The Cast Dial is a puzzle from Hanayama’s Huzzle Cast series, designed by Finland’s Vesa Timonen and launched in 2017. It is reminiscent of the wheel of a combination lock: it has dials on the front and back that turn independently. The challenge is to separate the pieces and then return them to their position.

• BrandHanayama
• DesignerVesa Timonen
• MaterialCast metal
• Pieces4
• SizeApprox. 5.5 × 5 × 1.2 cm
• DifficultyLevel 4 of 6 (Hanayama scale)

Design

It is made up of four pieces: two triangular outer pieces in black anodised metal with the name engraved, and two chrome inner dials that turn inside the triangles. The dials engage with each other, and whatever you do to one affects the other. The whole thing evokes a combination lock, although there are no numbers to guess here: the challenge is purely mechanical.

The contrast between matte black and chrome gives it a very polished look, although its small size and smooth surface make it slip a little between your fingers.

What level it suits

Hanayama’s Japanese and European edition marks it as level 4 of 6; some editions in other markets present it as level 5. Either way, it is considered a medium-to-high difficulty challenge that is usually solved through a moment of understanding rather than trial and error.