buffy acacia
With its creamy iridescent hues and multicolored luster, few dials capture the pastel luxury of mother-of-pearl. Although not a rare or expensive product, this organic material has been prized by humans around the world for thousands of years. While some may dismiss it as too feminine, many brands have actually been guilty of using mother-of-pearl. As an unimaginative shortcut to marketing watches to women. But what if it is used correctly and respected? It could really be something. it’s not surprising Mother of pearl has been used in clock and watchmaking for as long as crafts have existed..
Timex Modern Easy Reader 32mm
Timex has been synonymous with affordability and practicality for as long as the brand has been around, and every variation of the Easy Reader. Will satisfy lovers of minimalism and versatility. This 32mm version uses particularly beautiful slices of white mother-of-pearl with colorful flecks of pink and green, giving the dial a quilt-like texture instead of a plain white background. It’s also set up with Timex’s Indiglo feature, which acts as a backlight across the dial when you need visibility after dark. Luminous markers are no longer required, and the numbers on the dial give a thin and elegant impression. Price: $79
Casio MTP1302DS-7A
The Casio MTP1302DS-7A appears to be limited to Australia and New Zealand, but it’s well worth looking for internationally. With a diameter of 38.5 mm and a lug length of 44.2 mm, this watch is one of the most affordable mother-of-pearl watches you can buy, yet is completely gender neutral. The dial is covered in faded greens, blues, and reds, and the sword hands and baton indexes remain perfectly legible, along with the date display. The fluted bezel and Oyster-style bezel show off the Datejust influence without veering too far into homage territory. This product combines elegance and sturdiness, making it a great choice for those who love the combination of practicality and beauty. Price: 169 AUD (~110 USD)
citizen payten
It’s very rare that mother-of-pearl is decorated with more than a polished surface, but Citizen Payten uses subtle tread patterns and brushed sector placement to add a little more interest to subtle blues, purples, and reds. It’s tempting. This is a subtle effect, but one that definitely sets it apart from many of its competitors. It has a 33mm case and can also function as a sports watch. 100m water resistant, suitable for swimming. What’s more, the Eco-Drive movement eliminates the need for battery replacement thanks to solar charging via the dial itself. Price: $375
Tissot Chemin de Tourelles Powermatic 80 34mm
Named after the street where Tissot’s factory was built in 1907, the Chemin des Tourelles collection represents the Swiss brand’s heritage, combining tradition with modern touches. This 34mm reference features a central window with creamy areas of monochrome mother-of-pearl, creating a soft contrast with the surrounding silver of the dial. The applied markers and alpha handset are sharp and work well, and the date window at 6 o’clock also balances everything out perfectly. This watch is powered by the fan-favorite Powermatic 80 movement, which has an 80-hour power reserve and is comfortable to view through the caseback. Price: US$795, available from T+T Shop
Longines Legend Diver 36mm
Standing out as a complete reversal of the typical black diving watch stereotype, the Longines Legend Diver with its mother-of-pearl dial is equal parts sophisticated and scuba-ready. It is water resistant to 300 meters and the inner rotating bezel is operated by a screw. -Down crown does not interfere with timing. Whether you’re timing a dive or gauging a parking meter, beneath its attractive façade lies true tool watch DNA. The 1960s reference varies between 27mm and 42mm, so the 36mm diameter is perfect for those with smaller wrists or those who simply prefer vintage sizing. Price: $2,500
Fears Brunswick 40 Aurora
40mm version of the 2022 Fears Brunswick A perfect harmony has been created between the brand’s archival origins and its design-obsessed future.Released the following year, Aurora reached a new level of undeniably modern beauty. Two sections of Blue Mother of Pearl use rich swatches of navy, gray and powder blue to capture the ephemeral view of ocean waves, while notes of purple and green recall the namesake Northern Lights. Let me do it. The dial is manufactured in Germany using Pinctada Maxima Oyster shell that has been treated to achieve a gorgeous color. Price: US$4,050, available from T+T Shop
Bulgari Lucia 33mm
Not all mother-of-pearl watches need to be androgynous-fitting to be cool. Femme fatale Bvlgari Lucia is proof of that. As a historical jeweler, Bvlgari knows that form is more important than function. The Lucea may be a limited edition watch with a very basic automatic movement, but it’s also one of Bvlgari’s most underrated designs. The edges on the sides of the bracelet are reminiscent of the scales of a viper, and the mother-of-pearl intarsia dial is completely hypnotic in movement. A laboratory-made pink sapphire crown completes the picture, along with 12 diamonds as hour markers. $7,350
Time+Tide Timeless recommendations: Rolex Datejust
It’s nearly impossible to count the number of Rolex references with mother-of-pearl dials. In almost every conceivable variation, mother-of-pearl has remained a very popular dial option for decades, and is abundant on the second-hand market. Buying a vintage Rolex is never a bad ideaespecially since it’s a dressy one with flash and the sheer number of MOP Datejusts available means the price isn’t too unreasonable. As always, be wary of redials and fakes. However, you should have no problem finding genuine examples.
