Scottish watchmaker anOrdain has announced a collaboration with Hodinkee, called the Model 3 Limited Edition. Limited to just 25 examples, the watch features what anOrdian claims to be the world’s first hand-engraved sunburst enamel dial.
Based in Glasgow, Scotland, anOrdian is a small watchmaker specialising in enamel dials that are incredibly tricky to make. These dials are made using the Grand Feu enamelling technique, where copper, silver or gold dials are covered with ground enamel powder then oven-fired several times at over 800 degrees celsius. The result is a rich and striking colour with a high-sheen finish.
AnOrdian, whose watches currently have a five-year waiting list, further explains the manufacturing process: “A single craftswoman is responsible for the entire hand-engraving process using a graver, which is physically exhausting and requires complete concentration. Each dial takes approximately 100 hours of skill and concentration to complete, resulting in thousands of individual dial engravings so no two dials are identical.”
What’s also interesting – and this is often the case with enamel dials – is how much wastage there is. The company says two out of every three dials produced never get finished, and on average three dials need to be made for each one that makes it to a completed watch.
For the Hodinkee model, anOrdian is using a grey colour palette with a silver dial that is enamelled with a transparent shade of deep grey showing off the engraved base plate beneath. There is also a set of syringe-style hands, custom art deco numerals at every hour marker, and a crown at the three o’clock position of the 39mm stainless steel case.
The watch is provided with leather and suede straps, and is powered by a Sellita SW300 automatic movement with 42 hours of power reserve. The enamel dial is protected by a sapphire crystal with a double-sided anti-reflective coating, while the case back features an engraving of New York City as seen from above, the Hodinkee name, and a unique number for each of the 25 watches to be produced.
The watch is available to order now and is priced at $6,000.
-
Watches expert reveals the best styles to achieve the ‘Old Money’ aesthetic5 ‘Old Money’ watch styles you need to know about
-
A Week on the Wrist with the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional – near-perfection with a dose of space historyWhisper it, but the OMEGA Speedmaster is probably better than the Rolex Daytona
-
More than two years on, is the MoonSwatch still worth it?I’m late to the MoonSwatch party, but that doesn’t matter
-
These new Seiko watches are inspired by a Tokyo cocktail barDrink it in: these Seiko watches are named after Tokyo’s Star Bar
-
These special dive watches celebrate World Manta Day in colourful styleCarl F. Bucherer expands its diving watch collection with three new timepieces
-
OMEGA’s new Constellation watch puts the night sky on your wristOMEGA adds to its Constellation collection with a stunning new timepiece
-
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer is a seriously seventies throwback and we’re here for itSeiko's new chronograph is a beautiful 70s homage
-
Ralph Lauren reinvents the Polo watch in bright, bold coloursRalph Lauren launches the newest generation of the Polo Watch
