Gradient Dials Are Here to Stay: These 7 Watches Are Proof

Colour transitions in watches refer to the progressive change in a shade across various parts of a watch, most notably the dial. The gradient effect can provide a watch face with a sense of depth and dimension because it often transitions from a lighter shade at the centre to a darker one at the borders. Such transitions can be created with a variety of manufacturing techniques, including layering multiple lacquer colours, unique printing procedures, and adding materials that naturally display these qualities. Also known as fumé dials, gradient dials are eye-catching. 

Here are the top seven watches with gradient dials.

Oris Divers Sixty-Five Date 40.00 mm

Watches often draw inspiration from landscapes, flora, fauna, and natural textures to create unique designs. This watch, housed in a 40 mm stainless steel case, gets on its dial green shades that are inspired by the dense forests that surround the Swiss village of Hölstein, deep in the Waldenburg Valley. The dial is using a gently graduated effect with a lighter green tone at the centre.

With a 60-minute aluminium bezel, the timepiece has a shield marker at 12 o’clock, eight dotted and two rectangular hour markers with Super LumiNova®, and a date window at 6 o’clock. Powering the watch is Calibre Oris 733 that delivers a 41-hour power reserve. The model is finished on a multi-piece stainless steel metal bracelet with a folding clasp.

Price: INR 2,05,000 (approx.)

Montblanc Star Legacy Chronograph 42 mm Limited Edition

The Montblanc Star Legacy Chronograph Limited Edition of 1786 pieces honours Jacques Balmat, who was the first to reach the peak of Mont Blanc in 1786. The watch features a burgundy glacier-patterned dial with a sfumato effect around the edges, a rack minuterie, and rose gold-coated hour markers, and hour and minute hands. The indications feature a central chronograph seconds hand with the Montblanc symbol on the counterweight, a 30-minute chronograph counter with rhodium-coated hands at 3 o'clock, a minute counter at 9 o'clock, and a date window at 6 o'clock.

This 42 mm stainless steel model is driven by the MB 24.31 automatic movement, which has a 48-hour power reserve. The clock is equipped with an interchangeable calf leather strap featuring alligator print and vertical sfumato.

Price: INR 3,93,000 (approx.)

Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze

Bronze case watches are known for their unique aesthetics and durability. The material develops a patina over time, lending each watch a distinct and personalised look. This timepiece has a compact 39 mm case with a reasonable height of 11.9 mm. The Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze is fitted with a brown dial and bezel combination. Both have a graduated matte “brown-bronze” colour, shaded concentrically from the exterior towards the centre.

Arabic hour markers can be spotted at 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock, along with an inverted triangle for 12 o’clock. To be precise, there are eight dotted hour markers. The model relies on the COSC-certified calibre MT5400 self-winding movement with a 70-hour power reserve and a silicon balance spring.

Price: INR 4,24,000 (approx.)

ZENITH DEFY Revival A3690

In 1969, ZENITH, a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, made a significant mark in horological history with the introduction of the El Primero movement. The design of the A3690 looks very “retro” with an angular octagonal case, scalloped edges, and a tetradecagon bezel. The turquoise gradient blue dial has applied faceted hour markers and discreet dots of luminous material.

Both hour markers, and hour and minute hands are rhodium-plated and faceted; only the hands are coated with SuperLumiNova. There is a date window at 4:30. This 37 mm stainless steel watch is run by the Calibre ELITE 670 automatic movement that offers a 50-hour power reserve. This novelty is finished on a stainless steel "Ladder" bracelet.

Price: INR 6,02,000 (approx.)

TAG Heuer Monaco Purple Dial 

Introduced in 1969, TAG Heuer Monaco gained fame when Steve McQueen wore it in the 1971 film, Le Mans. This watch has a 39 mm brushed and polished square stainless steel case. A sapphire crystal protects the purple sunray and smoked brushed dial that has a gradient effect ― the colour gets darker at the edges. There are rectangular pushers positioned at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock.

The dial has the classic tri-compax layout with a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a small seconds at 6 o’clock with a black bevelled date window underneath, and a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock. Powering the watch is TAG Heuer’s own Calibre Heuer 02 automatic chronograph with an 80-hour power reserve. The watch is finished on a black alligator leather strap with a purple lining and a steel folding clasp.

Price: INR 6,45,000 (approx.)

H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Centre Seconds Matrix Green

Green gradient dials have become quite a rage in recent years. H. Moser & Cie.'s Streamliner Centre Seconds Matrix Green has a green fumé dial, fondly called the "Green Dragon" by collectors. There are no distractions on the dial, allowing the sunburst fumé finish to work its magic, as a variety of colours appear when the watch face is exposed to light.

Globolight (a revolutionary ceramic-based material containing SuperLumiNova) inserts are used on the flat hour, minute, and central second hands. Powering this 40 mm cushion-shaped stainless steel watch is Calibre HMC 201 with a 72-hour power reserve. The rotor has also been bevelled so as to not obstruct the view of the movement. Finishing the watch is an integrated steel bracelet with a folding clasp.

Price: INR 25,00,000 (approx.)

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Perpetual Calendar

A perpetual calendar is a highly sophisticated complication that automatically adjusts to different month lengths and leap years. This 42 mm pink gold watch has a gradient green lacquered dial. The calendar indications appear on three subdials: month and year at 12 o’clock, days of the week at 3 o’clock, and date at 9 o’clock. The fourth subdial at 6 o’clock corresponds to the phases of the moon in both hemispheres.

The Southern Hemisphere uses a retrograde display while the Northern Hemisphere cycles are represented by a golden Moon with stars. The two crowns are functional: the top crown rotates the inner bezel, while the lower crown sets the time and winds the watch. Powering the watch is Calibre 868 with a 70-hour power reserve. The novelty is finished on a green rubber, black alligator leather strap.

Price: INR 33,80,000 (approx.)

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