With the dial I had a clear vision in mind. I wanted applied hour markers, two different levels and a pad-printed art deco inspired minute rail. Other text elements of the dial are reminders of its origins. People have told me that the dial reminds them of dials in vintage watches. This proves that timeless and simple design never goes out of style.
Glass Bead Blasted & Pad PrintedThe dial features a two-level design. This, combined with applied hour markers, gives the dial a three-dimensional look. The dial is hand-made out of brass and then glass bead blasted to achieve a finely textured surface. Finally, the dial is fine-silvered for the desired colour. The pad-printing on the dial is a sophisticated way of displaying the JE logo and the traditional minute railroad track. Leppävaara printed on the dial reminds the owner of the origins of the watch as the watch was designed in Leppävaara, where the Finnish School of Watchmaking is located. Finn Made states that this watch is proudly made in Finland.
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Hand-made Applied Hour MarkersHand-made is a term sometimes thrown around loosely. When it comes to the dial of the N1 it's definitely appropriate. Each of the eleven hour markers is hand made from scratch. Each of them are filed by hand to a tolerance of only 0.02 mm in width, lenght and thickness. Then a satin finish is applied using a unique tool and fine sandpaper. After that each hour marker is slightly beveld. Finally, the trademark golden tempering color is achieved by carefully heating the hour marker on top of a brass plate. And what does Kuutar 10 1/4 stand for? If you know, you know.
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The dial is best experienced live but try the next best thing below:
The moon.
Hand-made is a term that gets thrown around a bit lightly sometimes, but when it comes to the centerpiece of the watch, it is certainly appropriate. Sawed-off from a plate of german silver and then lathed into correct diameter, the background has a hand-hammered and slightly polished finish. The two moons are hand lathed out of carbon steel and scratched with a steel brush to give it a rough yet understated surface. Finally, the moons are tempered into the desired dark bronzish color.
