Building Character

Over the decades, Rolex has acquired a vast degree of in-house expertise in dial-making, which combines the best of time-honoured techniques with cutting-edge technology.

- ALLYSON KLASS

Creating a Rolex dial is a unique alchemy combining traditional craftsmanship and state-of-the-art processes. It takes no fewer than 60 operations to transform a metal disc, called a blank, into a masterpiece that imbues each watch with its soul and distinctive character.

This element is so important that some 500 specialists — mechanics, gemsetters, electroplaters, and dial printers, among others — work exclusively on dealmaking at the manufacture’s dedicated Chêne-Bourg site in Geneva. This strategic approach allows Rolex to expand its colour palette continually, adding new shades and nuances each year.

Each dial is a miniature artwork where hues, reflections, and texture combine harmoniously with decorative elements to create a unique personality. Typically made from brass, Rolex dials are dipped into electroplating baths of gold and followed by nickel to create an essential protective layer to prevent oxidisation, and ensure the even distribution and durability of the dial’s future final colour.