What is a Fume dial, and how does it work? Watchmakers are increasingly introducing watches with them. Let’s talk about and examine some of the most stunning dials.
The Gradient Watch Dial: Smokey “Fume” Dials That Captivate Your Imagination
These trends inspire watchmakers to bring back the charm of older, more collectible watches.
This is the second article covering features borrowed from vintage watches. Last time we covered the rise in bronze-cased watches. Today, we’ll explore the striking fume dial. Watchmakers are now combining trends such as this bronze Zenith Pilot Cronometro Tipo CP-2 Flyback with a graduated dial. Let’s take a closer look at the wide range of watches with fume dials. We will also answer some common questions.
Watchmakers are creating watches with gradient dials for a variety of reasons. In the past, a watchmaker had to create limited editions or watches with a blue dial to attract watch collectors. Collectors and watch geeks are less sensitive to these tactics, so they need something stronger to stimulate their curiosity. Vintage looks are also popular, so anything can be vintage if it looks good. You can get distressed leather straps, a bronze case and transitioning colors.
When was the first time that a fume dial watch was made? In the 1970s, the first dial with an ombre or fume finish was created. They were very popular at that time. This feature is still used by watchmakers today. Modern-day watchmakers love the smooth, airbrushed appearance of color gradation on dials (also known as a “smoky dial”).
Who repopularized the gradient dial? H. Moser & Cie coined the term fume. It has a fascinating story. Although it was a term used internally initially, it had a nice ring. It was initially a small number of watches, but it quickly became their trademark look. They could remove their logo from their dials, and people would recognize it as part of their brand.
How does a watchmaker make a gradient dial? The process involves spraying the dial in a darker hue and spinning it. Results can vary depending on how intense the spray is and the spin’s speed. Sometimes, the results can be surprising and unique. This process is possible with many of the most common dial materials. Some materials, like enamel, are more difficult and take longer to complete.
The French term for smoke, fume, was soon being used by the company.
Is there a variety of gradient dials? Some smokey watch dials fade from the center outwards. Some dials use a linear gradation, which fades from top-to-bottom or the middle of the dial outwards like a light shining on the center.
Glashutte Original 1960s is an excellent example of a collection that pays homage to this era. The Glashutte Original Senator Sixties FIERY Orange # has a textured smokey dial. It fades from a bright fiery orange to a burnt orange around the perimeter. It is like being able to witness a flash of light. The same watchmaker also makes models that fade from grayish to black or lighten to darker green.
This is the golden age of watchmaking. Watchmakers are increasingly creating watches with bronze cases. Let’s take a look at the top 5 best bronze watches.
Bronze watches are good, but Is there a reason that more people choose to buy them? The new trend of luxury watchmakers creating watches with bronze cases is a sign of the times. Famous watches like the Panerai Luminor Submersible or the Oris Carl Brashear get a unique bronzed look.
How does the bronze watch age? Patina refers to the oxidation process of bronze. The patina of bronze is the result of oxidation. The oxidation of bronze, however, can produce a colorful chemical reaction that makes it more appealing. Every watch develops its patina over time, which makes it unique and often very colorful. You can see examples of patina in the image below.
Bronze scratches easily. The watchmaking alloy UNI 5275 is more scratch-resistant than stainless. The patina mentioned above is not a “taint” but a natural layer that protects the watch against corrosion. A steel watch could erode to the point of being useless. This unique metal’s physical properties make it easier to polish any natural wear than steel. Let’s look at 10 of today’s best bronze watches.
The Top 5 Best Bronze Watches for 2022
1. Oris Big Crown Pointer Date 40mm
The 80th-anniversary edition of the Big Crown Pointer Date collection is one of Oris’ most popular Special Edition watches. The case is made of polished bronze and features steel back with a steel edge.
The dial features a rich, green color with luminous material. The face is adorned with numerals and hour markers. The dial flange features a railroad-style seconds track and finely printed date numerals at its edges. A bronze-colored, red-tipped dial hand indicates the date. A sapphire crystal protects the dial from scratches.
2. Tag Heuer Autavia Calibre 5 Chronometer
TAG Heuer designed this case in brushed bronze. It also features a two-directional rotating bezel in brushed bronze with a brown ceramic insert. Australia’s collection had a vintage feel that everyone loved. But, the bronze case is even more vintage. They also incorporated a gradient dial, which allows for the transition between two different colors. It can be used in light brown or dark brown.
Around the dial, a flange is printed a railroad-style seconds track. The 6 o’clock position houses a date window. Combining boldly applied numerals with applied index hour markers, both are filled with luminous material. The bronze-sword-shaped hour hand and minute hands, as well as the pencil-shaped minute’s hand and seconds hand, are filled with luminous material, which allows for great visibility even in low light conditions.
3. Longines Legend Diver Automatic
This trendy and stylish bronze diver watch features a gradient dial that fades from green at the center to darker colors on the edges. The luminous material fills index hour markers, numerals and hands. Two crowns are on the right of the bronze case, and an internal black bezel rotates in both directions. The crown at 2 o’clock is used to operate this bezel. It has a triangle-shaped luminous area at the start.
The luminous material is used to fill index hour markers, numerals and rose gold-toned hands. The watch’s main case is made from bronze. However, the back of the watch is made from solid lightweight titanium. The watch has a brown leather strap and a NATO strap made of green fabric.
4. Bell & Ross BR–V2-94
This limited edition watch has a beautiful bronze case with a brushed finish. The black dial features bronze-colored subdials, index hour markers and a split-seconds track. A date window is located between the 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions. For the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions, large Arabic numerals are used.
The bezel is made of black anodized aluminum and features a tachymeter scale. The polished finish is evident on the winding crown and the pair of chronograph pushers at the right of the case. The BR -CAL 301 chronograph movement works through the transparent case back. The watch is limited to 999 pieces worldwide. It comes with a soft calfskin strap, fastened by a deployment clasp (folding buck).
5. Zenith Pilot Typ 20
The case is brushed bronze and has an aged patina. It has a matte black dial with large luminous numerals. A fine-printed second track also features orange-printed Arabic numerals at each 5-minute increment. SuperLuminova luminous material is used to fill the bronze-colored hands in a cathedral style.
Zenith 679 is the watch’s automatic movement. It beats at 4Hz, has 27 jewels and has a 55-hour power reserve. Pilot Type 20 watches come in brass cases. The model featured here is on a brown nubuck leather bracelet with a pin buckle.
