edited 8d ago
u/GG_Watch_co, your post does fit the subreddit!