5 Watches with Dials Inspired by the Mysteries of Nature

Watch dials have become more colorful in recent years, and not only are they expanding the palette of colors and textures, but there are also watches that express inspiration from the earth, flora, and fauna of the natural world. Here we introduce five watches that use the dial as a canvas to express the mysteries of nature.

Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF

　Chopard's Alpine Eagle collection combines the design DNA of its first sports watch, the 1980s St. Moritz, with a modern, organically textured dial motif reminiscent of the iris of an eagle's eye. The Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF, a new addition to this nature-inspired collection, features two brand firsts: the use of titanium rather than Chopard's proprietary Lucent Steel A223 or ethical gold, and the introduction of the ultra-high-frequency movement, the Chopard 01.12-C caliber. This movement achieves an astounding 57,600 vibrations per second (8 Hz) thanks to the extensive use of silicon in high-friction components. The Valse grey dial, inspired by the rooftops of Alpine villages, features an eagle's iris pattern, and the seconds hand features a counterweight in the shape of an eagle's feather. The 41mm case is paired with an integrated bracelet with exquisite finishes. This limited edition is limited to 250 pieces worldwide.

Grand Seiko "Evolution 9 Collection Seiko 140th Anniversary Limited Edition Model"

　The Evolution 9 Collection Seiko 140th Anniversary Limited Edition, released in 2021, features a dial design inspired by the natural beauty of tree rings, and is rooted in Grand Seiko's philosophy of "THE NATURE OF TIME." The visual effect, created by combining multiple finishes to evoke the varied texture of wood, reminiscent of tree rings, is a symbol of Seiko's 140-year growth. The 40mm platinum case features facets that combine a mirror polished and hairline finish. The hour markers and the "GS" applied logo at 12 o'clock are gold, and the SD mark at 6 o'clock serves as proof of this. The movement is the Hi-Beat Caliber 9SA5, which combines a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour with a long power reserve of approximately 80 hours, achieving high accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds per day. This model is limited to 140 pieces worldwide.

Montblanc "Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition 1858"

　In 2004, Reinhold Messner, a mountaineer from Tyrol in the eastern Alps, successfully crossed the Gobi Desert solo. Inspired by this, Montblanc has added a limited edition model to its Geosphere collection, themed around mountain exploration: the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition 1858. This 42mm bronze case features a desert-colored fumé dial and the Geosphere collection's signature bidirectional rotating bezel with a compass motif. The bezel, also made of bronze with a brown ceramic insert, features two rotating hemispheres at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock, representing the northern and southern hemispheres. This distinctive world time watch features vintage gold-tone cathedral hands, a second time zone subdial at 9 o'clock, and a date display at 3 o'clock. The movement is the automatic caliber MB29.25, based on the Sellita SW300-1 and equipped with an in-house module, and is housed within a case back decorated with an image of the Gobi Desert's wall of fire.

NORQAIN Adventure Neverest 40mm Glacier

　In 2021, NORQAIN added the "Neverest" series to its Adventure Collection. Ten percent of sales from this series will be donated to the Butterfly Help Project, a charity that supports the families of Sherpas (climbing professionals) who lose their lives in the Himalayas and provides an educational environment for their children. The Glacier model in the Neverest series is inspired by the Himalayan mountains. Its name comes from the cracked texture of its icy white dial. This pattern also evokes the jagged crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier, the most challenging part of the Everest climb. The bezel's zero marker, the central seconds hand, and the red "CHRONOMETER" inscription at 6 o'clock are accents. The 40mm stainless steel case features a transparent back, revealing the NORQAIN Caliber NN20/1, which boasts a power reserve of approximately 70 hours and a rotor bearing the Swiss Alps' iconic double-N logo.

Oris Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition

　The Okavango Delta, one of Africa's largest wetlands, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in northern Botswana on the floodplain of the Okavango River. The green dial of the Oris Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition is inspired by this region, and this model commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Okavango Air Rescue (OAR), an aeromedical rescue team providing high-quality medical care to the people and tourists of Botswana. It is based on Oris' Big Crown ProPilot series, which fittingly honors the achievements of rescue pilots. Familiar features include a jet turbine-inspired coin-edge motif on the case side and the large, fluted screw-down crown from which the model is named. The 41mm stainless steel case is powered by the Oris 751 automatic caliber, based on a Sellita movement and boasting a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. The case back features a special engraving.