Capturing The Ocean’s Energy, With Six Watches With Wavey Dials

Dial textures can make or break a watch, but if done right they elevate the display of time into something gripping, something very impactful. One of the more common but always interesting textures, especially in aquatic (-inspired) watches, is the wave pattern. Sure, Clous de Paris or vertical or horizontal grooves are often very nice, but there’s something rather appealing in replicating the gentle undulations of the ocean. And that isn’t relegated to pure dive watches, as more sporty land-locked alternatives or even seriously complicated watches are adorned with waves. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best! And yes, I am well aware of the fact the list includes two (soon-to-be) sold-out limited editions, but they’re just too good to be ignored. 

Omega Seamaster 300M No-Date

Of course, we had to start with the long-awaited but secretly already revealed Omega Seamaster Diver 300M No-Date. It was teased on Daniel Craig’s wrist numerous times over the past month, and since last Thursday the cat’s finally out of the bag. The new No-Date version of Omega’s iconic diver has a steel case, a steel bezel with a black aluminium insert and a black laser-engraved wave dial that’s reminiscent of the early SMP. It comes on a mesh steel bracelet or a black rubber strap. Prices are EUR 6,600 for the rubber strap or EUR 7,200 for the bracelet.

For more information, please visit Omega.com.

Quick Facts – 42mm x 13.8mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – steel bezel with black aluminium insert – screw-down crown – helium escape valve – sapphire crystal front & back – 300m water-resistant – matte black dial with wave-like pattern – markers & hands with SLN – Calibre 8806, automatic – co-axial escapement – Master Chronometer – 25,200vph – 55h power reserve – steel mesh bracelet or black rubber strap with folding buckle – EUR 6,600 (rubber) – EUR 7.200 (mesh bracelet)

Grand Seiko SLGA007 Lake Suwa

Grand Seiko is known for being one of the best in the business when it comes to dial colours, but more importantly, dial textures! One of their finest aquatic-inspired watches is the SLGA007 Lake Suwa. A fan favourite of the brand, the deep blue dial mimics the rippling surface of Lake Suwa, which is close to Grand Seiko’s Shinshu Watch Studio, under a gentle nightly breeze. It perfectly contrasts with the Zaratsu polished and faceted hands and markers, as well as the gold-tinted GS logo. When released it cost EUR 9,100, but as it was a limited edition of 2,021 pieces that sold out quickly it might be a bit challenging to track one down.

For more information, please visit Grand-Seiko.com.

Quick Facts – 40mm x 11.8mm – stainless steel case, brushed & Zaratsu polished – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – deep blue dial with embossed wave pattern – Zaratsu polished & faceted hands and markers – gold-tinted GS logo – bevelled date window – Calibre 9RA2, in-house – Spring Drive automatic – 120h (5 days) power reserve – three-link steel bracelet with folding clasp – limited edition of 2,021 pieces (sold out) – EUR 9,100 (when released)

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 date

This year, TAG Heuer refreshed its Aquaracer Professional 300 Date to give it a more luxurious look and feel. The black, blue or green dial now has a grooved pattern reminiscent of soft rippling beaches under gentle ocean waves. The ceramic bezel insert matches in terms of colour, and the central seconds hand gets a splash of colour (yellow, light blue or orange) to stand out that little bit extra. Inside, the Calibre TH31-00 beats at 28,800vph and provides 80 hours of autonomy. It comes on a three-link bracelet with a folding clasp, or a rubber strap. Prices vary from CHF 3,500 on a rubber strap, or CHF 3,700 on the bracelet. GMT versions are also available but for a slightly higher price.

For more information, please visit TAGHeuer.com.

Quick Facts – 42mm x 12mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic insert – sapphire crystal – solid caseback – screw-down crown – 300m water-resistant – green, black or blue dial with wave-like pattern – calibre TH31-00, automatic – 28,800vph – 80-hour power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds and date – COSC certified – steel bracelet or rubber strap with safety folding clasp – CHF 3,500 on rubber strap, CHF 3,700 on bracelet

Mido Ocean Star 39

Perhaps somewhat similar to the TAG, the Ocean Star 39 is Mido’s compact alternative with rather impressive specs and a sensible sticker price. As its name suggests, it has a 39mm case, which is fitted with a black-to-blue gradient dial that has a rather pronounced wave-like rippling effect. Paired with a two-tone bezel insert (in aluminium by the way) makes for a very appealing dive watch! Admittedly, with a 200m water-resistant it’s more than likely to be a worthy wrist companion on dives in the pool or ocean. Part of the permanent collection and supplied with a three-link steel bracelet and folding clasp, it retails for EUR 1,190.

For more information, please visit MidoWatches.com.

Quick Facts – 39mm x 10.5mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – unidirectional rotating bezel with two-tone insert – screw-down crown – 200m water-resistant – black to blue gradient dial with wave-like pattern – applied markers & hands with SLN – Mido Calibre 72 (ETA A31.111 base) – automatic winding – 25,200vph – 72h power reserve – stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp with diver’s extension – permanent collection – EUR 1,190

Seiko Prospex 1965 SPB473 ‘Zakynthos’

Not to be outdone by its higher-end brother Grand Seiko, Seiko also knows a thing or two when it comes to textures and colours for dials. One of the more recent ones that impressed us with both, is the Seiko Prospex 1965 SPB473 ‘Zakynthos’. Those familiar with the Greek island will immediately get the reference with this one. Its gradient blue to (almost) white dial with a subtle wavey texture brings visions of gentle aqua-blue waters and sandy beaches found surrounding the island. This is set in the robust 62MAS-style case, and fitted with the Calibre 6R35. The 1,000-piece limited edition is a Europe Exclusive and has a price of EUR 1,500.

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

Quick Facts – 405.mm x 13.2mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal – solid caseback – screw-down crown – 200m water-resistant – wave-like gradient light blue dial – applied markers & hands with LumiBright – Calibre 6R35, in-house – automatic winding – 21,600vph – 70h power reserve – three-link steel bracelet with folding clasp – white rubber strap with pin buckle – Europe Exclusive of 1,000 pieces – EUR 1,500

Breguet Marine Tourbillon Equation Marchante 5887

Going out with a proverbial bang, the Marine Tourbillon Equation Marchante 5887 is a true powerhouse and one of Breguet’s most complex pieces. Not only does the platinum case house a tourbillon-regulated movement, but it’s also capable of displaying solar time as well as perpetual calendar indications. The black base dial has a wave-like guilloché which is applied by hand, completing the maritime look and feel of the watch. The Calibre 581DPE uses 563 components to display everything from hours, minutes and seconds (on the tourbillon) to solar time, date, month, leap year and the power reserve. It may be a bit too much for some, but it’s proper Haute Horlogerie. Worn on a black rubber strap with a platinum pin buckle, the 5887PT has a price tag of EUR 292,800.

For more information, please visit Breguet.com.

Quick Facts – 43.9mm x 11.8mm – 950 platinum case, brushed & polished – fluted middle case – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – black dial with hand-guilloché wave motif – silver hour circle – exposed tourbillon escapement – Calibre 581DPE, in-house – manual winding – 563 components – 80h power reserve – hours, minutes, solar time minutes, small seconds on tourbillon, equation of time, perpetual calendar with retrograde date, month, leap year, power reserve – black rubber strap with platinum folding clasp – EUR 292,800