The Watch as Unique as Your Fingerprint? The Math Behind the Zenmaster Dial
Imagine owning a watch that no one else in the world has. Not just in terms of a limited-edition number, but a timepiece where the dial itself is uniquely yours, etched with a pattern that will never be repeated on another watch.
That’s the magic of the Zenmaster. Every single dial features a mathematically created pattern inspired by the flowy lines raked in the sand of a Japanese zen garden. The key to all this is a concept first developed over 300 years ago by an 18th-century mathematician (who happened to also be a watchmaker) named Sébastien Truchet.
Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand, without getting lost in complex equations.
What Are Truchet Tiles, and How Do They Create a Unique Dial?
Truchet tiles were originally an optical design concept introduced by Sébastien Truchet in the 1700s. He discovered that if you take simple geometric shapes, like curved lines inside a square, and rotate them in different directions, you could create endless, intricate patterns.
Cool, But How Does This Work on the Zenmaster Watch?
Let's go just a little deeper, without getting too technical.
- Imagine a Zenmaster dial is made up of a grid of tiny squares, much like tiles on a floor.
- Each tile has a fixed pattern of curved or straight lines, and the way the tiles are arranged is randomized by an algorithm.
- Every time we run the algorithm it randomly turns tiles, creating an entirely new and unique pattern that hasn't been created before.
Think of it like tossing a handful of puzzle pieces onto a table, because they’ll never land in the same arrangement twice. That’s exactly what happens with each Zenmaster dial, ensuring that your watch is as personal to you as your fingerprint.
Why This Is A Feat In Watchmaking
Most watches have dials that are mass-produced, meaning every piece of a certain model looks exactly the same. Even on high-end watches with guilloché engravings, the same pattern is repeated across every piece manufactured.
For Zenmaster each and every dial we create has never been created before, and will never be created again. No two Zenmaster watches are ever the same. Not now, not in the future, not ever.
That level of uniqueness is quite rare in watchmaking, especially at Zenmaster's price point.
Experience The Subtle Magic of Light & Shadows
One of the most mesmerizing aspects of the Zenmaster’s dial is how light interacts with the etching.
In some angles, the pattern is subtle and almost invisible, like ripples disappearing into still water.
With a slight tilt, the engraved lines catch the light and appear, revealing the intricate details in a way that constantly changes throughout the day.
Conversation Pieces: A Watch That Invites Curiosity
At pOrtahl, one of our core design principles is to create conversation pieces. If you love watches that start conversations with a story to tell, the Zenmaster is designed by following this principle too.
🗣️ "That’s a beautiful dial! What's that pattern?"
💬 "Actually, my watch’s dial is completely one-of-a-kind. No one else has this exact pattern."
Few watches in the world can genuinely make that claim, and certainly almost none at this price point. Whether you're a collector or just someone who appreciates owning something that stands out, the Zenmaster is for you.
Want One? Here’s Your Best Chance
Zenmaster launched on Kickstarter in March 2025 and was successfully funded. All Zenmasters are expected to be deliverd in early September 2025, after which Zenmaster will also launch on our official webstore, retailing for $599.
🔗 You can still pre-order Zenmaster on Kickstarter for as long as we are still in production.
📅 Don’t miss your opportunity to own a watch as unique as your fingerprint, at a discount!