What does “Sunburst” mean?

A sunburst dial has a fine brushed finish that radiates out from the centre, like rays of light. As the watch moves, light catches the lines and the dial appears to change shade, often brighter in one area and darker in another. It is one of the most common dial finishes, used on everything from affordable watches to high-end models.

Sunburst finishes are popular because they add depth and life to a dial colour, particularly blues, greens and greys. For dealers, the main point is to describe the colour accurately, since photos of a sunburst dial can look very different depending on the lighting. Some references are made with both sunburst and matte versions of the same colour, so the dial code or reference helps confirm which one you have. Damage to a sunburst dial, such as marks or uneven spots, is usually more visible than on a matte dial.

A typical description: “Blue sunburst dial that goes from bright to nearly navy depending on the light.” Many dealers include a short video to show the effect better than a single photo can.