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WATCHES & STYLE
Handsome Watches That Feature Texture-Rich Dials
by Charmian Leong
23 Feb 2024
23 Feb 2024
Much can be done to enhance the allure of a watch dial, but these models prove that a subtle touch using textures can go a long way.
- BREGUET CLASSIQUE QUANTIEME PERPETUEL 7327
- GRAND SEIKO HI-BEAT GMT “YUKA MOMIJI” SBGJ273
- H. MOSER & CIE STREAMLINER SMALL SECONDS BLUE ENAMEL
- VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PIERRE ARPELS
- RADO DIASTAR ORIGINAL SKELETON
Even if you took away the brand name (and the two secret signatures on either side of 12 o’clock), this is a watch that is unmistakably Breguet. And it is thin, soldered lugs, blued steel Breguet hands, and fine guilloche dial that gives it away. The Ref. 7327 (pictured here in white gold) is an update to a long-loved perpetual calendar model, with a few aesthetic tweaks to give it a smidge of modernity. The moon phase is simpler, the power reserve indicator has been replaced with a retrograde month, and the guilloche features only the Clous de Paris motif.
- BREGUET CLASSIQUE QUANTIEME PERPETUEL 7327
- GRAND SEIKO HI-BEAT GMT “YUKA MOMIJI” SBGJ273
- H. MOSER & CIE STREAMLINER SMALL SECONDS BLUE ENAMEL
- VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PIERRE ARPELS
- RADO DIASTAR ORIGINAL SKELETON
GRAND SEIKO HI-BEAT GMT “YUKA MOMIJI” SBGJ273
Grand Seiko once again showcases its poetic craftsmanship, drawing inspiration from polished lacquer floors that reflect the red glow filtering through autumn's maple leaves. The dial, designed to mimic the wooden floorboards of a traditional Japanese home, showcases applied indexes and hands expertly faceted to maximize reflection. This design ensures visibility even in low-light conditions, eliminating the need for luminescence. Identical in theme to the SBGH269, the difference in the SBGJ273 is in the case and the added GMT function.
- BREGUET CLASSIQUE QUANTIEME PERPETUEL 7327
- GRAND SEIKO HI-BEAT GMT “YUKA MOMIJI” SBGJ273
- H. MOSER & CIE STREAMLINER SMALL SECONDS BLUE ENAMEL
- VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PIERRE ARPELS
- RADO DIASTAR ORIGINAL SKELETON
H. MOSER & CIE STREAMLINER SMALL SECONDS BLUE ENAMEL
Grand Feu enamel dials are often praised for their immaculate sheen and best admired on smooth dials. But H. Moser & Cie’s new Streamliner goes against the grain by applying enamel on a hammered dial. The brand calls the shade “Aqua Blue” and, thanks to the fume effect achieved by three different color pigments, the dial does actually resemble the rippling surface of a sparkling sea. The small seconds sub dial bears the same hue but has been given a circular pattern for contrast. The cushion-shaped steel case measures 39mm wide and houses the in-house automatic HMC 500 calibre.
- BREGUET CLASSIQUE QUANTIEME PERPETUEL 7327
- GRAND SEIKO HI-BEAT GMT “YUKA MOMIJI” SBGJ273
- H. MOSER & CIE STREAMLINER SMALL SECONDS BLUE ENAMEL
- VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PIERRE ARPELS
- RADO DIASTAR ORIGINAL SKELETON
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PIERRE ARPELS
Classic dress watches that have stood the test of time need very little in the way of changes, so aesthetic tweaks must be made with care and respect. In the case of the Pierre Arpels, a refined gentleman's dress watch first created in 1949, certain elements like the strap attachment design, slender numerals, and inner dial circle have been retained. However, the dial's center has been enhanced with a subtle pique motif. The 38mm rose gold case further elevates the elegance, featuring a diamond embedded in the crown.
- BREGUET CLASSIQUE QUANTIEME PERPETUEL 7327
- GRAND SEIKO HI-BEAT GMT “YUKA MOMIJI” SBGJ273
- H. MOSER & CIE STREAMLINER SMALL SECONDS BLUE ENAMEL
- VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PIERRE ARPELS
- RADO DIASTAR ORIGINAL SKELETON
RADO DIASTAR ORIGINAL SKELETON
Watches don’t always need a dial to make a statement. In the case of the DiaStar Original Skeleton, huge chunks of it have been removed to reveal an anthracite grey version of the R808 automatic movement, adding to the futuristic style afforded by the DiaStar’s distinctive case. Equipped with a Nivachron balance spring as measure against magnetic interference, the movement has also been tested in five different positions and provides a power reserve of 80 hours and 100m of water resistance. The case is crafted from yellow gold-colored Ceramos for the bezel and stainless steel for the middle and crown.
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