California dials: Yay or nay

I used to not "get it". Over time I have begun to appreciate some, for example, the Nomos that you show is particularly well executed (bonus points for the IV). A California dial can add some playfulness to a utilitarian tool watch.

I am more in the middle on these. I neither love them or hate them

I've never owned one, so they may be a gimmick that gets old fast, but for now I think they are clever. I hate Nomos though, and that thing above doesn't help. They got the numeral styles flipped, and couldn't even do a traditional IIII for 4. But at least now I have the answer for people that ask why an IV isn't used: so it doesn't look like that.

My attitude of it changes like the weather here in winter: it changes, but only slightly and rather infrequently. I do agree on bonus points for the IV, I find it superior to IIII in most cases. I think Nomos have executed it the best, and are probably one of the few actually trying it out. Would I buy one? No, but it's not necessary a dealbreaker, but it's not my first choice either.

I'm surprised that I'm not a big proponent of these, because I tend to drool over anything strange or weird. We can agree to disagree on IIII vs IV. For me, IIII only really works on Cartier's square and rectangular model, where it gives some better balance. Well, who am I to talk, because I don't own a watch with Roman numerals.

This is the first I’ve heard of this. What specifically makes it a California dial?

Cali dials give my brain the same feeling as if I was having a conversation with a close friend of mine who only speaks English, but then suddenly starts speaking fluent Icelandic.

I like the new Panerai Cali, if that helps…?

A blend of Roman and Arabic numerals, with the numeral type different for each half of the dial.

In this case, it might be fluent Latin instead!

I chose hate but hate is such a strong word, I don’t hate it like Greg @Aurelian it can grow on you like a moss or fungus of sort.. 😂

Gotcha. Then with that in mind, I can’t say I’m a fan 😅

I'm one that doesn't get it. We talk all the time about cohesive design language and how one detail done wrong can "ruin" a watch and then here comes along a California dial with it's mismatched numerals telling us either we are all daft for going on about cohesive design language or proving us hypocrites.

The origin story of being a binumeral dial that anyone could understand seems really fishy. My understanding is that the pendulum clock dial arrangement of large Roman numerals for the hour and smaller Arabic numerals outside for the minutes goes way back.

Is there a dial somewhere that is Cali style but the numbers are all oriented radially instead of upright? If not, that's my idea for an even wackier dial.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_dial

Originally called the “high visibility” or “error proof” dial, it was created during World War II to aid legibility in low-light combat conditions.[2] After the war, the style faded away until it was popularized in the 1980s economic boom in Japan.[3][4] Rolex could not keep up with demand, leading to a California-based company refurbishing Rolexes in the style, hence the name "California" dial.[5]

Just love the look of the Cali dial. Don't like Nomos tho, & don't actually own owt with a California dial....😂

Hate is not quite appropriate, but not a fan of california dials. At least the Nomos has the roman numerals on the bottom, which looks way better than the standard california dial, and IV is much better than the IIII that a lot of roman numeral watches use for some reason, at least in this layout were the numerals are oriented upright.

Regardless, I opted to get the older Nomos Club over the Campus variants and the arabic numerals are just way better.

I like it, just because it's a little different. It's different enough for the wearer to notice the uniqueness, but not so much different that it kills the vibe of a proper timepiece. (-Ahem-Cough-Cough-Rolex-Celebration-Dial-Cough-Cough) 🤣

You got me with that one! I am a sucker for that celebration dial.

I think I can safely say that I would not wear a Rolex celebration dial if you paid me to do so. Yuck. Looking at that dial makes my head hurt. 🤯 🤣

By the way, no judgment. Your mileage may vary. 😎 👍

It's definitely an acquired taste. I normally don't like "fun" watches, so my fancying of it is still an enigma to me. Maybe it was the shock factor!