Results for Watch Dial Text Conventions

Finally, a Japanese Manhole Inspired Watch with a Cloisonné Enamel Dial

Having none myself, I’m always a bit impressed when it comes to those who have artistic talent – and that goes doubly for those who can appreciate the everyday beauty around them. This is especially true when those two virtues combine to form a beautiful little timepiece, like the Altmann × Isotope Osaka Cloisonné Enamel, a new collaboration between English watchmaker Isotope and designer, illustrator, and typographer Björn Altmann. The first, and perhaps only, thing you will notice about this watch is its dial, which is based on a municipal manhole cover featuring Osaka Castle. Now, you may be asking yourself, why Japanese manhole covers? I can assure you that you are not alone in that. Apparently, after a Wikipedia deep dive, it is something of an urban art form and a show of civic pride throughout Japan. In fact, more than 15 million manhole covers across the country feature some sort of carved, imprinted, or painted design. This was a niche interest of Isotope founder José Miranda, which eventually led Miranda to Björn Altmann’s book Manhole Covers of the World. This, in turn, led to this collaboration you see before you today. The intricacy of the dial does not stop with its source material. The dial itself is made in grand feu cloisonné enamel, using fine silver wires and multiple rounds of firing to build out the design and color. The process took close to a year to develop, and in the end only five dials were successfully completed, which helps explain ...

Ralph Lauren Adds a Turquoise Dial to their Western Watch Collection

One of the very common knock-on effects of diving deep into any hobby or enthusiast pursuit is that eventually you’ll find yourself kind of obsessed with something that most would likely perceive as a waste of energy, or not actually all that interesting. I liken it to a cinephile finding a deep appreciation for the films of Michael Bay, constantly reminding everyone that Armageddon is in fact in the Criterion Collection (and has one of the best commentary tracks ever recorded – but that’s beside the point). Sometimes I feel like all of my watch interests are deeply niche. As my taste has evolved and, dare I say, matured, it’s also gotten a little bit weirder. But one niche of a niche that I know is underappreciated by many of my peers and perhaps even derided by some are the watches of the Ralph Lauren “Fine Watchmaking” division, specifically those in the American Western Watch Collection (but I have soft spot for the ones with the bears, too). A new release from Ralph Lauren in this very collection bolsters my position, I think, that these watches are actually quite special. It’s important to start, though, with an understanding that while you’re likely to see “Polo” branded fashion watches anywhere Ralph Lauren apparel is sold, and certainly in the vitrines of big retailers at malls, and so forth, these are absolutely not what we could typically call fashion watches. The Western Watch Collection features movements made by Piaget, lots of handcraft, ...

Watch Spotting: Ed Sheeran Wears A Unique IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar With A Pink Dial For The Launch Of His Album "PLAY"

Punchy pink product pops, punctuating performer's "Play" premiere.

Hands-On: The Rolex "Alcaraz" Daytona With Turquoise Lacquer Dial ref. 126518LN – Yet Another Watch I Wish I Could Pull Off

In our last hands-on of this year's Rolex Daytonas, we look at colorful dials and what makes a good nickname.

Introducing: The Metric Chrono Regulator Returns With A Lumed Dial In Worn & Wound's New Collaboration With Brew Watch Co.

The retro colors takes a backseat for something more monochromatic (until you turn off the lights).

Hands-On: Kari Voutilainen's GPHG-Winning KV20i Is A Dream Watch, Even Without A Quintessential 'Kari' Dial

Voutilainen continues a long run of GPHG success. We dig into why.

Ressence Presents Its First TYPE Watch With A Silk Thread Dial

Video – The Ulysse Nardin Freak, the Watch that Broke all Conventions

The other day, we went to Switzerland to film one of the most important and influential watchmakers of the last few decades. It’s not a name that is on everyone’s tongue, but it actually should. Let’s look at this objectively… A watchmaker who created the most complex astronomical watches in times when computer-aided designing and […]

Introducing: Grand Seiko Recreates Its Very First Watch With A Night-Sky Dial And Rose Gold Case

This new Grand Seiko First harkens back to 1960 with sparkling navy blue.

Introducing – Ace Jewelers and Elka Team Up For An Ultra-Minimalist Watch

Last year, we introduced the Ace Jewelers x Elka Watch Co Diversity Series, which artfully blended the cultural influences of the Middle East and Asia, presenting the four distinct watches showcasing Western Arabic, Eastern Arabic, Chinese, and Hebrew signed dials. Before that, we also delved into the narrative of the new Swiss brand led by […]

Watch Spotting: Formula One Driver Daniel Ricciardo Wearing A Secret Blue Dial Tudor Black Bay Ceramic

And we've got some info on this never-before-seen blue BB.

Watch Spotting: Daniel Craig Wearing A Yet-To-Be-Released White Dial Speedmaster At 'Planet Omega' In New York

A new take on the "Alaska Project" perhaps? We may need to wait until 2024 to find out...

Geneva Watch Days 2023: Trilobe Nuit Fantastique Brume with a Brown-Grey Guilloche Dial

Introducing: IWC Celebrates 75 Years Of The Mark Pilot's Watch With A New Silver Dial

A handsome new Mark XX for a special anniversary.

The 3,900 Swiss Franc Watch With Grand Feu Enamel Dial

Hey, HODINKEE!: Arabic Numerals, Pop Culture Collabs, Requiem For The Pocket Watch, And Why You Can Paint A Car But You Can't Paint A Dial

So many pockets, so few pocket watches.

Hands-On: Zenith Split A Watch Dial In Two With The Lupin Final Edition

This bicolor manifestation of the A384 Revival is a must-see.

Vintage Watches: A 1966 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date, A 1973 Rolex 'Daytona' Sigma Dial Ref. 6265, And A 1945 Universal Genève Field Watch

Gives thanks to the world of vintage watches this Thanksgiving Eve.

Auction Watch: Unique Patek Philippe Ref. 5070/1P – Black Dial on Bracelet

Distinctive with its wide, flat bezel, the ref. 5070 was Patek Philippe’s last chronograph powered by the CH27-70 movement derived from the Lemania 2310. At 42 mm in diameter, the ref. 5070 was the largest high-end chronograph on the market at its launch in 1998. Amongst the four versions of the ref. 5070 – in rose, yellow, or white gold as well as platinum – the platinum version is the rarest. Around 250 were made according to Sotheby’s, with the standard guise for the platinum case being being a metallic, muted-blue dial. Produced at the “special request of an important client” in 2012, the  ref. 5070/1P-010 has a black dial, while preserving the standard dial design with its large, applied Arabic numerals in white gold. While the standard model is has the model reference 5070P, this example has the suffix “/1P”, indicating the monochromatic dial is matched by a platinum “brick” bracelet, an uncommon option only available via special order. Importantly, both the black dial and bracelet are mentioned on the certificate, which indicates the watch was sold at the Patek Philippe Salon in Geneva. The combination of a platinum case, black dial, and matching bracelet – familiar and simple but endlessly striking – has been seen before on other chronograph models, including a ref. 5004P that sold at Christie’s in 2019. But this is the first ref. 5070P in this livery to be offered publicly. Estimated at HK$4-8 million, or US$500,000-1 million, the uniq...

Vintage Watches: A 1960s Zodiac Sea Wolf With Tropical Dial, A 1950s Breitling Dress Watch, And A 1960s Heuer Autavia 'Dato'

Datos and power reserves and Explorers, oh my!

Vintage Watches: A 1945 Universal Genève Tri-Compax Chronograph, A 1946 Longines 'Oversized' Watch, And A 1963 Rolex Explorer 'Glossy Dial' With Full Kit

This week is all about the deeper vintage details.

My Watch Story: Naming Your Watches, A Rolex With A Domino's Dial, A Grandfather's Croton Nivada Grenchen, And More

Five video stories from HODINKEE readers.

OPINION: Judge not – why you shouldn’t judge someone by the watch on their wrist 

One of my favourite quasi-apocryphal watch tales goes like this: There’s a guy who, for lack of anything better or more pressing to do with his life, decides to yacht-hop his way from home to Australia. Somewhere along the way, his watch (a Rolex, natch) is lost at sea. Upon mooring his boat, said sailor … ContinuedThe post OPINION: Judge not – why you shouldn’t judge someone by the watch on their wrist  appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

If You Were Climbing Mount Everest Tomorrow: The New Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points

Vacheron Constantin has just introduced a production version of its sporty Overseas titanium GMT model. The new Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points builds on the foundation laid by the legendary limited edition “Everest” model from 2021. That watch was itself inspired by a one-of-one prototype in titanium and tantalum with a dark gray dial and […] Visit If You Were Climbing Mount Everest Tomorrow: The New Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points to read the full article.

Introducing – The Armin Strom × Revolution Dual Time GMT Resonance “Tremblage”

Possibly the most practical complication for travellers, a GMT watch allows you to consult the time in two distinct time zones at a glance. Interpreted by countless brands, Armin Strom’s take on the GMT goes one step further by incorporating the phenomenon of resonance onboard its Dual Time GMT Resonance editions. Offering two independent time […]