Enamel dial watches

[ryanb741]

Gents. These seem to attract a hefty premium so I assume the craftsmanship is significant. What are your thoughts on enamel dial watches? The Blancpain Villeret 8 days enamel is becoming something of a grail for me

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[Deckard81]

I've only really looked at 1 in the metal. A JLC duometre lunaire LE. It looks stunning in photos and, to me, uninspiring in real life...

[crazyp]

I'm a fan of enamel though admittedly it's too classy for me at this point in my life

If you do want to go that route maybe look at this ulysse nardin - I think it's not bad value and pretty good looking.

http://www.ablogtowatch.com/ulysse-n...edition-watch/

[EJL25]

Sarpaneva black enamel looks amazing!

[mark996]

I bought a Dornblueth 99.1 with an enamel dial. It was significantly more expensive, but I absolutely adore it; I think it makes the watch look a little more special, and I haven't seen another one.

I've always liked the Glashutte Originale Meissen dial.

[Broussard]

I was very happy to pick this one up after nearly a decade...

Speake-Marin Serpent Calendar by Noodlefish, on Flickr

[mark996]

That's rather special, Broussard...

[Broussard]

That's rather special, Broussard...

Early-ish, enamel dial. The modified ETA rather than in-house (or later Vaucher). I like it.

There's something about those enamel dials - almost vitreous.

[Itsguy]

For a budget choice Frederique Constant recently launched one. Credor also do one.

[downer]

According to Omega, I have one on this Speedmaster 50th LE.

[magirus]

I believe Dornblüth have started doing enamel dials again. However it adds @ £800 to the cost IIRC. :-(

[Tinker]

Beware. Enamel dials have downsides.

Examine the dial through a 10x loupe for small dimples on the surface, a sign of poor temperature control during manufacture.

And, if you can, check the dial edge for minor chips, invisible when the dial is cased, but a nuisance if the bits appear later on the dial or, worse still, in the movement.

[Broussard]

Beware. Enamel dials have downsides.

Examine the dial through a 10x loupe for small dimples on the surface, a sign of poor temperature control during manufacture.

And, if you can, check the dial edge for minor chips, invisible when the dial is cased, but a nuisance if the bits appear later on the dial or, worse still, in the movement.

I'm not sure if you can ever eliminate *all* surface imperfections on a enamel dial, can you? Obviously you can remove them during the process of laying down additional layers, but isn't there always going to be some unevenness visible under a 10x loupe?

I actually rather like the very subtly uneven nature of grand feu enamel dials.

Adds charm. Probably.

Edit:

It's probably also worth noting the differences between the various types of enamel: true grand feu enamelling versus the cold enamel that's built up in layers of lacquer, for example.

There's one more thing: permanence. If you like patina, enamel is not for you.

[Tinker]

I'm not sure if you can ever eliminate *all* surface imperfections on a enamel dial, can you? Obviously you can remove them during the process of laying down additional layers, but isn't there always going to be some unevenness visible under a 10x loupe?

I actually rather like the very subtly uneven nature of grand feu enamel dials.

Adds charm. Probably.

Edit:

It's probably also worth noting the differences between the various types of enamel: true grand feu enamelling versus the cold enamel that's built up in layers of lacquer, for example.

There's one more thing: permanence. If you like patina, enamel is not for you.

I agree in principle with everything you say. However, the 'dimpling' I described, but have no photos of, is just careless manufacture.

Here's a sample of the good stuff: