Five Watches With Colorful Dials That Deserve Another Look

If you’re looking for a (reasonably affordable) do-it-all GMT diver before setting out on summer travel, the ever-popular Seiko Prospex SPB383 has made its way back into our digital storefront. Last week, we announced the audaciously architectural B/1 by the design duo Toledano & Chan, which will be officially available this Thursday. Feel free to sign up for the waitlist to get your reminder.

For those gearing up for the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix F1 race, this TAG Heuer Monaco carries the spirit of the original Monaco that Steve McQueen wore in ’71. On the opposite end of the style spectrum, this rose gold Piaget Antiplano maintains formal style free of any stuffiness with that quirky subdial at the 11 o’clock position. high quality replica watches
Five high quality replica watches With Colorful Dials That Deserve Another Look
I think I’ve made my preference for watches with colorful dials abundantly clear by now, so this topic sits close to my heart. I’ve always had a keen interest in color, and discovering the funky stone dials of the 1970s along with brands that experimented with color in the contemporary watch world was a place I felt drawn to, that initially sucked me into the larger hobby of watches. While I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite, or even ten or twenty favorite colorful watches, I have rounded up a selection of watches that play with color in bold and unexpected ways that I think deserve a thorough investigation (or reinvestigation for that matter).
A couple of watchmakers have debuted innovative laser-cut dials in the last year or so, but few execute it as well as this rendition of Oris’ quintessential ProPilot. The multicolored holographic effect was achieved thanks to the brand’s collaboration with the lab at ETH Zürich University, which helped to develop the laser engraving technique. When inspected up close, the shimmering gradient of teals, blues, and deep indigo reveals itself to be the result of a multitude of laser etchings on the titanium dial’s surface. The phenomenon captured at work is known as optical interference, which effectively controls the range of light waves that bounce off the surface of the dial. In fact, not a single pigment was used to create the hues of the dial – just clever laser work.
With its very 80s-chic vibrant teal green dial and bright red tipped second hand, the Verde Smeraldo remains a personal favorite among the Autodromo’s Group B series (though the Corsica Blue model might have it beat). Especially in combination with the dark grey tones on the printed dial and hands, the dark grey hue of the sporty integrated stainless steel bracelet and the bi-metallic (titanium and stainless steel) 39mm case, this iteration of the Group B particularly captures the line’s rebellious-meets-retro edge.
Aside from a few recent experiments with green dials and its revival of the orange A3648, Zenith isn’t a brand that first comes to mind when thinking about colorful dials. However, this bright red remix of the Defy Revival A3691 stands apart from its more neutrally-styled family members.
Because of Grand Seiko’s continuous fascination with infusing its pieces with elements inspired by the natural world, they have a particularly focused and unique take on color. You won’t find any frivolous dives into 80s-esque neon hues in its extensive catalog. Instead, you will find textural and color elements that maintain a sense of serene calm through the use of muted tones, cherry blossom pinks, powdery sky blues, or the occasional fiery red at its boldest expression.
Just about every summer in recent years, it’s an unwritten tradition for Zodiac to unleash new colorful iterations of its Super Sea Wolf line. This teal blue and neon green-hued model is among the 2024 class of vibrant new Super Sea Wolfs and inspires visions of tropical getaways on the horizon. You can almost hear the waves in the distance….
This ‘Sea Turtle’ iteration of the Super Sea Wolf Compression will be familiar in aesthetic and functionality to those who have any preexisting awareness of the line with its retro-inspired design and dive-ready specs. Measuring an approachable 40mm in diameter, this model is complete with the blocky mid-century indices marking the hours, a date window at three o’clock, lume-filled rectangular hands, 200 meters of water resistance, and a unidirectional bezel for timing dives safely. The sporty stainless steel bracelet this piece is paired with adds a touch more versatility, allowing you to wear its vibrant color poolside, at the beach, or a slightly more upscale dinner with equal ease. high quality replica watches