AnOrdain And Hodinkee Release A Limited-Edition Model 3 With A Unique Sunburst Dial
If you know anything about anOrdain, it’s probably that the Scottish brand makes some of the most spectacular enamel dials in the industry. In a collaborative effort with Hodinkee, anOrdain shows even more impressive dial-making skills than ever before. The new anOrdain Model 3 Limited Edition for Hodinkee introduces a handmade sunburst dial that is nothing short of spectacular. On top of that, it is the first anOrdain Model 3 to become available to the public. That makes this limited edition an extra special release.
The moment your eyes hit the new anOrdain × Hodinkee Model 3 Limited Edition, you are immediately hypnotized by the dial. I’ve only had a chance to see the promotional pictures, and they already reveal a dial that must be much more impressive in real life. If you have ever seen an anOrdain watch in the metal, you know that the pictures do not do the special dials justice. And with this new dial, the results are even more spectacular. For this limited edition of just 25 pieces, anOrdain introduces a very special sunburst dial that is created fully by hand, from the pattern to the finish. The results are simply stunning.
The magic behind the special sunburst dial
For the spectacular dial of this new Model 3, anOrdain combined manual engraving with a sunburst pattern and layers of colored enamel. Yes, that’s right; this incredible sunburst pattern is achieved by hand-engraving the dial. Normally, a sunburst dial is created with a machine-controlled process that involves spinning and brushing the dial. But not this time.
It starts with a solid silver disc that is cut out by hand in the anOrdain workshop. Crucial for creating the sunburst pattern is, of course, a mark indicating the center from which the pattern should start. The pattern is then hand-engraved with around 1,120 minuscule scores, creating the sunburst effect radiating from the center of the dial. After creating the pattern, the dial is then layered with colored enamel to give the desired effect. As you can see, the dark gray color of the final dials is the perfect color to bring this effect to life. The Hodinkee team chose the color based on a palette of enamels best suited to the finely engraved texture.
The details of the production process of the dials
Each dial takes about 100 hours to create, so you can imagine that this was a very labor-intensive project for the anOrdain team. The 25 dials for the available pieces were created over two years. To give you an idea, for every dial that was created successfully, two dials never got finished due to wastage. So not only is creating one dial an incredibly time-consuming process, but the overall project was also a huge undertaking. The results, however, are nothing short of spectacular. The sunburst dial looks absolutely stunning in the pictures, and I can only guess how textured and layered it looks in real life.
In the anOrdain workshop, only one person has the skills to engrave to this level. To make sure she could stay sane during the process of creating the dials, she alternated her days between engraving and enameling. For the engraving of the dials, she used a tool called a graver. This tool both cuts and polishes the silver dial with each stroke. AnOrdain tried other less labor-intensive methods to create the dials, but none of them led to the same impressive, praiseworthy results.
The anOrdain Model 3 specs
But there is more to the story than the unique dials. This is also the first time that the Model 3 is being made available to the public. Granted, a very small group of happy owners will be able to enjoy the new Model 3, but there are more new Model 3 versions on the horizon. The new stainless steel case measures 39mm in diameter and 10.5mm thick with a 20mm lug spacing. While those dimensions are the sweet spot for many fans, it’s the design that makes it even more exciting. I love this round case with its long, thin lugs.
It is undoubtedly the anOrdain model with the most dramatic presence. The contrast between the case and the lugs creates a spectacular dynamic that I absolutely love. This is my favorite anOrdain case design to date, for sure. The slim case also bears a sapphire crystal with an antireflective coating on both sides. The solid case back features an engraving of New York City, and each of the pieces will feature the unique production number out of the 25 pieces made. Inside the case, anOrdain uses an Elaboré-grade Sellita SW300-1. This automatic caliber is based on the ETA 2892-A2. It operates at 28,800vph and provides a 42-hour power reserve.
The new anOrdain × Hodinkee Model 3 Limited Edition is spectacular
While the new case and dial are showstoppers, the overall look of the watch is super impressive. All the elements work together beautifully. As I used to work in graphic design, I always greatly appreciate standout typography on a watch. And the Art Deco-style hour numerals created for this dial are stunning. Just look at the gracious style of the closed upper portion of the “2” or the droplet shapes for the upper and lower parts of the “8” that are placed off-center for a playful effect. The numerals are pad-printed atop the enamel, giving the illusion that they are floating above the dial. The effect is quite stunning.
And it doesn’t stop there. Just look at the beautiful syringe-style handset. It’s the same style of hands that we also find on the anOrdain Model 1. It works particularly well with the different elements of the Model 3. Completing the look is a gray suede strap. It ends up making this new anOrdain Model 3 one of the best releases I have seen lately. The 25 watches will be available today in the Hodinkee Shop for US$6,000 each, and I have no doubt they will sell out in no time. If I had $6K to spare, I would certainly join the clicking frenzy that will undoubtedly ensue and result in 25 lucky owners of this anOrdain Model 3 Limited Edition.
My thoughts on the anOrdain Model 3 Limited Edition for Hodinkee
I love this new anOrdain × Hodinkee collaboration. I adore every single detail of the design, the incredible craftsmanship, and the overall result. And yes, compared to the usual lineup of anOrdain watches, this first Model 3 is a lot more expensive. But considering the time that went into creating these unique dials and the spectacular outcome, you definitely get something extraordinary for what you pay. I’m sure the 25 lucky owners will be thrilled with this watch.
Most of you will know that anOrdain has been working with a waiting list since the start of 2022. This is due to the overwhelming demand for its watches. I checked with Lewis from anOrdain, and he explained that this collaboration had been agreed upon before there was a waiting list. This explains why all 25 of these watches are available in the Hodinkee Shop today. He also told us that there will be no collaborations in the foreseeable future.
The good news is that the special sunburst dials will also be available in the future for customers on the waiting list. And the new Model 3 will also be available in the future as part of the regular collection. I am definitely a fan of the new Model 3. That dial, the case design, the numerals, and the hands are just brilliant! This first version might even be one of my favorite releases of this year, and we’re not even halfway through it yet.
For more information or to try and buy one of the 25 watches, visit the Hodinkee Shop. For more information on anOrdain, visit the brand’s official website.
