When one thinks of “dual time,” travel immediately comes to mind. After all, it has long been a tool for long-haul flights and business meetings abroad. Dennison’s new ALD Dual Time, however, reimagines dual time as more than a purely functional feature, but as a stylish number. And that’s not surprising, given the charm of their original cushion-shaped, time-only, stone-dial watches, which exuded a retrospective elegance.

Built on the foundations of the original ALD, the Dual Time evolves the design language in subtle but significant ways. The cushion-shaped case, known for its gentle curves and integrated lugs, remains elegantly wearable across wrist sizes. But Dennison has scaled the proportions up slightly, adding 2mm in width. This small adjustment enhances wrist presence while providing extra space for the brand’s signature stone dials to shine.

ALD Dual Time features new split stone dials, featured here in the bloodstone and lapis lazui (left) and Tiger’s Eye and black marble (right), both in steel

Dennison malachite stone dials, in ALD Dual Time (with green sun-ray counter) and the original ALD

Designer Emmanuel Gueit — son of Jean-Claude Gueit, the designer who brought stone dials to watches and created Piaget’s iconic statement cuffs and necklaces of the 1960s and ’70s — cites his childhood memories as inspiration. “As a child, I watched my father sketch those bold Dual Time watches … They evoked an era when watchmaking embodied travel and freedom as much as luxury and elegance,” he recalls.

The ALD Dual Time nods to that spirit, with twin time displays creating symmetry and playfulness. Each pair of hour–minute hands is set by its own crown, located left and right.

Dennison ALD Dual Time Tiger’s Eye in gold PVD

Natural stone has long been central to Dennison’s identity, and the ALD Dual Time doubles down on that tradition with two distinct approaches. The dual stone dials juxtapose two contrasting stones — such as tiger’s eye with black marble or green bloodstone with lapis lazuli — allowing each to frame its own time zone. For a more uniform look, monolithic dials showcase a single stone — malachite, lapis lazuli, tiger’s eye, or aventurine — complemented by a sunray-finished subdial at 3 o’clock to display the second time zone.

This approach is part of a larger movement in contemporary watchmaking that’s rekindling the romance of stone dials. Piaget, once the undisputed master of hardstone, set the tone in the mid-20th century with its turquoise, onyx, and lapis creations. Today, brands like H. Moser & Cie embrace colorful stones to complement their complications, while stones like lapis lazuli have returned to the spotlight. The use of natural stone signals a revival of materials that celebrate texture, color, and artistry — placing Dennison’s latest release firmly within this cultural conversation.

Dennison ALD Dual Time aventurine in steel

As Toby Sutton, Founder & Director of Dennison, explains: “The Dual Time of the 1970s was a true statement watch and a perfect travel companion. Its design and functionality remain just as relevant today as they were 50 years ago.”

The ALD Dual Time marks a new chapter for the brand. As Stephane Cheikh, Dennison’s Director, notes: “Our vision of watchmaking is creative and accessible. Dennison’s philosophy is rooted in design: pure forms, balanced proportions, materials that speak for themselves.”

Tech Specs: Dennison ALD Dual Time

Movement: Twin Swiss quartz Ronda movement
Functions: Hours and minutes; central seconds; date; moon phases
Case: 37mm × 35.6mm (6.1mm thick); stainless steel or gold PVD; water-resistant to 30m
Dial: Tiger’s eye and marble / bloodstone and lapis lazuli / malachite and green sunray / lapis lazuli and blue sunray / aventurine and black sunray
Strap: Epsom Calfskin Leather
Price: CHF 725 / EUR 780 / USD 890 (excl. taxes)