California dial (agian!)

*** Hey, we got more online 'press'

Thanks to a quick 'selfie' of Craig Gilbert's I 69/75, our rebelde appeared at Facebook page of Watch Time magazine. Apparently, the Watch Time is America's #1 watch magazine. Craig's photo was published and got over 1,000 likes and 40 shares!

You can check it out here (and add your rebelde photo if you wish)

https://www.facebook.com/watchtimemagazine?ref=br_tf

Of course, few commentators were quick to label rebelde as a Panerai tribute, copy and even Panerai fake. I guess those naive and misinformed comments stem from California-style dial which is now associated with watches made by Panerai.

The truth is, Panerai was just one of MANY brands who in 1930s made watches with mix of Roman and Arabic numerals and there is nothing to suggest that California dial is an exclusive Panerai style. (Panerai actually never made such claim).

Here is just one example of Rolex Cal dial, as featured on the cover of soon to be released Rolex Story book:

Happy collecting!

Nick

Rebelde: Y soy rebelde, cuando no sigo a los demas!

Dial design: California-style dial is one where hour markers are mix of Roman and Arabic numerals. Dating back from 1930s it seems as a right choice for a 1930s style Pilots watch. Ideally I would like to try a few colour combination, but for the very first production batch any particular shade of sepia on black will do. I am toying with idea of 'branding' the run with a catchy name - but this is still uncertain.

I like the sound (and meaning!) of Spanish rebelde. Not very Australian, but if you have a better idea, do let me know.

"And I am a rebel, when I don't follow everyone else."

The California dial

"California dial" is a watch dial featuring Roman hour markers on the top half and Arabic markers on the bottom half of the dial.

While the origin of the name is unknown, the style of the dial has been around from the early 1930s.

The earliest example I've come across was on a Rolex Oyster bubbleback, from 1938, and the latest dates from 1966, fitted to an Oyster Precision Ref 6424.

The style and logotype itself are typical of the Art Deco period: bold and provocative, yet perfectly balanced.

Nowadays, California dial, is a hallmark of Panerai Radiomir watches, especially models which pay 'tribute' to the original 1938 Radiomir Brevettato Ref 3646.

Here is a sketch of Panerai PAM 249 a highly collectable and sought after piece by any serious Panerai collector.