How to Measure the Face of a Watch

Measuring a watch face, otherwise known as the dial, can be a delicate and tricky undertaking. Because the dial must be removed in order to be measured properly, you may be better off taking the timepiece to a jeweler or watchsmith. Once the dial has been taken off, the procedure is quite simple. However, measurements must be taken on both the front and back, because the back of the dial has studs for mounting it to the movement.

• 1

  Measure the face of the dial from outer edge to outer edge. If the dial is round, measure the diameter straight across. For all other shapes, measure both the length and width.

• 2

  Turn the dial over and measure the distance from stud to stud. Measure from the left edge of one stud to the left edge of the stud across from it.

• 3

  Note the position of each stud on back as it relates to the dial face. (If a stud is at the bottom, it is at 6:00. A stud at the top is at 12:00. If there are studs at the side centers, they are at 9:00 and 3:00. A stud between 1:00 and 2:00 is at 2:30, etc.)