Comments:
Let's get started with Dials of Destiny! . . .
. . . please share the watch(es) you've acquired solely on account of its/their dial and hands.
Most of the vintage Omegas I've accumulated have persuasive dials, but there are other aspects of their design just as compelling. Even Black Connie, with its rare engraved black dial decked out with rose gold arrowhead markers, has a desirable chronometer movement that is just as valuable a quality to my senses as its aesthetic appeal.
There's one, though, that's all about the dial: my ref 2657, ca '53.
An original black dial with patina to die for, enhanced by rose gold hands, markers, and text. I was taken on first sight. Had it been a white dial, or had white or yellow gold trim, it would still have exerted a pull, but not nearly as strong. This is the one watch in my collection that's all about the face.
I should name her Helen.
Easy & obvious choice :)
Hi
This is an easy choice - my Seiko Urushi
Wonderful dial that you can get lost in. As I've said before great dial - case is a bit chunky & the movement will never win any awards for finishing, but that's all by the board when you see the dial. Cheers JML
Wonderful dial that you can get lost in. As I've said before great dial - case is a bit chunky & the movement will never win any awards for finishing, but that's all by the board when you see the dial. Cheers JML
Yours truly also scored the very same urushi Seiko . . .
. . . which ended up as a gift to my brother. Coincidentally, the apricot cue in the photo also ended up as a gift to him, albeit at different times.
Art
Interesting choice of theme this week!
There are a number of watches in my collection where dials were the deciding factor in choices with similar movements from the same manufacture. However, taking the theme literally these are the only two that meet the criteria!
My Voutilainen GMT-6
And my DB25 Starry Varius GMT
Of these the Starry Varius in the ultimate conversation starter. At times I’ve had to remind boutique staff on Bond Street that I’m actually in their store to see what they have to offer😉
My Voutilainen GMT-6
And my DB25 Starry Varius GMT
Of these the Starry Varius in the ultimate conversation starter. At times I’ve had to remind boutique staff on Bond Street that I’m actually in their store to see what they have to offer😉
I suppose the ultimate conversation starter in any gathering . . .
. . . would be David Berning's tube-regulated . . .
. . . electric.
Two great choices and splendid pics, especially the Macros !!.. Both are distinctly different, but boy, what a Duo !
Chapeau & Best,
😊😊
😊😊
Thanks Captain.
I think I’d have to go with the Voutilainen. I spent a lot of time - and some persuasion with Kari - in the color and dial design on this one. I steered away from the brighter colors towards something that I thought would stand the rest of time preference for me. I had seen this design some years previously on A Collected Man website and it immediately struck a chord. When I told Kari the original has been sold on he was happy to replicate the design, which he prefers not to do as the norm. I guess that my intuition was right - I’ve made a few purchases since then - including the DB, but the Voutilainen still retains its personal status in my mind.
Thanks for a most appealing theme Art, I'm glad I found this as soon as I opened our Front Page! :-) How could a lover of each and every Rare Handcraft, where dials are THE chief vehicle of expression, not participate this week?! ;-))
Of course, it's probably well known that my favorite watch EVER is the so-called "Boccadasse," or Patek Ref. 5177G-010. It was produced as an out-of-catalog reference in 2018, as part of a series of three "Italian themes" inaugurating the marvelous Calatrava reference 5177 in Grey gold with a hobnail bezel. Its breathtaking dial combines the techniques of enamel and miniature painting, and represents no less than my favorite borough on the sea in my hometown of Genova!
The MOABS (Mother Of All Boccadasse Shots)
This one, and several other pictures of these watches, were taken at official Patek events
A closeup of Boccadasse
Ref. 5089G-020 in wood marquetry, another one of my big favorites --- even at Patek they still remember it was my FIRST Rare Handcraft! It was produced in 2014 as a limited series for the 175th Anniversary, and it represents Lake Geneva exactly 100 years earlier. I was fortunate to receive this allocation in 2015.
A beautiful portrait courtesy of a friend of mine
Lake Geneva in 1914 (left) and today....
5089G-020 and Etro
A couple of macros where we can see the slivers of wood composing this fantastic dial (photos again courtesy of the same friend)
Ref. 5088/100 in Platinum, whose dial in Grey gold was masterfully hand-engraved and subsequently filled in with black enamel
The signature diamond at 6 o'clock, common to all modern Patek watches in Platinum
A closeup of the work on the dial
I'm grateful for this new gorgeous yellow strap --- a fantastic match to the black enamel of the dial!
Not only the dial, but also the Platinum case and buckle are hand-engraved.... Here is the superb job done on the buckle!
And finally, another favorite of mine from the new 5177 series, Ref. 5177G-028, which I was honored to receive in 2021. Its dial is authored by the atelier of famed enamellist Anita Porchet
I "suspect" my girlfriend likes it too.... ;-))
Needless to say, I'm proud that ALL my Pateks carry my name on the certificate
A closeup of the marvelous, almost three-dimensional 5177G-028 dial
And finally, the family portrait!
But the cultural and historical significance of ALL Patek Rare Handcrafts is impossible to overestimate, thanks to the unwavering commitment to the arts shown by the Stern family --- namely, the current honorary president and then the current president of the company --- over the course of the last half a century. Hence, as a true Rare Handcraft enthusiast, in year 2021 I was ENORMOUSLY proud to "complete" my personal collection featuring all of these crafts!
Below are five of my recent Pateks, which together showcase all four "main" Rare Handcraft techniques: wood marquetry (the most recent and arguably the rarest of all in horology, with Ref. 5089G-020); enamel (Refs. 5177G-010 and -028, 5131/1P, and 5088/100P); miniature painting (5177G-010); and hand-engraving (5088/100P).
Thanks again Art for a terrific theme this weekend, I'm sure we'll see wonders in this thread! I'm just including a few pictures of each individual piece now (with the exception of the more common 5131/1P), and will close with a family collage!
Cheers.
The MOABS (Mother Of All Boccadasse Shots)
This one, and several other pictures of these watches, were taken at official Patek events
A closeup of Boccadasse
Ref. 5089G-020 in wood marquetry, another one of my big favorites --- even at Patek they still remember it was my FIRST Rare Handcraft!
It was produced in 2014 as a limited series for the 175th Anniversary, and it represents Lake Geneva exactly 100 years earlier. I was fortunate to receive this allocation in 2015.A beautiful portrait courtesy of a friend of mine
Lake Geneva in 1914 (left) and today....
5089G-020 and Etro
A couple of macros where we can see the slivers of wood composing this fantastic dial (photos again courtesy of the same friend)
Ref. 5088/100 in Platinum, whose dial in Grey gold was masterfully hand-engraved and subsequently filled in with black enamel
The signature diamond at 6 o'clock, common to all modern Patek watches in Platinum
A closeup of the work on the dial
I'm grateful for this new gorgeous yellow strap --- a fantastic match to the black enamel of the dial!
Not only the dial, but also the Platinum case and buckle are hand-engraved.... Here is the superb job done on the buckle!
And finally, another favorite of mine from the new 5177 series, Ref. 5177G-028, which I was honored to receive in 2021. Its dial is authored by the atelier of famed enamellist Anita Porchet
I "suspect" my girlfriend likes it too.... ;-))
Needless to say, I'm proud that ALL my Pateks carry my name on the certificate
A closeup of the marvelous, almost three-dimensional 5177G-028 dial
And finally, the family portrait!
Have a great weekend Everyone!
Wowww !.. Thx so much for this great entry and your sublime pics of these marvellous pieces..
For Humble Me, although all beautiful, the 5177G – 028 „School of Fish“ is my absolute fav..
Thx for sharing and offering this enjoyment to us, dear FabR !
HAGWE & Best,
😊😊
PS: For me, there already is a clear winner for this week..
Thanks a lot my friend, greatly appreciate it! Always a huge pleasure for me to humbly share these beloved pieces from my personal collection!🙏🥂
As a fellow connoisseur for the natural beauty of wood . . .
. . . in another context altogether . . .
[cocobolo and canary Denali cue, dyed ring]
. . . you will find me nodding in furious agreement with your marquetry dials, Fab. And the engraved black lacquer Calatrava is a stunner.
Art
Many thanks Art, I did remember your pool cues! I’m sure the level of skill required to create those is also quite amazing!👍🥂 Cheers.
Bob is 86 with a lifetime's worth of experience working with wood . . .
. . . and still finding ways to improve on his creations. His most recent projects push the envelope for shaft construction; I hope this doesn't sound overly arrogant, but in my estimation the last five he's made from different wood types are beyond outstanding.
Art
In full agreement, kudos to Patek for continuing to promote and preserve these amazing artistic expressions at the highest level🙏🥂
Fabulous collection ! …
All are beautiful and superb craftsmanship using traditional techniques that PP are striving to keep alive.
I find myself drawn to the Ref. 5177G-028
Best regards
Captain
I find myself drawn to the Ref. 5177G-028
Best regards
Captain
Thank-You Captain, the cultural impact of Patek's long-term efforts to preserve these ancient crafts is indeed inestimable..and is even more commendable if we think of the relatively little interest collectors had for these watches until a few years ago!
I'm sincerely grateful for Patek's work in this area, and....for being able to "take care" of a few of these marvels in my personal collection! Cheers.
Cheers.
The difficulty is …
Finding young apprentices to learn the craft. These skills take many years to develop and master. Not something the TickTock generation are passionate about.
Indeed, probably even more than watchmaking itself, discovering and training young talents at perpetuating rare handcrafts is the huge challenge....at least at the highest levels that Patek requires.
Perhaps one of our young readers, if passionate about --- and exceptionally talented at --- some of these ancient crafts, will be the next Jérôme Boutteçon or Anita Porchet?
Cheers.