A Hands-On Introduction To The Dennison ALD Dual Time “Shades” Dial
Emmanuel Gueit has done it again. His designs for Dennison are a hit, and now there’s a new catchy, slightly moody “tune” that will be on your mind once you’ve been exposed to it. Dennison introduces the ALD Dual Time “Shades” Dial, a nuanced and refined evolution of the brand’s Dual Time collection. The dials have a single color, but they don’t look that way because they’re brushed half-vertically and half-horizontally. The way light hits each dial’s halves determines the shade of blue, green, or brown they show. Some more firsts for this collection are the indexes on the dials and the option to buy an ALD Dual Time on a ’70s-style steel pebble-link bracelet.
Don’t you dare call the dial color a “fade” or a “gradient.” The blue, green, and brown dials of the ALD Dual Time “Shades” Dial models each have a single color. However, due to the dial’s finishing, the color appears to split into two shades when the watch moves and the light hits it. Dennison describes it as “a controlled interaction between finish and light,” and it looks subtle. The presence of indexes and Roman and Arabic numerals underlines the refined color-changing effect. These are the most traditional-looking creations from Dennison, but they don’t sacrifice their minimalist, joyful soul.
Dennison introduces the ALD Dual Time “Shades” Dial
The split dial, with baton indexes and Arabic numerals on the left and the same indexes and Roman numerals on the right, marks an evolution in the brand’s minimalist design language. The combination of balance and elongated Arabic and Roman numerals with an Art Deco-inspired form prevents the dial from looking cluttered. The result is a tasteful mix of classic watchmaking codes with a retro-modern design. Also, the use of the two distinct numeral types provides a functional extra: it creates a clearer distinction between the two time zones.
The “Shades” collection debuts in three executions, each with a single core color. The green version shifts between the shades of a forest and those of a meadow hit by bright sunlight. The fluid blue reminds me of raw dark blue denim versus stone-washed denim. Finally, the warm brown dial comes at you in vibrant bronze and warm tobacco tones.
The new pebble-link bracelet
Just like the watches you already know in the ALD Dual Time Collection, the three new ones have a 37mm by 35.6mm polished stainless steel case with a slim 6.1mm profile. Denisson rates these watches water resistant to 30 meters, and each features a flat sapphire crystal on top and a steel snap-on case back. A pair of Swiss quartz Ronda 1032 movements lets you keep track of the hours and minutes in two time zones of your choice. As I said, there’s nothing new in this regard.
A completely new element, however, is the pebble-link bracelet. With its softly rounded, fluid profile, the five-row bracelet perfectly suits the retro vibe of the ALD Dual Time “Shades” Dial. The links, which are larger in the outermost rows and smaller in the three central ones, evoke the shape of polished stones. Furthermore, the concealed clasp allows an uninterrupted flow of the “pebbles,” creating a jewel-like effect. The combination of the bracelet and clasp looks good and is comfortable to wear. I feel it uplifts the watch quite a bit. Sure, the leather strap is comfortable and handsome, but the “wow!” effect is much more powerful with the shiny bracelet.
Final words and price
The Dennison ALD Dual Time “Shades” Dial proves that the concept of a dressy travel watch is anything but stale. The use of indexes and numerals gives the three watches a more functional appearance without making them any less handsome. The new “Shades” is an interesting evolution of Dennison’s minimalist, stylish theme, which was so well received by fans and professionals. The Dennison Natural Stone Tiger Eye in gold won the Challenge Watch Prize at the GPHG 2025, remember?
Dennison’s ALD Dual Time “Shades” Dial models each cost CHF 660 / €720 / US$820 on a steel pebble-link bracelet. The price with a taupe-colored, smooth calfskin strap is CHF 600 / €655 / US$740.
Do you have any thoughts on the new dials and bracelet from Dennison? Please let me know in the comments section below.
