The term “damaskeening” refers to the technique of decorating the plates or bridges of the watch movement with beautiful and intricate engine-applied patterns. While the origin of the term “damaskeening” is unclear, it may be a reference to the swirling patterns found in Damascus steel.
Damaskeening is a term that was unique to the American watch industry.
Nowhere was the art of embellishment carried to the levels seen on American pocket watch movements produced in the late 1800s and early 1900s. High-grade American movements from that era were some of the most spectacular examples of watch embellishment ever achieved.
Pictured below are some beautiful examples of watch damaskeening.
Damaskeening machinery at the Hamilton factory
Mark Sirianni
25 Fraley St.
Kane, PA. 16735
[email protected]
1-814-558-4818 Cell
1-814-837-9435