A sunburst dial has a radially brushed surface, with fine lines spreading out from the centre. The lines send light back outward from the middle of the dial. The aim is a striking play of light. It is a common, standard finish rather than a rare or highly skilled decoration.
How is a sunburst dial made?
A sunray finish is usually made with a brush. The brush draws fine lines that spread out from the centre of the dial. After brushing, the dial is often given a coat of clear lacquer. The radial pattern still shows through this coat. TAG Heuer runs its dials against a wire wheel spinning at different speeds. The brand combines sunray brushing with sandblasting and lacquering to give its dials a shiny surface.
Not to be confused with
Sunburst and sunray are two names for the same finish. A dial described either way is the same thing. It is easy to mix up with circular brushing, which is a different method. In circular brushing, the brush is held still and the dial spins against it. On a sunray dial, the lines run outward from the centre instead, like the spokes of a wheel. That radial pattern is what sends light back outward from the middle.
Which watches have a sunburst dial?
The sunburst is a standard finish, not a rare one. Watches from Longines, Breitling and Tissot have it. TAG Heuer also uses sunray brushing on its dials. Because the finish is common, a sunburst dial is not a sign of rare or highly skilled decoration. Its appeal lies in the play of light across the dial. The effect comes from the pattern of the lines, not from the difficulty of making them.
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