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Borna Bošnjak
Regardless that the traditional blue dial has misplaced some floor when it comes to recognition because of the rise of different colors (most notably inexperienced and pink), it’s nonetheless arguably the most well-liked selection for any watch. This in fact excludes black and white, however since they’re not really colors, my level stands. Throughout the huge variety of choices, we sought to pick a few of the absolute best blue dials presently accessible, providing all the pieces from hue and texture, to worth proposition and craftsmanship.
Monbrey MB2 Kenkyū Starry Blue
Nice, reasonably priced watches are now not a rarity due to the quite a few microbrands which might be round as of late, however each infrequently, one thing actually particular crops up. The Monbrey MB2 Kenkyū, particularly within the “jewel metal” dial variant brings a lot gritty texture and depth of color that its worth level is tough to consider, particularly when you additionally take into account the Miyota 9000 motion and well-finished case. It’s the small touches just like the faceted palms and indices that play nicely with the feel of the dial, with out wanting gimmicky, that earn the Kenkyū a spot on the checklist. Value: US$649
anOrdain Mannequin 1 Blue Fumé
Typically when taking a look at one of the best of one of the best, it’s simple to lose sight of the worth proposition. That’s a little bit of a disgrace, since you threat lacking out on gems like anOrdain’s Mannequin 1. Its fumé enamel dial was an unintentional discovery, ensuing from a warped silver dial clean that was sanded all the way down to reveal the gorgeous gradient and grained sample. The whole painstaking course of is recounted right here, much more spectacular contemplating it’s all made in-house in anOrdain’s Glasgow workshop, rightfully gaining the model a spot on our greatest of British checklist. Value: £2,595
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 SLGA025 Atera Valley
No checklist of greatest dials can be full with no Grand Seiko. Whatever the frankly ridiculous variety of new releases the model pumps out, they nonetheless handle to give you lovely designs – any one of many Omiwatari, Kishun, and even the brand new Ice Forest U.F.A. fashions are worthy contenders. There may be one design that has stood out, and that’s the comparatively new Evolution 9 Atera Blue, or Atera Valley. No matter you like to name it, it’s simple that it’s tender, gradient dial that evokes the clear streams of the Atera River flowing by means of the South Nagano area.
The SLGA025 is an absolute smokeshow of a dial, little question about it, however when you don’t thoughts scouring the secondary market, try the SBGP017 Iwao Sea of Clouds. It lengthy held the Grand Seiko spot on this checklist, however because the restricted version is now bought out, it means it technically now not qualifies. Not that such particulars make it any much less lovely, thoughts you. Its refined brushstrokes of child blue mirror within the extremely polished, faceted ingot-like indices, and the blued seconds hand and utilized GS emblem are icing on the cake. As if the SBGP017 wanted to be any cooler, it additionally sports activities a show caseback exhibiting off the Grand Seiko-level ornament of its quartz motion. Value: US$3,800 (retail, bought out), ~US$4,000 (secondary market)
H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Small Seconds Blue Enamel
Moser’s Streamliner was all the time a left-field tackle an integrated-bracelet sports activities watch, so why not slap a grand feu enamel dial on it as nicely? A equally textured dial was beforehand accessible on the Endeavour Perpetual Calendar, however there’s simply one thing concerning the juxtaposition of a sporty, waterproof case, and a standard enamel dial that works for me. One of the best factor about it for me although is that Moser is so assured within the look, that it didn’t trouble placing a emblem on the dial, one thing the model has turn out to be identified for through the years. That sort of confidence (or cockiness) is uncommon in watchmaking, and a breath of recent air. Value: CHF 29,900
F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu
In a listing of one of the best, it’s troublesome to choose only one, however this might be it for me. In case you can consider it, F.P. Journe’s Chronomètre Bleu was an under-the-radar piece only a few years in the past, earlier than synthetic shortage of different, extra well-liked watches brought about its demand to skyrocket. Availability woes apart, the Chronomètre Bleu sports activities a bluish-grey tantalum case, strong 18k gold motion and one of the best blue dial within the enterprise. Quite a few layers of blue lacquer are mirror-polished and hand-applied, and relying on the sunshine, ends in an inky black or electrical blue. The off-centre small seconds are completed with azurage, exhibiting off the complete vary of the blue color in its sunburst execution. Value: US$42,420
Zenith G.F.J.
Blue was a common theme for Zenith at the newest Watches and Wonders truthful, however culminated on this – the discharge of the G.F.J. and the revival of the legendary Calibre 135, named after model founder Georges Favre-Jacot. For a watch that homes such a traditionally essential motion, I wouldn’t be shocked if Zenith gave it a plain dial to make the calibre the star of the present. The Le Locle firm did fairly the opposite, giving the G.F.J. a posh, tri-material dial in gorgeous shades of blue.
For the outer perimeter, the G.F.J. sports activities a basketweave guilloché sample, surrounding a central part manufactured from lapis lazuli, which then steps all the way down to a blue-dyed mother-of-pearl sub-dial. In response to Buffy, our resident gemology aficionado, the grade of stone is particularly notable for its low calcite content material, decreasing the white inclusions you’d usually see in unusual lapis. Value: US$49,900
Credor Eichi II Ruri
Launched to honour Seiko’s a hundred and fortieth anniversary, the Eichi II Ruri is a particular version of Credor’s minimalist masterpiece. Its dial is manufactured from fragile porcelain, glazed in blue lacquer that offers it an ethereal glow across the edges and centre pinion, with plunging depths elsewhere. The brand and indices are all hand-painted, seemingly suspended above the dial. Right here comes the all-important and overused trope – you actually should expertise this one in particular person. Admittedly, despite the fact that its beautiful Spring Drive motion is completed by the Micro Artist Studio, practically A$100k for a time-only watch is a ridiculous sum of cash, no query about it. Nonetheless… I feel I’ve been charmed by this glowing blue marvel sufficient to assume it’d make sense. Value: £50,000
Berneron Mirage 34 Lapis Lazuli
I attempted to avoid dials which might be solely constituted of pure stone, as their magnificence is generally depending on the color of the stone itself, slightly than the artistry of the model that used it. That mentioned, I couldn’t assist however embrace the Mirage 34, because it not solely distills a doubtlessly overcomplicated, distorted sector dial of the bigger Mirage into an easier format, but additionally reveals off Berneron’s high quality. As an alternative of being manufactured from two items, as just about some other stone dial with a sub-dial can be, for the Mirage 34, the artist will meticulously carve out the sunken portion of the small seconds from the only piece used for the remainder of the dial. I couldn’t let you know what the failure charges for these are, however I definitely can let you know that it’s drop-dead beautiful. Value: CHF 54,000
Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon
Of the lengthy checklist of iconic built-in bracelet sports activities watches with blue dials, choosing the Alpine Eagle to be amongst them is a daring selection. The swirling texture of the Aletsch blue, impressed by the sample of an eagle’s iris makes for a surprising show in any gentle situation. My favorite of the lot is the dial of Chopard’s Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon, with the sample emanating from the tourbillon cage, slightly than the centre pinion. Value: US$112,000
Vacheron Constantin Abroad Tourbillon
The Alpine Eagle’s swirling iris is gorgeous, however the authentic under-the-radar piece with an unbelievable blue dial was the Vacheron Constantin Abroad. Whereas the time-only variants popularised the mannequin, it’s the high-end items that take advantage of the plunging depths of the blue lacquer. That is very true with the titanium-cased Abroad Tourbillon. Vacheron did an incredible job of sharpening the metallic which is thought to be troublesome to complete, however its inherent darker gray hue makes the electrical blue highlights of the dial stand out much more. Value is on request.
Louis Vuitton Voyager Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève Plique-à-jour
There are some wonderful blue dials on this checklist, but when it’s the best of handicrafts that you just’re on the lookout for, the Louis Vuitton Voyager Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève Plique-à-jour (and breathe) has it in spades. For starters, the motion has Geneva Seal certification which implies wonderful ending all through, however the true deal with is that plique-à-jour enamel dial. We’ve completed an summary of enamelling methods in our ending information, however to summarise plique-à-jour, consider it as a miniaturised stained glass window. The enamel is suspended within the lattice-like construction, with no backing materials to carry it in place, creating fantastic airiness. Probably the most spectacular piece is undoubtedly the small metallic cylinder that permits the pinion to move by means of, sitting completely centred in an enamel disc. Value: CHF 297,000
Time+Tide Timeless Decide: Czapek Promenade Goutte d’Eau
Czapek has been pushing out iterations of their well-liked Antarctique for a while now, however the debut of the Promenade assortment at Watches & Wonders 2024 was headlined by the gorgeous Goutte d’Eau. It achieves the water droplet impact that offers it its title by layering translucent grand feu enamel onto a three-dimensional base, till the entire thing is flat. Czapek are clear about their work with Donzé Cadrans that manufactured the dial, exhibiting how essential hiring one of the best of one of the best might be. The piece is proscribed to 100 items, and by the point of writing has already bought out. That’s wholly unsurprising, contemplating the remainder of the watch is sort of good too, however the dial is clearly the star of the present.
