Face Value

Rolex watches are instantaneously recognisable, thanks in no small part to their dials, which denotes world-renowned style, quality and function at a single glance.

- TAN WEI LIN

The dial of a watch or its face is the key feature upon which one's first impression of the timepiece is based. Every minute component of the dial design is a crucial element in shaping a watch's unique personality, whether it be sporty, vintage-inspired or classic.

The making of dials, a process known in the watch industry as art cadranier, requires both artisanal skill and cutting-edge technology. Rolex is one of the few watchmakers that performs every step of dial production in-house, as they do every component of timepieces that bear their crown emblem. In-house mastery of dial creation and production is a major strategic advantage for Rolex and, at its dedicated site in the Chêne-Bourg district of Geneva, some 500 people work exclusively on dial making.

From the most time-honoured human craftsmanship to cutting-edge machinery specially developed by Rolex, every operation is perfectly executed, then systematically checked and appraised to always enhance end quality. One of the most significant benefits of manufacturing completely in-house is the collaborative synergy between the designers and engineers involved in dial development. By bringing all those working on this complex process under one roof, Rolex provides space for boundless creative liberty and a strong dynamic for innovation. Ultimately, the brand is able to regularly surprise and delight customers with new, exquisitely made watch faces.