anOrdain for The Pink Dial Project
For our contribution to the cause, we’ve created a unique piece reminiscent of vintage, mid-century timepieces with our interpretation of a linen dial.
Not only was this a style we’d never tried before, but the textile-effect of linen dials refers to the texture of ribbon fibre, alluding to the international symbol for Breast Cancer Awareness, the Pink Ribbon.
To add to its allure on auction day, our Pink Dial also provides several sneak peeks of what to expect from our upcoming third watch, the Model 3.
The Dial
Defined by their crosshatched pattern, linen dials became prominent roughly around the 1940s, with their fabric-like texture created through processes such as etching and engraving.
We achieved our dial’s crosshatched effect by running the silver base, covered with linen, through a roller mill. Once rolled, our enamellers then applied six layers of transparent pink enamel to the textured silver base before working it down to achieve its glossy finish.
From here, the numerals were pad-printed onto the dial. Inspired by the Model 1’s numerical typeface, the Pink Dial’s numerals provide the first glimpse of our third watch’s future aesthetic.
Continuing to mix elements of the handmade with the highly technical, our in-house typographer modified the numerical design. With their sharp corners reduced and curves smoothed, the numbers sit elegantly yet prominently upon the dial.
The magenta outline brightly contrasts with the soft pink dial, creating the illusion of a gentle blush across the numerals' white infill and lifting them from the enamel below - as if floating upon its surface.
The Arabic numerals mark 11 of the 12 hours upon the Pink Dial, but at the eighth index, the number is missing. Instead, a small ribbon, outlined in pink, takes its place.
As the international symbol for Breast Cancer Awareness, the ribbon’s significance at the eight o’clock marker is twofold.
In addition to representing Breast Cancer Awareness, the ribbon substitutes the numeral to represent the 1 in 8 women who develop breast cancer during their lifetime – a staggering statistic that brings the cause behind The Pink Dial Project to the forefront.
