Please Critique My Design! EDIT: design

[TempusExMachina]

My knee-jerk reactions:

I don't like the dial. It may look really cool if it comes to fruition. But in your rendering it looks like a meteorite dial, which turns me off. Just a solid black dial would look better.

I don't like the hands. But here is where my criticism falls short; I don't have any recommendations for the hands - just something thinner and more elegant.

I'm not keen on the alarm function. I have an alarm clock and cell phone for that duty.

I like the case. A simple round shape is always classic. What are edges or beveling going to look like? Will it be rounded? Or squared-off with straight edges like a hockey puck?

I like the two crowns and the subdial. But since I don't like the alarm function, perhaps a GMT version is in order...?

A date function would be nice.

The lugs. I like them and I don't. I like them because they don't jut out and effect the appearance of the case. But I don't like that putting on different styles of straps may be impossible. Perhaps you would ship them with adapters similar to Walt's or Suppas for the Eco-Zilla.

I do like the views of the movement, especially the shape of the cut-out on the dial.

And I like the font of the numerals.

...

Sorry about the scatter-brained response. And that is just all my opinion.

And I do admire your design and rendering skills and will to make your very own watch.

I also should mention that if this watch is over roughly $250, there is zero chance of me buying it within the next year.

@brandon\: Thanks for your response! I agree with you on the dial appearance and I also dislike the meteorite look. A change is in order for a matte charcoal dial, similar to the color and appearance one would see on the hands of a Sinn watch (pic below). Another rendering is soon to be forthcoming with that particular change. I also reckon that any conventional 22mm strap utilizing a screw-in/spring bar will be compatible with this watch, with some minor exceptions (i.e. notched straps near the lug).

Other notes: The bezel will be rounded and the date is within the encircled logo. A GMT version may be due first, given the complications of manufacturing a novel alarm movement. Great insight, Brandon\, Popoki Nui, and John MS! Any other suggestions for utilizing the sub-dial?



@Popoki Nui: I will be making the cut-out and the movement match each others' shape. Regarding the dark markers, I think that the image is not clear enough to show what I am intending. It will be a raised, cylindrical PVD marker, akin to what you would see on the bezel of a Panerai Submersible 25. A bit redundant, perhaps, but I think it it is a unique modern touch not seen on many dials.

Here's a few comments.
If the watch is 8mm high as noted in the first set of technical specifications I think that squeezing an alarm movement with a good sounding chime into a case that size will be quite a challenge. At the price you will probably have to charge, the alarm should have a good audible musical ring to it and not sound like a Big Ben alarm clock. That will take more work than is first apparent. The second set of specifications show a height of 10mm which will give some more room but I think it will still be tight. I did not cross-compare the other numbers but that difference jumped out. When I look at the pictures my first thought is that they are not in scale. A 42mm diameter watch that is 8mm tall probably won't have crowns that big unless they extend well below the watch back.

If this design is to be taken to market have you considered whether there is much of a demand for watches with a mechanical alarm. Another less costly but possibly more attractive use for that sub-dial would be a second timezone in either 12 or 24 hour format.

@ John MS: The alarm function is quite the challenge, I agree! Specifically, casing the movement is an obstacle to overcome. Ideally, the case height should be 8mm, but may end up being much thicker. If it becomes thicker due to the size of the movement, then I may have to consider creating a functional bezel to justify such a thickness to the case. Also, great point about matching the proportions of the crown to the case height. Overall, I'll have to make sure that the proportions are realistic and doable.


@ all: Perhaps, and this is just a thought, what if I took the balance/rotor from the reverse, and put it on the front where the skeleton cut out is (in this case, the cut-out would be removed). Then, on the reverse, it will look very much like a manual mechanical movement design (although still an automatic). This would be similar to the Perrelet Dipteros I and II watches. Just some food for thought, nothing final. EDIT: Sorry, I was going temporarily insane there. So, nope. Definitely a bad idea.

[James Haury]

What brandon said except make the dial black

[stuffler,mike]

Not my cup of tea. Nothing I find appealing to justify - well, let' say - 5000 to 7000 Euro.

[Raza]

It looks quite nice, but I don't see it on my wrist. Just not my style. Reminds me of Xetum; sure, I entered the sweepstakes to win one, but I don't think I'd go out and by one.

[John MS]

I think that you should keep the dial simple and not clutter it up with things like cutouts to view the movement plates, a spinning rotor or heaven forbid an open escapement. A wide display back will offer a pleasing window onto a nicely decorated movement that would be a selling point.

If you have three handed time display as well as a GMT or Alarm dial you will have plenty on the dial. The outer bezel seems too wide and the dial is crowded looking as a result. Can you expand the dial size and move the alarm/gmt display outward at the same time? I like having numerals at the quarters with markers in-between.

[rhst1]

Very interesting - lots of promise. Try other color combinations.

[sillykid]

Not my cup of tea, especially the dial

[designadvisor]

Very stylish and upscale.

By the way, a new creative community for graphic designers & artists to post work and receive feedback from other designers just launched! Visit Design Advisor :: Critique, Rate & Share Designs

[Sean779]

I like the design, the darkness of it, but for general consumption--not my weirdness--it's too dark. It needs some angular lightning, lightening. The two crowns off the rounded bezel look old-fashioned rather than a celebration of the vintage. The four #s on the dial need a larger presence and lose the brown leather strap you've got on it. It needs a black strap. You have a dark and different design. Work the subtleties to make the darkness more alive and vital. I like it, but I think it needs a more life, vitality, to it. Right now it's weighed down, won't take flight because what it offers is too severe--there's not even lugs to break up the determined bloated circle of the bezel. Play with the four #s on the dial, make them shout a bit more their presence.

[stuffler,mike]

Two threads merged and moved to Design. Pls. do not post criss cross on WUS.