Dial text: yea or nay?

Lotus_Eater8815 · Jun 16, 2019

What is everyone’s opinion on the presence of text on the dial of a watch? Attractive or a nuisance?

Here’re three pieces from my collection that take the cake:

(I’d be interested in seeing one that tops the 9 lines - including the logos and the 6 o’clock reference numbers - of the King Seiko Special below)

ext1 · Jun 16, 2019

ROLEX
OYSTER
PERPETUAL
DATE
CARTIER
SUBMARINER
660FT = 200M
SUPERLATIVE
CHRONOMETER
OFFICIALLY
CERTIFIED
SWISS - T < 25

...yeah, not a fan of essays on watches... there's a reason why I prefer the non-professional text premoon speedys 😉

micampe · Jun 16, 2019

rumors say that the next version will have the warranty terms too.

STANDY · Jun 16, 2019

Ahhh vintage

gemini4 · Jun 16, 2019

Sterile Dials 👍

Lotus_Eater8815 · Jun 16, 2019

I may be the minority here, but i quite like essays on the dial 📖 unless of course it is a dressy classic time-only watch.

BillLundberg · Jun 16, 2019

I love the text on my Omega Seamaster professional. It was one of the things that drew me to it

Darlinboy · Jun 17, 2019

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words...

Millenary Watches · Jun 18, 2019

Logo, brand name, model name, and Swiss made is all I need.

Chaz Goldenrod · Jun 20, 2019

I seriously considered a Pelagos LHD, but the dial text is out of control! It seriously spoils the dial for me.

ConElPueblo · Jun 20, 2019

Too much (subjective term, I know) text in either top or bottom of the dial will unbalance the look for me. The Tudors above are the best cases in point one could ask for. Compared to the ETA Pelagos, these are eye sores 🙁

I really dislike sterile dials as well. Gives a too utilitarian look for me, like a set of kitchen scales devoid of character.

Not much less text than this for me:

Larry S · Jun 20, 2019

Text can really accent the personality of a watch. Obviously Rolex does it well, here are some others. I think RGM nailed the text on 801 Corps Of Engineers. The 455 is good too. In the case of the Bulova (they literally got renamed: Devil Divers). Text is such a huge discussion point on the Polerouter and while I love the watch, perhaps Timex tried a little too hard to stay out of hot water with the FTC on American Documents.

Kokito · Jun 20, 2019

Less is more?I don't know, I like both options.

Lotus_Eater8815 · Jun 20, 2019

One problem I have with sterile dials is non-WIS people coming up to me and asking what am I wearing.

Ok, that is a lie. I love it when a watch, no matter the brand, acts as an icebreaker.

Lotus_Eater8815 · Jun 20, 2019

Chaz Goldenrod
I seriously considered a Pelagos LHD, but the dial text is out of control! It seriously spoils the dial for me.

Those essays are lovely. 😁 Reading dial text fills those unexpected quiet moments that come upon you during the day.

Larry S
Text can really accent the personality of a watch. Obviously Rolex does it well, here are some others. I think RGM nailed the text on 801 Corps Of Engineers. The 455 is good too. In the case of the Bulova (they literally got renamed: Devil Divers). Text is such a huge discussion point on the Polerouter and while I love the watch, perhaps Timex tried a little too hard to stay out of hot water with the FTC on American Documents.

I agree. That RGM field watch is a stunner! Also, I never really thought that dial text could influence a watch’s moniker (i.e. Devil Diver).

May I ask why text is a talking point with Polerouters?

Lotus_Eater8815 · Jun 20, 2019

Kokito
Less is more?I don't know, I like both options.

Notwithstanding my sentiments above, I find dial text on dress watches obnoxious. Plus, in the case of your piece, there is really not much else to be said 😀

(Watch below belongs to a friend)

Larry S · Jun 20, 2019

Lotus_Eater8815
Those essays are lovely. 😁 Reading dial text fills those unexpected quiet moments that come upon you during the day.

I agree. That RGM field watch is a stunner! Also, I never really thought that dial text could influence a watch’s moniker (i.e. Devil Diver).

May I ask why text is a talking point with Polerouters?

All about fonts, print period and alignment. Huge.

Dial text: yea or nay?

Lotus_Eater8815

ext1

micampe

STANDY

gemini4

Lotus_Eater8815

BillLundberg

Darlinboy

Millenary Watches

Chaz Goldenrod

ConElPueblo

Larry S

Kokito

Lotus_Eater8815

Lotus_Eater8815

Lotus_Eater8815

Larry S

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