Best Black Dials of SIHH
Despite the ascendance of the blue dial as one of the most visible trends in high watchmaking, the popularity of black dials does not look to be waning anytime soon. Instead, it has become a modern classic. The black-on-black, or “blacked out” theme does seem to be fading, possibly due to readability issues, but the following watches, all introduced at the SIHH in January, use black with a contrasting color for higher legibility. There are rose or yellow gold highlights, red hands and markers and minute tracks, and ultra legible contrasts in black and white. The new blue is nice, but black is here to stay.
Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique 30º Bi-Color, with a red gold case, and a dial and movement components with deep black chrome finish. The case sides are made of ADLC (Amorphous Diamond Like Carbon) over titanium. It is limited to 22 pieces.
IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month, with IWC automatic Caliber 89801, in a 49mm case, with luminescent elements on hands, dial and internal rotating bezel, contrasted against a black background. The case is 18k red gold.
Ralph Lauren Classic Chronometer, with the self-winding Caliber RL366, with a steel 44.80mm case, convex sapphire crystal, a black matte galvanic dial and white printed Roman numerals and classic railroad track minute index.
Panerai Luminor 8 days, with black dial contrasted by luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers, in a 44mm polished steel case, with hand-wound Panerai Caliber P.5000. It is water resistant to 300 meters.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, with black Mega Tapisserie dial and red chronograph hands and minute track on the flange. With black ceramic push pieces and a stainless steel case. The black leather alligator strap has red stitching.
