2022 Production Schedule

After disappearing for most of 2021, I’m ready to start manufacturing and shipping fordite watch dials again. I’m grateful to all of my customers and the folks who have been trying to reach me in 2021. I apologize for my absence and the lack of updates. 2022 is going to be awesome, though!

1. What happened? In a nutshell, 2021 kicked my ass. I moved in May 2021, and had hoped to restart fordite dial production quickly. Life had other plans, and I spent a lot of 2021 recovering from a serious health problem. My aging parents also had serious health concerns necessitating hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and long stays in rehabilitation hospitals. Taking care of myself, my wife and kids, and my aging parents took a lot out of me, and I didn’t have the time or energy to work on fordite watch dials. I have recovered from my health challenges sufficiently and things have finally stabilized to the point where I can resume my fordite dial production.

2. What's happening now? Before moving last year, my “atelier” was a corner of an uninsulated, cramped, and dark garage. I have nearly finished setting up my new workshop, which is a large, well lit, insulated, air-conditioned, dedicated space. It’s fantastic! I’ve also been able to upgrade some of my tools, and I am optimistic that I will be able to manufacture fordite dials far more efficiently.

3. What are you working on? I am working on a run of 10 Seiko-compatible (28.5 mm diameter, 0.40 mm thick) fordite dials and plan on making them available for purchase in April 2022. In addition, I have begun producing Seiko-compatible fordite dials with date and day+date windows, which will give folks more options when customizing their dream Seikos. I am also working on producing much larger fordite dials compatible with ETA 6497 and ETA 6498 movements. These are significantly more challenging for me to manufacture, and I will be making them as 1-offs at the request of customers.

4. How do I purchase a fordite dial? My goal is to complete a run of 10 no-date Seiko-compatible fordite dials in April 2022. I will provide updates on my progress on my Instagram account (@ZzyzxAtelier). I am also starting a mailing list, and will make these dials available for sale to subscribers to my e-mail list before making them available to anyone on Instagram.

TL;DR — 2021 was rough, but 2022 is going to be amazing. More fordite dials will be available for sale soon. Please follow me on Instagram (@ZzyzxAtelier) for updates.

Cheers everyone,

Dan