White dials are a classy and sleek feature. These 9 watches all sport this iconic look.
Every year, the luxury watch market is inundated with vibrant watch dials designed to make a statement and stand out from the crowd. A white dial, however, can do just that without being too flashy.
White dial watches have been a trend since the early 1940s and, differing from “silvered” or opaline dials, are considered the epitome of elegance by many luxury watch enthusiasts.
Whether a dress watch, a chronograph, or a GMT watch, some of the world’s leading names in the luxury watch industry have mastered the white dial watch.
This includes the likes of Patek Philippe, Tudor, Omega, and Rolex. In fact, the Rolex Daytona reference 6239 is an icon in itself, having been stylized by no other than racing car driver Paul Newman.
Suffice it to say, white dials are not restricted to dress watches alone, although they may be most associated with the dress watch kind.
In fact, a chronograph or field watch with a white dial manages to capture a sporty, elegant style quite well while remaining understated at the same time.
Best White Dial Watches
Here at The Slender Wrist, I’ve compiled some of the best white dial watches on the market. There are plenty of white dial watches to choose from. Let’s get started!
The Tissot Classic Dream (Ref T129.410.16.013.00)
It makes sense to kick start this guide to the best white dial watches with a classic timepiece by not other than Le Locle-based watchmaker Tissot.
The Tissot Classic Dream watch is a no-fuss time and date watch that displays the time on a traditional Roman index display in crisp white.
The watch is quartz powered, enabling it to sit at a mere height of 8.1mm on the wrist.
Plus, it is well within a reasonable budget, constituting a great alternative to an automatic dress watch.
Crisp black Roman numerals accompany faceted, sword-shaped hands, along with a date function at 3 o’clock.
This 42mm steel watch with a white dial from Tissot is fitted on a traditional brown leather strap and a pin buckle feature to finish.
The Seiko Presage (Ref SARX055)
Upping your budget when looking to buy a white dial watch will get you something quite special. Take, for example, this Seiko watch with a white dial nicknamed the “Baby Grand Seiko Snowflake”.
It’s a more affordable version of the Grand Seiko Snowflake watch inspired by the snow-coated Hotaka mountains in Japan.
Whereas the Grand Seiko model SBGA211 is powered by the Japanese watchmaker’s Spring Drive technology, the Baby Grand Seiko Snowflake watch shares the same lightweight titanium case but is powered by an automatic movement.
Launcched in 2017, this 40.8mm white dial watch has sword-shaped hands and a splash of color afforded to the white dial thanks to a blue-coated second hand. It also boasts a date function at 3 o’clock and a titanium bracelet.
This Seiko watches with a white dial is perfect for pairing with professional attire or enjoying a dress watch during the evening.
Nomos Tangente (Ref 101)
Nomos is renowned for its minimalist Bauhaus-inspired dials. Combining this simplistic design with a white display creates a distinctive and memorable model that goes by the name of the Tangente.
The German watchmaker presents this award-winning classic in a round 38mm stainless steel profile with a clean white galvanized dial adorned with crisp black Arabic numerals and tempered steel hands.
The small seconds sub-dial located at 6 o’clock is a defining characteristic of the Nomos Tangente collection. Still, several other white dial watches can be found in the manufacturer’s current catalog.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (Ref 5015-1127-52A)
White dials aren’t just for dress watches, you can find them on luxury dive watches too.
Blancpain is all for vintage dive watches, but a splash of white on the wrist can transform the Fifty Fathoms watch into something pretty modern.
You can’t actually find the white dial version of the 45mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watch in the brand’s current line-up. However, you can still find one via several watch stockists online and on the pre-owned market.
Its broad case size, crafted from stainless steel, is integrated with 300-meter water resistance and promises an impressive power reserve of 120 hours thanks to the automatic Calibre 1315.
Although supplied with a matching white fabric strap, you could easily transform the look of this dive watch. Simply fit it with another colored strap to spice things up.
The Oris Divers Social Club Edition (Ref 01 733 7707 4051 OSC-MIL-Set)
Speaking of white dial dive watches, the Oris Divers Social Club Edition watch packs a punch on the wrist. It has a striking white dial surrounded by a black Diver’s bezel to match its smooth black leather strap.
The watch promises a 100-meter water-resistant rating and a clean, visible white dial with hour markers and hands that have been treated with plenty of Super-LumiNova. The 40mm steel model features a specially engraved case back.
A domed sapphire crystal glass front protects the whiteness of the dial from factors like heat, light, moisture, and dust damage.
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm Watch (Ref H69439411)
If you’re in the market for a field watch, Hamilton’s Khaki Field Mechanical watch delivers the field watch look on a striking white dial that manages to elevate the familiar inner 24-hour scale really well.
The crisp black Arabic numeral hour track on the white dial is combined with beige-colored luminous-filled hands and triangular markers at each hour location. Together, these features capture the old radium-style lume used in original 1960s models.
Driven by a H-50 movement, this watch is complete with an 80-hour power reserve.
A durable NATO strap in Khaki green is the perfect way to enhance this white Hamilton Khaki Field watch.
TUDOR Black Bay GMT Watch (Ref M79830RB-0010)
The Black Bay line of dive watches from TUDOR was launched in 2012, and it took inspiration from an Oyster Prince watch released in the 1950s.
The true-to-form watch has become an industry icon, characterized by its black dial with legible, luminous-coated hour markers and a unidirectional bezel.
This year, TUDOR released the 41mm steel Black Bay GMT watch following the release of the first Black Bay GMT back in 2012.
Complete with a striking white dial, surrounded by the iconic Pepsi bezel in dark red and blue, this new combination was met with instantaneous success. The brand’s devoted fan base went wild during its release at the Geneva Watches & Wonders 2023 event.
Citizen Promaster Diver Automatic Watch (Ref NY0150-51A)
Sporting the unmissable serrated bezel inspired by a pufferfish, this Citizen Promaster Diver Automatic watch is a white dial model that takes design cues from the brand’s earlier diving watch. The original was used by the Italian Navy back in 1989.
The redesigned and modernized model has a sapphire crystal glass front, a three-piece 44mm stainless steel case, a black rotating bezel, and luminous hour markers and hands for effortless timekeeping in the dark.
This Promaster watch has a clean and striking white dial is a robust 200-meter water-resistant companion. Picking up the brightness of the white dial is the re-arrow-tipped second hand and a robust three-link stainless steel bracelet to finish.
Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic White Dial Watch (Ref AL-525S4S6)
Whether wearing this white dialed pilot’s watch thousands of feet up in the air or with feet firmly on the ground, this Alpina Startimer watch combines legibility with the classic style of an aviation watch into one neat 44mm case.
Its brushed stainless steel case with polished bezel surrounds a clean white dial with white Super-LumiNova-coated hands. Hour markers combine nicely with a red counterweight on the second hand.
This pilot’s watch with a white dial also features a discreet date window at 3 o’clock, enabling you to keep on track of the passing days of each month.
A black leather strap with contrast stitching down the sides completes a very classic look.
The Takeaway
If you’re wondering, “Should I buy a white watch dial?”
My simple answer is “Yes —you should!”
White dials watches have plenty to offer in terms of eye-catching style and pared-back elegance. White dials are understated enough for enjoying as a dress watch but sporty enough for a robust tool watch.
Whether you are considering a budget watch or a high-end timepiece, a white dial watch will always stand out against a sea of grey, black, and blue watch dials.
The only difficulty you really face when buying a watch with a white dial is deciding which one to choose first!
What’s your favorite dial color? Let me know down below in the comments!
I own a timex easy reader on an expansion bracelet. The white dial definitely gives it that vintage look while being simplistic. Couldn’t ask for a better watch.