When you look at all the different C65 models, they look all the same with just mix-and-match dials, hands, bezels and straps/bracelets. And that makes sense from a business perspective. Just make a new bezel insert, new dial and hands and boom... you have a new watch model. Doesn't cost anything extra to manufacture for CW for a LE.

Another design submission based on the Dartmouth. A black seconds hand with red arrow tip would be nice.

I apologise for breaking the conversation continuity but I must admit those two blue Ombré variants are stunning. To the designer; well done. I would find it difficult to decide between the Ombré and the blue transparent dials.

So far, I'm impressed with all the designs presented.

nordwulf wrote: ↑Wed Oct 16, 2019 2:12 am When you look at all the different C65 models, they look all the same with just mix-and-match dials, hands, bezels and straps/bracelets. And that makes sense from a business perspective. Just make a new bezel insert, new dial and hands and boom... you have a new watch model. Doesn't cost anything extra to manufacture for CW for a LE.

Another design submission based on the Dartmouth. A black seconds hand with red arrow tip would be nice.

I like this one a lot. I think I would prefer the twin flags at 6 but apart from that this one gets the big thumbs up from me

nordwulf wrote: ↑Wed Oct 16, 2019 1:08 am StrappedUp's cream dial design is the Dartmouth dial and hands with the C65 Trident Automatic case, bezel and bracelet so just as much a hybrid design of 2 watches like my design. So basically just a C65 Trident Automatic and that didn't make it to the final 2 watches either. I must say that hybrid C65 Diver/Dartmouth does look nice. Actually looks better than the Dartmouth because tat bezel is just too bust together with the dial markers, in my opinion.

I was going for something new and different, instead of the usual color changes. I would't pay $300 - $400 extra (including import duty to the USA) for just a Dartmouth with a different color scheme.

Clutching at straws a little there Frank, but I get where you're coming from

Colours aside, the only difference between Joseph's cream dial suggestion and a Dartmouth on bracelet is the use of the C65 auto insert.
And come to think of it, show me a stock C65 auto with a red triange on the bezel

After posting my initial Dartmouth ideas, the change to the more simple bezel was suggested by members and of those who have commented so far, the change appears to be for the better.

I reckon that this is the best so far Closely followed by any of the other Dartmouth variants with Rose/Bronze indices and hands, using the above 5 minute marker bezel and green or red gradient dial.

Neil

^^^ I agree Neil. It looks fantastic and better than I thought it would when first suggested by Joseph.

It also has the added benefit of working well on bracelet or strap.

Edit :- No one has noticed this yet, but it's built and assembled in China to keep FLE costs down ... hence no "swiss made" on the dial

Updated the mock-up to include the "SWISS MADE" text and the current C65 bracelet.

Personal view;-

nordwulf wrote: ↑Tue Oct 15, 2019 7:14 pm How about a Dartmouth with a fixed bezel (from the 41mm Cranwell)?

This thread poll suggest 70 people would be interested in a watch like this.
Casual, elegant and rugged CW explorer watch: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=49979

CW have stated on more than one occasion that they are working on a design for this. In the long term 70 or so people are likely to be happy; but it is not the style of watch that has been voted on for the FLE.

nordwulf wrote: ↑Wed Oct 16, 2019 1:08 am

welshlad wrote: ↑Tue Oct 15, 2019 11:25 pm
Personal view:

Nordwulf, isn't your Dartmouth with a fixed bezel from the Cranwell effectively a C65 Cranwell? That's what the Cranwell case is - the 41mm C65 case with a fixed bezel. But the Cranwell didn't make it to the final two watches. I appreciate that they have a Dartmouth-esque dial and handset, but without the rotating bezel they don't really feel like a Dartmouth, to me at least.

As far as I can tell, the Dartmouth and Cranwell cases are exactly the same. My design is just a Darthmouth with a fixed bezel. Bahnstormer said the dial and hands are the primary design elements of the Darthmouth. He didn't say anything about the bezel.

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2019 7:20 am .... but the design should include the hands and dial, which are the primary recognisable elements of the Dartmouth (which is what was voted for), as others aleady submitted have been

StrappedUp's cream dial design is the Dartmouth dial and hands with the C65 Trident Automatic case, bezel and bracelet so just as much a hybrid design of 2 watches like my design. So basically just a C65 Trident Automatic and that didn't make it to the final 2 watches either. I must say that hybrid C65 Diver/Dartmouth does look nice. Actually looks better than the Dartmouth because tat bezel is just too bust together with the dial markers, in my opinion.

I was going for something new and different, instead of the usual color changes. I would't pay $300 - $400 extra (including import duty to the USA) for just a Dartmouth with a different color scheme.

Three points Frank;-

1. I may not have said anything about the Dartmouth's bezel but it is a Dive watch and Dive watches (usually) have a rotating timing bezel. Inter alia, the C65 Dartmouth FLE proposal should have a Dive watch type bezel. As Steve (@welshlad) has already pointed out, the forum members voted for a C65 Dartmouth, they did not vote for a C65 Cranwell.

2. @StrappedUp's cream dial design could alternatively (to your description) be described as being the C65 Dartmouth with a different bezel. Simples!

3. "I would't pay $300 - $400 extra (including import duty to the USA)" - Bit of a sensationalist statement, isn't it? Surely the only 'extra' is the £75 / $100 premium for an FLE. Anything else i.e. import duty to the USA, would have to be paid regardless of what watch you are importing.

Guy

I must admit I'm struggling with the white/cream Dartmouth, in that I can't really imagine what it would look like in the real world. The red/green/blue gradient is easier for me to picture for some reason. Plus I'd be concerned with legibility of white on white even with the bronze edges.

I'd probably be interested but the coloured dials would be my choice.

At some point, the decision must basically fall whether C60 MKIII or C65 Dartmouth.
Otherwise we will have 2 bearings and we can not agree on a finaly design of our FLE #8.
That would be a pity, since there are already excellent proposals for both variants.

Maybe Kip can sort out the unrealizable designs for both variants and finally start a vote between C60 / C65.

I have tried to put together one post that has the design proposals so far.

Frankly my brain hurts trying to sort these out. I have attempted to include all submissions that adhere pretty much to the base models voted on.

This is only a temporary summary so one does not have to scroll through 20 pages to see. Please advise for any I may have missed.

I would also say again, although I have included models that include bronze case/bezel crowns, I am not certain at this writing if this is practical or possible due to cost considerations. When things get narrowed down a bit I will ask.

I would suggest we wrap up submissions by Oct. 20 and then try narrowing things down.


Red gradient dial/black bezel insert


Green gradient dial/black bezel insert


Grey gradient dial/black bezel insert


With colour matched inserts ...

Red gradient dial/bezel insert


Green gradient dial/bezel insert


Grey gradient dial/bezel insert



Mock-ups with Dartmouth handset



Bronze/gold seconds hand






All stainless steel ...



Bronze bezel/crown as per my original designs ...





White seconds hand





C60
Blue Twin-Flag Transparent Dial. No Yellow Bits.






Blue Twin-Flag Transparent Dial. With Yellow Bits.






Blue Solid Dial. With Yellow Bits.






Blue Plain Transparent Dial. With Yellow Bits.

As somebody new to this forum, could somebody explain how I put my name down on the list for one of these watches please? Or has it not reached that point yet, and I should look out for a "sign up here" thread later?

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Wed Oct 16, 2019 10:53 am
3. "I would't pay $300 - $400 extra (including import duty to the USA)" - Bit of a sensationalist statement, isn't it? Surely the only 'extra' is the £75 / $100 premium for an FLE. Anything else i.e. import duty to the USA, would have to be paid regardless of what watch you are importing.

There is a duty-free allowance of US$ 800 for goods imported into the USA. Plus avoiding the hassle of dealing with DHL and being overcharged, having to submit additional documentation causing import delays, you really want to keep the value below $800.

Regular C65 DM on strap:
£662.50 - £100 promo code = £562.50 = US$ 716

FLE C65 DM
£662.50 + £100 FLE premium = £762.50 = US$ 843 + $100 import duty/fees (estimate) = US$ 1,070

So that's $354 (£278) extra for an FLE so not a sensationalist statement at all.

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Wed Oct 16, 2019 10:53 am 1. I may not have said anything about the Dartmouth's bezel but it is a Dive watch and Dive watches (usually) have a rotating timing bezel. Inter alia, the C65 Dartmouth FLE proposal should have a Dive watch type bezel. As Steve (@welshlad) has already pointed out, the forum members voted for a C65 Dartmouth, they did not vote for a C65 Cranwell.

The C60 GMT doesn't have a timing bezel and CW still considers it a dive watch. So not all that different from my C65 fixed-bezel design. You can't time your dive with either one.

BlueIn2Red wrote: ↑Wed Oct 16, 2019 12:09 pm As somebody new to this forum, could somebody explain how I put my name down on the list for one of these watches please? Or has it not reached that point yet, and I should look out for a "sign up here" thread later?

There will be an opportunity later on, once the design is finalised.

The many suggestions have still brought me to an idea:







maybe there will be a few more colorful acts and then it might look good, right?
Sorry, I'm not a Photoshop professional