FounderFest: The Dennison ALD Dual Time “Carnaby Blue” is a mod icon in mother-of-pearl
Tom AustinThere are few periods in history that shaped Britain’s identity quite like the 1960s. It was a decade when the country seemed to lead the world in music, fashion and design. Jaguar E-Types, Triumph Bonnevilles, and Mini Coopers became rolling icons of British style, while Lambrettas and Vespas filled Carnaby Street as the Mod movement gathered pace. Standing at the centre of it all were the iconic British bands of the time, whose explosive performances captured the energy of a generation that still resonates today.
The Time+Tide x Dennison ALD Dual Time Carnaby Blue draws from that moment. It isn’t a tribute to a single album or song, nor does it recreate the decade literally. Instead, it captures something broader: named after London’s Carnaby Street, the cultural epicentre of Mod culture, it represents the confidence and individuality that made Britain such a cultural force. Those influences come together in a mosaic-blue mother-of-pearl dial housed inside Dennison’s distinctive cushion case, resulting in a watch that feels every bit as expressive today as its inspiration did in 1960s London.
One reason the ALD has become such a compelling platform for collaboration is the strength of Emmanuel Gueit’s original design. Despite being relatively young, it’s immediately recognisable, yet remarkably adaptable. The softly rounded cushion case has enough character to establish its own identity without overshadowing the dial, allowing each edition to tell a different story.
Measuring 35.6mm across, 37mm lug-to-lug and just 6.1mm thick, the polished stainless steel case has an elegance rarely seen in the microbrand world. On paper, the dimensions sound almost vintage, yet the flowing curves give the watch considerably more presence than the numbers suggest — enough to make even hardened sports-watch collectors move over to the dressier side. Its twin crowns give the case a pleasing symmetry, and they’re not just for show. Each adjusts a separate display, with two separate movements doing the work — a simple way of achieving dual-time functionality that also explains how the ALD stays so thin.
At first glance, it’s the dial geometry that catches your eye. Individually cut sections of blue mother-of-pearl are framed by the polished case, creating a Union Jack mosaic of alternating blues. As the light moves, the mother-of-pearl shifts from navy to vivid cobalt, then reveals flashes of silvery blue, giving the dial a constantly changing character depending on the angle.
The layout suits the watch’s inspiration. The intersecting polished sections and concentric rings create a bold, graphic composition that recalls the visual language of the Mod movement. The circular second-time zone display, in particular, echoes the Mod target — the RAF roundel synonymous with the Mod scene and the culture itself, where it became a symbol of subverting authority. It’s a subtle reference, but one that ties the concept together.
The Carnaby Blue is powered by two independent Swiss Ronda 1032 quartz movements, each driving its own set of hands, allowing the wearer to track two time zones simultaneously without a bezel or a fussy GMT hand. Running two mechanical movements in a case just 6.1mm thick would have dramatically altered the proportions, while quartz keeps the ALD elegant and easy to live with. In many ways, it feels closer in spirit to the dual-time dress watches of the mid-20th century than the chunky GMTs dominating today’s market.
Completing the package is a blue denim strap — a choice that sounds unconventional until you remember the era that inspired the watch. Denim occupied an interesting place in 1960s British style: originally workwear, it became part of the Mod wardrobe alongside sharply tailored jackets, slim-cut trousers and polished Chelsea boots, blurring the line between utility and fashion.
The strap’s subtle texture contrasts well with the polished steel case and pairs with the shimmering blue dial, grounding what could otherwise be an overly formal watch. Matching blue stitching keeps everything cohesive, while the buckle receives the signature Dennison case-shape styling.
Emmanuel Gueit’s ALD case design has a remarkable ability to absorb completely different ideas without losing its own identity. Whether stone dials, marquetry mother-of-pearl, or now this bold mosaic composition, each gives the watch a distinct personality, yet every one still feels unmistakably like a modern Dennison. That’s no accident — it’s the sign of a design with genuine longevity.
The Carnaby Blue continues that story. The Mod culture inspiration gives the watch its unmistakable character, but the execution makes it memorable — from the slim dual-time architecture to the graphic mother-of-pearl dial — creating a watch entirely at home in the current collection, with a particular Time+Tide twist.
Dennison ALD Dual Time “Carnaby Blue” Time+Tide Studio Edition pricing and availability
The Dennison ALD Dual Time “Carnaby Blue” Time+Tide Studio Edition will be available at FounderFest from September 19, then globally online at the Time+Tide Shop during a 24hr window beginning on September 22. Following that, this Studio Edition will be available exclusively at the Time+Tide Studios in London, Melbourne, and New York. Price: £885 (incl. VAT) / US$1,090 / AU$1,595 (incl. GST) / €845 (excl. VAT)
| Brand | Dennison |
| Model | ALD Dual Time “Carnaby Blue” Time+Tide Studio Edition |
| Reference | ALD-DT11-S-BJE-R-SBKL |
| Case Dimensions | 35.6mm (D) x 6.1mm (T) x 37mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Flat sapphire front |
| Dial | Blue mother-of-pearl, mosaic |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Blue denim strap, pin buckle |
| Movement | Twin Ronda 1032, quartz |
| Autonomy | 60-78 months |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, dual time displays |
| Availability | Available beginning September 19 at FounderFest US/UK/AU Available online globally on September 22 for 24 hours only, before becoming an in-store exclusive across Time+Tide’s Discovery Studios |
| Price | £885 (incl. VAT) / US$1,090 / AU$1,595 (incl. GST) / €845 (excl. VAT) |