Rolex perfects the art of the dial
The brand’s exquisite watch faces showcase its attention to detail and craftsmanship
THE FACE OF A WATCH, the dial, is not just for telling time. It’s meant to be appreciated and enjoyed, says David Riboli, head of Rolex’s watch prototype department.
“A beautiful and harmonious dial makes a statement, attracts attention and has an impact by virtue of its perfect design, colour or colours, and decorative elements,” says Riboli, whose team transforms designers’ sketches into final prototypes.
“The beauty of a dial makes it so captivating. This is why it has to be crafted to perfection.”
As “the visual hallmark” of the watch, the dial is of “utmost strategic and symbolic importance” to Rolex. No wonder, then, that 500 people – craftsmen, artists, designers, engineers and various specialists – are housed under one roof just to work exclusively on dial-making.
The creation of the dial at Rolex is a unique form of alchemy, the coming together of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. Yet, for all the state-of-the-art machines and tools that the brand can buy, there is no substitute for the well-trained human eye, says Riboli.
Only a trained eye can detect imperfections of a mere tenth of a millimetre, the thickness of a human hair. A certified colorimetrist’s eye is needed when putting two separate pieces together for dials composed of several parts. This is to ensure they are exactly the same shade.
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Such human skills are not produced overnight; they take time to grow and develop. But the results are clear in the level of craftsmanship seen in each of Rolex’s timepieces. As the Year of the Wood Snake approaches, mark the time with five models with exceptional dials from the brand’s latest collections.
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36
Yellow gold with white mother-of-pearl, diamond-set dial
The Day-Date is Rolex’s most prestigious model and comes only in precious metals. This 36 mm Day-Date watch also flaunts a white mother-of-pearl dial set with 10 baguette-cut diamond hour markers, all encased in 18-ct yellow gold.
Depending on its origin, mother-of-pearl can be pink, white, black or yellow. Rolex applies specific know-how to accentuate the stone’s natural beauty, preserving its original hues. As with all mother-of-pearl dials, the one on this Day-Date 36 model is unique – no identical face will be found on another wrist.
The dial is crowned by the Rolex fluted bezel. The fluting once served to secure the bezel onto the case, helping to ensure the watch is waterproof. The gold on this timepiece is a mark of distinction.
The Day-Date is worn with the President bracelet. A semi-circular three-piece link bracelet, it was first created exclusively in 1956 for the roll-out of the Day-Date line.
Price: S$65,200
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36
Everose gold with diamond-paved dial
This 36 mm model showcases a dazzling dial paved fully with diamonds, including the President bracelet. Adding colour to the dial, which is framed in an 18-ct Everose gold case, are 10 baguette-cut sapphires in beautiful colours of the rainbow.
Price: S$209,600
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36
Everose gold with green aventurine, diamond-set dial
This Day-Date timepiece in 36 mm is not only wrapped in glittering 18-ct Everose gold, it flaunts a striking dial crafted from green aventurine (a stone with a finely crystallised surface), with diamonds sparkling on the bezel. The hour markers, including a Roman VI and IX and fashioned from 18-ct gold to prevent tarnishing, are also decorated with 24 diamonds.
Price: S$98,800
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31
Oystersteel and white gold with an azzurro-blue floral-motif, diamond-set dial
This petite 31 mm watch displays a dial decorated with a floral theme – an azzurro-blue motif – and is encased in Oystersteel and white gold, crowned with the Rolex fluted bezel.
The floral-motif dial combines three different finishes – sunray, matt and grained. High-technology finishing techniques were used to create this motif, a demonstration of refined dial-making expertise. The textural effects are further enhanced by 24 diamonds of varying sizes, which illuminate the centre of each flower.
The Datejust 31 is worn with an Oyster bracelet fitted with an Oysterclasp and the Easylink comfort extension link, which allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length by about 5 mm.
Price: S$15,500
Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller
Oystersteel and white gold with mint green dial
This travel and annual calendar watch, in a masculine 42 mm size, is one of the few Rolex models that, for technical reasons, features a dial composed of several parts.
The mint green dial of the Sky-Dweller, housed in an Oystersteel case topped with a white gold Rolex fluted bezel, is actually made of two dials – a large one and a smaller one. The two pieces are separately produced but visually matched by a certified colormetrist to ensure they are exactly the same shade. The watch is paired with a solid-link Oyster bracelet in Oystersteel.
Price: S$23,600
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