— Three Truths About Time and Endurance

When people first see a porcelain dial, their first impression is often: “It looks so delicate, it must be fragile.”
This perception comes from everyday porcelain objects — cups and plates that seem to shatter at the slightest drop.
Yet once porcelain enters the world of watchmaking, it carries a very different story.

1. A Material and Color That Endures for Centuries

Porcelain has long been called “white gold,” one of humanity’s most precious materials. Fired at extreme temperatures, it becomes dense and stable — resistant to corrosion, immune to rust, and free from the fading or peeling that plagues surface coatings.

Most importantly, the colors and artwork on porcelain are not printed on top, but fused into the porcelain body itself through underglaze painting or enamel. These paintings do not fade with time; even after centuries, they remain as vivid as the day they were created. The Yuan blue-and-white and Ming dynasty porcelain pieces displayed in museums today, with their imagery still vibrant, are living proof.

Thus, the “delicacy” of porcelain does not mean fragility — it means enduring refinement.

2. As a Dial, It Is Professionally Protected

A common concern is whether a porcelain dial is more fragile than a metal one. The answer: no.

In a watch, the dial is not directly exposed — it is mounted on the movement’s baseplate with shock-absorbing systems, and fully protected by the case and crystal. In practice, if an accident happens, the order of damage is usually: first the crystal, then the case, then the movement, and only lastly the porcelain dial. This makes the dial one of the safest components of the watch.

And for your complete peace of mind: if in any situation your case and crystal remain intact, yet the dial suffers damage, we will replace it with a brand-new one.

3. The Balance of Strength and Elegance

If a metal dial represents solidity and function, porcelain dials combine resilience with grace.
Their material strength allows them to withstand centuries without change, while their natural luster offers a refined elegance that no other material can replicate. Wearing a porcelain dial is not just wearing a watch — it is carrying history, culture, and spirit on your wrist.

Conclusion

Porcelain is not a synonym for fragility.
It is a material that has accompanied human civilization for millennia, the stage upon which colors and artistry endure the longest.

A true porcelain dial is not only a vessel of art, but also a symbol of time and spirit.
At Halcyon, we choose porcelain not because it is “rare,” but because it represents elegance that endures.