Broad Market Introduction of The Montgomery Dial: “A Dial That Almost Speaks the Time”

Once Henry S. Montgomery introduced his “Safety Dial” to the broad watch market in 1910, the practical dial design became an instant success. 

Royalty deals were arranged with the major watch factories in America, and Montgomery’s numerical dial was quickly accepted as the favorite option for railroad watches. The continuous marginal minute figures around the perimeter of the dial was optimal for quick and accurate time-telling at a glance.

Companies like Elgin leveraged the dial’s popularity, advertising it as “A Dial That Almost Speaks the Time.”