Dunhill Centennial Limited Edition Salmon Dial Ref. DQ2011M
Dress Watch / Limited Edition Commemorative · Dunhill (Richemont Group). While known as a luxury goods house, Dunhill’s watchmaking during this era utilized high-quality Swiss components and movements consistent with the luxury tier.
Period: Neo-Vintage / Art Deco Revival (Late 1990s - Early 2000s). Indicators include the wire-style lugs, 'tuxedo' sector dial, and stylized Arabic numerals reminiscent of the 1920s.
Type
Dress Watch / Limited Edition Commemorative
Brand
Dunhill (Richemont Group). While known as a luxury goods house, Dunhill’s watchmaking during this era utilized high-quality Swiss components and movements consistent with the luxury tier.
Movement
Manual-wind / Hand-wound mechanical movement. It utilizes a high-grade ETA 7001 base caliber, known for its ultra-slim profile, 17 jewels, and approximately 42 hours of power reserve.
Dimensions
Case diameter: 36mm; Thickness: 8mm; Lug-to-lug: 43mm; Lug width: 18mm. This watch wears accurately to its size, providing a classic, discreet dress profile.
Description
The Dunhill Centennial is a masterclass in understated elegance, blending the brand's British motoring heritage with Swiss horological precision. Its salmon sector dial and wire-lug aesthetic evoke the glamour of the 1920s, while the slim 36mm case makes it a perfect contemporary dress piece. It represents a time when Dunhill was highly focused on creating 'gentleman’s essentials' with serious mechanical internals.
Key Features
Distinctive wire-loop lugs, salmon-colored multi-finish sector dial, leaf hands, and the use of the slim ETA 7001 movement allowing for a very thin case profile.
Dial Description
Multi-textured salmon/copper sector dial. Features a circular brushed outer ring with applied polished silver-tone Arabic numerals and stick indices. The inner medallion and sub-seconds dial at 6 o'clock have a smooth finish. Hands are blackened steel leaf/feuille style.
Case Material
Stainless steel with a high-polish finish. The case features a rounded, pebble-like 'galet' architecture.
Crystal Type
Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment. It is in good condition with no visible scratches or chips.
Bezel Details
Fixed, polished stainless steel rounded bezel integrated into the case structure.
Crown & Pushers
Small, push-pull fluted crown located at the 3 o'clock position, typical for a manual-wind dress watch to facilitate daily winding.
Bracelet or Strap
Brown alligator leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a Dunhill-branded stainless steel pin buckle.
Caseback Details
Solid screw-down caseback, typically engraved with the Dunhill Centennial logo, reference number, and individual limited edition numbering (e.g., xxx/500).
Movement Type
Manual-wind / Hand-wound mechanical movement. It utilizes a high-grade ETA 7001 base caliber, known for its ultra-slim profile, 17 jewels, and approximately 42 hours of power reserve.
Water Resistance
30 meters (3 ATM). Splash resistant only; not suitable for swimming, showering, or submersion.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made. Designed in London, Manufactured in Switzerland. Movement is an outsourced Swiss ETA caliber finished to Dunhill specifications.
Age Estimate
Circa 2004. This model was released to celebrate the centennial of Alfred Dunhill's first foray into clockmaking (1903/1904).
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Luxury House' watch era of the late 90s/early 2000s, where fashion brands like Dunhill, Cartier, and Hermès produced legitimate mechanical timepieces that are now highly valued by 'neo-vintage' collectors.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The high-polish case shows minor hairline scratches consistent with light wear. The dial and hands are pristine. The strap shows slight creasing from being stored on a watch pillow.
Value Estimate
$1,200 - $2,200 USD depending on the presence of original box/papers and the specific limited edition number. Salmon dials currently command a premium in the enthusiast market.
Care & Maintenance
Requires manual winding every 24-40 hours. Service interval recommended every 5-7 years for the movement. Avoid water contact as this is a non-gasketed dress crown. Keep away from strong magnetic fields.
Similar Watches
Cartier Pasha (for the lug style), Patek Philippe 5196P (for the sector dial layout), or the Longines Heritage Classic 'Sector'.
Interesting Facts
Dunhill initially made watches as 'Dashboard clocks' for early automobiles. This specific Centennial collection was limited in production, making it a rare find on the secondary market compared to their standard 'Facet' or 'Wheel' models.