Dr. Ito's thorough analysis of mechanical watches!! Vol.22 ~ About dials made from natural materials ~

Good evening, everyone!

This column discusses mechanical watches from an engineer's perspective. In this 22nd installment, following on from the last time,

"About natural material dials"

We will be discussing this topic.

The "dial" is often likened to the "face" of a wristwatch and is the most prominent part. It can be said to have a very significant impact on the watch's impression. This time, I'd like to introduce "natural material dials," which have been gaining increasing popularity over the years. Please read to the end!

Shell

This is a technique where shells are processed. Its beauty, which shows various expressions depending on the angle of light, has led to its adoption in various watches. Since it is made from natural shells, no two patterns are exactly alike.

Among the most commonly used shells is mother-of-pearl. The shell is thinly shaved and coated before being applied to the dial. White and pink hues from white butterfly shells are often seen, but black from black butterfly shells is also popular.

A prime example of a "shell dial" watch is the Rolex Datejust. This dress watch boasts a variety of dial designs, but those with shell dials are particularly popular due to their unique texture and luxurious feel.

Meteorite

Meteorites are rocks that fall to Earth from space, and their main components are iron and nickel. A distinctive feature is the pattern of intersecting band-like structures that appear after special treatment. This is attributed to the "Widmanstätten pattern," a unique crystalline structure found in meteorites that is said not to form on Earth.

Since the amount of meteorites falling to Earth is very small, it is a very rare material, and furthermore, being a natural material, no two patterns are the same. It's understandable why it continues to be highly popular.

Natural Stone

Natural stones possess vibrant colors and attractive textures in addition to special patterns. When used for watch dials, they are thinly sliced and sometimes engraved on the surface. However, special techniques and expertise are required to prevent cracking and fading. Here, I would like to introduce three particularly popular types of natural stone dials from the many available.

① Onyx 

Onyx is known in Japanese as "Kurome-no" (black agate) and is characterized by its vitreous luster and deep jet-black color.

Onyx is also a historically popular natural stone, believed to ward off evil and bad luck, and has been used as an amulet. It is extremely rare, and many models featuring it are traded at high prices in the secondary market.

② Lapis Lazuli 

Lapis lazuli is known in Japanese as "Ruri" and is a deep ultramarine natural stone, ranging from deep blue to indigo, sometimes containing flecks of pyrite that give it a starlit night sky shimmer. It is formed by a mottled mixture of very fine crystals, and the nuance of the stone changes depending on the combination and proportion of minerals. Lapis lazuli is said to be the first stone recognized as a "power stone" in the world. It is considered an auspicious natural stone that "invites good fortune," wards off evil, enhances sound judgment, and attracts the greatest luck.

③ Turquoise

Turquoise (Turkish stone) is an opaque mineral with colors ranging from blue to green. It exhibits a truly diverse range of appearances, from light aqua to deep blue, greenish hues, and those with black or brown dendritic patterns. This variation in color appears to be due to the copper and iron content.

The "turquoise color" dial has been very popular in recent years. The original natural stone "turquoise" itself is, of course, also one of the rare and highly popular models.

Summary

Watches made with natural materials offer a noble impression with their unique beauty and one-of-a-kind colors and patterns. If you're considering owning a watch that sets you apart from others, why not take a look?

In recent years, various companies have been releasing models using a wide range of natural materials, so please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

I hope this article has provided valuable information for everyone and sparked some interest in luxury watches! Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask directly, and we will be happy to answer them thoroughly. We look forward to your visit and inquiries.

Stay tuned for the next installment! See you then!