Is Blue a Bad Color for a Watch
Looking for a timepiece with a blue dial? Here are our 10 favorite blue dial watches for men.
Dial color is a pretty big deal. It greatly affects the look of a watch, which is why many enthusiasts have strong opinions on which colors they like.
White/cream and black are by far the most popular dial colors, but there are all kinds of color options out there. The big problem is that some of those options are pretty bold, so they're not exactly versatile.
That's where blue dials come in. If you want something with a bit of color that can still be worn as an everyday piece, a blue dial watch is a good choice.
Blue dial watches are still pretty neutral, so it's easy to incorporate them into your wardrobe. And while not every blue watch will go with every outfit, you can easily find a shade of blue that works for you.
I've compiled 10 of the most noteworthy blue dial watches in this article to give you a starting point. This is by no means an exhaustive list — there are tons of great blue dial watches out there — but I've tried to select a good range of watch types at different price points.
Best Blue Dial Watches Under $1,000
Here are some relatively inexpensive options.
Seiko SNK807
The SNK series is on pretty much every "best watches" list, and for a good reason. These affordable automatics are well-made and long-lasting, and they're hard to beat for the price. (Right now, you can find one for around $100).
The blue-faced SNK807 doesn't get talked about a whole lot, but it easily stands toe to toe with its siblings. The navy blue is a lovely shade that almost looks like dark-wash denim, and it pairs nicely with all kinds of outfits and color schemes.
The SNK807 is nicely sized, with a case diameter of 37mm and a lug width of 18mm. In terms of specs, it features the classic 7S26 automatic movement, day and date windows at 3 o'clock, and a display caseback.
Orient Bambino
The Orient Bambino is another popular budget watch that rightfully gets praised for its value. The Bambino line has a few blue dial options, but this blue/black burst is arguably the most versatile.
Even though it appears pretty bright in the product photos, the burst dial is much more subtle in person. The center is a vibrant midnight blue that fades into the dark outer ring, which is an even darker blue that's almost black.
With minimalistic hour markers and elegant silver hands, the Bambino is a nice option for a dress watch that doesn't break the bank.
However, it is a pretty large watch with a case size of 42mm and a strap width of 22mm, so it may not favor some smaller-wristed wearers.
Farer Ainsdale II
Farer is one of the more noteworthy microbrands out there thanks to its unique approach to design, especially in terms of color. The brand's catalog is full of bold hues and eye-catching color combos, and you'll find several blue dial offerings.
The Ainsdale II is one of Farer's more subtle blue dial watches, but it's not standard by any means.
This refreshing twist on a chronograph uses a gloss ink on the dial for a rich dark blue.
Yellow-lumed hour and minute hands, a bright yellow second hand, and orange subdial hands all pop against the blue dial, making the watch not only handsome but also easy to read.
Spec-wise, the Ainsdale has quite a bit going on. It's powered by a Swiss-made ETA 251.294 FK PowerDrive Precision quartz movement, and it features split second and flyback complications for a true chronograph experience.
At $700, it's admittedly pretty pricey for a quartz, but it's not a bad price considering its wealth of features and colorful design.
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
If you want a Swiss-made blue dial watch at an affordable price point, Tissot is one of your best options. They're especially relevant here because their Powermatic 80 line features several blue dial models.
This PRX Powermatic 80 stands out for its blue waffle dial that adds a kind of depth and texture you can't get with most plain dials. The blue isn't too loud or bright, and it contrasts nicely against the stainless steel case.
The watch features Tissot's Powermatic 80.111 automatic movement with their patented Nivachron hairspring for improved precision. More importantly, you're getting Tissot quality here, and it's pretty impressive that you can get a luxury sports watch from a heritage Swiss brand that outperforms many of its competitors.
If you're not feeling the waffle dial, you might want to check out the Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium, which has a plain dial with a similar shade of blue.
Vostok Amphibia 420059
The Vostok Amphibia might not be what you picture when you think of a blue dial watch, but this Russian diver is one of the most popular budget options in the category.
The medium blue dial bearing the "scuba dude" image is one of the Amphibia's most recognizable features. The Pepsi-style bezel and metallic hands round out this true vintage design.
The watch is water-resistant up to 200m, so it's a true diver. Inside, there's a Vostok 2416B automatic movement with a 31-hour power reserve. With a case size of 40mm and a lug width of 18mm, it has a nice balanced size, though the bezel does add a bit of heft.
While it's not a typical diver, the Amphibia has a lot going for it for those who dig vintage-style timepieces.
Best Blue Dial Watches Under $2,500
If you're willing to spend more than $1,000, here are some watches to keep in mind.
Nomos Glashütte Tangente Midnight Blue
Nomos's Tangente is a modern classic. This sleek watch is famed for its minimalist aesthetic that takes design cues from the Bauhaus school.
The Tangente reference 132 is one of a few watches in the line that features a blue dial.
The midnight blue provides a subdued backdrop for the gold hands and numerals, and the stainless steel case offers another layer of subtle contrast.
This model of the Tangente is uncommonly sized at 35mm, which is fantastic for those with smaller wrists. And unlike many other design-centric watches, the Tangente doesn't make many compromises in terms of specs.
The manual Alpha caliber boasts a power reserve of 43 hours, which means you only need to wind the watch every other day, and the small seconds subdial puts some functional icing on the cake.
Longines Spirit
For a luxury Swiss brand, Longines has a fantastic price to value ratio, and the Spirit is a fine example of this.
The polished sunray blue dial catches the light nicely and contrasts against the silvered sandblasted hands and applied numerals. The diamond-tipped second hand adds a small pop of red that meshes nicely with the color palette.
Inside, there's a COSC-certified L888.4 automatic movement with an impressive power reserve of 72 hours. It's water-resistant up to 100m (10 bar), and there's a date complication at the 3 o'clock position.
The only considerable downside is the 21mm lug width, which means finding straps will be a little trickier.
Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase
Given the complexity involved in manufacturing moon phase watches, it can be tricky to find a high-quality one at a reasonable price point. One brand that succeeds at that daunting task is Frederique Constant.
For under $2,500, the Slimline offers a true moon phase complication, Swiss-made quality, and an in-house automatic movement all wrapped up in a graceful blue package. The minimal dial markings allow the moon phase display to shine through (no pun intended).
The Slimline is a fantastic choice if you're specifically after a blue-faced moon phase that won't put you into outrageous amounts of debt. That said, if you don't want the moon phase function, you're probably safe to skip this one.
Best Luxury Blue Dial Watches
Here are some luxury options that sport blue dials.
IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII Edition "Le Petit Prince"
IWC is renowned for its incredible pilot watch offerings, and one look at the Le Petit Prince will tell you why.
The luminescent blue dial brings healthy amounts of color and depth to the design, which is itself elegant and focused. There's no doubting this is a pilot watch.
The 40mm watch uses IWC's 35111 automatic movement that has a power reserve of 42 hours. The date display and hacking capability make the Mark XVIII a practical choice — in line with IWC's ethos of efficiency. You're not getting anything superfluous here.
Omega Railmaster
When you think of blue Omega watches, you might think of the classic blue Seamaster or perhaps the Aqua Terra. While those are both excellent watches, I've chosen to highlight the Railmaster instead.
The Railmaster's vertically brushed denim dial is casual yet refined, and it offers a ton of depth and personality you won't get with a plain blue dial.
The beige second hand and Railmaster logo give the dial some necessary pops of color, and the white numerals and indicators make the watch easy to read.
Of course, the Railmaster features Omega's legendary craftsmanship. Their Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8806 movement has a power reserve of 55 hours and features incredible anti-magnetic properties. The watch is also water-resistant up to 150m.
FAQs About Blue Dial Watches
Here are the answers to some common questions about blue dial watches.
Are Blue Dial Watches Dress Appropriate?
Typically yes, though this depends more on the style of watch than the dial color. Blue is a great color for dress watches and pairs nicely with most neutral color palettes.
Why Are Blue Dial Watches So Popular?
Blue dial watches offer a nice pop of color without being too loud or intense.
Are Blue Face Watches in Style?
Absolutely. It just comes down to your preference.
Which Blue Watch Will You Choose?
If you haven't tried incorporating a blue dial watch into your collection, give it a try. They're fun, versatile, and refreshing.
It's also a lot of fun to try different strap pairings. An orange strap might not look great on a black dial watch, but throw one on a blue-faced watch and you're in business.
Next time you're shopping for watches (which, let's face it, will probably be sooner than later), take a look at some blue dial options and see what you find.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
Source: https://theslenderwrist.com/blue-watches/
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