The terminology of watches can be very confusing, daunting even for those getting into the world of horology. Very recently on Haute Time, I compared it to learning a new language, with its own terminology, including words such as tourbillon, balance wheel and power reserve. But some terms, luckily for us, are a little friendlier, and an off-centered dial is one of those. Not only is it easy to understand, it’s a style that’s grown in popularity in recent years, with brands from MB&F to Maurice Lacroix using off centered dials as an alternative way of showcasing the time. They either focus attention on the hours and minutes and often highlight other aspects of a watch by them to foreground of the dial. And as you can see from the list below, they can be placed just about anywhere on the watch. Here are five brilliant examples of off-centered dials.
1 Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity
Maurice Lacroix introduced the Masterpiece Gravity in 2014, but revisited the design this year after the effervescence it created among watch collectors. In this watch, aesthetics rule, as Maurice Lacroix gets the balance just right between simple lines and complex mechanics. The watch features hours and minutes in an off-centered white lacquered dial at 2 o’clock, adding a classic touch of class to this sporty design. For a closer look at last year’s design, please click the following “>link.
2 F.P. Journe Nouvelle Octa Lune
F.P. Journe presented the Nouvelle Octa Lune during Geneva Days in January. The brand’s latest watch features a lot of information on the dial, but Mr; Journe has sought a structure that brings balance to the watch and keeps it reader-friendly. The dial features a five day retrograde power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock, a moon phase at 8 o’clock, a date in aperture at 11 o’clock, while hours and minutes are displayed in a larger off-center dial at 5 o’clock. For more on this watch, please click the following l
link.
3 Arnold & Son Instrument Collection DSTB
Arnold & Son recently presented the Instrument Collection DSTB, a watch that presents an elegant lacquered white subdial that displays hours and minutes at 4 o’clock, leaving space to display its movement on the dial side, a design signature mastered by Arnold & Son over many years. For more on this watch, please click the following link.
4 Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Marquetry
Here is a nice example of an artistic off-centered dial from Jaquet Droz. Presented at Baselworld 2015, this Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Marquetry watch is actually made with hundreds of pieces of quail eggs shells crushed and set by hand by a master craftsman. Presented at 12 o’clock, the black subdial plays a discreet role this time. Instead, the starring role is given to the beautiful Asian panorama depicted by the artist. For more on this watch, please click the following link.
5 MB&F Legacy Machine 101 “Frost” Limited edition
Launched in 2014, the Legacy Machine 101 was the smallest and most affordable MB&F timepiece ever made. Riding on the back of its critical and commercial success, the independent Swiss brand announced the release of two Legacy Machine 101 “Frost” limited edition watches earlier this week. The new watches present a frosted dial, inspired by 18th and 19th century pocket watches, that offers a great contrast to the pristine lacquer of the subdials. For more on this watch, please click the following
link.
