In the world of watchmaking, stone dials have made a surprising comeback.
Once reserved for the realm of high-end luxury brands, today they are more varied and accessible than ever.
While legendary names like Rolex, Piaget, and Cartier were the trailblazers of this trend back in the 1960s, the current decade has opened gates to a wider selection of both precious and semi-precious stones.
We’ve transitioned from the classic choices of lapis lazuli and onyx to embrace more unusual materials like pietersite and labradorite.
Among these intriguing options, fordite stands out—a unique substance celebrated primarily by the innovative Danish watchmaker, Arcanaut.
Known variously as Detroit agate or Motor City agate, fordite isn’t your typical stone; it’s a remarkable tribute to the rich history of the American automotive industry.
What is Fordite?
This distinctive material is crafted from layers of leftover paint collected from Michigan’s automobile factories.
Despite hints of its name, fordite isn’t directly linked to the Ford Motor Company.
The story behind its creation is as remarkable as the material itself.
Back in the day, car bodies were hand-painted with acrylic spray.
Over time, the overspray began to stack up on tracks and skids where vehicles moved through the manufacturing process.
With each cycle through the curing ovens, layers of paint hardened, forming a kaleidoscope of colors.
During the 1950s and 1960s, American car buyers reveled in vibrant paint colors, a stark contrast to the muted tones of modern vehicles, which now primarily favor whites, blacks, and silvers.
The frequent shifts in paint choices to accommodate various orders resulted in an extraordinary build-up of color on manufacturing equipment.
Eventually, the accumulation of this paint became an operational challenge that factory workers needed to address.
Initially tossed aside as waste, some clever employees began slicing through the dense paint layers.
The results were nothing short of stunning; they revealed striking, psychedelic patterns that quickly piqued the interest of lapidarists and car aficionados alike.
Some enthusiasts even volunteered to collect this colorful material for their personal projects, elevating what was once discarded to something truly special.
Arcanaut’s Fordite Watches
However, natural fordite collection came to a halt in the 1970s with the rise of electrostatic spray painting techniques that reduced overspray and introduced robotic painting processes.
Although it isn’t considered a precious stone, fordite remains a rare find, and attempts to create synthetic equivalents have demonstrated less durability than the genuine article.
Watchmaker James “Black Badger” Thompson of Arcanaut has been at the forefront of incorporating fordite into luxurious timepieces, showcasing its unique characteristics.
The Arcanaut ARC II Fordite watches are a perfect example of this craftsmanship.
Each piece is truly one-of-a-kind, with every dial displaying its own unique patterns and vibrant swirls of color that differentiate it from traditional gems.
The design focuses on the dial’s artistry, featuring only skeletonized hands, all housed within a sleek, micro-blasted stainless steel case.
Colorful integrated FKM rubber straps add a contemporary flair.
Drawing inspiration from the Atomic Age and the excitement of the Space Race—echoing the styling of Detroit’s automotive scene from the 1950s and 60s—the Arcanaut ARC II timepieces exude a sci-fi aesthetic.
Complementing their striking designs, these watches are powered by the reliable Soprod A10 automatic movement, which boasts a respectable 42-hour power reserve and water resistance of up to 100 meters.
Availability and Pricing
For a limited period, select Arcanaut ARC II Fordite watches will be available exclusively at Time+Tide Discovery Studios in London and Melbourne.
Given that each fordite dial is uniquely crafted, these watches are not merely timepieces but artistic treasures—each starting at A$7,040.
Source: Timeandtidewatches