In most cases, the colors of a timepiece are rather monotonous.
This trend is changing in recent years as more manufacturers are using bright colors, patterns and drawings in their watch designs. Discover our overview here.
When we talk about colors and drawings in combination with timepieces, we immediately think of the 1980s with the Swatch quartz timepieces as the benchmark.
These affordable timepieces with playful colors and patterns brought smiles to the faces of children and adults alike and proved that timepieces should not always be taken too seriously.
In recent years there has been another trend in the market of the big players. By betting on colors and patterns in the dial, they are increasingly trying to capitalize on the market of people who want something special, personalized, and in addition to special complications, for many people color and design also determines a large role in choosing their ideal timepiece.
In this blog article, we present our selection from the huge range of timepieces that bring just that touch more personality and color to your collection.
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
During the “Watches and wonders 2022” event, Omega launched an update to its Aqua Terra collection, by adding different sunburst dials with a horizontal “teak” pattern, inspired by the wooden decks of luxury sailboats.
The Aqua Terra has a stainless steel case measuring 41 mm and comes with a choice of a steel bracelet or matching colored leather strap.
The powerhouse behind the dial is OMEGA’s Master Chronometer Calibre 8900, certified to the highest standard in the industry by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS)
The Seamaster Aqua Terra can be yours starting from 6400 euros.
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/seamaster/aqua-terra-150m/catalog
Tissot PRX series
In a previous blog article, we already talked about the Tissot PRX series in detail.
Available in both quartz and automatic versions and in a wide variety of colors and materials, this is a must-have in this list.
With a starting price of 375 euros for the quartz version and 695 euros for the Powermatic 80 automatic, this budget-friendly timepiece comes highly recommended.
Citizen TSUYOSA
Citizen is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of watches. Besides their very famous eco-drive movement that uses the power of sunlight to drive the movement, they also have several automatic and quartz movements.
Their newly launched Tsuyosa collection is an affordable alternative to a sporty chic timepiece and this with a nod to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. The name Tsuyosa refers to strength and power. And this resemblance is found in various features of the timepiece.
First and foremost, we see this strength in the in-house calibre 8210 movement, the automatic workhorse and mainstay of Citizen’s entry-level series with a power reserve of 40 hours.
In addition, the choice of traditional and playful colors sends a strong message to personalisation.
Last but nog least the integrated steel watch band that is easily customizable with the 3 micro-adjustments in the clasp and a price of only 399 for all this and I think we can talk about a winner.
Finally, some technical specifications: 40mm diameter – stainless steel case, brushed with polished accents – sapphire crystal with magnifying glass over the date – transparent back – crown at 4 o’clock – 50m water resistance.
Swatch – Omega Moonswatch
One of the most talked about launches of this year is undoubtedly that of the Moonswatch. Never seen queues of kilometers long for the official Swatch stores hours before the launch and this in all major cities in the world.
That this was a home run for Swatch and Omega (together part of the Swatch group) immediately translated into the amount of press attention this release generated.
The playful colors and different variants coupled with a very attractive purchase price of 270 euros ensured that many Speedmaster fan and novice watch lover immediately wanted to add one or more versions to his or her collection.
https://www.swatch.com/nl-be/bioceramic-moonswatch.html
Swatch
If you were to ask anyone the question who is a pioneer of creativity, playfulness and colors in the field of timepieces, in many cases you would get Swatch as an answer. This brand that has been marketing playful timepieces for young and old since the 1980s and in an affordable form.
Swatch is influenced by elements from around the world, which translates into collaborations with artists, performers, etc. The motto of Swatch is therefore: Everyone can wear a Swatch.
None of their timepieces can be specifically categorized but there is bound to be one that suits you. If you don’t find a design that’s just right for you, you can even use Swatch X to create your own Swatch with designs inspired by art, culture and world events! The unique creation for your wrist!
Direnzo
The name Direnzo does not immediately ring a bell with most people.
The brand is relatively new and was founded in 2016, driven by a clear vision: to produce a range of unique watches inspired by the timeless aesthetics of mid-20th century race cars and aircraft.
Yet in a relatively short time they have already managed to build up a large number of fans of their timepieces.
The reason for this success is not really surprising when you know that they use a reliable Swiss inner mechanism, a timeless design combined with playful colors and all this at a price of 650 euros.
The movement inside is a Sellita SW200-1 in Elaboré grade, an automatic caliber that features 38 hours of power reserve, hacking, hand winding, date and a frequency of 28,800 vph.
Nomos Glashütte
NOMOS Glashütte was founded in 1990 by Roland Schwertner and is today the largest manufacturer of mechanical timepieces in Germany.
The Club Campus line was launched in 2017 with the intention of creating a watch for younger collectors as an affordable yet high-quality introduction to mechanical watches.
This timepiece features the “In-House” built “Alpha Caliber” which is hand-wound and has a power reserve of 38 hours. In addition, the timepiece is also 100m water resistant.
For those who still desire an automatic movement, Nomos has the Neomatik line with a model DUW 3001 movement with a 43-hour power reserve.
The Club Campus line starts at 1100 euros for the 36mm version and 1200 euros for the 38mm version.
The Neomatik version measures 39 mm and starts at a price of 2340 euros.
Breitling
Breitling just launched a new playful version of its SuperOcean model, the dive watch in the Breitling stable. In addition to capitalizing on the trend of playful colors, they also provided it in different sizes (36mm, 42mm, 44mm and up to 46mm) resulting in a collection of 29 different timepieces. As a result, there is now a SuperOcean for every wrist type.
Each of these timepieces uses a chronometer-certified version of the ETA 2824 movement. This is a reliable all rounder but due to the limited power reserve of 38 hours we had secretly hoped they would have chosen the better Kenissi movement with a power reserve of 70 hours as in the SuperOcean Heritage 42 version.
The watch is water resistant to 300 m and is also shock, sand and salt water resistant. Broad hands and indexes in luminous Super-LumiNova® ensure easy readability underwater.
In addition to the color combinations of the case, you can personalize the watch to your heart’s content with different straps made in different colors and materials.
The two strap options (rubber and metal bracelet) have a folding clasp that allows micro adjustments up to 15 mm, for easy wearing over wetsuits. In addition, you can choose the ECONYL® NATO strap. Designed in collaboration with Outerknown, Kelly Slater’s surfwear brand, these colorful one-piece straps offer durability with an edgy look. They are made from ECONYL yarn, an innovative material that is recycled from nylon waste taken from the oceans.
The SuperOcean collection starts from 4350 euros.
https://www.breitling.com/be-en/watches/superocean
Rolex
Rolex, because of its excellent marketing, is the watch brand that almost everyone knows. It was founded in London in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and moved to Switzerland in 1919.
Hans Wilsdorf wanted his watches to carry a name that was short, easy to pronounce and remember in any language, and that looked good on timepieces and dials.
Rolex regularly experiments with different materials colors and patterns in the dial, case and watchband. One example is the Oyster Perpetual series which comes in a variety of colors including coral red, turquoise (tiffany) blue, olive green, deep blue, candy pink, …
https://www.rolex.com/watches/oyster-perpetual.html
Glashütte Original
Glashütte Original stands for innovative watchmaking that meets the highest standards. Their timepieces are the product of the best in German engineering and craftsmanship: technically sophisticated, reliably precise and timelessly beautiful.
Each timepiece is exclusive and exceptional, whether it is a limited edition or not. Each year they make no more than a few hundred copies of a particular model. Glashütte Original watches are refined masterpieces that, without being too conspicuous, discreetly underline the wearer’s personality.
The Glashütte Original Panomatic Lunar starts from 10200 euros.
https://www.glashuette-original.com/
H. Moser & Cie
H. Moser & Cie. was founded in 1828 by Heinrich Moser. In 2012, it was relaunched under the family group MELB Holding. The company is based in Neuhausen am Rheinfall near Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
They are distinguish themselves in the industry by the fact that they manufacture the components for their watches, including the regulating bodies and balance springs, themselves.
They produce only 1,200 watches annually, all of which are assembled and finished by hand.
The timepieces of H. Moser & Cie are characterized by classically elegant styles with a modern appeal.
