Trending Green Dials: Five Up-to-the-minute Watches
Green is known as the embodiment of hope. It is the colour of the first lush leaves and grass to shoot up in spring. It stands for better times and a prosperous harvest following the bleak winter months. Perhaps its symbolism provides an explanation as to why so many horology houses are choosing to introduce green dial watches in 2021. After a gruelling first year of the pandemic, it seems we are clinging to the hope of better times. While the ongoing blue dial trend is clearly here to stay, it’s now evident that green is the colour of the moment. We decided to put five of these green horological rays of hope under the lens.
Patek Philipe Nautilus 5711/1A-014
Patek Philippe recently shocked the world by announcing that production of its arguably most popular watch, Reference Nautilus 5711/1A, was coming to an end. Its replacement is the Reference 5711/1A-014 with an olive-green dial, which remains largely unchanged in all other respects. That said, alongside the new colour scheme, the watch also now features a polished frame around the date window.
At first, it was strange to see the new model; perhaps we are still too used to seeing the aesthetic of the famous blue dial Nautilus. However, at second glance, you realise just how much you like the new version. It is slightly less sporty than its predecessor, but super elegant and gallantly lowkey.
Looking at the watch in the right light, one can see how, thanks to the reflections of the steel case, the dial’s sunburst pattern plays with the light. Its colour changes from a deep olive-green to a delicate mint. Meanwhile, Patek uses its usual proven formula for the case architecture. Likewise, the automatic calibre 26-330 S C ticks away inside as always. As with the blue dial Nautilus, the 5711/1A-014 will remain a rarity. According to the manufacture, it will only be in production for one year. This doesn’t make it a limited edition, of course, but strictly regulated. The price is 30,100 euros.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra Thin
Was it a coincidence or planning? Shortly after the end of blue Nautilus’ run, AP also let it be known that its own icon of the last 40 years was to be discontinued. Production of the Royal Oak Jumbo Extra Thin 15202 with a blue tapisserie dial is soon coming to an end.
However, CEO Bennahmais is compensating the brand’s clientele by introducing a new Jumbo with a smoky green sunburst dial. Both the bracelet and 39 mm case are made of 950 platinum. With a case height of exactly 8.1 mm, it can carry the status of “extra-thin”.
Powering the new Royal Oak Jumboin green is the automatic calibre 2121, which is visible via the open sapphire crystal caseback. The rotor is 22-carat gold, all finishing on the movement is done in-house, and it has a 40 hour power reserve. Fans will also heave a sigh of relief upon learning that this is not a limited edition. They might, however, miss a beat upon learning its price of 105,300 euros. The watch is available exclusively in AP Houses worldwide.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Small Seconds
Back in the 30s, Jaeger-LeCoultre was very much one of the first to the party in terms of coloured dials. Even in 1931, it was offering silvery white, dark grey and red dials. In 1933, a navy blue version also joined these dial options, succeeded only two years later by a seductive chocolate-brown dial.
2016 saw the introduction of a series of new Jaeger-LeCoultre Tribute models, which paid respect to the original from 1931. Now, right on trend and in homage to the colourful dials, it is appearing in green at Watches & Wonders 2021. The rich colour of the lacquered sunburst dial is meant to evoke the fir forests of the Vallée de Joux, home to the horology house.
Inside ticks the rectangular Jaeger-LeCoultre 822/2 calibre, created specially for the Reverso. It offers small seconds and a 42-hour power reserve – more than enough for a few polo parties, for which the watch was originally created. The price is 8,350 euros.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41
The current strategy of this Schaffhausen-based brand is to offer its most popular models in smaller proportions. The new Reference IW3881 brings together a smaller size of 41 mm with a highly contemporary look, which is nevertheless deeply rooted in IWC history.
The dial, which takes inspiration from cockpit instruments, is available not just in blue, but also green. Together with its steel bracelet, the watch is an extremely laid-back, “tool-watch” kind of chronograph. It is also available with a brown leather strap, which can quickly be switched up thanks to the incredibly easy-to-use Ease-Change-System.
Aside from the green dial, the biggest novelty is inside the watch. The manufacture calibre 69385 has a 46-hour power reserve and is visible via the sapphire crystal caseback. The price is 6,850 euros.
TUDOR Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K
With the introduction of the new Black Fifty-Eight 18K, TUDOR is causing a stir that rivals the blue version’s last year. The case is not exactly bronze, as one might expect for a diver’s watch. Rather, it is in 18-carat gold and accompanies a domed green dial.
Speaking of atypical features for a diver’s watch – TUDOR include a sapphire crystal caseback. The brand doesn’t tend to be too strict with its tool watches. After all, they tend to be worn on wrists of fashion-conscious city dwellers. It might not be right for purists, but that crowd has the many other 58 models in TUDOR’s portfolio to enjoy.
Alongside the 39 mm gold case, the crown and bezel also use precious metal. The 60-minute graduation on the bezel is aluminum. For a few years now, TUDOR has been offering in-house calibres, as is the case for the new Fifty-Eight 18K. It can be worn on a brown alligator leather strap (as in our photograph), or else on a green textile strap with gold stripes. At 15,620 euros, it evidently also stands out from its siblings in terms of price.
Respected as a man, gentleman, and businessman, George Glasgow Junior is the mastermind behind George Cleverley, the renowned shoemaker of Old Bond Street's Royal Arcade. But George's style extends far beyond bespoke shoes; he is also the proud and passionate owner of some of the world's most revered watch models. We caught up with him…
Audemars Piguet is not only celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, but also bidding farewell to the calibre 5135 after almost a decade in production. However, this special automatic movement with perpetual calendar is not simply disappearing without a trace. Rather, it is being produced one the last time, as it shows off its best…
While many Swiss brands have been around for over a century, Roger Dubuis is not amongst them. In fact, the highly exclusive brand was founded less than three decades ago, back in 1995. Perhaps this is one reason for the brand producing some of the most striking, even outrageous horological creations out there. In its…
Being uncomplicated is not necessarily a top priority for Vacheron Constantin. Not even 270 years after it was founded. And so the company likes to create extremely difficult superlatives in the art of watchmaking. While last year it was the world's most complicated pocket watch with no fewer than 63 complications, at this year's Watches…
When I visited the Zenith manufacture in Le Locle a few years ago, I discovered a wall lined with certificates in the stairwell. They were just some of the many original certificates that the watchmaker had won in the chronometry competitions organised by the Neuchâtel Observatory. In total, there are 2,333 chronometry prizes - more…
An exciting and inspiring week comes to an end. We saw double moons, a candy-shop full of colourful timepieces and a Lamborghini for the wrist. We found out, that you can practice sustainable watchmaking with recycled PET bottles, that a power reserve of 65 days (world record) is possible and that a new trend colour…
When the thoughts are flowing and ink meets paper, a piece of history is created. There is a reason that the pen is said to be mightier than the sword, but the pen also has its very own history. This year, Montblanc's most famous fountain pen is celebrating its 100th birthday: the Montblanc Meisterstück. In…
The new stars at Swiss watch-brand Carl F. Bucherer are not again Hollywood actors or sport enthusiasts as brands usually commit as ambassadors to represent their products, but 188 manta rays! The reason is mainly the brands support in The Manta Trust, a UK registered charity committed to protecting and ensuring the survival of manta rays…
The last couple of years have been quiet for Carl F. Bucherer’s Manero Flyback. Now, the chronograph is back, and, it seems, better than ever. It was in 2016 that the Manero collection first introduced a new series of watches featuring a chronograph movement with a flyback function. Then, at Baselworld 2017, three models equipped…
Since Georges Kern took the helm at Breitling almost three years ago, realigning collections and the brand’s strategy, annual sales have increased significantly. Kern recently revealed just how the brand will stay on the path to success with an intriguing, forward-looking perspective. A key theme is how we will consume in the future and the…
Some watches simply command respect. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Nonantième is one such watch. The horology house's Reverso model is always sleek, suave, and attractive. This unconventional piece, however, takes high watchmaking to a whole new level. Area of expertise: The Reverso and complications Jaeger-LeCoultre is no stranger to creating complicated Reverso watches. The first…
Another year around the Sun; another year of ethereal, complex Reverso models as well as several handsome new iterations of the Reverso Tribute. Let’s jump right in. Another stunner: Limited edition white-gold Reverso Hybris Artistica The Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 represents the pinnacle of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s expertise, blending technical mastery with exquisite craftsmanship. Now reinterpreted…
It is one of the biggest privileges of our time: To have space to ourselves. To enjoy the wideness. To become one with nature, rather than bumping into masses of people in an overcrowded city. This is how life was long before the current world crisis, and will probably become an even bigger and more…