6 recommendations for a green dial watch

Green dial watches have been around for longer than many would have expected, first popularized by models like the Rolex Hulk and Panerai’s Bronzo. In the recent 2 years, the green craze has overtaken the industry, with more and more brands creating new models to satisfy the green dial market. Here are 6 recommendations for a green dial watch for any green dial enthusiast.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 is one of the novelties in 2020 that had captured the attention of many collectors. This is attributed to the variety of dial colours that are available – with many in vibrant and bright colours.

Cased in a 41mm Oystersteel case, the Oyster Perpetual 41 – or known as the OP41 for short – offers collectors a modern and timeless timepiece with a rather interesting touch with the different dial colours available. It is definitely a welcoming addition, especially when it is coupled with the brand’s prowess in crafting robust and reliable timepieces that can withstand any tough condition that comes along its way.

The OP41 is priced at S$7,910 and remains in hot demand as with many Rolex watches.

Patek Philippe Aquanaut “Jumbo” Ref. 5168G

The Patek Philippe Sports collection is a highly popular one. In recent years, we have seen how prices have increased dramatically in the used market – a testament to the strong demand. The Patek Philippe Aquanaut “Jumbo” Reference 5186G, launched in 2019, is another timepiece that is greatly sought-after like many of its brethren.

The latest iteration of the Aquanaut “Jumbo” follows hotly on the heels of the 2017 edition. The 2017 timepiece was fitted with a brilliant blue dial, but this year Patek Philippe had went a step further by introducing an olive green variant instead. The combination, in our opinion, works rather beautifully. The shade of green is rather mellow, and the matte finishing interestingly provides a military allusion to the watch.

Powering the Aquanaut is the 213-part, 29-jewel Calibre 324 SC. The self-winding movement has a power reserve of approximately 35 hours, and it incorporates innovations such as the Gyromax balance and Spiromax balance spring.

The watch retails at S$57,700.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Small Seconds Green 

Possibly the most iconic design created by Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Reverso was first created in 1931. It was birthed from a practical need by British officers, to have a wristwatch that could survive the harrowing effects of a game of polo. The latest iteration in 2021, the 90th anniversary of the Reverso, comes in a green dial, set to the simple sub-seconds time only wrist watch.

This is a base model Reverso, retailing for S$12,000 in a stainless steel case with a Fagliano strap and deployant buckle. The slim 8.5mm case houses the manually wound mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2; a rectangular shaped movement with small seconds designed expressly for the Reverso, it offers a power reserve of 42 hours.

Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date Special Limited Edition in Green

First released in 2019, Glashütte Original refreshes the Seventies sporty case with a limited edition green dial variant.

The “magic” so to speak happens at the dial. The dégradé effect is very similar to the fumê that Moser is famous for. The difference is that Moser sources their dials from a contractor, but GO makes it in-house in their facility in Pforzheim.

The dial is made in a multi step process, begining with the use of rotating brushes to apply a sunray finish radiating from the center. The dials are then galvanized, and a green lacquer is applied in several passes. The watch uses the caliber 37-2, a selfwinding vertical clutch column wheel movement that beats at 28,800 bph with a 70 hour power reserve. The watch is priced at S$19,800 and limited to 100 pieces.

Zenith Defy 21 Urban Jungle

In recent times, Zenith has treated the horological world with a slew of novelties. Early this year, the Le Locle-based manufacturer had launched another spectacular piece – in the form of the Zenith Defy 21 Urban Jungle.

The Defy 21 collection, which debuted in 2017, set the standards for chronographs with the 1/100 seconds chronograph timer. This year, Zenith had decided to incorporate a rather cool-looking khaki green ceramic case into the watch.

Aside from the looks, the movement is definitely the pièce de résistance. The El Primero 9004 features two separate trains – one beating at 36,000 bph, and the other at 360,000 bph. The latter, notably, is for the 1/100th of a second counter. It is an incredible technical feat, although in actuality, more of a spectacle than anything else.

Retailing at S$21,200, the Zenith Defy 21 Urban Jungle is a fun piece to add to any collection.

Grand Seiko SBGW275 – Genbi Valley

The Genbi Valley is one of Iwate Prefecture’s most stunning natural scenes. The picturesque greenery of the Genbi Valley is the inspiration behind three USA exclusives from Grand Seiko, SBGW273, SBGW275, and SBGW277. Of which we have picked SBGW275 as our favorite of the lot. SBGW275 is a USA-exclusive limited to 140 watches available only through Grand Seiko Boutique Online and retails at US$4,900.

Classic in its form and function, SBGW275 measures 37.3mm in diameter, 11.6mm in thickness, and 44.3mm in length. The lug width is 19mm. The teal dial features faceted markers that pair beautifully with the sharp handset. The dials of all three watches are inspired by a Japanese painting method called Kirazuri, which translates to “sparkling painting.” Used here, the technique evokes the look of dense flora, giving the dials great depth.

SBGW275 is powered by caliber 9S64, a mechanical manual winding movement with 72 hours of power reserve.

Concluding thoughts

Most if not all the watches shown here are in high demand, with some models either sold out in stores or selling at a premium elsewhere. This is representative of the ‘exclusiveness’ of the green models being marketed using scarcity. While the brand factor for the Rolex and Patek Philippe models is a driving reason for their scarcity, their green dial variants are also in higher demand compared to the other regular (black, white) colored dials of the same model. That said, it remains to be seen if the green dial craze will die away as a fad or if it’s here to stay.