Chris Alexander, the watch-world creative better known as The Dial Artist, will be at Hands On Horology on June 13 to create bespoke dial artworks in person for a small number of attendees.
The appearance gives collectors a rare chance to see his process up close, from blank dial to miniature artwork, with colour, personal symbolism and watch design all meeting on a canvas barely wider than a coin.
Twenty-four personalised dials for Priority Pass holders
Priority Pass holders will be able to commission a custom dial artwork from Alexander on a first-come, first-served basis.
The allocation is limited to 12 slots per session, making 24 personalised pieces across the day.
Participants will be able to choose from a selection of dials connected to names such as Studio Underd0g, Schaefer & Companions, Heinrich, Paulin, Sartory Billard and others.
The finished dial can be kept as a standalone artwork or potentially fitted into a compatible watch, turning the experience into something more lasting than a typical event souvenir.
Street art energy on a watchmaker’s smallest canvas
Alexander’s work sits at the intersection of street art, pop culture, astrology and abstract expressionism, which explains why his dials often feel far more personal than conventional decorative watchmaking.
His approach treats each commission as a conversation between the client, the artist and the watch itself.
That means personal references, including details such as zodiac signs or individual passions, can be worked into the design without ignoring the architecture of the dial underneath.
It is a method that suits collectors who want something expressive but still rooted in the object they are wearing.
From art school to independent watch collaborations
Alexander graduated from Gray’s School of Art in Scotland with a Masters in Design before founding The Dial Artist in 2017.
His background spans more than two decades in creative industries, including years spent experimenting with paints, lacquers and application techniques suited to watch dials.
That experimentation has helped turn The Dial Artist into one of the most recognisable creative names in independent watch culture.
Recent collaborations have included projects with L’Epée 1839, Holthinrichs, Bamford, Code41, Awake, Spinnaker, Apiar and Split.
Silent auction pieces for Mind and The Felix Project
Attendees who do not secure a bespoke commission will still have a chance to leave with a unique Dial Artist piece through a silent auction held during each session.
The auction watches have already been produced as one-off interpretations of the Selten M1 Moonphase and the RZE Resolute.
All proceeds from the silent auctions will go to Mind, the mental health charity, and The Felix Project, the London food redistribution charity.
For collectors drawn to independent watchmaking, personalisation and art-led design, The Dial Artist’s Hands On Horology appearance should be one of the day’s more intimate experiences.
