Please Critique My Design! EDIT: design

[TempusExMachina]

Hi watch designers and enthusiasts,

I am hoping members here can critique my watch design, both from an aesthetic standpoint (i.e. color choice), and from a technical standpoint (i.e. proportions). The sub-dial is an alarm time, the dark hour markers are PVD screw heads, the dial cut-out and balance are themed as an hourglass concept, and the "butterfly buckle" makes the holder/keeper unnecessary on the strap. The goal is to make a watch with a balance between simplicity and complexity, & classy and boldness.

Other info including specs and elaboration can be found here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f6/plea...ge-481624.html

This rendering can be made more realistic using CAD, so please excuse the artificial nature of the paint job. I would love to have feedback from you, as I have had a pleasant and inspirational experience from the WUS community in the past. In fact, I appreciate even the harshest criticisms, because they bring in extreme consideration on my part to change some design element(s). Thanks for all of your help!

[mykel]

nice design,but the outcome looks less impressive,because the materials presented are not realistic enough,but the design does look ,glasshutte,what software did you use? please.just starting out.thanks

[TempusExMachina]

nice design,but the outcome looks less impressive,because the materials presented are not realistic enough,but the design does look ,glasshutte,what software did you use? please.just starting out.thanks

I agree that with a more realistic design, it will be better perceived. I will be transferring this design, from the Adobe Photoshop platform to Auto CAD as soon as I refine the design. Thanks for the input!

[interested_party]

Since you've asked, I hope you don't take anything I say too seriously.

It doesn't do much for me personally. But obviously taste is in the eye of the beholder.

I think the small hour markers look unusual (1, 2, 4, 5,...). I'd sooner have something other than small numbers there. Like an applied baton or lumed dot or something.

The bezel doesn't give the case much definition. Kind of a softish feel. I assume it's curved down? It's kind of thick too by current standards (for a non-functional bezel at least). Do you have any profile images and dimensioned drawings?

The lack of lugs is bold. Again, not something I'd go for and not something I'd consider 'timeless'. There are obviously watches without lugs but most of the world's iconic watches have lugs.

I originally didn't like the dial cut-out in the shape of an hour glass syncing up with the circular functions. But I've warmed up to it a little bit. Something to note, unless the movement is skeletonized there won't be many moving parts to look at through there. You'll see the hour wheel but that obviously moves slowly.

[TempusExMachina]

Since you've asked, I hope you don't take anything I say too seriously.

It doesn't do much for me personally. But obviously taste is in the eye of the beholder.

I think the small hour markers look unusual (1, 2, 4, 5,...). I'd sooner have something other than small numbers there. Like an applied baton or lumed dot or something.

The bezel doesn't give the case much definition. Kind of a softish feel. I assume it's curved down? It's kind of thick too by current standards (for a non-functional bezel at least). Do you have any profile images and dimensioned drawings?

The lack of lugs is bold. Again, not something I'd go for and not something I'd consider 'timeless'. There are obviously watches without lugs but most of the world's iconic watches have lugs.

I originally didn't like the dial cut-out in the shape of an hour glass syncing up with the circular functions. But I've warmed up to it a little bit. Something to note, unless the movement is skeletonized there won't be many moving parts to look at through there. You'll see the hour wheel but that obviously moves slowly.

Thanks for your remarks, interested_party, I really appreciate it! The bezel is soft and I really couldn't think of what to put there. Perhaps when I get the watch case made, I would have a rotating bezel version manufactured as well. And you're right, the bezel is curved down. Also, I pulled out a measuring tape to re-examine how thick 1 cm or 10mm would be, and you're right again, it is a bit thick for a non-functioning bezel. I did put lumed dots in another rendering for the small hour markers, but for some reason, I'm having a soft spot for the raised PVD small hour markers. Furthermore, the circular PVDs, all 8 of them, are presented both in the front and the back to tie in the theme.

Perhaps "timeless" in a general sense is a bold claim as well. What I intend is a modern-classic fusion, and a timeless design approach within that category, if that makes sense. Thus, the lugless feature: the simplistic features of modernity integrated with many of the classic designs in watches. Though, this is just my interpretation of such a fusion.

The movement is the biggest issue. I don't know what it looks like at the moment, and consequently what will be evident through the hourglass cut out in the dial. But, since there is a sapphire crystal on the case back for viewing moving parts, as long as pieces of rose gold show on the front to offer a warm contrast to the titanium shell, I will be very pleased. Moving parts shown through the dial will make me doubly so.

Thanks again for your critiques!

[TempusExMachina]

DELETED BY USER. REDUNDANT - Please refer to first post.

[brandon\]

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.

[John MS]

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.

[fastward]

Nice strap!

[Popoki Nui]

I don't like the cutout in the centre of the dial. I like the hourglass concept, but to my eyes the shape and placement makes it look cluttered or busy. I'd also prefer a matching gray strap, rather than the brown.

Otherwise, I really like the rest of the watch. The smooth case/bezel is very nice, as is the display back. The knurling on the crowns is both practical and a nice contrast to the smoothness of the bezel. I find the font and hand quite pleasing, although the dark markers at 1,2,4,5,7,8,10,11 are a bit redundant given that there are corresponding minute markers on the outer chapter ring.

I also would like to see a GMT version.