Dial texture is created through a remarkable technique in which a mold is pressed against the surface of a metal plate to form intricate patterns. The depth of these patterns is controlled to within one-hundredth of a millimeter. This embossed texture gives the dial a rich, expressive character. I see dial texture as microscopic three-dimensional art.

This may be somewhat personal, but I hold a deep admiration for it—particularly Spain’s Alhambra Palace. Though I have yet to visit, I still vividly remember the impression it left on me when I first encountered it in a travel magazine. The intricate geometric patterns adorning the architecture, together with the nature-inspired carvings, embody what I consider to be a form of perfect beauty.

It is embossing that makes such artistic three-dimensional expression possible in watchmaking. Realizing this felt like rediscovering the appeal of the technique itself. The beautiful interplay of light and shadow—reminiscent of architecture—intertwines to create depth and presence.
How could this be unfolded within the limited space of a dial? For this project, I chose to pursue this “art of the micro-scale” to its utmost.

Within our company, we use the term “Arabesque Pattern.” Originating in Islamic art, it refers to decorative motifs composed of continuous geometric forms, used to enhance the beauty of watch dials. I wanted to employ this pattern—one that also resonates with my love of engraving—to express the natural scenes encountered in everyday Japanese life.

The theme of the patterned design is The Flow of Life.
It expresses the ever-changing passage of time through the shifting seasons and an array of flowers.
12:00–3:00 — A river sparkling in the spring sunlight
3:00–6:00 — The blazing summer sun
6:00–9:00 — A starry sky glimmering in the autumn night
9:00–12:00 — Snow crystals dancing across the winter sky

The appearance of the pattern shifts with the light. Twelve types of flowers, arranged in a circular composition, feature petals formed from numerals. The font is based on the numerals used in the first wristwatch to bear the Seiko name, released in 1924.

A layered, wrap-around belt design inspired by the plant motifs of the pattern. “I’d be delighted if it sparks your imagination—making you think, ‘I want to coordinate that outfit with this watch,’” says Matsumoto.