Laine Watches Bespoke Hindi Dial Review

Alphabeta81 shares an inspiring journey of commissioning a bespoke 'Hindi Dial' watch from independent watchmaker Torsti Laine, driven by a desire for a timepiece reflecting his first language. This post celebrates the unique possibilities of independent watchmaking and the personal connection collectors can forge with their watches.

I always wished that I could find a dial on a nice watch with numerals from my first language, Hindi. I spoke my numbers in Hindi - “Ek Do Teen” - before I said them as “One Two Three”. I have always loved the Eastern Arabic numeral dials and have seen many over the years - they look great. So I figured I would be able to find a Hindi dial. I was wrong - I found nothing, essentially. 

In fact, if you go a Google Image search for “Hindi wristwatch” you get a basically no results - compare this for “Eastern Arabic wristwatch” where you will see the dials from Rolex modern, Rolex vintage, FP Journe, IWC, UN, and others.

Since Hindi dial pieces are non-existent, I knew I wanted a custom bespoke one and I hoped to one day commission a piece from an independent watchmaker - and that day has arrived. My custom design and made Hindi dial piece is here, and I want to share it with you all. 

But which independent watchmaker to work with?

Letting Lange & Journe lead the way

I have always loved following the Lange and Journe annual watchmaking competitions. If a watchmaker can impressive Lange or Journe, then that is all I need to know! 

The finalists have always been incredibly impressive, and the winners are the next generation of great watchmakers. I wanted to work with one of them, and I had a great response from and a great rapport with the 2014 A. Lange & Söhne's F.A. Lange Watchmaking Excellence Award winner - Mr. Tortsi Laine.

Let's work on the dial

I told Torsti about my wish for a Hindi dial. Torsti makes his dials in house and therefore allowed me to make exactly the watch I wanted. He was generous in sending renderings, making changes as I asked for them, and in the end, delivering a watch that is even nicer than promised. 

I wanted a certain size of numerals, a certain shape to them, a certain finishing to them (I did not want bright super polished ones). Torsti did it all spot on. I love syringe hands, and many of my favorite vintage watches have them, but I never cared for the lume in the hands - Torsti has many hand options and one is a perfect length hollow (but quite readable) syringe hand. He has a nameplate on the dial which is usually all caps “LAINE” but I asked him to do a cursive smaller version for me, to match the “cursive flow” look of the Hindi numerals. 

Oh and I liked the final dial so much, I even ordered a second “rose fume” dial to later change up the look of the watch with a simple dial swap. Torsti makes killer fume dials too!

Not just the dial - the movement, the watch, and Torsti himself

The watch movement itself is spectacularly done, actually pretty insane for the price point. I saw the work that Torsti did on a vintage Valjoux movement (the before and after are utterly amazing) so his talent shines through. The movement fills the case perfectly and the watch is 40mm by about 11mm thick, so the proportions are just perfect. 

Finally, as the WIS saying goes, “buy the seller” - in this case, buy the watchmaker. Torsti is such a nice guy and talented watchmaker and talented movement finisher. On top of that, he replied to emails quickly and delivered the piece in just a few months. 

I cannot recommend Laine Watches any higher. Torsti did not even ask me to write this, but I just loved the experience and watch so much, I needed to share with the group. Every Purist should think about one in their collection, especially given how ridiculously modest the price is for a watch of this quality!

Of course, the pictures - first 4 are "in process" and then the rest are the final product

Thanks for reading - many Purists here have influenced me so much and I am thrilled to share a piece I hope others will enjoy.