Blue dials are a favorite among watch enthusiasts and have become a familiar staple. Why do people love the color blue? Mutsuyo Ito, a color consultant specializing in watches and jewelry, explains the reasons. After understanding the principles of color, he also explains why the color of a dial appears different depending on the light, using two Grand Seiko models as examples.
Photographs & Text by Mutsuyo Ito
[Article published on January 28, 2024]
The reason why blue dial watches are popular
What dial colors are popular among watch enthusiasts? It's easy to imagine that monochrome colors like white (silver), black, and gray would rank highly. So, what's the next most popular color after monochrome? Considering the color variations offered by various manufacturers, many people would likely answer "blue." In this article, we'll explain why blue is so popular and how it's a familiar color. We'll also demonstrate how blue changes depending on the amount of light, showcasing the different ways it appears with Grand Seiko watches, which offer a wide variety of blue dials.
When you hear the word "blue," the first things that come to mind are probably the sky and the sea. It's only natural that people feel an affinity with and a favorable impression of the things they see every day. Furthermore, in the field of color therapy, blue is said to have a physiological effect of calming and astringent, and to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. Therefore, it is recommended to use it when you want to maintain a calm, composed, and focused state of mind.
These effects may be related to the fact that blue is often used in text and illustrations to express "peace" and "discipline." Blue also has a long-standing psychological effect of conveying honesty, justice, and stability, and businesspeople likely incorporate these images into their outfits without even realizing it.
It is the color of nature, a symbol of peace, and a color that evokes honesty and justice, so it is no wonder that blue is a popular choice for watch dials.
Does "color" actually exist? Why do we see color?
So, let me briefly explain how we see the blue color.
In the world we see, there is no such thing as "color." What exists is light, and the range of light that humans can perceive is called visible light. Visible light is a rainbow gradient from red (long wavelength) to violet (short wavelength), and all colors of the rainbow exist even when light appears white at first glance.
When this light hits an object, only the reflected colored light is captured by the lens of the eye and converted into a nerve signal. When this signal is captured by the brain, it is perceived as "blue" and is then recognized as "color." In other words, it is only when "light," "object," and "vision (brain)" come together that we feel like we "see color."
What is the "Purkinje phenomenon" that everyone sees in their daily lives?
Now, let's get to the main topic. When you look at blue, there is a phenomenon where the way it appears changes depending on the amount of light in the environment. This is called the "Purkinje effect." When the Purkinje effect occurs, blue (short wavelength band from blue to green) appears more vivid in dimly lit places than in bright places. Conversely, red (long wavelength band from red to orange) appears duller in dimly lit places compared to bright places, meaning it loses its vividness.
A typical example of a road sign that utilizes this phenomenon to maintain visibility.
Grand Seiko recreates the difference in vision caused by the Purkinje phenomenon
Let's recreate the Purkinje effect explained above with a Grand Seiko with a blue dial.
Please compare the photos taken at 12:30 (left) and 4:00 (right) on a certain day in November. However, please note that the same phenomenon does not occur in photoreceptor cells and cameras, so the saturation etc. have been slightly adjusted. The most important point of this experiment is how "vividness of colors" is perceived.
SBGE255 with blue dial
Automatic Spring Drive (Cal. 9R66). 30 jewels. Power reserve: approximately 72 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 40.5mm, thickness 14.7mm). Water resistant to 20 bar. Price: 737,000 yen (tax included).
The photo on the left was taken around 12:30 in sunlight, so the amount of light (i.e., the brightness of the area) is high, emphasizing the beauty of the sunray pattern. Compared to the photo on the right, the blue of the dial appears a little whitish and less vibrant.
In contrast, the photo on the right was taken around 16 p.m. when the sun was setting, and despite the low light, the blue of the dial appears more vibrant than the one on the left. Furthermore, you can see that not only the dial, but also the blue of the GMT hand remains vibrant even in dim light.
SBGX353 with a blue dial
Quartz movement (Cal. 9F61). Stainless steel case (diameter 34mm, thickness 10.7mm). Water resistant to 3 ATM. Price: 44 yen (tax included).
This was also shot under the same conditions as the SBGE255.
"Left = Daytime face = Blue in bright places" appears to emphasize brightness rather than vividness of color.
"Right = Night Face = Blue in a dimly lit place" shows that the vividness of the color is emphasized. In other words, the color "blue" appears to remain clearly in a dimly lit place. This Purkinje phenomenon occurs in the short wavelength range of "blue to green," so it is also characteristic that other colors appear less vivid in a dimly lit place.
Compare the blue of your own watch, your friends' watches, and everyday objects!
If you're wondering how much of a difference it actually makes to your appearance, try it out on your own watch or something blue you have around you. If you're someone who prefers to feel colors in dimly lit places, a watch with a blue dial is perfect for you.
Its refreshing daytime face at lunchtime and vibrant nighttime face at the bar after work...it might be interesting to enjoy the slightly unusual phenomenon that lurks within a blue-dial watch.
Author profile
Mutsuyo Ito
A unique consultant specializing in watches and jewelry. He also provides consulting services at event venues and boutiques, and teaches color and sales customer service. He is an active color supervisor for a watch manufacturer and also handles image consulting. He holds many qualifications, including a J-color certified instructor, color consultant, second-level watch repair technician, and first-level face type diagnosis. He is also the representative director of parakeITO Co., Ltd.
HP:https://www.mutsuyo-ito-parakeito.com/
