Discover AnOrdain's Artisanal Journey: From Enamel to Porcelain Dials

AnOrdain, the cherished watch brand from Glasgow, Scotland is acclaimed for its exquisite vitreous enamel dials, each created meticulously in-house. Over the past decade, the brand has invoked a significant response from savvy watch collectors, magnetizing them towards its captivating, grand feu – enamel dials. The allure of these enchanting dials, combined with the brand’s comparatively affordable prices, has led to a demand that has far outstripped the limited supply, resulting in years-long wait times for these models. With these dials most commonly found on luxury pieces priced significantly higher than, for instance, an AnOrdain Model 1, the question became how to increase production while preserving the brand’s artisan-centric identity. The solution was three years in the making – porcelain dials, a first-of-its-kind addition to the Model 2 lineup. A quick primer on dial crafting - enamel dial-making involves a labor-intensive process of applying and heating colored glass powder onto a metal base, achieving luminous multi-hued effects. Porcelain dial making, contrarily, involves firing a clay base dial at high temperatures, occasionally applying a vitreous glaze for specific finishes. Notably, porcelain dials can be produced in small batches rather than individually. AnOrdain executes this intricate process traditionally, eschewing modern shortcuts like using ceramic sheets or injecting porcelain slip. The firm is also planning to produce 30-40 such dials per month initially. By providing an innovative alternative pathway for its timepiece production, AnOrdain subtly marries tradition with advancement, paving an impressive path in the world of luxury horology.