In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstanding

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rockmastermike
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In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstanding

Post by rockmastermike » Thu Feb 20, 2014 4:40 pm

sometimes subdials are designed to be unnoticed unless needed, some are just the opposite and destroy the numbers on the dial, some are plain until you look closer and then some are just perfect and really make the dial special.

Here are a few of the ones I have been lucky enough to have

Flightmaster, IWC 3717 and Seiko Solar Chrono subdials are nice, but I would put them in the "friend zone" - they are nice to hang out with but nothing that makes me want to devote my life to

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PAM 024 and Seamaster 176.007 are a step above, if for no other reason than the non-standard shaped hands and multi-tasking

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Alright, now we hit the ones that are subtle at first, but have nice details upon closer inspection. The radial designs and stepped levels add depth and character to the Speedmaster, Arktis and Navitimer

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And finally the grand champion that combines polished hands, radial design and cool contrasting color. The color is a mixture of black, grey, silver, anthracite and gives off layers of these colors depending on the light and angle.

Against the cream dial the subdials are devastatingly beautiful. When I look at the watch I marvel at the complexity of their color palette, their hues, their tones.

It's cliche to say pictures don't do it justice, especially in my pictures, it's true - you have to see it to believe it.

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Panerai7
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by Panerai7 » Thu Feb 20, 2014 4:50 pm

What an awesome post!

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dukerules
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by dukerules » Thu Feb 20, 2014 4:51 pm

Bremont always does the details really well. Great pics.

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rockmastermike
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by rockmastermike » Thu Feb 20, 2014 4:58 pm

Panerai7 wrote:What an awesome post!
dukerules wrote:Bremont always does the details really well. Great pics.
Thank you, gentlemen :salute:

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rockmastermike
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by rockmastermike » Thu Feb 20, 2014 4:59 pm

What are other's favorite sub-dials????

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dukerules
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by dukerules » Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:12 pm

My favorite subdials are the true vintage speedmaster subdials. Just amazing.

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Panerai7
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by Panerai7 » Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:15 pm

This is one of them, still want this watch
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SCM64
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by SCM64 » Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:26 pm

Not a fan on 30 minute subdials at all. They may look good but functionally is hardly optimal.

The subdials on my gone but not forgotten 6100 were nice.

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And I find the subdials on the 757 to be very cool being aligned at 12 and 6, with extreme legibility. The lack of a seconds subdial is certainly not for everyone, but allows a clean and functional 12 hour capability, and the vertical alignment allows the watch to retain outstanding legibility for a Chrono.

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Great thread topic by the way. :cheers:
Steven

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mechnut
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by mechnut » Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:29 pm

Fantastic pics! I always preferred the bicompax over the tri, and panda dials have always had a certain allure. My personal favorites are Pam subdials :koolaid: :thumbsup:
Last edited by mechnut on Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Kustoms4ever
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by Kustoms4ever » Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:30 pm

Damn you had some nice stuff Mike. The Omega Flightmaster was my favorite....

Here is my favorite current sub dial.... My Daytona!

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My other hobby. My 1954 Lincoln Capri Full Custom.

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deepcdvr
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by deepcdvr » Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:43 pm

Great thread idea

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deepcdvr wrote:Image
VR/
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SI VI PACEM, PARA BELLUM

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greenlightning
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by greenlightning » Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:54 pm

Brilliant post.
I've always appreciated my speedy sub dials and navitimer. I will work on getting some pics posted

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rockmastermike
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by rockmastermike » Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:54 pm

I'm pretty sure I need another speedmaster

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jeckyll
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by jeckyll » Thu Feb 20, 2014 5:58 pm

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The overlap of the dial and the ring is cool
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Very subtle and well integrated IMO
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Never really thought about how many of my watches had sub dials
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koda240
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by koda240 » Thu Feb 20, 2014 6:00 pm

Man, that alt1-c is amazing! Gret pics too.

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BBK357
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by BBK357 » Thu Feb 20, 2014 6:04 pm

Awesome post and pics mike! Glad to see the Arktis made your list, that was such a sweet watch.

My sub dials-
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And my favorite-
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DEATH FROM ABOVE
:ak:

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Batt14
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by Batt14 » Thu Feb 20, 2014 6:23 pm

dukerules wrote:My favorite subdials are the true vintage speedmaster subdials. Just amazing.
Such as:
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-Pete

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afc14284
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by afc14284 » Thu Feb 20, 2014 6:31 pm

Man I love all pics!!! Awesome thread!!! :cheers:
“Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”

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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by falcon4311 » Thu Feb 20, 2014 6:40 pm

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JDC222
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by JDC222 » Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:38 pm

Old school

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sfglenrock
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by sfglenrock » Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:18 pm

Excellent post!

Here are some vintage subdials. Some still around...

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bzabodyn
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by bzabodyn » Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:24 pm

Another Bremont gets my vote... P51 Mustang:

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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by AtomicTom » Fri Feb 21, 2014 8:41 am

Wow guys, those are really spectacular !!! :love: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

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jimyritz
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by jimyritz » Fri Feb 21, 2014 8:47 am

Nice pics all around...

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:cheers:
Mike

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rain_maker
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Re: In praise of sub-dials: basic, to cool, to the outstandi

Post by rain_maker » Fri Feb 21, 2014 8:50 am

One of my favorites that I've had...
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