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Teal Appeal – The Best Turquoise Watches to Own Right Now
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Of all the bold and daring dial colours of the watch world, turquoise is the easiest to fall in love with. Far from just a passing fad, this dial colour has proven its worth as a lasting symbol of beauty and allure. In the past, watch dials were largely a study of restraint. Black, white, and silver have always been the safer bet. They don’t attract too much attention, they complement an array of attire with an air of sophistication, and they can switch from a black tux to your favourite gym kit without hassle or posing a risk of colour clashing. Classic dial colours have truly stood the test of time; that much is true. But the arrival of the turquoise dial (and other colours) taught people to embrace their braver side and opt for something altogether unconventional and a touch more audacious. Enter shades of crystal clear lagoons and tranquil landscapes.
Turquoise is not only synonymous with a certain globally recognised luxury brand (we’ll get to that shortly), but it just so happens to possess uplifting psychological effects that evoke calmness and mental clarity. Turquoise dials are a fascinating blend of cultural significance and modern-day elegance, but if you want to learn more about what this colour means in the world of horology, read on.
If you’ve been toying with the idea of adding a turquoise watch to your collection, this guide is probably going to give you the push you needed to bite the bullet finally. I’m going to dive into the history of this colour and the factors that led to its meteoric rise in horology. We’ll cover everything from the turquoise-coloured dial to the history of the actual stone itself (yes, stone dials are a thing!). Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to watch collecting, it matters not. Simply take a browse through some of these solid options, from the affordable to the exceptional, and I can guarantee you’ll find a turquoise watch that resonates with you.
The History of the Turquoise Watch Dial
Given that turquoise is an ancient gemstone, it should come as no surprise to learn that the colour has long been a popular choice in jewellery design throughout the centuries. One of its earlier and most distinctive uses is rooted in Native American jewellery. Various tribes, such as the Zuni and Navajo, have been celebrating the beauty of the turquoise gemstone since the 20th Century. Later, this tradition extended to sterling silver watch cuff bracelets that were inlaid with turquoise and other gemstones.
During the 1960s and 1970s, gemstones found their way into watch dials. Pioneering this revolutionary art form was Piaget, releasing dials in a range of ornamental stones, one of them being turquoise. There is no denying that these dials challenged the traditional aesthetics of a wristwatch, catching the eye of industry giant, Rolex. At the time, Rolex was already experimenting with lacquered dials within its Day-Date range, AKA the “Stella” dials.
Red, green, and orange dials were the result of a painstaking process that involved applying a multi-layer lacquering process to the base of a brass Rolex dial, and then baking these dials at high temperatures to cure and harden them. One colour that proved instantly popular was a bright blue shade that closely resembled the signature colour of American luxury brand Tiffany & Co. Though the dial wasn’t officially named “Tiffany Blue”, its association was clear.
The recent surge in the popularity of the turquoise dial, however, has to be traced back to a couple of monumental watches created by Patek Philippe and Rolex. In 2021, Patek Philippe celebrated the 170th anniversary of its partnership with Tiffany & Co., one of the longest-standing horological collaborations in the entire world. The partnership stems back to the 1950s when Tiffany & Co. became the first official retailer for Patek Philippe in the US.
Further cementing this unique partnership was the release of Patek Philippe’s double-signed dials, which now sell for a premium on the secondary market, becoming some of the rarest and most sought-after timepieces of all time. But back to 2021 and the limited-edition Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-018, a collaboration that bore a striking “Tiffany Blue” dial in a limited production run of just 170 pieces. One of these pieces sold for $6.5 million at auction, underpinning the significance of this longstanding alliance between the two revered brands.
The second iconic release was a watch crafted by no other than Rolex itself. Reminiscent of the “Stella” dials of the 1970s, the 2020 release of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch, unofficially named “the Rolex Tiffany”, sent shockwaves through the industry. Though there is no direct or official link to Tiffany & Co., the colour of the dial is a deliberate nod to its iconic blue hue. It featured all the upgrades that Rolex had made to its Oyster Perpetual watch in 2020, sporting a new movement and new case size. If the turquoise Rolex wasn’t already popular enough, its quiet discontinuation in 2022 certainly crowned it an instant collector’s item from then on.
Things became so intense with the Patek Philippe Nautilus Tiffany and “Rolex Tiffany”, that they had a turbo boost effect on the popularity of all turquoise watches in general throughout and after lockdown. The good news is that turquoise is still the “it colour”, with so many options on the market to choose from. This brings us to our list. Let’s explore the best turquoise watches to own right now from Exquisite Timepieces.
NOMOS Glashütte Club Campus 38 Endless Blue
We’re kicking the turquoise hues off with German watch brand Nomos Glashütte. The Club Campus is your entry point into watch collecting if you haven’t already found a gateway. First and foremost, it’s affordable, but what’s also great is that Nomos produces each of these vibrant dial colours in two varieties: a solid steel caseback option for adding an engraved personalised message (ideal for graduations), or a sapphire exhibition option. The latter affords you a view of the movement at work – the Alpha manual calibre, capable of storing a total of 43 hours of power reserve inside its barrel. But onto the less technical side of the watch…
The Nomos Glashütte Club Campus Endless Blue watch measures a 38.5mm diameter and is crafted from polished steel, affording a vast canvas of turquoise within its perfectly round bezel. A shot of contrasting orange colour is showcased in the small seconds hand at 6 o’clock. At the same time, the rest of the hour track is presented in the California style, with Arabic numerals denoting the Northern hemisphere of the dial, and traditional Roman numerals in the southern.
Strom Agonium Nethuns II Argentum Colorum Turquoise
Like the turquoise dial itself, the Agonium Nethuns II watch defies traditional watchmaking norms. It helps that the watch’s creator, Daniel Strom, has a background as a product manager, having filled the role for Omega in previous years. He headed up the company’s Seamaster and Speedmaster lines, so he certainly knows a thing or two about watch design. This sculptural watch has an undeniably cool industrial feel about it, with a two-case construction forged from 925 sterling silver, comprising an inner and outer structure.
This unique example, where two unusual materials meet, gives the watch an individualistic character and a huge presence thanks to its 48mm size, its screw-type decoration, and its internal bezel. This watch promises 200M water resistance and features luminous syringe-style hands – a unique feature for a dive watch. Of course, the details within the Agonium Nethuns II watch are further enhanced by the vivid turquoise dial – a shade that is matched perfectly by the brand’s embossed rubber band.
Mühle Glashütte Panova Turquoise Dial on Nato Strap
Inspired by the charm of the South Seas, the Panova Turquoise Blue model from Mühle Glashütte’s catalogue is defined by two standout features. One is the undeniably striking turquoise dial, which Mühle Glashütte experts adorn with rectangular hands for a geometric finish, and the luminous pips at the tip of each needle-fine hour marker. The second is its eye-catching black and grey NATO strap, equipped with a traditional steel pin buckle.
As far as turquoise dials go, this has to be one of the most legible. The simplicity and pared-back layout of the dial conceals a Swiss Sellita movement underneath, capable of a 41-hour power reserve. The movement has been modified, however, boasting a woodpecker neck regulation and the brand’s own rotor, not to mention the characteristic surface finishes found at the heart of Mühle Glashütte’s watchmaking facilities.
Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Limited Summer Edition 42mm Turquoise AI6008-SS00F-431-C
The Aikon is Maurice Lacroix’s flagship design, boasting a DNA inspired by its earlier Calypso watch from the 1990s. Its sporty design is the perfect canvas for a turquoise dial, which the brand’s experts cleverly finish with the Clous de Paris (or hobnail) technique for added detail and texture.
The Maurice Lacroix Aikon Turquoise watch is a limited edition model of just 888 pieces worldwide. Its refreshing turquoise dial is close in shade to the Tiffany Dial and sits inside a 42mm steel case integrated with 200 meters of water resistance. If you love the look of the steel luxe sports watch, you’re in for a treat with the Aikon. It boasts an integrated bracelet with an “Easy Change” system, so you can easily transform the look of the watch by fixing it to a rubber or leather strap.
This has to be one of the most versatile sports watches on the market. Its price tag is very reasonable, and the use of the Tiffany Blue colour in this model is bound to hit the spot for those looking for a more affordable and accessible alternative to the Patek Philippe Nautilus Tiffany.
Omega Aqua Terra 150M Turquoise Dial 38mm 220.10.38.20.03.005
The Omega Aqua Terra 150M Turquoise fume watch is the new kid on the block. It manages to capture the allure and beauty of the turquoise dial in a whole new way with a gradient effect display that begins with a vibrant blue-green colour in the middle, gradually melting into anthracite shades and then black tones around the periphery.
The Aqua Terra watch is Omega’s equivalent of the GADA watch. It’s robust, legible, and suitable for a wide range of applications. It holds the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8800 at its centre – a METAS-certified movement capable of producing 55 hours of power reserve. This technologically advanced movement propels a set of rhodium-plated hands across the dial’s tropical lagoon shades, offering an undeniably cool alternative to the brand’s other teak-effect dials from the same series.
Bremont Terra Nova 38 Turquoise
British watchmaker Bremont lies at the helm of the field watch sector. What’s more, these specialist designs have recently been redesigned, re-named, and recategorized. The Terra Nova series is home to several field watches, this model of which boasts a captivating turquoise dial, together with lashings of white Super-LumiNova treatment on the hour markers and black detailing in the railroad minutes for enhanced readability.
Following the introduction of the pink Terra Nova watch last year, this turquoise model features a cushion-shaped steel case, a sapphire glass front, and a rugged stainless steel integrated bracelet to complete its tool watch look. This watch measures 38mm in diameter, which aligns with the growing trend across the entire market for smaller-sized watches. It’s also powered by the Caliber BE-36AL – Bremont’s modified version of the Sellita SW200-1. It provides a 38-hour power reserve for those occasions where you may want to alternate it with another favourite from your collection.
This Tiffany-esque turquoise hue looks entirely at home on the dial of this Terra Nova field watch and, thanks to its sunray effect surface, appears to radiate light from the centre, creating subtle gradients that give the watch a different hue depending on the angle of light it picks up.
Ball Engineer III Marvelight Chronometer Turquoise Dial NM9026C-S44C-TQR
This Ball Engineer III Marvelight watch is a fairly simple, yet rugged tiffany-coloured sports watch, but catch this beast in the dead of night and it takes on a whole new personality. It benefits from Ball’s extraordinary and revolutionary luminous technology, featuring gas tubes on the hands and hour markers of the dial that emit a constant and continual glow. Unlike conventional Super-LumiNova material that needs to be under the light to recharge, Ball’s tritium gas tubes do not.
The watch features a stunning level of surface polish across its robust stainless steel case – a feature that appears to enhance the rich and vivid turquoise tones of the dial even more. It features a super cool cyclops lens above the 3 o’clock date aperture, a strong anti-glare sapphire crystal glass front, and 100 meters of water resistance to enjoy this 40mm model anywhere and everywhere. Now, for one last additional benefit of owning a Ball watch. This company ensures its movements are protected from the effects of magnetism, offering anti-magnetism ratings of 1,000 Gauss, not to mention a shock resistance rating of 5,000Gs.
DOXA GMT Aquamarine On Stainless Steel Bracelet 855.10.241.10 SUB 250T
DOXA watches have had a cult-like following ever since the 1970s, when the brand launched its iconic orange dial, sported on the wrist of conservationist Jacques Cousteau himself. But its other vivid dial colours have proven just as popular over recent years. And you can’t deny that the brand’s distinctive beads-of-rice bracelets don’t finish these incredibly popular dive watches off perfectly.
The SUB 250T GMT is the travel-friendly version of DOXA’s dive watch. This 40mm steel model offers all the necessary features of a reliable dive tool, including a screw-down crown, 250M water resistance, and a unidirectional rotating bezel (with DOXA’s handy no-decompression dive times scale). It also features the travel-focused GMT complication in the additional hand. Keeping the DOXA 250T GMT watch in “sport mode”, you can even get this watch paired with a colour-matched turquoise FKM rubber band. But for tradition’s sake, you can’t beat DOXA’s grains of rice bracelet.
Seiko Prospex U.S Special Edition SPB353
Seiko is the master of affordable dive watches, and the Prospex line is home to the best that this Japanese brand offers in terms of robustness, reliability, and performance. Proving that it can do it all under a canvas of turquoise, the Seiko Prospex U.S. Special Edition adheres to the key codes of the Prospex design language, but with some little added extras.
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The watch is inspired by the mystery encountered by intrepid explorers of undersea caves and presents the time on a vivid lagoon-like turquoise dial executed with a grain-like textured blue-green dial. Its shade evokes the surface of the cave walls. Even better, Seiko equips this watch with a two-tone unidirectional rotating bezel for measuring elapsed time underwater, and crafts this watch from lightweight titanium for hours and hours of wear.
A date calendar and luminous-filled hands and hour markers make timekeeping incredibly easy, both on land and underwater. The watch also features 200M water resistance, and a 24-jewel movement crafted by the hands of Seiko specialists, not to mention a tri-fold push-button release mechanism on its matching lightweight titanium bracelet.
TUDOR Black Bay Chrono Flamingo Blue M79360N-0024
An iconic neo-vintage dive watch with a South Beach, Miami vibe, what’s not to love? The TUDOR Black Bay Chrono breaks convention with a distinctive tropical water-inspired turquoise dial. The watch is sported on the wrist of brand ambassador, David Beckham, who also promoted the pink-dialled version that closely mimicked the colour of the ex-England football captain’s Inter Miami club kit. This version, however, echoes the waters that flamingos love to bask in, hence its name, and features black-filled chronograph counters at 3 and 9 o’clock and a red-tipped central chrono seconds hand.
The turquoise Black Bay Chrono watch is fitted with a workhorse movement, the Calibre MT5813. The engine provides a 70-hour power reserve and is COSC certified. It sits inside a robust 41mm steel case, equipped with 200M water resistance, and is topped with a strong anti-glare sapphire crystal glass front. TUDOR chooses to fit this watch on its 5-link stainless steel bracelet, which gives the chronograph a somewhat dressier look. It secures to the wrist with the innovative T-Fit clasp, too. This mechanism allows for rapid adjustments on the fly, making it a particularly useful feature if you tend to work or spend your time in humid environments, where the wrist can swell.
Conclusion
What began as a decorative practice in ancient Native America soon became an artistic choice for prestigious manufacturers throughout the luxury watch industry and, in time, a contemporary horological desire. To this day, the cultural cache of the turquoise watch still reigns supreme as an amalgamation of brand legacy, savvy marketing, and historical artistry.
Undeniably, Patek Philippe’s 170th anniversary Nautilus watch had a nuclear bomb effect on the entire watch world. It not only cemented the popularity of the colour, causing a surge in the demand for all turquoise watches in general on the market, but it also coaxed brands like Breitling, Oris, DOXA, Tissot, Seiko, and even Timex into unleashing their inner creative spirit and experimenting with the colour in ways they’d never done before. Furthermore, once sold out, these 170 limited edition Patek Philippe Nautilus watches became even more desirable amongst connoisseurs, as did the 2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual, which was discontinued in 2022. As a result, teal, aqua, and turquoise are amongst some of the most coveted watch dial colours to own, period. They don’t even need to cost a bomb to look good, either.
The turquoise dial is a tiny slice of happiness on the wrist, whether you opt for a budget-friendly timepiece, a fume dial, or a rare and coveted collector’s model. They’re a little reminder that you don’t always have to stick to the rules of convention. So go on, be brave and harness the beauty of the turquoise dial. Your wrist will thank you for it!
About Exquisite Timepieces
Established in 1998, Exquisite Timepieces is your one-stop shop for all things luxury watches! We are an authorized dealer for 60+ luxury watch brands including Omega, Hublot, Seiko, & Longines! We are proud to showcase one of the world’s largest pre-owned watch collections, including renowned brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe. Check out our brand new watch arrivals here and popular pre-owned listings here.
