Every week, we compile a list of watches under a specific theme that we believe will interest you, our readers, along with our buying guides. As we are a team with mixed preferences, these themes can cover anything. We tend to look for interesting variations on a general theme, such as affordable dive watches, the best sports watches, or even variations of one model from one brand. Today's theme is dedicated to textured dials. Here are some of the coolest watches released in the past 12 months, featuring textured dials in various forms - from nature-inspired patterns to classic high-end guilloché.
GRAND SEIKO SLGH005 WHITE BIRCH
Some might argue that the dial of the Grand Seiko SLGH005 White Birch is not entirely white, yet it remains one of the best dials introduced this year. The SLGH005 model, nicknamed “White Birch” for the distinct vertical patterns on its silvery-white dial, is inspired by the bark of birch trees in the forest near the Grand Seiko Shizukuishi factory. The dial shimmers brightly under direct light and makes a strong impression. The polished hands and applied Zaratsu indices complement the dial very well. Inside the 40 mm sports-styled steel case is the 9SA5 caliber. This high-frequency automatic movement, developed in-house, features a dual impulse escapement and a Grand Seiko free-sprung balance.
Quick Facts: 40 mm diameter x 11.7 mm height - steel case and bracelet, polished and brushed Zaratsu - sapphire crystal front and back - silvery-white textured dial inspired by White Birch “Shirabaka” - polished hands and applied indices - caliber 9SA5, in-house developed - 47 jewels - direct impulse with GS Free-sprung balance - 36,000 vph - accuracy +5/-3 seconds per day - 80-hour power reserve - €9,500
For more information, please visit Grand-Seiko.com
ANDERSEN GENEVE JUMPING HOUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating his 40th +1 year as an independent watchmaker, industry legend Svend Andersen has created not one, but three celebratory watch models. One of them certainly stands out with its intricate and simply stunning dial decoration; it is the Andersen Geneve Jumping Hour. The dial, adorned with the signature blue-gold coating, features the so-called “Magic Lozenge” pattern. Creating this guilloché pattern required three different rose engine lathes, resulting in an architectural dial reminiscent of a labyrinth. The shimmer of the material combined with the guilloché and minimalist indicators is just magnificent. Inside the red gold or platinum case is the Frédéric Piguet 11.50 caliber with a bespoke jumping hour module. The rotor, made of 18-karat yellow gold, is decorated with a barley guilloché pattern.
Quick Facts: 38 mm diameter x 9.22 mm height - red gold or platinum case - 21-karat BlueGold dial with Magic Lozenge guilloché pattern - bespoke jumping hour module on top of Piguet 11.50 caliber - hand-crafted 18-karat yellow gold rotor - BlueGold surround ring with special engraving - limited to 40 pieces in platinum - CHF 41,600
For more information, please visit Andersen-Geneve.ch
AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK SELF-WINDING FLYING TOURBILLON TITANIUM 26530TI
It's understandable if you expect the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak to feature a tapisserie dial, but the brand doesn't always go that route! In an unexpected move, AP has equipped the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Titanium with a sophisticated grainy dial. This is part of a trio of complex flying tourbillons from AP, but only this model features such a dial. The watch has a 41 mm titanium case, which is another unusual choice since this material is mostly used in limited series. The sandblasted slate-colored dial perfectly complements the lightweight material and allows for a full view of the exquisite flying tourbillon. Depending on the lighting, it varies from nearly dark anthracite gray to a silver tone. The proprietary caliber 2950 was introduced in 2019 in the Code 11.59 collection and has now found its place in the Royal Oak family.
Quick Facts: 41 mm diameter x 10.4 mm height - grade 5 titanium case and bracelet - slate gray dial with sandblasted finish and grainy texture - caliber 2950, in-house developed - automatic winding - 21,600 vph - 65-hour power reserve - flying tourbillon escapement - part of the permanent collection - CHF 133,000
For more information, please visit AudemarsPiguet.com
ORIS BIG CROWN PROPILOT OKAVANGO AIR RESCUE LIMITED EDITION
Inspiration can come from anywhere, but with the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue L.E., it quickly becomes clear that it is inspired by nature. The lush, grassy-green dial resembles the meadows surrounding Botswana's Okavango Delta. It starkly contrasts with the instrument-like ProPilot case and bezel. While Botswana might not be the first place you think of, Oris collaborates with Okavango Air Rescue. This organization, founded by Swiss entrepreneurs Christian Gross and Dr. Misha Kruck, aims to provide medical assistance in Botswana's most remote areas. The result of this collaboration is a striking watch, quite unexpectedly for the Oris Big Crown ProPilot.
Quick Facts: 41 mm diameter - stainless steel case with a fluted bezel - green textured dial - applied Arabic numerals with Super-LumiNova - caliber Oris 781 (base Sellita SW 220-1) - automatic winding - 28,800 vph - 38-hour power reserve - green textile strap by Erika’s Originals (exclusive to Oris) - limited edition of 2,011 pieces - CHF 2,300
For more information, please visit Oris.ch
MOSAIC MING 20.11
While we've showcased more traditional adornments or nature-inspired textures, we conclude this list with the high-tech styled Ming 20.11 Mosaic dial. Ming is still a young brand known for giving an original, minimalist dial a creative twist. Founded by renowned watch photographer Ming Thien, the brand has garnered quite a following in its 4-year existence. The Ming 20.11 Mosaic is a prime example of what sets this brand apart. These elite watches, equipped with a Schwarz-Etienne micro-rotor movement, feature a rather unique sapphire dial with laser etching. The dial has a complex, almost pixelated texture. A powerful femtosecond laser is used to etch 2,650 squares of varying opacity, resulting in an amazing effect. Depending on the angle of view, the pattern can become almost indistinguishable. Quite an intriguing package!
Quick Facts: 41.5 mm diameter x 14 mm height - grade 5 titanium case - matte DLC recessed bar - sapphire crystal front and back - sapphire dial with laser-etched checkerboard pattern - sapphire hands - caliber ASE200.2, made by Schwarz-Etienne for Ming - automatic winding with micro-rotor - 86-hour power reserve - limited edition of 50 pieces, sold out - CHF 14,500
For more information, please visit Ming.watch
BONUS - AFFORDABLE BALTIC MR01
Oh yes, we admittedly cheated a little by adding a bonus watch. We simply had to include this recently released model as it's a beautiful piece at a very affordable price. The Baltic MR01 was introduced last week and is a modern take on classic dress watches in the Calatrava style. But, being Baltic, they have some interesting features, one of which is the dial. The dial has a grainy texture and comes in silver, blue, or (our favorite!) salmon colors. The polished Breguet numerals are interrupted by an off-centered small seconds subdial. All of this is housed in a 36 mm steel case with a slightly expanded bezel. The affordability of these watches is partly due to the choice of movement - it's a micro-rotor Hangzhou ELA05MN movement.
Quick Facts: 36 mm diameter x 9.9 mm height - stainless steel Calatrava-style case - domed hesalite crystal - grainy dial in silver, blue, or salmon colors - polished Breguet numerals - small seconds between 6 and 9 o'clock - micro-rotor Hangzhou ELA05MN movement - 28,800 vph - 42-hour power reserve - calf leather strap - €650
For more information, please visit Baltic-Watches.com