For those living in the northern hemisphere, this time of year is associated with cold, dark days. But have no fear. It’s a scientifically proven fact that incorporating color into your life can brighten your mood. Some colors, such as yellow, trigger the release of serotonin in the brain, making us feel happy. Therefore, watches with colorful dials are good for your health.
I can’t think of a better reason to consider buying a watch with a colorful dial than the idea that it will make you a little happier. This seems like a good enough reason to consider purchasing a new watch. Given the concept that this period is associated with gifts, we have a strong capitalist combination. So without further ado, let’s check out five amazing watches with colorful dials.
A watch with a colorful dial: the pink Tudor Black Bay Chrono
This divisive color comes from a brand known for its rugged tool watches. The pink dialed Tudor Black Bay Chrono is sure to raise some eyebrows in the crowd. Pink is the best color for a watch if you ask me. There’s nothing wrong with the idea of wearing a pink dial watch. What’s more, what you get with the Tudor Black Bay Chrono is a very capable tool watch with a lot of features. Screw-in pusher provides water resistance up to 200 meters. The snowflake hands are unique to Tudor, and the five-row bracelet is comfortable, especially with the brand’s quick-adjust T-fit clasp.
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono measures 41 mm in diameter, 14.2 mm thick and 49.9 mm lug to lug. It’s not a small watch at this size, but it wears very well all things considered. You can choose a more monochromatic colorway for this watch, but the pink dial really stands out. So in this particular colorway, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono is the winner for me. Throw in the build quality we’ve come to expect from Tudor, and you’ve got a strong value proposition.
omega aqua terra
This special edition 38mm Aqua Terra (ref. 220.10.38.20.03.004) comes in a captivating shade of blue. In fact, of all the blue colorways I’ve seen as part of Omega’s Seamaster line’s 75th anniversary celebration, this is probably my favorite. To quickly summarize, Omega released a variety of dial colors as part of this release, showing different shades of blue. The deeper the watch’s depth rating, the darker the blue. It’s always been an incredibly cool release from Omega, and this Aqua Terra is no exception.
Sure, there are plenty of other bright color options in the Aqua Terra collection, but there’s something special about the powder blue version here. Omega’s Aqua Terra is a truly capable watch that can do just about anything, but it also looks perfectly appropriate dressed up or down. Omega is stepping up its game with the Aqua Terra series, and they’ve had to because the “go anywhere, do anything” category of sports/dress watches is highly competitive.
Divingstar yellow Doxa Sub
Doxa’s Sub 300 and Sub 300T lines are nothing short of iconic diver watches. Used by famous ocean explorers and professional divers during the golden age of mechanical watches last century, Doxa Subs are incredibly cool. It’s also a relatively approachable watch compared to diving watches with similar heritage, such as the Rolex Submariner and Omega Seamaster 300. Of course, we’re talking about different levels of watchmaking here, but you can get a well-made Swiss watch for your money. A mechanical watch with a great tradition. If you want something smaller, you can also choose the cheaper Doxa Sub 200T. When it comes to watches with colorful dials, this 39mm Charmer is my favorite.
The Doxa Sub collection has an amazing range of color options. Still, the basic colors were black (Shark Hunter), silver (Sea Rambler), orange (Professional), and Diving Star (yellow). Today at Country Mile my choice is the Divingstar version. Of all the colors that seem to come to mind, yellow is always right there. I had my eye on Divingstar’s Doxa Sub 200T, a watch owned by Hodinkee Editor-in-Chief James Stacey. So my advice? If you’re looking for a dive watch that packs a punch, pick up these Doxas in your choice of colors.
Image: Wind Vintage
Rolex Oyster Perpetual
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is a watch that needs little introduction. This represents the core DNA of Rolex sports watches. The standard 100 meter water resistance, screw-down crown, iconic Oyster case and Oyster bracelet all combine to deliver intense sports chic. I own a vintage 34mm Rolex Oyster Ref. 1002 (with a hand-wound caliber), but of all the watches in Rolex’s latest catalog, the one that stands out for me is the Oyster Perpetual 36. The 36mm size is classic and suitable for most wrists. This is also the smallest diameter that accommodates the Rolex caliber 3230.
Image: Artisans of Time
One of the great things about this particular version (Ref. 126000) is that it is powered by the same caliber as the current Rolex Submariner, with a power reserve of 70 hours and an accuracy of ±2 seconds per day . But I would argue that the best part is that it comes in a variety of color options. One of my favorites is the yellow dial, but unfortunately Rolex doesn’t make them anymore. So today we’ll be looking at the beautiful green version. Of all the different types of green, I think this one is closer to a dark British racing green. Like Omega’s Aqua Terra, it’s a highly functional daily watch that looks good on any occasion, yet is perfect for any occasion, including trips to the beach.
king seiko
King Seiko is a watchmaker name that is close to my heart. Founded as an internal competitor to Grand Seiko, King Seiko produced great watches during the brand’s heyday in the 1960s. A few years ago, Seiko revived the King Seiko line with a modern twist on some of the classic case designs brought to you by the original. These cases followed the design grammar of Japanese designer Taro Tanaka, who emphasized sharp, faceted angles. I own a vintage King Seiko 44-9990. It has a case design very similar to the modern watch pictured above. Above are the lavender, blue, and maroon versions. My favorite is the lavender dial (Ref. SJE107), but lavender is an underrated shade when it comes to watches with colorful dials.
What you get with this King Seiko model is an incredibly attractive 38.6 mm case, a comfortable bracelet, and a stunning dial. The King Seiko line in general is worth further investigation. However, what I would like to emphasize is the appeal of looking for vintage options when possible. Vintage King Seikos are some of the best value for money still available on the secondary market. Still, Seiko is known for its attention to detail on its dials, and modern options like this King Seiko are no exception.
Summary of watches with colorful dials
There are many ways to take this article. The sheer number of options is dizzying. I guess part of me wanted to feature watches that you could potentially buy if you tried hard enough. Special mention goes to several options found from the Tissot PRX line. Among them, there are many colors that go well with the sporty vibe of the PRX.
This article just scratches the surface of what’s out there when it comes to watches with colorful dials. Fratelli, what about you? What options do you recommend? I look forward to reading about them in the comments.
