Captivating watch dials that marry art and horological ingenuity
Shot on location at Proof Living.
Never judge a book by its cover, or so the adage goes. But in the case of these horological wonders, their intriguing dials offer a glimpse into a world where artistic vision meets mechanical precision.
Hermès Arceau Petite Lune
Few watchmakers capture artistry as eloquently as Hermès. While the French maison’s horological journey may be relatively young compared to its centuries-old Swiss counterparts, it has consistently demonstrated its mastery with timepieces that embody a distinctly playful, design-driven ethos.
The Arceau Petite Lune is no exception. Its deep blue dial is utterly hypnotic, drawing the eye into its celestial depths. Crafted using the chiaroscuro technique, the outer dial plays with light and shadow to create a strikingly layered, almost shimmering effect. A whimsical moonphase at 10 o’clock adds a final touch of poetry, making this watch a true expression of Hermès’ unique savoir-faire. Top: Hermès Arceau Petite Lune; cabinet in solid American walnut by Roberto Lazzeroni for Ceccotti Collezioni.
Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Double Tourbillon
There was a period in the 2010s when Cartier was at the vanguard of watchmaking innovation. Under the visionary leadership of former head of movement Carole Forestier-Kasapi, Cartier redefined the mechanics of haute horology, reimagining complications like perpetual calendars and chronographs—not just in function, but in form.
Left: Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Double Tourbillon. Right: ‘Sciara’ dining table in lava stone by Paola Lenti. Top: Hermès Arceau Petite Lune; cabinet in solid American walnut by Roberto Lazzeroni for Ceccotti Collezioni.
While the maison has shifted focus in recent years, echoes of that groundbreaking era still captivate collectors today. The Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Double Tourbillon is a prime example. Its spectacle begins with the open-worked skeleton dial, a stage for horological drama. But the true showstopper is the mysterious double tourbillon, seemingly suspended in midair. This illusion of weightlessness is a direct homage to Cartier’s legendary mystery clocks of the early 1900s, which were inspired by the master of illusion, Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin.
Bovet Recital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon
The Bovet Récital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon is a timepiece that demands to be experienced in person—only then can one truly appreciate its breathtaking artistry and meticulous craftsmanship. It is a watch that continually reveals itself, each intricate detail unfolding with every closer glance.
Left: Recital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon by Bovet. Right: ‘1919’ armchair by Poltrona Frau.
At first, the eye is drawn to the majestic coiled dragon, hand-engraved with astonishing precision, each scale and curve rendered in exquisite detail. Then, the deep blue subdials command attention: at 3 o’clock, a 24-hour time indicator displays world cities, while at 12, a luminous mother-of-pearl moonphase peeks out from behind the subdial. Beneath the openworked dial, the movement reveals itself—a mesmerising interplay of bridges, pinions, and components, each one hand-engraved to heighten the timepiece’s opulence.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the caseback beckons. There, a tourbillon awaits—a final flourish of horological mastery. Limited to just 12 pieces, this extraordinary creation boasts a five-day power reserve, underscoring Bovet’s unparalleled dedication to both artistry and technical brilliance.
Trilobe Une Folle Journée
The Trilobe Une Folle Journée – French for ‘a wild day’ – makes its unconventional nature clear at first glance. Its mesmerising spiral display is a bold departure from traditional watchmaking, a hallmark of the independent French brand founded by Gautier Massonneau in 2013. Here, time is not dictated by hands but by rotating disks, with a discreet red indicator guiding the hours and minutes.
Left: Une Folle Journée by Trilobe; ‘Mirage Blue’ rug in silk and wool by Inga Sempé for Golran; ‘Pierre’ square coffee table and ‘Get Back’ sofa by Poltrona Frau. Right: Grand Central Tourbillon by Franck Muller; ‘Haller’ host stand in chrome-plated tubes and powder-coated steel, by USM; ‘Water Illusion’ vase by Poltrona Frau.
Beneath this hypnotic display lies a semi-openworked movement, finished with a dune-like grainy texture that adds to its tactile appeal. For those who crave even more extravagance, there’s a version where the spirals are set with diamonds—an opulent, if not entirely practical, way to tell time. But then again, who’s wearing this for mere functionality?
Urwerk UR-150 Scorpion Titan
More spaceship than timepiece, the Urwerk UR-150 Scorpion Titan is yet another triumph for the independent watchmaker, whose signature has long been its radical reimagining of timekeeping. Through its pioneering use of disks and satellite mechanisms, Urwerk continues to challenge traditional watchmaking, transforming the way time is displayed.
Left: UR-150 Scorpion Titan by Urwerk. Right: ‘Primates Plate G5’ glazed ceramic plate by Bosa.
The UR-150 Scorpion Titan marks the next evolution of this system, showcasing the brand’s mastery of both engineering and design. For the uninitiated, three rotating satellite disks track the minutes, with a green-tipped hand revealing the hour. As it sweeps over the three-quarter-hour display, it jumps back to zero in just one one-hundredth of a second, a feat of mechanical engineering.
Crafted from lightweight titanium, this futuristic timepiece is as wearable as it is avant-garde. Limited to only 50 pieces, it is a testament to Urwerk’s relentless pursuit of innovation.
Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon
When Franck Muller launched his eponymous brand in 1991, he was an outlier. The watchmaking industry was still finding its footing after the quartz crisis had nearly decimated it, yet here was a maverick creating complications and timepieces the world had never seen before. More than three decades later, that rebellious, audacious spirit remains at the heart of the brand—nowhere more evident than in the Grand Central Tourbillon.
Traditionally, tourbillons are positioned at the periphery of the dial, typically at six o’clock. Franck Muller, however, reimagines convention by placing it at the very centre, restructuring the entire movement’s architecture in the process. And as if that weren’t dramatic enough, this edition takes extravagance to new heights with a full pavé diamond dial and bezel, accented by baguette-cut sapphires for a pop of colour.
Piaget Altiplano Precious Skeleton
The art of skeletonisation is often underappreciated. While stripping a movement down to its bare essentials for visual allure is an impressive feat, it inherently compromises structural integrity and demands extraordinary watchmaking skill. Piaget, however, has mastered this delicate balance—particularly within its Altiplano collection, renowned for its ultra-slim profile. Crafting a skeleton-ised movement within such constraints is a true testament to the maison’s technical prowess.
Left: Altiplano Precious Skeleton by Piaget. Right: ‘Saarinen’ sidetable in Verde Alpi Marble, by Knoll. With thanks to Proof Living.
The Altiplano Precious Skeleton, unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2025, takes this mastery to new heights. Adorned with diamonds and sapphires directly on the skeletonised movement, it transforms technical precision into an exquisite work of art—an extraordinary fusion of horology and high jewellery.
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