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Good evening everyone!
This column talks about mechanical watches from an engineer's point of view. This is the 22nd installment, and will continue from the previous one.
"About dials made of natural materials"
I will talk about this topic.
The dial is likened to the "face" of a watch and is the most visible part. It can be said that it has a huge impact on the impression of a watch. In this article, we would like to introduce "natural material dials," which are becoming more and more popular every year. Please read to the end!
shell
It is a technique for processing seashells, and is used in a variety of watches due to the beauty of the different expressions it shows depending on the angle of the light. Because it is made from natural seashells, no two patterns are the same.
The most commonly used shell is mother-of-pearl. The shell is shaved into thin pieces, coated, and then attached to the dial. White and pink colors from white pearl oysters are often seen, but black from black pearl oysters is also popular.
The most representative of the "shell dial" is the Rolex Datejust. It is a dress watch with a variety of dial designs, but the shell dial has a unique texture and luxurious feel, making it a popular model.
Meteorite
Meteorites are meteorites that fall to Earth from space, and are mainly composed of iron and nickel. They are characterized by the intersecting band-like structures that appear when they are treated in a special way. This is said to be due to a unique crystal structure of meteorites called the "Widmanstätten structure," which is not thought to be possible to form on Earth.
Because the amount of meteorites that fall to Earth is very small, it is a very rare material, and because it is a natural material, no two pieces have the same pattern. It's no wonder that it continues to be so popular.
Natural Stone
This natural stone has a special pattern, vibrant color and attractive texture. When used for dials, it is sliced thinly and processed by engraving, but it requires special techniques and know-how to prevent cracking and fading.
Here, we will introduce three particularly popular types of dials made from natural materials.
① Onyx
Onyx is called "kuromeno" in Japanese, and is characterized by its glassy luster and deep jet black color.
Onyx is also known to ward off evil and evil spirits, and has long been a popular natural stone used as a talisman. It is extremely rare, and many models are traded at high prices on the second-hand market.
② Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli, known in Japanese as "Ruri," is a deep lapis lazuli natural stone that shines like the night sky, with a deep blue to indigo color and occasional pyrite grains. It is made up of very fine crystals mixed together in patches, and the nuances of the stone change depending on the combination of minerals and the amounts used. It is said to be the first stone in the world to be recognized as a "power stone." It is said to be a "stone that brings good luck," and is an auspicious natural stone that is said to ward off evil spirits, improve your ability to make sound judgments, and bring you the best luck.
③Turquoise
Turquoise is an opaque mineral with a blue to green color, and has a wide variety of appearances, from light blue to dark blue, greenish, and black or brown leaf-like patterns. The difference in color seems 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" is also rare and counted among the most popular models.
summary
Watches made from natural materials have a unique beauty and a noble impression with their one-of-a-kind colors and patterns. If you want to have a watch that stands out from the rest, why not try one out?
In recent years, many companies have been releasing models using a variety of natural materials, so if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
We hope that this article has been useful to you and has piqued your interest in luxury watches! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly and we will answer them thoroughly. We look forward to your visit and inquiries.
Look forward to the next one! See you next time!
