Send the reference
A photograph, animal, place, object or story is enough to begin.
Hand-painted dial
Your subject.
Painted by hand.
Send us a photograph, animal, place, object or story. We translate it into a dial composition designed to remain artwork — and still work as a watch.
ARTWORK FIRST
We compose the artwork
before we build the watch.
The dial is treated as a small canvas. We decide what should remain, what can be simplified and where the focal point should sit before painting begins.
The hands, indices, date window and case proportions all influence the final composition.
FROM REFERENCE TO DIAL
A clear path
from image to watch.
You do not need to prepare production artwork. Start with the subject; we handle the decisions that come after.
Define the composition
We adapt the subject around the hands, indices, date window and usable dial area.
Paint the dial
The artist builds the image by hand. Brushwork, texture and interpretation remain part of the finished piece.
Review and assemble
The finished dial is reviewed before it is installed into the selected watch foundation.
WHAT TO SEND
Give us enough
to understand the subject.
One clear subject
A strong focal point usually translates better than a crowded photograph with many competing elements.
Useful reference material
Sharp photographs and several angles help us understand shape, markings, expression and important details.
Mood and direction
Tell us whether the piece should feel calm, dramatic, playful, commemorative or more illustrative.
What matters most
Point out the features that must remain recognizable. Everything else can be composed around them.
PAINTING PRINCIPLES
The brushwork
should remain
visible.
A hand-painted dial is an interpretation, not a printed photograph. Scale, composition and the movement of the hands all shape the final artwork.
01
Choose one clear subject
A strong focal point usually works better than trying to reproduce every element of a complex photograph.
BEST FOR
Pets · portraits · animals · symbolic objects
02
Leave room for the watch
The hands, indices and date window remain part of the composition. The artwork is designed around them rather than underneath them.
BEST FOR
Balanced layouts · readable time · cleaner artwork
03
Expect interpretation
Color, texture and small details may shift as the reference becomes a hand-painted dial. That interpretation is part of the work.
BEST FOR
One-of-one work · visible brushwork · artistic character
NOT A PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT
Likeness matters.
So does character.
We do not try to make hand painting look like a printed photograph. A recognizable subject can still carry visible texture, layering and the artist's hand.
Some commissions stay close to the reference. Others become more atmospheric or illustrative. We choose the direction with you before production.
COMMISSION FAQ
What to expect
Can you paint from my own photograph?＋
Yes. Personal photographs are one of the most common starting points. Clear reference material helps us preserve the features that matter most.
Will the finished dial look exactly like the photograph?＋
No. The goal is recognizable interpretation rather than pixel-for-pixel reproduction. Brushwork, scale and the watch layout influence the final result.
Can I request changes before the watch is assembled?＋
We review the direction before painting and inspect the completed dial before assembly. Because the work is painted by hand, major repainting after completion may require a new dial.
Can the artwork include text or a logo?＋
Yes, where the composition allows it. For very small or precise branding, a printed or metal logo may sometimes work better alongside the painted artwork.
Is every painted dial unique?＋
Yes. Even when two pieces share the same reference, small differences in brushwork and layering make each painted dial individual.
HAVE A SUBJECT IN MIND?