Brand Logo at the 12 O'Clock
There's something about a watch dial where the brand's logo is at the 12 o'clock that tickles my fancy. And in this arena, I think Rolex is king. Rolex's crown is just perfect for this type of application. It is symmetrical and symbolic (crown, at the top, get it?), there's just no other brand that does it as well.
Tudor could be good with the shield. I've seen examples of the rose logo replacing the 12 o'clock index. But as much as it's symmetrical and as much as I prefer the rose logo over the shield logo, this application doesn't work for me.
I mean, not all logos can be applied to this design. Mostly, brands that don't have icons and/or brand marks probably can't do it. Typography or typeface is just not as good, in my opinion. Audemars Piguet has attempted it, but I don't think it works as well as Rolex's crown. Same with Girard-Perregaux.
You get the idea.
I'm genuinely surprised that not many brands with icons or brand marks do this. Perhaps because it's a dated aesthetic. It's just old school. But since a lot of watches also capitalize on old world aesthetics with "vintage-inspired" designs, I don't see any reason why this can't be one of those things that watches do. Perhaps I'm in the minority. More people might not actually like it.
Omega has a really good icon that lends itself well to this design but I have not seen an example of the brand doing this. Same with Zenith and its star icon.
So, the poll: Do you like this type of aesthetic? If so, can you share an example of a watch that did it exceptionally well, in your opinion? If no, why not? If agnostic, well, fair enough.
I wanted to include examples on this post but the "poll template" doesn't have the option to attach images.
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Sherwin
I've got a god-shaped hole in my life that I'm trying to fill in futility with watches.
Manila, Philippines
Member since
Last active: 1 hr ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
It looks fantastic some of the time, when done well with a logo that is well suited for it. But a lot of beginner watch companies do it because Rolex makes it look good, but it just ends up looking amateurish and poorly executed.
When it replaces a lumed marker on an otherwise fully lumed dial, I dislike it.
Tag does this well. Love the Tag logo- it can be simple or busy, colorful or not depending on how they want to add or remove the typography. I also feel like it transcends watches a bit, like Breitling does (and maby a little like Rolex’s), this might be down to the 90’s nostalgia and constant add placement of the time in F1 and other places.
I wish more watches had sterile dials, with the logo & text embossed on the caseback.
Agnostic means "not knowing" (same root word as "ignorant"), but I suppose you meant "no preference", right?
Agnostic means "not knowing" (same root word as "ignorant"), but I suppose you meant "no preference", right?
I meant no opinion on the matter, doesn't care.
You're right, agnosticism means "without knowledge." But it can also mean a person unwilling to commit to an opinion.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agnostic
I actually prefer it, if it's done well. Of course it can only be a "circular" logo and not a "linear" logo, and I've only seen it done well on a Rolex and Tudor.
I've imagined a lumed logo at 12, for my own imaginary brand.
Rolex do it best, I think
I like the Rolex logo at 12.. But in my opinion, they are not the best.. Vacheron Constantin is my favorite
Credor also does its homework!
Honestly it was a big part of the appeal of Christopher Ward way back when I bought this.
Having it at 9 o’clock just looked cool to me!
I hate it. I like both 6 o'clock, an 3 o'clock dates, but 12 o'clock drives me nuts
It's very traditional, as you pointed out, and therefore unobjectionable to me. But I also like when it's not. In this case, the layout dictated the location and helps to balance out the date feature:
As usual, a provocative post worth reading, appreciated. I often get corrected when I use the word CATHOLIC by the same folks who believe my watch affectation is a sign of my insecure nature.
As a TAG fanboy, I love how they will do the green & red on some models but match other model's esthetics by doing some in applied metal etc.
It really depends on the type of watch and dial layout.
A lot of people don't like them but they are in the annuls of horological history. Movado has its circle/dot. The aesthetics of the dot are perfect. I don't think anyone can disagree.
I have no real preference. It will definitely depend on the overall design of the dial. For some it works, for others it doesn't. Same too with @Pallet_Fork and @Tempusology, I also like some creativity and variety while maintaining balance. Hence...