What Is The Dial On A Watch?
Watch lovers must be curious to know what the dial on a watch is. Understand that a dial on a watch is not just a part of a timepiece but a way to catch anyone’s eye with its appearance. In the buying process, the primary factor of selection remains the look of the watch, although the talk regarding features and functionality comes later. The watch face showcases the artistry of the watchmaker, where creativity stands out as a key factor. When face design is combined with utility, it presents a harmonious unity in the hand. Since the start of wrist watches, they have undergone several transformations in dials. This transformation included changes in designs, functionality, set up and various others.
The evolution of the watch dial is not limited to technical advancements. Moreover, the commitment to uplifting dial faces and aesthetics was one of the main motives. Through this article, we will find out different watch dial faces and know about their significance.
Understanding the Watch Dial
People usually ask what the dial is for on a watch. The right and obvious answer should be, it is the face of a watch. In short, we can say that the dial is the most visible element of the watch, which is why it is considered the main one. The primary function of the dial is to showcase time, elements, and features. It includes the watch hands, indexes, subdials, branding logo, chronographs, date window, etc.
Dial’s main components are expressed as below:
- The Base: The Base is the surface of the dial used for arranging all its elements. It can be made up of several materials, which depend on its type and quality of the watch. The widely used materials for this purpose are ceramics, metals, and expensive stones.
- Indexes: Indexes are the hour markings provided on a dial. It is characterised by following the circular parameter of the dial. Indexes can be in the form of numbers, indices or symbols to make the reading easy.
- Hands: Hands are the rotating swords that indicate the time. Generally, the watches feature 3 hands for hour, minute, and second each. However, with evolution, many brands have removed the second-hand.
- Subdials: Subdials are the different small dials offering separate functions within the main dial. These dials are used to show additional features as provided on the watch. Subials are used to add functionality of chronographs, date, moon phases, calendar, etc.
- Brandings & Logos: In every watch, you will find something referring to the brand’s identity. It may include the model’s name, brand name, or simply the company’s logo.
Different Types of Watch Dials
Take a look at different types of watch dials used in timepieces. Each dial presents an elegant look without compromising its functionality and aesthetics.
- Brushed Dials: Brushed dials are known for their linear structure designs that resemble the strokes of a brush. This technique is used to offer a bright dial surface without being overly lustrous. The scratch-like surfaces make it significantly appealing in different lighting conditions. The brushing patterns are found in different shapes, including round, vertical, horizontal, and sometimes mixed variations. The bushed pattern offers aesthetic appeal and also covers wear and scratches over time. This hiding feature makes it a suitable choice for daily wear purposes.
- Crosshair Dials: Crosshair dial patterns are very appealing due to their catchy patterns. These dials are characterised by intersecting vertical and horizontal lines that meet at the dial’s centre. The pattern divides the dial into 4 equal parts, each offering similar character, as a result, overall balance and symmetry are increased. The extent of the thickness of intersecting lines gives it a deep, sophisticated look. When combined with subdials and indexes, a glance is sufficient to catch your eye.
- California Dials: California dials are embraced by the real-timekeeper who understands artistry and elegance. These faces are characterised by a combination of Arabic and Roman numerals as indices. In this arrangement, the Roman numerals cover the upper area while Arabic numerals cover the lower area. The union feature a different aesthetic and offers easy-to-read functionality. The California dials were popularised mainly in the 1930s or around which later adopted by several well-known brands.
- Enamelled: Enamelled watch dials are widely praised for their building quality and durability. Various colours are used to offer an aesthetic appeal and a fine-smooth texture. The technique used in this dial manufacturing is enamel coating at high temperature. This gives a glossy surface to the dial’s face, which shines greatly when exposed to sunlight. The outcome is not only used as a base but a medium to celebrate outstanding artistry.
- Frosted: Frosted dial is embraced for its blurry textured appearance. This matte finish gives it a unique luxury look, which is achieved through a range of practices. Techniques such as acid etching, bead blasting, etc, are used to offer frosted dial faces. Frosted dials are not an outcome of modern demand; rather, they were widely used in traditional watchmaking. You will find frosted dial watches in several famous brands offering both luxury and elegance.
- Gradient: Gradient dials are also known as smoked dials, which are used widely in luxurious watch faces. These dials are mainly crafted using different visuals and colour combinations to create a catchy design. The main highlights are the darker edges and the light centres of the watch. This sophistication increases the in-depth look when light reaches the surface. When subdials and indices are embedded on the base, it gives a highly engaging look to the wearer.
- Gilt: Gilt watch dials are visually appealing and offer timeless beauty. These dials feature a slim layer of gold applied on the surface, which offers you a warm appearance. Some watchmakers often use substitutes for gold coating that allow them to enjoy a cost advantage without making the look dull. This technique is been among us for many years, and watchmakers have used it effectively. Further, Gilt dials open the scope of experiments with several shades to offer a unique watch face in the market.
- Guilloche: Just like Hallmark shows the purity of gold, similarly, the Guilloche technique is a mark of excellence in watchmaking. This technique presents an appealing art presence with engraving and repetitive patterns. The hand-made pattern process ensures exceptional quality and durability of the dial’s texture and aesthetics. The most opted pattern includes waves, rosettes, chevrons, and various other elements that enhance the dial’s spectrum. The patterns are crafted for decorations and to diffuse light, which makes it a considerable choice for luxury seekers.
- Lacquer: When learning about watch dials, the Lacquers cannot be left aside. This artistry is celebrated for the timeless beauty that never fades. The making process is very interesting in such watch faces. It includes the addition of several layers to naturally occurring lacquer. This not only enhances the depth of the dial but also offers rich colour and a glass-like appearance when hardened. Watchmakers can suitably choose between gloss and matte finishes as per the demand. The Lacquer’s ability to sustain environmental factors enables it to withstand time.
What is a watch subdial?
Do you know what the dial on a watch is called? It is known as subdial. A watch subdial functions as a subsidiary dial, which is located as a smaller dial element inside the main dial system of a watch. Workers use the supplementary dial mechanisms to show information that extends past the time display. Additional subdial displays on watches bring expanded functionality by revealing supplementary information. This includes date displays that might extend up to advanced chronographical timers. A watch becomes more versatile and technically sophisticated, and aesthetically appealing when subdials are integrated into its design.
Final Thoughts
A watch dial functions as an integral display area and masterful design space that displays artistic capabilities and practical time functions. Learning about different watch dials helps people both appreciate their timekeeping value and choose ideal timepieces.
The multiple dial types we have studied demonstrate that engineering innovation can be achieved with either complex guilloché patterns or basic matte effects. All these efforts produce masterpieces that excel at displaying time while embodying form and function.
