1,908 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 4, 2001
It seems that IWCs with white dials are favorites among the members of this forum. I mean white white, not cream, silver, etc. As soon as a model is out with a black dial e.g. Aquatimer, Mark XV, etc, many forum members start wondering when the white dial version will surface. And when it does, usually for the Asian market or in a Limited Edition for an AD, it becomes an instant winner and very collectible. I wonder why? I understand the attraction of a white enamel dial, but I just can't see the attraction of a white painted dial. I find them dull, flat (without depth) and, in general, more difficult to read, with the surface of the dial reflecting all visible wavelengths of the spectrum of visible light. It must not be by accident that tool watches have black matte dials and white numbers. I am sure I will be told how wrong I am. :-)) I actually would like to know.
To my thinking it depends on the watch, and the totality of the design. Aside from principles of design (proportion, harmony, etc.) a good design can be evocative and emotionally connotative.
For that reason, I like the white dial Yacht Club chrono -to me it evokes the romance of sailing. And I like the white dial platinum Portofino moon phase: the contrast accents the clean lines of a simple, classic design. But also I strongly prefer black dialed pilots' watches, except for my brown St.Ex chrono. And a pure white dial on a Da Vinci chrono wouldn't cut it at all for me.
3,723 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
I myself make this general distinction: black dial is sporty, white dial is dressy. And white may be very well a bit creamy. I love both: the most clear is the Vintage Collection Portuguese, I have both the black dialed steel version and the white (cream) dialed rose gold version. In this particular case, the black one is not sporty: is any real Portuguese? And the white dialed version is easier to read in darker circumstances. If ever I would have to choose an Aquatimer 2000, I would choose the black dialed one. But that yellow is too flashy for me, so I chose the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms instead, both sporty and classy, and indeed well to read. As for the Yacht Club, I don't know, both look nice to me. As far as the IWC watches I own, let the numbers tell the story for me: 6x dark (black, dark brown, dark gray), 3x light (white, light cream).
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
5,025 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
MF Wrote:To my thinking it depends on the watch, and the totality of the design. Aside from principles of design (proportion, harming, etc.) a good design can be evocative and emotionally connotative.
For that reason, I like the white dial Yacht Club chrono -to me it evokes the romance of sailing. And I like the white dial platinum Portofino moon phase: the contrast accents the clean lines of a simple, classic design. But also I strongly prefer black dialed pilots' watches, except for my brown St.Ex chrono. And a pure white dial on a Da Vinci chrono wouldn't cut it at all for me.
MF, well reasoned and stated. I very much like the white dial AT 2000 and prefer, after seeing both, the white dial Yacht Club. I have no problems with contrast or readability of my white dial AT 2000. Just my personal opinion, of course.
2,079 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 7, 2005
Same for me, it depends on the watch.
Some (messy) thoughts:
A ref. 1832 is nicer in black, I'd find myself in doubt saying the same for ref. 666.
I love ref. 5000 in black but the platinum version dial (in white) is esthetically superior, always to my tastes, and so on.
Maybe the huge success encountered by particulalry lucky references, like ref 5001-07 or the last AT 3568, maked white dials predominant in the last period.
A guilloché dial (real guilloché) looks often better in white than in any other color.
3,723 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
flyrobyfly36 Wrote:A guilloché dial (real guilloché) looks often better in white than in any other color.
Are there different (real and not real) guilloche dials? What is the difference? The Wikipedia was not very clear on this. But I saw mentioning something alike somewhere else without explanation.
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
2,079 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 7, 2005
Paul Bloemen Wrote in reply to:
flyrobyfly36 Wrote:A guilloché dial (real guilloché) looks often better in white than in any other color.
Are there different (real and not real) guilloche dials? What is the difference? The Wikipedia was not very clear on this. But I saw mentioning something alike somewhere else without explanation.
Kind regards, Paul
Paul,
briefly, the art of guillochage uses two different types of engine turning machines for linear and circular decorations, the hands of the master guillocher and his sensibility make each piece unique, a similar effect can be reproduced by stamping machines through an industrial process. The products obtained through these two processes are quite different at a close look.
1,028 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 31, 2005Honolulu, Hawaii,
United States Minor Outlying Islands
I like white dials AND black dials and would purchase both whether they were regular production or limited production.
The white dials on my BP look dramatically different depending on the lighting and color temperature which I consider to be a plus. For example, under some lighting the dials look creamy and under other lighting the dials look silver.
Finally, although not a scientific sample, a lot of women inquire about my RG-white dialed BP for some reason.
271 Discussions and CommentsMember since July 27, 2008
clepsydra Wrote:I am sure I will be told how wrong I am. :-))
You are not wrong. It is al a matter of taste. It seems a lot of members like white dials. I know I do. I usually prefer light dials. I have only one watch with a black dial. But (as MF pointed out), the design has to be right.
4,730 Discussions and CommentsMember since Dec. 18, 2006
clepsydra Wrote:... I find them dull, flat (without depth) and, in general, more difficult to read, with the surface of the dial reflecting all visible wavelengths of the spectrum of visible light...
To each his own but I would hardly call this dull :-)
I think everybody should have at least one white dial watch in the collection.
I understand the attraction of a white enamel dial, but I just can't see the attraction of a white painted dial.
I find them dull, flat (without depth) and, in general, more difficult to read, with the surface of the dial reflecting all visible wavelengths of the spectrum of visible light. It must not be by accident that tool watches have black matte dials and white numbers.
I am sure I will be told how wrong I am. :-)) I actually would like to know.
clepsydra
ad fontes...
Last edited: 30 October, 2011 - 22:05
For that reason, I like the white dial Yacht Club chrono -to me it evokes the romance of sailing. And I like the white dial platinum Portofino moon phase: the contrast accents the clean lines of a simple, classic design. But also I strongly prefer black dialed pilots' watches, except for my brown St.Ex chrono. And a pure white dial on a Da Vinci chrono wouldn't cut it at all for me.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
Last edited: 23 October, 2011 - 13:31
MF, well reasoned and stated. I very much like the white dial AT 2000 and prefer, after seeing both, the white dial Yacht Club. I have no problems with contrast or readability of my white dial AT 2000. Just my personal opinion, of course.
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
Some (messy) thoughts:
A ref. 1832 is nicer in black, I'd find myself in doubt saying the same for ref. 666.
I love ref. 5000 in black but the platinum version dial (in white) is esthetically superior, always to my tastes, and so on.
Maybe the huge success encountered by particulalry lucky references, like ref 5001-07 or the last AT 3568, maked white dials predominant in the last period.
A guilloché dial (real guilloché) looks often better in white than in any other color.
Regards,
Roberto
Last edited: 11 January, 2013 - 11:07
Are there different (real and not real) guilloche dials? What is the difference? The Wikipedia was not very clear on this. But I saw mentioning something alike somewhere else without explanation.
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
Last edited: 23 October, 2011 - 13:31
Paul,
briefly, the art of guillochage uses two different types of engine turning machines for linear and circular decorations, the hands of the master guillocher and his sensibility make each piece unique, a similar effect can be reproduced by stamping machines through an industrial process. The products obtained through these two processes are quite different at a close look.
Kind Regards,
roberto
Regards,
Roberto
Last edited: 11 January, 2013 - 11:07
The white dials on my BP look dramatically different depending on the lighting and color temperature which I consider to be a plus. For example, under some lighting the dials look creamy and under other lighting the dials look silver.
Finally, although not a scientific sample, a lot of women inquire about my RG-white dialed BP for some reason.
Tracy
Tourneau BP
Japan BP
Last edited: 5 October, 2011 - 07:07
You are not wrong. It is al a matter of taste. It seems a lot of members like white dials. I know I do. I usually prefer light dials. I have only one watch with a black dial. But (as MF pointed out), the design has to be right.
Regards,
Bas
To each his own but I would hardly call this dull :-)
I think everybody should have at least one white dial watch in the collection.
Kind regards,
Last edited: 30 May, 2012 - 20:59