Whether you realise it or not, in every moment you’re drawing meaning from every colour, shade, and hue you see.
From how you feel to the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the car you drive, and the company you buy insurance from — they’re all infused with and influenced by the hidden language of colour.
As such a powerful force, you want to ensure you harness colour when choosing a watch rather than making it work against you. There’s no point in buying a vintage Patek Phillipe watch with a salmon dial, for instance, if it makes you come across as a big softy in the boardroom.
To help make sure you pick the right watch dial colour, let’s take a look at some of the most commonly seen tints and tones across the vintage and preowned wristwatch market.
Black: Power, formality, practicality
Overall, black is the right watch dial colour for practicality — for the simple fact that watches with black dials often come with white or luminous or hands that make it easier to tell the time in conditions of low light and poor visibility.
Some stick by the rule of only buying a black-faced watch if the band is also black. But the myriads of Rolexes and other leading brands that pair black dials with silver cases and bracelets prove that this is faulty logic and that with black dials, pretty much anything goes.
Blue: Trust, confidence, intelligence
Watches with blue dials have been somewhat of a hot watch trend recently. The theme was certainly out in force at this year’s SIHH and Baselworld, with a scattering of new blue-dialed models from brands like Patek Phillipe, vintage Rolex, and vintage Omega.
As a bold primary colour, blue is incredibly versatile and pairs easily with most of your wardrobe. Typical buying guidelines are to look for a vintage watch with a yellow gold or silver case — whether it be platinum, white gold, or stainless steel.A blue dial also looks great with brown and black straps.
White: Innocence, purity, light
If you’re buying your first vintage watch, you can’t go wrong with a white dial. White has a universal appeal that makes it equally suitable for the office or the bar. And as it’s neutral, you won’t ever get stuck with finding a matching outfit.
One issue with white dials is that they tend to highlight any small scratches and scrapes. But if you don’t mind the worn look, white, which will always be in fashion, is definitely the way to go.
Red, Orange, Green; Energy, enthusiasm, fertility
Of course, what the right watch dial colour really comes down to is personal preference. Other than the brand of watch, the colour of its dial is the best way to say something about your personality and dress in accordance with the occasion.
For instance, a red dial may suggest you’re an action-orientated and eccentric person. Orange may show warmth and a tendency to be outgoing and sociable. Yellow often represents alertness and an inclination to be orderly and regimented. Green dials can have a military connotation or demonstrate class, and as such can add a touch of readiness or reality to your appearance.
Other bright and bold colours — purple, pinks, lime greens, etc. — although difficult to match with an outfit, can add a sense of playfulness to an occasion. But it can take some real confidence and style to successfully pull them off.
FAQs
There might be two or three colors that best match your style but make sure it goes well with your overall appearance. The right color would mostly radiates your personality well – a color that gives a sense of prestige, charm, and recognition. Many people just simply choose their favorite colors for the dial.
How to pick a watch dial color? ›
Your style and personality
If you are more inclined towards a formal or conservative style, neutral colors such as white, silver, or black can be ideal. On the other hand, if you enjoy experimenting with bold and vibrant looks, consider dials in shades of yellow, green, or even red.
What color watch face goes with everything? ›
So we can say that a watch with a white or black dial is a safe choice for all occasions: they are (more or less) watches that go with everything.
What does watch dial color say about you? ›
Watches with Color and Your Personality
Black suggests excitement or anxiousness, amber green means uneasiness, blue green denotes calmness, amber indicates nervousness, green represents sensitivity, and dark blue signifies love and happiness. So dial colors are not just a simple fashion statement.
How to match watch dial color with outfit? ›
Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and experiment with colors and their meaning though. Choose touches of red and orange for a modern and sporty touch, boast a striking blue dial to perfectly complement a pair of blue jeans, or opt for an all-black model for a strong and bold statement.
What is the most common watch dial color? ›
The most common dial colours are black, white and champagne colour (especially for ladies' watches). That said, a classic white dial has the advantage of going with all types of bracelets or bezels.
How do I choose a watch color for my skin tone? ›
Silver watches are great for people with fair skin. But gold and rose gold tones can also look very good, as they give the skin a warm tone. Medium skin tones pair best with black and silver watches. Black watches add contrast, while silver watches can accentuate skin tone.
Can a blue dial watch go with anything? ›
A blue dial watch looks great on many color straps, whether leather, fabric or rubber and almost every variation of these colors: White. Brown. Black.
What does a black dial watch mean? ›
Black: Power, formality, practicality
Overall, black is the right watch dial colour for practicality — for the simple fact that watches with black dials often come with white or luminous or hands that make it easier to tell the time in conditions of low light and poor visibility.
What color should my watch match? ›
A black watchband is more suited for formal events. Silver watches match best with shoes in black, gray, silver, and blue shades. Gold watches go with browns, beiges, tans, and other earth tones.
Green dial watches can be paired with both casual and formal outfits, making them versatile accessories for any occasion.
Why are blue dial watches so popular? ›
As the color of the sea and the sky, blue is calming. It signifies reliability, stability, inspiration, and wisdom. All attributes that you want in a watch. Contemporary enthusiasts love blue in the same way that they love dive watches – both are dignified and sporty at the same time.
When to wear a white dial watch? ›
The clean, understated aesthetic of a white dial can add a touch of elegance to any outfit, making it a versatile choice for every occasion. Whether you're attending a formal event or simply going about your daily activities, a white dial watch can be the perfect accessory to elevate your style.
Which color watch goes with every outfit? ›
A white dial watch goes with anything, so just changing the strap allows you to wear it with different colored clothing. For example I wear a Blue Leather strap when wearing blue shirts, green with green shirts, and so on. Black goes with anything, as does stainless steel. Brown is an elegant casual color.
Do black dial watches look good? ›
In my honest opinion, watches with black, grey, or dark blue dials offer a better contrast to a white dial one. This is an inexpensive Seiko Sports Quartz Date watch with Perpetual Calendar and an extra GMT hand. One can easily see the time with just a short glance.
When to wear a blue dial watch? ›
Whether you are dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt or attending a formal event in a suit or dress, a blue dial watch adds a touch of refinement and sophistication to your overall look.
How do I choose a watch band color? ›
Tip: a winning combination is to match the color of the bracelet to that of the dial and/or bezel, and the stitching to the accent color (the one from the indexes and/or hands for example). The burgundy watch strap Port Louis goes perfectly with the patinated bezel of this Rolex 1675.
Can I change watch dial color? ›
Personalize your Apple Watch face so it looks the way you want and provides the functions you need. Choose a design, adjust colors and features, then add it to your collection. Switch faces at any time to see the right timekeeping tools—or to shake things up.
Should a dress watch have a white or black dial? ›
Regarding the dial color, a plain white or black dial can be combined with anything. Coloured dials can also add some flavour to your outfit only if you do it right. For example, a blue dial can be paired with a blue suit. The dial size should, additionally, fit your wrist size.
