When it comes to the coloured-dial craze, salmon is a shade that seems to have stood the test of time. The neutral blush hue, ranging from pinkish orange to copper and rose, has long infatuated collectors ever since manufacturers such as Patek Philippe, Jaeger Le-Coultre and Rolex first embraced the appealing colour into its timepieces in the 1930s and 1940s, giving the newer models in the market today a subtle nod to timeless vintage designs. We’ve rounded up a selection of timepieces that demonstrate why this shade will always stay in fashion.
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
In the past, salmon-coloured dials would usually be paired with rose or yellow gold cases but Vacheron Constantin decided to pair theirs with a platinum case resulting in a striking display. Powered by the tried and tested in-house 1142 QP calibre, the manual winding chronograph movement dates back to the 1940s. It’s a highly reliable movement enhanced by its column-wheel system. Despite delivering the functions of a chronograph and a perpetual calendar, this highly functioning timepiece exudes timeless style suited for everyday wear and even for dressier occasions.
Breitling Premier Datora
Those who appreciate a retro aesthetic will fall head over heels for the Breitling Heritage Premier Datora with its rectangular chronograph pushers, Arabic numerals and subtle detailing of the grooves on the case sides. The salmon pink dial makes a statement against the stainless steel 42mm case. The calendar chronograph and different moon phases are characteristic of Breitling’s classic Premier design.
Patek Philippe Chronograph 5172G
Previously released with a deep blue dial, Patek Philippe decided to revamp the Chronograph 5172G in an opaline rose-gilded salmon dial paired with a white gold case, and the results are stunning. The syringe-type minute hands are made of gold topped with an anthracite treatment and white luminescent coating, giving the display a mesmerising effect. Take a peek at the meticulous finishings of the in-house 29-535 PS calibre through the transparent sapphire crystal case back.
A.Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon
This is no ordinary salmon: the dial of the A Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is crafted from solid pink gold, giving a brilliant metallic sheen when it catches the light. On top of that, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is a stunning feat in technical mastery as it combines a flyback chronograph, a perpetual calendar and a tourbillon with a patented stop-seconds mechanism and runs on a 50-hour power reserve.
H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Centre Seconds
It appears that H. Moser & Cie prefer their salmon smoked. The manufacturer has opted for a captivating fumé dial, a kind of ombre hue that goes from a spectrum of black to brown to gold. Paired with a minimalistic display and steel bracelet, the timepiece is powered by the HMC 200 movement and runs on an automatic winding system. The centre seconds hand sweeps smoothly across the dial, which is intended to remind the wearer of the fleeting nature of time.
Chopard L.U.C 1860
Leave it to Chopard to craft mesmerising guilloché dials. The Chopard L.U.C 1860 is embellished with a gold-base salmon-coloured hand-guilloché dial in stainless steel. As exceptional as the exterior looks, the interior of this piece is just as remarkable. Equipped with the Chopard invention of the L.UC Caliber 96.40-L mechanical self-winding movement with a gold bidirectional micro-rotor and two barrels, the timepiece runs on a 65-hour power reserve, a stunning feat for a movement that is only 3.3 mm thin.
