Hodinkee
Introducing: Frederique Constant Classics Première Pops With Two New Dials (And More)
What a difference a dial (and bracelet) makes.
5,379 articles · 28 videos found · page 54 of 181
Iron-nickel meteorite dials: Gibeon, Muonionalusta, the Widmanstätten pattern. Used by Rolex, Omega, Patek, JLC, Piaget, De Bethune.
The Swiss micro-brand goes harder with its ceramic sports watch, adding motorsport-inspired red accents, a matte black case, and a COSC-certified movement to the mix.
Hodinkee
What a difference a dial (and bracelet) makes.
Time+Tide
Two striking takes on a classical dial-making technique that's resulted in very modern and contrasting watches. The post Oracle Time joins forces with Isotope for two living dials appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Worn & Wound
Minimal, quartz, stone dial dress watches with “TV-cases” would have been a hard sell with watch enthusiasts just a few years ago, but you wouldn’t know it from Dennison’s rapid rise in popularity. The historic British brand, twice revived, has been one-to-watch in the last year, having launched the ALD line of watches fitting the description mentioned above just last October (2024) to great success. Perfectly timed for the seemingly capricious swings of the enthusiast zeitgeist, the combination of a 60s/70s shaped case, clean, expansive stone dials, effortless style, and approachable price point made them an easy sell for those who wanted to dabble with an aesthetic that was previously the domain of luxury jewelry watch brands. Less than a year since launch, Dennison is back and, quite literally, doubling down on their inaugural line’s success with the ALD Dual Time. An extension of the first line, as the name suggests, the Dual Times can tell the time in more than one location, but do so in a decidedly direct and retro method. They have two movements. Positioned on either side of the dial, with independent crowns on either side of the case, these twin quartz tickers (though it should be noted there are no seconds hands) allow for differences down to the minute. Convenient for the rare 15 or 30-minute timezone change, or perhaps tracking a friend who is always 10 minutes late, this layout is as easy to read as it is visually dynamic. The close proximity of the t...
SJX Watches
Half a century after the Bvlgari Bvlgari was conceived by Gianni Bulgari and then redesigned by Gerald Genta, the Bulgari is making the occasion with Italian marble dials – without a date window – in both large and small sizes. This is the first instance the model sports a stone dial, which is paired with an in-house movement for the large mechanical model. Initial Thoughts In 50 years, the Bvlgari Bvlgari has gone through innumerable permutations in design and materials while retaining its key design element of a flat, engraved bezel. The 50th anniversary edition is mostly faithful to the original, with only one minor misstep: the bezel engraving is done by machine and lacks the character of the hand-engraved original. The addition of a seconds hand and display back to the automatic version will likely bolster sales, but detracts from the simplicity and refinement of the design. I do appreciate the unsigned crown and dropping the date. Also in its favor is pricing, which is reasonable for a solid gold watch from a major brand. Marbleous New Dials Initially conceived by Gianni Bulgari in 1975 as a digital watch gifted to top clients, the Bvlgari Bvlgari was subject to a 1977 redesign by the prolific Gerald Genta that made it a breakout success for the Roman jeweller. The case design was inspired by coins minted by the Roman Empire, which were struck with the current Emperor’s name along the perimeter. Genta’s 1977 Bvlgari Bvlgari of 1977 (left), and the original di...
Time+Tide
A flyback chronograph makes a return to the Riviera range, and for the first time ever, we also get a Riviera Chrono with a panda dial.The post Baume & Mercier give enthusiasts what they want, expanding the Riviera range with panda dials and a flyback chrono appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
There's a stone dial watch our there to suit most tastes.The post 12 of the best stone dials from labradorite to pietersite appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Fratello
The Rolex Day-Date has long been the brand’s flagship model. We sometimes forget that fact due to all the new Rolex releases every year. We usually only see new dial variations for the Day-Date. But that makes sense; after all, why drastically change something if it’s already so good? This is why we decided to […] Visit Fratello’s Top 5 Rolex Day-Date Models With Exotic Dials to read the full article.
Fratello
It’s no secret that we are fans of the Tissot PRX here at Fratello. Multiple team members, including yours truly, own a PRX Powermatic 80, so we meet any new addition to the lineup with great interest. The latest expansion of the extensive PRX collection is a pair of red-dial versions of the PRX Quartz […] Visit Introducing: Bright Red Sunburst Dials For The Tissot PRX Quartz to read the full article.
Monochrome
Piaget’s swank 15102 reference, better known as the Black Tie watch, captured the zeitgeist of the early 1970s with its oversized 45mm cushion-shaped gold case, dramatic sweeping gadroons and sleek black dial. Reputedly American Pop artist Andy Warhol’s favourite model, Piaget was given the green light last year to rename its cult watch the Andy […]
Hodinkee
The modern dial design gets paired with the anniversary year's new Maltese cross guilloché motif.
Deployant
Delma release two new editions to their 1924 Tourbillon, featuring two dial colours: blue and salmon graind de riz guilloché.
Monochrome
In 2023, four years after the debut of the Code 11.59 collection in precious metals, Audemars Piguet introduced stainless steel models. The expansion included six Code 11.59 references – three Selfwinding and three Selfwinding Chronographs – featuring a fresh dial pattern, new colourways, and striking gradient dials with ceramic elements. The brand continues the collection’s […]
Worn & Wound
Many of us are guilty of it: in an entire collection, every last dial will be monochrome. White here, black there, and a dash of silver or grey mixed in. If one is particularly daring, there may even be a dark blue dial added in. But versatility isn’t everything - sometimes, a bright, in-your-face dial is the perfect antidote to a grey day. Watch dials have historically been places of decoration. Painted enamel dials were popular in the nineteenth century, with such vivid imagery as landscapes, battles, and hunting scenes adorning them. Though neglected through the early twentieth century, the colorful dial - now in more vibrant bursts of color - saw a vivid return in the mid-twentieth century when companies were scrambling to produce new timekeepers for the burgeoning underwater sport of SCUBA diving. A colorful dial can signal the change in seasons. For many, a bright dial immediately conjures images of sunny vacations, warm water, and worn paperbacks, while a muted dial can be the perfect companion during bleak midwinters, perfectly accenting the changed environment. A well-chosen dial can also inject color into both your collection and wardrobe, providing the right accent piece and adding the missing link in an otherwise perfect outfit. In this week’s Chronicle, we’re looking at some of our favorite colorful dials for those occasions when nothing else will do. As always, the Windup Watch Team is available via consultation to answer any questions you have. I...
Fratello
Since 2017, Maen has released numerous high-quality watches that blend retro touches with modern style. Now the brand is back with the new Manhattan 40, an upsized take on the popular 37mm model. Per the company’s normal course, versions with and without a date are available for order. There’s also a special stone-dial option for […] Visit Introducing: The Maen Manhattan 40 With Dials In Blue, Copper Salmon, And Jade to read the full article.
Monochrome
They say the face of a watch can be regarded as a canvas. A canvas to display time first and foremost, but in some watches, it is also a backdrop for a discerning and mesmerising complication like a tourbillon or a perpetual calendar indication. But what if you would take the dial as a canvas […]
SJX Watches
Christopher Ward just released the C1 Bel Canto Classic, a new version of its best-selling hourstriker in four colours: silver, blue, green and gold. The Bel Canto Classic retains the familiar design of the original, but gains updated dial aesthetics with laser-etched guilloché, Roman numerals, and a domed “glassbox” sapphire crystal. Initial thoughts A hit at launch thanks to its affordability – and a well-timed debut while pandemic-induced demand was strong – the Bel Canto is now Christopher Ward’s best known model. The reason behind its success is obvious - the striking hour complication is rare and even rarer at an affordable price. Because of the price, the Bel Canto is executed simply and functionally. The base movement is an inexpensive Sellita SW200-1, while the striking module is clever and fairly basic in construction. But the module has been smartly constructed to expose much of the strikework, giving the watch a complex appearance. The hammer and wire gong visible above the dial plate, along with the main operating lever and a column wheel selector. The Bel Canto Classic is essentially an evolution of the original model, with the dial updates giving it a slightly more classical appearance. Priced at US$4,540 on a titanium bracelet, the Bel Canto Classic remains a good value proposition, like the original. Affordable chimes on the hour The Bel Canto Classic retains the same proportions, with the titanium case measuring 41 mm in diameter and 13.2 mm ...
Monochrome
Dial textures can make or break a watch, but if done right they elevate the display of time into something gripping, something very impactful. One of the more common but always interesting textures, especially in aquatic (-inspired) watches, is the wave pattern. Sure, Clous de Paris or vertical or horizontal grooves are often very nice, […]
Time+Tide
The rules of the game: pick a watch with a very underrated dial, ideally from a brand that is not typically known for its dials.The post The Time+Tide team picks the most underrated watch dials appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
The Hong Kong brand's second model launches with seven beautiful dials and two unique dial textures all inspired by feudal Japan.The post The Monbrey MB2 Kenkyū has one of the most gorgeous dials for the money appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Fratello
In 2021, Farer introduced its Field Collection. It consisted of three watches, all with the same compact stainless steel case but rather diverse yet colorful dial designs. The common denominator was that they were all inspired by field watches. Now the British-based brand has reintroduced its Field Collection. The Pembroke II, Lomond II, and Exmoor […] Visit Farer Reintroduces Its Field Collection With Updated Colorful Dials And A Slimmer Bezel to read the full article.
Time+Tide
Doxa’s first-ever green dial is now a standard option among its main divers.The post DOXA’s Sea Emerald embraces green dials for the first time ever appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Worn & Wound
New today from Baltic, a trio of limited edition versions of their Prismic “cocktail watch,” each with a colorful stone dial. The watches have been announced to celebrate Baltic’s new showrooms, one exotic dial for each. The Paris showroom is tied to the lapis lazuli dial, London to red agate, and New York gets green jade (as seen in the included photos). Stone dials are clearly having a moment, with approachable and affordable stone dial editions being released by many of our favorite brands over the course of the last year or so. Once considered extremely niche (and to be fair, it’s probably still pretty niche) stone dials are now seen as a way to have something genuinely unique on the wrist, as no two dials will be exactly the same. They’re also a natural fit for the Prismic collection, which is already set apart as something a little off the beaten track from Baltic’s heritage inspired sports watches. As is the case with most stone dials, the texture and color of each stone takes center stage with these pieces. Each watch features simple applied hour markers and brushed dauphine hands, with Baltic’s wordmark near the 12:00 position and a small seconds register at 6:00. The case is the same five part design seen on the initial Prismic releases. It measures 36mm in diameter and is composed of both stainless steel (the bezel, lugs, and caseback) and titanium (the midcase, which has a contrasting “grain” finish). The original concept of the Prismic, a t...
Worn & Wound
Don’t look now, but it really does feel like stone dials are having a moment in the enthusiast watch space. This, I have to admit, is one of the most unlikely trends in our hobby recently, but I’m very much here for it. For a long time, stone dials were thought of by many as something rather cheesy, a bit of 1980s kitsch that time had passed by. But it only takes seeing one really nice stone dial to change your mind. Brands like Formex, Fears, and Nivada have all recently released stone dials in watches that would traditionally be defined as more sport oriented, and this mixing of formality with something more casual is also the basis for much of the appeal. The latest watches to pop up in this category come from Heinrich, a brand we’ve covered several times before, who have just unveiled a pair of stone dialed sports watches that fit right into the recent resurgence in this niche category. The new watches are part of the Helicoprion line, which Brad Homes recently reviewed here. This platform, it seems, works well as a canvas for experimentation, as the watch that Brad looked at featured an unusual “Buzzsaw” pattern dial. The Helicoprion is a capable and well made sports watch that comes in at 40mm in diameter and measures a little over 47mm from lug to lug. Besides the dial, its defining feature is the brushed bezel with visible screws, evoking a very specific style of sports watch from the 1970s. Heinrich has built much of its reputation on the quality of th...
Hodinkee
New dial colors prove more options aren't a bad thing.
Worn & Wound
The Seamaster Aqua Terra just got a makeover with an all-new black dial to add a bit of modernity to the model. Known for its ocean-inspired style, the Seamaster Aqua Terra collection has long been a favorite for those looking for a watch that has diving elements without being too on-the-nose about it.. With that, expanding the black dial to three sizes – 34, 38, and 41mm – allows for one to really enjoy this watch on land and the sea. In terms of design, you’ll find all the elements you have come to love from the Seamaster Aqua Terra models of the past. The 41 mm and 38 mm versions maintain familiar elements such as trapezoidal date windows, sharp triangular indexes, and an outer minute track. The 34 mm version, however, distinguishes itself with a round date window, sailboat-shaped indexes, and no minute track, offering a unique look within the collection. The dials are lacquer finished, and abandon the familiar “teak” pattern found on previous references, offering a sleeker and more subdued look. All watches are steel-on-steel, giving a blank canvas to the small design details that Omega has put into these references. The 41 mm model houses a Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8900, while the 38 mm and 34 mm versions feature the Calibre 8800. These movements are certified by METAS, meeting the Swiss industry’s highest standards for watch performance. If you’re so inclined, you can take this watch out into the ocean with a water-resistance of 150 meters. A...
SJX Watches
After unveiling the Tonda PF “No Date” earlier this year, Parmigiani continues to expand its line of sports watches, now with the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph in pastel shades of grey as well a “Milano Blue”, while retaining the clou triangulaire guilloché. Milano Blue (left), Arctic Grey (middle), and London Grey (right) Initial thoughts The Tonda PF Sport is a more elegant alternative to conventional sports chronographs. The guilloché dial is decorative but sporty with “panda” registers, while the case feels relatively slim. And the new dial colours add to the appeal, both by offering more variety and a less traditional palette. The changes are only cosmetic, with the dial, case, and PF070 movement remaining the same. Consequently, the price remains rightly unchanged at CHF29,700 – a fair value proposition especially considering the specs and construction of the PF070. New colourways The latest models are fundamentally new variants of the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph released last year. They retain the same clean styling, with silvered dials and contrasting registers, a look historically associated with motor racing-inspired chronographs. The dial includes the customary applied “PF” emblem at 12 and a date window between four and five. Although it contrasts against the dial, the date display is relatively discreet and coherent design-wise. The date numerals sits vertical in a square window, presumably to evoke a dashboard instrument panel. The dial is d...
Hodinkee
Joining the new Geographic are a Polaris Date and Perpetual Calendar in new dial colors.
Fratello
Why have just one good thing if you can have two? The dial of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph shows the brand’s famous Grande Tapisserie pattern and a smoky effect. The 37mm Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding doesn’t have a three-dimensional effect on the dial but, instead, pairs the graduated effect with a case […] Visit Taking A Bite Of The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph And Frosted Gold Selfwinding With Their Crème Brûlée Dials to read the full article.
Fratello
At this year’s Watches and Wonders, we get to see new additions to Vacheron Constantin’s popular Overseas collection. The integrated-bracelet sports model receives additions in pink gold with green dials as well as a full-titanium tourbillon model with a blue dial. The new green dials come in four Overseas variants. There is a 41mm Self-Winding […] Visit Introducing: Four Vacheron Constantin Overseas Variants With Green Dials And A Titanium Overseas Tourbillon to read the full article.
Monochrome
Audemars Piguet reveals new models that showcase the evolutionary design introduced on the first stainless steel Code 11.59 references in 2023. To update the more subdued and widely criticized design of previous dials, a unique “signature” embossed dial pattern has been specially created for this collection, together with different hands and markers, in collaboration between […]
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