What is a Gilt Dial? Gilt Dial Explained
In the world of watches, there are tons of different terms that are used. Without having an understanding of common terms, it can be difficult to understand the proper context and description of a timepiece.
A term that you may have heard before, but may not know the full meaning of is ”Gilt dial”.
This term is used quite extensively in the world of watches, but at the same time, it is also a term that is misused – mainly because the definition may not be comprehended to the full extent.
In this article, we will get to the bottom of the term gilt dial in the watch context, and sort out what it is and what it means.
What is a gilt dial?
As per the definition of ”gilt” by the Cambridge dictionary, it is ”covered with a thin layer of gold or a substance that is intended to look like it”
Originally, something that is gilt, must be covered in real gold. But as per the dictionary definition, its definition has evolved, to also include ”a substance that looks like it”. But at the same time, it is a topic that splits opinions, because there are still people who argue that in order for a dial to be a proper gilt, it needs to have real gold. What is right and what is wrong, we leave unsaid, but let’s just say that the term is used widely both for real gold dials and dials that use a gilt color. With that said, if you hear the term gilt, don’t take for granted that it is covered, or made in real gold. Instead, assume that the dial has a gold-colored print. The terms gilt print or gilt writing has also been used to describe this – real gold or not.
With that said, is a gilt dial a dial that has been covered in gold? Actually, not. A gilt dial is a watch whose dial printing has been made in gold color. Common is that the metal around the markers, as well as the hands, are also made in a gold color (if the hour markers are applied and not painted). These can be made in gold color, gold plated, or solid gold, depending on the manufacturer and model.
Background to gilt dials
When many hear the term gilt dial, they probably think about vintage Rolex watches. This is because it is for these watches that the term is perhaps most widely used. Starting from around the 1950s, Rolex (and many other manufacturers), made gilt dials.
Normally, the dial printing is made in white color, but the gilt printing gives the watch a warmer feel, which some people prefer over the standard white dial printing. In the context of Rolex watches, gilt-dialed watches tend to be more collectible than those that aren’t. This is partly due to the fact that these gilt dial watches are made in smaller quantities and thus rarer, but also because they are different and unique.
Gilt dials in modern time
In modern times, a gilt dial – gilt print dial, or gilt-colored dial is a dial whose printing is made in gold color. All types of techniques may be used depending on the manufacturer. If the manufacturer wants to stay true to the original term of gilt, it will use real gold. If not, it will use a gilt color. Generally, the cheaper the watch is, the less likely it will be that It is made in real gold.
