I have mostly applied, but I really like the printed hour markers on my Doxa.

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The painted on or printed indices make a watch look cheap to me. I don't think I will buy anymore watches with painted or printed dials or at least anything over $500.

My Aquanaut shrinks in shame.

Technically the numbers are applied but the lume plots are not.

 

My Aquanaut shrinks in shame.

My Patek Calatrava 5119J has an all lacquered and printed dial. Maybe that's why some people on the forum have said it looks like a watch from Walmart.

 

Given a choice, I prefer applied.

 

Well done paint/printing can be amazing. I have both types and a watch with painted and applied indices (Monta triumph). I can’t stop staring at my Doxa searambler dial, mostly due to the painted on indices. It can be done well.

 

It is definitely watch dependent... but I typically like applied indices too. But I also really really like my Jaquet Droz:

And then there's this:

 

I genuinely think it varies from watch to watch. On a very simple dial applied indices might always look best, but on my 1999 Omega SMP with the wave dial it looks perfect with printed/painted indices and the contrast against the wave texture works really well. I prefer the 2500 Planet Ocean over later iterations for a lot of reasons, and part of that is that the 2500 has painted numerals and to my eye the later applied numerals make it look too busy, and as if every aspect of the dial is vying for attention at the same volume. On the Seiko Marinemaster the applied indices are one of the stand out features that make it what it is, and when they catch the light I feel like the flash should be audible - it’s so dramatic. Horses for courses.

 

I really don’t mind. So long as it suits the look of the watch I’m good.

 

I really don't mind. So long as it suits the look of the watch I'm good.

Same

 

Depends on who is doing the painting. Overall applied is my go to but you can't beat a really well painted dial. Watch to watch decision.

 

I like them both, it really depends on the watch.

 

Whether a watch's dial has either painted or applied indices is irrelevant to me for I have both in my collection. What I look for when it comes to a watch's indices is the overall aesthetics it contributes to the watch.

 

I really do like both but I think I actually prefer printed - which is probably a minority view. Well it was the last time this came up

Two of my favourites

I do not think that printed dials look cheap per se anymore than applied indices always look expensive

 

I don't remember having seen any affordable watch with nicely applied indexes or Arabic numerals.

 

I prefer Applied in most cases. But to be honest, I've seen some gorgeous Printed indices and script. How they get it soo freakin' perfect I have no idea. I've seen the "balloon process" but still hard to believe it can be that perfect.

I find that many watches are artistic masterpieces in miniature!

 

Certain styles of watch, printed works better. A deck watch with applied indices would just look wrong.

I prefer applied and tend to prefer watch styles where applied indices look appropriate (deck watches aren't my thing). I find applied indices more legible in more lighting conditions. I think they look more expensive or upscale in most cases, especially when they catch the light and sparkle. And I find the depth and texture they lend to a dial more visually interesting.

 

I much prefer printed dials. They are generally cleaner looking - more legible, less blingy and easier to read for me. I find a lot of applied indices look cheap or gaudy and remind me of shiny plastic (which I suspect is the case in many cheaper watches). Also, a printed dial will never have an index fall off the dial. It's not a common issue but it does happen. Finally, if you find printed dials "cheap" looking perhaps you are looking at dials on watches that are cheaply made. A quality watch will have a quality dial.

 

How about printed under the crystal?
Don't have this, but think it looks great

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Applied and painted/printed indices can vary in quality. Here are two painted numeral dials that sold for well under $500 and are well done..

 

applied, printed is just cheap craftsmanship

 

To which I respond, Lange 1815 collection:

 

IMO if it’s an expensive watch then they should be applied rather than painted.

 

IMO if it's an expensive watch then they should be applied rather than painted.

Applied indices do not equate to cost or quality. These are sub $50 watches with applied indices; there are hundreds of additional models like them.

 

There’s a fineness of detail which cannot be achieved with applied. Both have their place at any level of watchmaking. Can you imagine the JD or ALS of previous posts with applied detail? I have just two watches with applied numerals and they are far from the most expensive ones.

 

I think more complicated numerals look better printed/painted than applied, like Breguet or Franck Muller.

 

Applied indices do not equate to cost or quality. These are sub $50 watches with applied indices; there are hundreds of additional models like them.

Yup.

 

One of my current favorite watches is the IWC Pilot's chronograph. In the past, the same model sometimes was offered with a choice of printed or applied indices. The printed indices were on the "standard" or original model, and the applied indices were found on the "Spitfire" models. For this particular watch, I have always preferred the printed indices because it was closer to the historical look than the applied indices.

 

Indices add a level of depth that print just can't match. Printed dials don't give me that same level of excitement.

 

I don't notice a difference unless someone here points it out. It's just not that big a deal to me until I sit and stare at a dial, which I rarely do. I appreciate that applied gives a touch of 3D dimension to the dial but I also appreciate how printed dials give sort of a matte, far away dimension to the dial.