Round-UpThe Sandstorm That Swept Over Watches And Wonders 2024: Sand-Coloured Timepieces That Stole The Show
Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024 brought with it a whole host of new launches from some of the biggest watchmaking brands out there, and one trend was eminent: sand-coloured dials. Let’s take a look at how popular brands have added this trendy colour to their offerings
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It seems as though almost every year, a new trend in the watchmaking world takes us by storm, and each year, the appeal is undeniable. In 2023, it was quite evidently the ice-blue-coloured dials, while a few years ago, we saw a huge rise in timepieces featuring bracelets integrated with the cases. This year, a sandstorm has swept over the world of horology, leaving us with a considerable number of new sand-coloured timepieces.
Arnold & Son, Speake-Marin, IWC, Ulysse Nardin, Parmigiani, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and TAG Heuer, have all come out with timepieces that match the sand-coloured vibe. Though some of them are called copper, tints and hints of sand varieties are undeniable. Let’s take a look at a few of these timepieces in detail, while we also go over some of the other big trends that that we saw emerging out of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024.
The Sand-Coloured Arnold & Son Longitude Titanium
For the first time, Arnold & Son have forayed into the sports watch segment with the Longitude Titanium timepieces. Even at first glance, it’s clear to see the appeal of the integrated titanium bracelet, which is only accentuated by the sand-coloured dial that the brand are referring to as ‘Kingsand gold PVD treatment’.
This COSC-certified chronometer watch is inspired by the design of contemporary sailing boats. The look of the timepiece—as is the case with many other sand-coloured watches—evokes a rather elegant, earthy appeal, but this timepiece by the brand is a direct result of their long maritime identity.
Arnold & Son’s first attempt at a luxury sports timepiece, in our opinion, has checked a lot of the right boxes. It perfectly executes the appeal of case and bracelet integration, and they’ve successfully identified the buzz of the year with their version of a sand-coloured dial.
The Sand-Coloured Speake-Marin Ripples Dune Date
If we’re speculating, the recent blockbuster film Dune Part 2 (2024) may well have been the catalyst for this influx of sand-coloured dials we see; or at least the naming of the editions. Speake-Marin’s Ripples Dune Date may just be the proof of that. Or, it may just be a reference to the hue of sand dunes.
The brand have expanded their bestselling Ripples collection with this model for Watches and Wonders 2024, and the gorgeous contrast between the famous running seconds sub-dial at 1:30 and the sand-coloured dial is clear to see. Of course, the distinct horizontal sunray pattern on the dial is what adds a bit of character to the watch, which is what the Ripples is known for.
The Sand-Coloured Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad
Out of all the watches on this list, perhaps the Freak S Nomad has the least significant sand-coloured presence, but the limited space that it does occupy on its rather complex dial leaves quite the impression.
If you’re perplexed by looking at the dial of this watch, it’s probably because no Ulysse Nardin Freak has looked as ‘freaky’ as this S Nomad. What sets apart the Freak watches is the absence of a crown or hands, as is evident here. What we’re more impressed with is the fact that even despite the sci-fi-esque display, the hand guilloche hour disc in sand-coloured CVD works so well. The timepiece merges the traditional technique of a hand-guilloche pattern on the dial with the Freak’s contemporary mechanism of watchmaking, but our takeaway from this remains that perhaps the sand-coloured dial is way more versatile than originally thought.
Even though this watch screams out space more than Earth, the colour that immediately reminds you of the earth beneath our feel works well with the intricate mechanisms of the UN-251 manufacture calibre.
The Sand-Coloured IWC Portugieser Dune
IWC expanded their fan-favourite Portugieser line with perpetual calendars, chronographs, and tourbillon models, but for us, the notable highlight are the three new dune-coloured Portugiesers that the brand has released.
According to the brand, ‘the unique atmosphere of early evening, with the golden light of the setting sun’ are what inspired their new dial colour, dune. The three new dune-coloured timepieces they’ve unveiled are the Portugieser Chronograph, Portugieser Automatic 42, and the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44.
Patrons of the brand would appreciate the addition to the bestselling collection, and it’s clear to see how gracefully the dune hue sits in the Portugieser collection.
From classic collections like the Portugieser to more avant-garde watchmaking wonders like the Freak S Nomad by Ulysse Nardin, the new sand/dune-coloured dials seem to fit well with just about anything. The watchmakers have had their say, but we’re yet to see how the enthusiasts around the world will respond to the influx of this earthy colour.
Beyond Sand-Coloured Dials: A Quick Overview Of Other Major Trends At Watches And Wonders 2024
Another clear trend we saw was the introduction of many new moon phase watches, with brands such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, Laurent Ferrier, Frederique Constant, and Trilobe, all launching new watches clad with the complication. Trilobe, in particular, added their very first complication in their repertoire with a moon phase complication watch. The three new editions of their L’Heure Exquise timepiece all fit into their first collection, Les Matinaux. The L’Heure Exquise edition also included one version with a dune-coloured dial.
As is expected from brands of their stature, Jaeger-LeCoulre and IWC absolutely knocked it out of the park. IWC, with their Portugieser Eternal Calendar, have launched a timepiece whose moon phase needs correction once every 45 million years. Jaeger-LeCoultre updated their Duometre collection with timepieces that even feature chronographs and a triple-axis trourbillon—which is a first for them.
Along with the sand-coloured watches, another trend was the colour green. H.Moser & Cie., particularly, have launched the Pioneer Centre Seconds Concept Citrus Green timepiece. Other brands that hopped on this bandwagon include Doxa, Czapek, Chronoswiss, Oris, Alpina, Norqain, Bremont, Arnold & Son, Nomos, among a few others.
The two dominant colours we saw during Watches and Wonders 2024 both carry an intrinsic earthy appeal. Each palette looks good in its own right, while the ones that don’t just feature the colour as the main appeal, such as the Ulysse Nardin, are the ones that make the loudest statement. What are your thoughts on the sort of trends we might see emerging as the year progresses? Will there be more of the above, or will the rest of the year in watches evolved into other strong trends as well?
