colinwillsher
140
Why so many words on the dial?
Idling a little time away, I have been looking through some watch pix and the thought suddenly struck me - why is there so much information on some dials? For instance, a Cartier with a beautiful clear face except for the word automatic.
Is it that we as customers demand to have some sort of description of the watch on the dial? Or is it that the manufacturer feel the need to do so?
Apart from the name - and I am talking here about just the words that appear, not the date or any other function - what else really needs to be written on the dial?
Why so many words on the dial?
Idling a little time away, I have been looking through some watch pix and the thought suddenly struck me - why is there so much information on some dials? For instance, a Cartier with a beautiful clear face except for the word automatic. Is it that we as ...
Nothing!
Take a look at 'ochs und junior' not even the brand name on the dial. So refreshing.
That is truly refreshing indeed :)
But then again the customers of the brand are completely different and generally much more knowledgeable (i.e. they do not read the functionality off the dial text)
Hey that's my watch.
Frankly I agree with you that too many unnecessary words spoil the look. But it won't prevent me from buying a watch. Maybe it's a security feature like in paper money. Lol!
Words on dials
The word "Automatic" on a dial makes little sense. The word just spoils the face. If it is necessary to remind the wearer about the mechanics, surely the words "Hand wind" should be on the dial to remind the wearer so to do regularly! There were and are f...
"Automatic" tells people not to wind it.
That's meaningful, as excessive manual winding places unnecessary stress on a watch designed to be wound primarily automatically. I therefore like my automatic watches to say "automatic." Patek is an exception, of course, as they have never labeled their ...
I like it
It tells you what the watch is, what special features it has got and looks, to me, often good on the dial. Only with classic watches it is a bit of a problem but with sports and casual models I do not see an issue.
I don't mind automatic, But the Rolex style four lines should be moved to the rear
If I spend a substantial amount of research time and money on a watch I am pretty sure what's going on internally, Moser being an example, their perpetual power reserve 'up/down' text, take it that I will know what's what and leave the instructions off th...
Thanks Alkiro!
One of my first watches when I was 21 I recall was a Movado museum watch - all black with a gold dot at 12 o'clock. I am sorry I sold it as it was such a minimalist piece. When I saw the Moser, it was love at first sight.
Thank you!
I aim to! Just looking at the dial changing colours in the light will bring a smile to my face
My views on this subject
...are well known. The less the better. Dear designers: No Automatic or Pt950 or Chronometer or Reverso etc etc etc needed. Just put the maker's name. And then... Just stop. Best E.
Exactly
Say what you like on the back of the case. But the VCs and that ridiculous Piaget which the word 'platinum' repeated across the dial? Frankly speaking: what a way to ruin a nice watch. Best E
About the VC, I'm agree with you as it's really too much. Without that inscription, this timepiece would have been perfect IMHO
Regarding the Piaget, the word platinum is full part of the specificity and texture of the dial. So, I have more mixed feelings about this timepiece. Best wishes Alkiro
Interesting
It seems pretty daft to me. If they wanted to use text to create a texture, then they could have found something interesting to say. How about a poem? Or a word with real meaning? 'Peace' or something. By using 'Platinum' they might as well have printed '...
I don't know how visible the word platinum is on this dial and how it changes with the light. For sure, it's probably not the more appropriate word. "altiplano" would have been more logical for me
A little bit like the Chopard LE José Carreras and its notes on the dial. Best wishes Alkiro
I kinda agree with you
& I'm sure most Purists will... Ex. Rolex attempts to write a small story on the dial ;-) I like what Panerai does, Best, mahesh., ...
We are a niche, even though we are a big niche, we are a niche.
The less, the better... But people want to see a name on a dial. I think the contrary. You can sign the case back and let the dial free of words. We all know that a Reverso is a JLC. No need to put it on a dial. Better, it is a strength to put nothing on ...
That's a great thought provoking post.
From memory: Panerai (soma models), Moser & Cie (Fume dials) and Ochs & Junior (ALL models) are the only watches (high end) that I can think of that have NO WORDS on the dial at all. Excluding sterile Flieger dials (eg Laco, Stowa, etc). Honourable mentio...
Even the car manufacturers are guilty of this
The shape is iconic, who doesn't know what it is? ...