Apeloig — whose work with typography was well-known in France — delivered one of the most distinct typefaces the watch industry has ever seen. The numbers are similar to those in the. Watchmakers, especially, will scrutinize every possible detail, but far too often, they fall short when it comes to one in particular: dial font. Naturally, Lange’s approach to typography is emblematic of that dichotomy. “The aim is always to avoid intersections and give each indication space to breathe. With the Air-King, the reference name is still rendered in the same mid-century modern font immediately evokes an entirely different era of watchmaking. Of course, it’s definitely possible to appreciate both dials, but you probably lean either towards minimalism or maximalism, rather than both. From Issue Seven of Gear Patrol Magazine. The Explored feels markedly different from many Rolex references, and much of that has to do with the dial. Metal dials were simply thin pieces of flat metal that were painted, embossed or printed with numbers, markers or other decorative elements. Don’t be afraid to swap your stainless steel bracelet for a luxury rubber strap in an unexpected color. The type of numerals a watchmaker chooses can also have a dramatic effect on the final design. Originally introduced in 1957, the Omega Speedmaster has the name of the watch written on the dial using a connected script style that was very popular in the 1960s. Though the A. Lange & Söhne as we know it was born in the 1990s, it has roots in Glashütte that stretch back to the mid-19th century when Ferdinand Adolph Lange (great-grandfather to founder Walter Lange) brought watchmaking to the sleepy German village. It’s this linearity that helps Nomos and its designers achieve its minimalist aesthetic. Many aspects of watch design are fascinating to analyze, and a true connoisseur can wax poetic about them all. Everest Bands has spent years developing better and better designs and materials to create what many have said is simply the best aftermarket watch strap for a discerning watch owner available. “They reduce each number to its elemental parts… when the numbers were assembled in a grid, a rhythm arose between the blackness of the line and the whiteness of the voids,” he says. The result, Haas says, is clearer, finer and “a touch more modern.”. But very often, hardly perceptible details have to be modified many times before the designers are satisfied. The logo and typography have to be placed on the dial in a way that creates a harmonious impression overall,” Höhnel says. Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. “Ultimately, all the design elements of a watch have to work together.”. Highlight the dial design by trying, an orange band to match the seconds hand on the Milgauss, a matte black strap to go with the black subdials. “Sometimes, the first draft is already close to the final dial configuration. The dial I need to repair has a few missing sections. One of the best examples of this is the Omega Speedmaster. “Sobriety and minimalism were the qualities I was reaching for, so I built in constraints, limiting the number of shapes — circles, triangles, curves, dashes — that I could use to create the numbers.”. The type of person who buys an Explorer, for example, probably isn’t the same person buying Yacht-Master II. Crystal. 3 min read 0 Comments, by Michael DiMartini November 11, 2020 On a dial, a sans serif or serif font can subtly convey a brand’s approach and overall aesthetic. Part the allure of watches for me is the style of font on the dial. by Aleta Saeger November 12, 2020 Although most dials are completed in this time some dials may take longer. All watches, likeness, and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Different dial styles are a way of distinguishing a watch from other contenders, and dial preferences can be as unique and specific as collectors themselves. “The Club, for example, is an entry-level, everyday watch for younger wearers, which is why it also has a more youthful typography, yet even here it is archetypal and modern,” Höhnel says. Newer watchmakers such as Nomos and Christopher Ward use a sans serif font to communicate their recent arrival on the scene. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. http://sweep-hand.org/2012/03/26/this-weeks-featured-watch-28-the-homer-railroad-watch/, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. The selection of aftermarket dials available for customizing watches is growing steadily, but depends on the movement being used, with Seiko-compatible dials being most common. The choice of font has an outsize affect on our perception of a watch dial, and the slightest change can make or break a watch design. There are many steps involved in the refinishing process. As each subsequent watch kept the scripted font, the font itself became a shorthand for the Moonwatch. Attached to the watch movement, the rotor rotates freely to wind the mainspring and store power in automatic timepieces. Many aspects of watch design are fascinating to analyze, and a true connoisseur can wax poetic about them all. In fact, good typography … There are a few manufacturers, however, that know how important it is to develop a typeface that does a watch justice — here are three doing just that. The large, elongated numerals at the 3, 6, and 9 are a hallmark of the Explorer, and collectors are drawn to these big, bold, numerals. The same applies to typography on watch dials. by Aleta Saeger November 06, 2020 The typeface on the Slim d’Hermès is sleek and minimalist, but its most striking aspect is the presence of several “imperfections,” as Apeloig calls them, that bisect each character and were vital in helping Apeloig achieve his vision of visual lightness and balance. The font used by the manufacturer is, according to Director Product Development Anthony de Haas, “bespoke, inspired by Engravers, an all-caps font designed around 1900 by Robert Wiebking who at the beginning of his career worked as an engraver himself.” There are, of course, some major deviations from Engravers; notably, the letters are stretched wider and cut leaner. From Issue Seven of Gear Patrol Magazine.. The brand is known for its high-complication watches, things like chronographs and perpetual calendars that require sub-dials to convey more information. Well, font rabbitholes are deep indeed. A lot of it is concerned with the font of the official brand logos, which may or may not appear on watch dials. A forum community dedicated to Watch owners and enthusiasts. Dial Made of glass, plastic or synthetic Sapphire, the crystal is a transparent cover that protects the watch dial and reduces glare. “The typography was completely redeveloped and features very straight linear Arabic numerals,” says Höhnel. In part 3: numerals. You can see a similar effect on the Rolex Air-King. Part of what sets a dial apart is the font and numeral choices on a dial. Looking for Watch fonts? Also printing direct will allow some personalisation in the original style. The Eurostile font was developed in the early 1960s, and it retains a slightly retro feel even on a thoroughly modern watch. For instance, take a gander at the beloved Rolex Explorer. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, You Can Bid on Sylvester Stallone's First Panerai, Three Watches to Check Out for Veterans Day, The Complete Guide to Chronograph Watches, These Classic Chronographs Make the Perfect Gift, The Todd Snyder x Timex Colorblock Milano Watch, Sean Connery Put the Rolex Submariner on the Map. For instance, take a gander at the beloved Rolex Explorer. Like everything else Swiss watchmakers do, careful attention is paid to font and numeral styles. Come join the discussion about brands, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! on the Daytona. The Eurostile font was developed in the early 1960s, and it retains a slightly retro feel even on a thoroughly modern watch. The large, elongated numerals at the 3, 6, and 9 are a hallmark of the Explorer, and collectors are drawn to these big, bold, numerals. Serious watch collectors are sometimes more interested in what goes on underneath the case rather than on the dial, but a well-designed dial complements and enhances what’s underneath the hood. Every font is free to download! It looks similar to the cola in a red-tin font - I believe that is called Loki - but that is possibly too elaborate. Sans serif fonts, on the other hand, project modernity, minimalism, and simplicity. Highlight the dial design by trying an orange band to match the seconds hand on the Milgauss or opt for a matte black strap to go with the black subdials on the Daytona. They can make or break a logo, or even tell a story. A few years ago, Hermès approached the French graphic designer Philippe Apeloig to create an all-new typeface for its upcoming Slim d’Hermès. Too much negative space and the dial could look dull, but the length of the Tangente’s numeral breaks up that space by clearly and evenly segmenting it. Originally introduced in 1957, the Omega Speedmaster has the name of the watch written on the dial using a connected script style that was very popular in the 1960s. “At the beginning of the development process, calibre and product designers consider jointly how the indications should be arranged on the dial and which consequences this will have on the construction of the movement,” Haas says. The type of person who buys an, , for example, probably isn’t the same person buying. You should contact Stephen (sweephand) and use a good picture from his collection. If you need a dial back on a particular date let us know and we will do our best to get the dial to you by that time. Everest Horology and its products are NOT affiliated with, authorized, or endorsed by Rolex Watch USA Inc., Officine Panarai, or Tudor. Different dial styles are a way of distinguishing a watch from other contenders, and dial preferences can be as unique and specific as collectors themselves. Here's a good start from his website-. Here, Aeperloig created a font in which the concepts of function and form are not mutually exclusive, a fact he is fully cognizant of. As 7s26b says, find photos on the web and use them. Seeing the Air-King font establishes its history, tradition, and provenance as a Rolex reference. The Explored feels markedly different from many Rolex references, and much of that has to do with the dial. Customize your Rolex with a cult-favorite, five-star rated Everest Bands strap for a look that’s all your own. 3 min read 0 Comments, FREE US, UK, DE, IT, & NL SHIPPING DHL INTERNATIONAL +1(888) 643-4942. Delve into the history of dial design and the elements that make up some of the most famous watch faces of our time. Subscribe Now: $39. “The challenge was to make the watch light visually speaking, pure and perfectly in harmony with a sense of minimalism,” Apeloig says with the kind of poeticism you’d expect from a Parisian designer. Fonts and typefaces are important. With the Air-King, the reference name is still rendered in the same mid-century modern font immediately evokes an entirely different era of watchmaking. Click to find the best 28 free fonts in the Watch style. Interestingly, these imperfections have another, more functional effect: they’re naturally eye-catching, drawing the eye in and aiding in the kind of clear, at-a-glance legibility that so many watch critics laud in a timepiece.