They don't make any practical sense to me but mechanical watches, to some extent, aren't about practicality otherwise we'd all have smartwatches. I enjoy them for the reason you cite - they're different. Just the same as I want arabics sometimes but indices other times, the Cali dial is a nice curveball to throw into the collection.

Here's my favorite one (which I don't currently have but would love to one day own):

 

I’m at a loss on where they even came from. Seems like a mess to me, but I don’t mind the one you have your eye on.


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I'm at a loss on where they even came from. Seems like a mess to me, but I don't mind the one you have your eye on.

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It originally came from Rolex - they filed a patent for it.

From TIMEX Marlin California, Japan Exclusive California Dial:

But according to the Rolex patent, "It will be seen that this layout gives a clear and simple turn of the hours, easy to realize with luminous material and allowing an easy reading of the time especially for wristwatch cases whose dials are relatively small. In fact, the fact that the Roman numerals occupy half the dial and the Arabic numerals the other, clearly distinguishes these two halves. In addition, the Roman numerals chosen are those which are the easiest to read."

As for how it became known as a California dial - from the same link:

It may be that no one knows for sure, but it seems the dial was named California because during the vintage watch boom of the 1980s, Rolex watches with this dial were highly sought by buyers at the vintage shops on Melrose, in Los Angeles.

And the article with more specific information that is linked from the article above: The Complete History Of the "California Dial".

 

Definitely unique, and that one in particular is very one-of-a-kind. I find it intriguing.

 

Cali dials can be fun. Depends on the watch.

 

Is this a PAM? If so - how is that metal so strangely beautiful like a Damascus blade??

Cali dials can be fun. Depends on the watch.

View attachment 15465520

Update: Found your review - San Martin PAM-homage, nice!

40mm Radiomir homage from San Martin - photos

Picked it up two days ago. So far, it seems to be keeping good time; at least from the minute hand I cannot see any deviations from expected. Cost me less than $350... I'm kinda amazed at how good it seems to be. This is how it wears on a 6.75" / 7" wrist: The crystal is sapphire (as far as I...

www.watchuseek.com

 

I had the same obsession/attraction to the California Dial. In my case, I was also looking for a vintage Tudor and I bought this one to satisfy both urges. Obviously a redial, but one theory from the above linked article is this: In the 1970s, when the vintage watch boom started, a LA based dial refinisher, Kirk Rich, did some dials with this design. They became popular & many vintage watch stores in California sent their dials to KR. So dealers in the rest of the US & the rest of the world began to call them the 'California' dial."

 

View attachment 15465577

I wasn't going to comment on this thread even though I like California dials as much as the next guy, but oh my god that watch is so sick. That's just absolutely fantastic and I'm super jealous. Great piece.

 

i have three california dials by timex. classy front and back. an original rolex would be a hoot!

 

Watches have become an illness with me since the pandemic struck. I find myself now oddly obsessed/attracted/admiring California Dial watches and the more unique the better.
I'm considering this one.

What are your all thoughts on Cali Dials in general and I just can't quit looking at this one. May satisfy two fetishes, bronzo and unique Cali dial.

View attachment 15465452

Undone has created a few interesting designs, but IMO this is their best effort. I love the unique spin on the Cali and the nod to Japanese culture. Almost bought this one when it came out... might have to take another look.

 

the movement is a nod to japan perhaps. the logograms are hanzi (chinese) not kanji (japanese.)

 

I am from California and just don't get the appeal. And how is this a nod to Japanese culture?

 

I'm on board.

 

Honestly I've been tempted but I just can't bring myself. The nomos club is what I've looked at and as much as I liked some models the Cali dial has turned me away from it.

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Honestly I've been tempted but I just can't bring myself. The nomos club is what I've looked at and as much as I liked some models the Cali dial has turned me away from it.

I'm assuming you know but the Club does come in some formats with a normal all number dial. And weirdly enough, the club's california dial is inversed - numerals on top and roman numerals on the bottom.

 

These dials make my brain hurt.

 

Watches have become an illness with me since the pandemic struck. I find myself now oddly obsessed/attracted/admiring California Dial watches and the more unique the better.
I'm considering this one.

What are your all thoughts on Cali Dials in general and I just can't quit looking at this one. May satisfy two fetishes, bronzo and unique Cali dial.
. . .

They don't appeal to me because they appear to be a some kind of crazy compromise between 3 designers, 1 of whom liked Roman numerals (maybe worked at Cartier?), 1 who liked Arabic numerals, & 1 who hated numerals. If you like them, Serica offers a version in their new line.

 

I've always loved them, they're just cool. The Tudor is pretty much the ultimate.
I've got this one and it's been pretty fun, and very accurate for the NH35 inside it.

 

California dials are ridiculous.
Here's mine:

 

California dials are ridiculous.
Here's mine:

View attachment 15465754

Who makes this one?

 

Weird right?! I had no interest in them until one day earlier this year I totally did. No idea why...

 

I love a good Cali dial. See the photo below. I don't like Undone though. The one watch I had from them seemed to disintegrate right in front of me after two days of wear.

 

Not a fan of Roman numerals, therefore I am out.

 

I'm with you there. Roman numerals don't do it for me.

BUT... The Nomos inverse layout with Romans below somehow does. It might be that I don't like to look of the X-XI-XII's, I can't really put my finger on it

 

Absolutely love them.

 

Not my cup of tea, but to each their own


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It was a Cali dial that got me hooked on watch collecting. It's the one watch in the collection that I'll never part with,

 

I have no idea why I like them, but i do.

 

i think panerai does the most attractive california dial

 

Watches have become an illness with me since the pandemic struck. I find myself now oddly obsessed/attracted/admiring California Dial watches and the more unique the better.
I'm considering this one.

What are your all thoughts on Cali Dials in general and I just can't quit looking at this one. May satisfy two fetishes, bronzo and unique Cali dial.

View attachment 15465452

Oh god, I'm crushing so hard on Cali dials right now. This one is killing me ... and the idea that I can order it with a left hand crown is making me even more crazy (and I already own the Serica WWW William Brown edition (!)

 

The originator of the California Dial a Rolex bubbleback. Most of the ones I had seen were Kirk dials, this one is I think.

 

I've never been a fan. Total lack of continuity for me. Looks like the designers couldn't make up their mind. It's as if a prototype mockup mistakenly made it to production.

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