A Selection of the Very Best Artistic Dials We’ve Seen this Year

They say the face of a watch can be regarded as a canvas. A canvas to display time first and foremost, but in some watches, it is also a backdrop for a discerning and mesmerising complication like a tourbillon or a perpetual calendar indication. But what if you would take the dial as a canvas more literally? What if you actually use it as a blank canvas to produce a work of art? Well, magic can happen if you do, showcased by these spectacularly creative watches. And where some go for miniature painting, others take a less conventional approach!

Bulgari octo Finissimo Automatic Laurent Grasso

Partnering with French artist Laurent Grasso, Bulgari has given a creative spin to its mighty Octo Finissimo. The blue PVD-coated titanium case is fitted with a blue PVD-coated dial finished with an evanescent blue, white and pink cloud created by Grasso. The dreamy, iridescent image captures Grasso’s fascination with electromagnetic energy and paranormal phenomena and is said to question the foundation of time and space. Limited to 200 pieces, it’s powered by Bulgari’s ultra-thin micro-rotor automatic BVL 138 calibre. The price is set at EUR 22,000.

For more information, please visit Bulgari.com.

Quick Facts – 40mm x 5.15mm – matte sandblasted titanium with blue PVD-coated case – sapphire crystal front & back – 30m water-resistant – blue PVD dial with screen-printed cloud with metallic pigments by Laurent Grasso – blue PVD-coated hands – calibre BVL 138, in-house – ultra-thin micro-rotor automatic – 21,600vph – 60h power reserve – blue PVD-coated titanium bracelet – limited to 200 pieces – EUR 22,000

Czapek antarctique Purple Storm

Czapek jumps into the eye of the hurricane with the captivating Antarctique Purple Storm. Its dial is hand-varnished in a rich purple hue with a cloudy, wavy look. Each dial comes with its own pattern, so even though 18 will be made, each of them is a unique piece. The rest is familiar territory, with a 40.5mm by 10.6mm brushed & polished steel case, an integrated bracelet, the in-house SXH5 micro-rotor automatic and so on. Sadly, if you were interested, the watch is sold out despite clients having to wait until November 2025 to take delivery.

For more information, please visit Czapek.com.

Quick Facts – 40.5mm x 10.6mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal front & back – 120m water-resistant – hand-varnished purple dial by Metalem – hour & minute hands with SLN – calibre SXH5, in-house micro-rotor automatic – 28,800vph – 60h power reserve – integrated steel bracelet with micro-adjustment device – limited to 18 pieces, sold out – price to be confirmed

De bethune DB28XS Aérolite

Combining its typical style of watchmaking with out-of-this-world materials is not a first for De Bethune. However, the DB28XS Aérolite turns up the dial to eleven, as it comes with one of the most striking dials we’ve ever seen. It starts with a slice of the Muonionalusta meteorite, which is thermally oxidised in the signature blue hue. Then, it’s given a random wave-like guilloché pattern and studded with delicate gold pins. The result is absolutely mesmerising, and each one is truly unique. With a limited annual production, the watch retails for CHF 105,000.

For more information, please visit DeBethune.ch.

Quick Facts – 38.7mm x 7.4mm – matte anthracite zirconium case with floating lugs – sapphire crystal front & back – crown at noon – 30m water-resistant – heat-blued Muonionalusta meteorite dial with random guilloché pattern & gold studs – openworked hands – raised chapter ring – calibre DB2005, ultra-thin manual movement – 28,800vph – 6-day power reserve – black alligator leather strap – limited annual production – CHF 105,000

Corum Golden bridge Serpent

The Golden Bridge by Corum is an iconic watch, and thanks to its unconventional baguette-shaped movement and multiple sapphire crystals, there’s plenty of empty space to play around with. Corum thought so, too, and presented the unique Golden Bridge Serpent earlier this year. It features a three-dimensional hand-carved and -painted snake and floral decor to lure you in. Luckily, this one doesn’t bite, but it will leave a substantial hole in your wallet if you’re not careful, as the unique piece is priced upon request only, meaning it doesn’t come cheap.

For more information, please visit Corum-Watches.com.

Quick Facts – 34mm x 51mm x 10.90mm – rose gold tonneau case, polished – sapphire crystals on all sides – crown at 6′ – 30m water-resistant – hand-painted snake & floral decor in rose gold – openworked hands – calibre CO 113, in-house manual movement – baguette construction – 28,800vph – 40h power reserve – brown alligator leather strap with folding clasp – unique piece – price upon request

Krayon Anywhere Arborea

It’s not the first time independent watchmaker Krayon has graced its complex Anywhere with a métiers d’art artwork. The Anywhere Arborea comes with a hand-painted miniature interpretation of Henri Rousseau’s The Virgin Forest at Sunset painting. The nature-inspired organic tones of Rousseau’s painting are captured by the abstract mosaic with 575 individually coloured segments. Only 15 will be made, with a price tag of CHF 178,000, which not only comes down to the dial but also due to its movement capable of indicating sunrise and sunset times at a location unique to each owner.

For more information, please visit Krayon.ch.

Quick Facts – 39mm x 9.5mm – platinum case, polished – sapphire crystal front & back – 30m water-resistant – hand-painted miniature métiers d’art painting of Rousseau’s The Virgin Forest at Sunset – central hours & minutes – sunrise/sunset indications – day/night & 24h indicator – calibre C030, in-house manual movement – 21,600vph – 72h power reserve – brown alligator leather strap – limited to 15 pieces – CHF 178,000