TO DIAL FOR

Delving into the Rolex art of dial-making.

- ABDUL AZIZ DRAIM

Of its various components, the first thing you notice on a watch is its face. More than anything, the dial defines the character, the allure and the essence of a watch. At Rolex, its dial-making mastery is where art meets horology. For the Swiss luxury watchmaker, each dial is an intricate, intimate canvas that captures the quintessence of the Rolex identity: that perpetual pursuit for perfection.

As much as it is a visual interface for timekeeping, the Rolex dial is also a work of art in miniature. At Rolex, the whole process of dial creation—from the initial sketches to the final inspection—is done internally, resulting from the merging of traditional techniques with ultramodern technology. And with each passing year, Rolex introduces us to a magnificent array of colours, surface textures and reflections, products of their constant evolution and exploration of creative potential.

Each design element within the dial contributes to the unique persona of the watch, anchored by a base material of brass, precious metals (18-carat yellow, white or pink gold), or natural materials not limited to mother-of-pearl, meteorite, or decorative stones that exude an intrinsic allure such as opal, green aventurine, carnelian, and turquoise.