zach blas
When it comes to dial color, you can be sure that everyone will be happy with white, black, silver, gray or blue. It is a very versatile color that is easy to use even for beginners and can be matched with anything. Green has become a fan favorite lately, but some colors don’t have the same effortless and universal qualities when it comes to pairing your watch with your wardrobe. Probably somewhere in between. It may sound silly to some, but a chocolate dial, or rather a brown dial, is a little more advanced. While a blue dial can be paired with black shoes and a belt, brown shoes and a belt, or any shoe and belt for that matter, a brown dial can be worn with an overall earthy look, at least by fashionista standards. Must be wearing a collar. A brown dial clock perfect for your home. From a design perspective, it’s not easy to design an attractive brown dial watch without considering the person and their wardrobe. Perhaps the best brown dials are found on vintage watches that have developed naturally over time and have acquired a perfect tropical patina. That being said, if a brown dial watch is finished correctly, it can smoke. Here are six of my favorite brown dial watches under $10,000.
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical H69439901
If you’re looking for a more affordable brown dial watch, the ’60s-inspired Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical H69439901 might be just what you’re looking for. That’s because Hamilton does a solid job of bringing just the right amount of faux tina to its brown dial variations, creating an aged look to the luminous indexes and hands, along with a faux faded dial to create a tropical effect. . Aesthetics aside, the Khaki Field Mechanical has the advantage of an approachably sized 38mm case with a hand-wound Caliber 80 Hour. And all for just… Price: US$595
Longines Conquest Automatic 41 L38304626
If the militaristic matte case and dial of the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical isn’t enough flair and elegance for you, the Longines Conquest Automatic 41 L38304626 with its rich brown sunburst dial and mixed-finish case and bracelet is a “robust” offers elegance. . The 41mm stainless steel case is 10.9mm thick and has a lug length of 49.1mm, is water resistant to 100 meters with a screw-down crown, and houses a 72-hour automatic movement with a silicon balance spring. Masu. It’s safe to say that this is a name brand watch, and considering its specs, it’s a lot of value for a price of just $2,075. Price: $2,075
NOMOS CLUB SPORT NEOMATIX 39 TABAC
Apart from the Swiss, the Germans also know how to design smoky brown dials. The dial hue of this NOMOS Club Sport Neomatik 39 is inspired by brown tobacco, hence the tabac color name. Blending brown and Bauhaus, NOMOS expresses its signature aesthetic with unique hues. The only disclaimer here is that the 200 meter water resistant stainless steel case has a diameter of 39.5mm, but the lug-to-lug width is quite wide at 49.5mm.
That said, if the width of your wrist isn’t a concern, there’s something to compensate for the dimensions: an ultra-thin case that’s just 8.4 mm thick. Additionally, there’s the in-house 43-hour automatic DUW 3001 caliber, which is displayed with elaborate decorations (you’ll have to opt for the slightly more expensive exhibition caseback). Price: From USD 3,090
Tudor Black Bay 58 Bronze Boutique Edition
If you want the look of gold without paying gold, the Tudor Black Bay 58 Bronze Boutique Edition is a great option to consider. I had a love-hate relationship with the Black Bay 58 watch I once owned, both the original and the blue dial. I loved the watch, but hated that I couldn’t find the perfect fit without half-links or tweaks. Then the Black Bay 58 Bronze entered the equation, ushering in the era of T-fit microadjustments. After that, it was gradually developed with subsequent novelties. Unlike the bronze Black Bay, the BB58 Bronze offers an Explorer Submariner look with applied 3-foot, 6-foot, and 9-foot numbers. There’s also a burgundy brown timing bezel, which matches the color of the subtly graduated brown dial, which has a bit of a tropical patina feel to it.
The 39mm case is compact and slim, and the 200 meter water-resistant watch is powered by a chronometer-certified automatic movement with a 70-hour power reserve. If you don’t care about your case or bracelet aging, or if you like to clean your watch regularly, this is probably the best brown dial watch you can buy for under $5,000. Price: $4,875
Grand Seiko SBGW293
We played against the Swiss, we played against the Germans. Now, let’s turn our attention to the Japanese. Grand Seiko is famous for its color and textured dials. However, the SBGW293 opts for a more classic finish, combining shades of brown with a more traditional rich sunburst finish. What really made the SBGW293 stand out was the fact that it was one of the first two regular production models of Grand Seiko’s then-new 36.5mm 44GS case.
Now, I’m on record as not necessarily liking the fact that it has a hand-wound movement rather than an automatic one. I also don’t like the handsets used in this small size, handsets that don’t have the razor-sharp look you’ll find in larger models. But I love its compact size with its vintage-inspired 36.5mm diameter and 42.7mm lug distance. We like that despite its small size, it’s a 100 meter water resistant case. And the level of Zaratsu distortion-free mirror polishing seen on this 44GS case is truly incredible. We can’t say exactly how much it will cost, but if you decide to consider this watch, we’ll also ask how much it will cost you to get a compatible case and matching bracelet. Price: $5,200
Cartier Santos de Cartier WSSA0065
In typical Cartier fashion, the designer perfectly nailed the brown dial found on the Cartier Santos de Cartier. The above rendering doesn’t do it justice at all. When you hold it in your hand, it looks very dynamic. As you move the watch around your wrist, the quadrants of the sunburst dial darken and lighten to an almost amber hue. Some may find the Santos de Cartier’s polished bezel a little scratchy, but its water resistance of 100 meters, which allows you to safely swim with the watch, definitely puts it in the category of “rugged elegance”. I will. On the other hand, the aesthetic is extremely versatile, as the watch can be worn with the included interchangeable bracelets or a leather strap that matches the dial. The links are also ingeniously and safely removable with your fingers. You can adjust the size of your bracelet anytime, anywhere without using any tools. Price: $7,050
