You have to question the designers
Zero originality
A homage too far
I'm struggling with the illegible dials on the lighter colour models

angusbon wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 2:20 pm

iain wrote:

tikkathree wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 1:41 pm Which prompts a question from a position of every day being a learning day: who does make a butterfly clasp with micro-adjust?

My JLC does, it has a small extension on each side which allow about 2.5mm each. Not my photos but here are some I found via Google image search showing it extended and not extended, note the small steps either side of the clasp where it hinges in.


IMG_0192.jpeg

IMG_0193.jpeg

I thought you'd manage to get one of your watches in the conversation

Yep, he is always doing that!

JLC have had that for many, many years…

As it happens I have the same style adjustment, albeit a different style bracelet, on one of my JLCs that had a production run from 1998-2006.

Neil

The Lido c20 was so much better as a homage

angusbon wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 3:12 pm

FloridaPhil wrote:

albionphoto wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 2:42 pm
I suggested a gloss black or musuo black dial with smaller indices to Mike. Small round indices, no date and a perfect black dial and I'd have paid him for it on the spot.

Now you're talking. I didn't mention the indices. They're too big.

While you're changing everything, can you please, please change the name!?!?
Oh, and the hands...
And the logo....


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I kept thinking that, but I think it's to do with how the double index at 12 reflects the light. At different angles it doesn't look so strange.

Oops. From the WatchFinder video.

nbg wrote:

angusbon wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 2:20 pm

iain wrote: My JLC does, it has a small extension on each side which allow about 2.5mm each. Not my photos but here are some I found via Google image search showing it extended and not extended, note the small steps either side of the clasp where it hinges in.


IMG_0192.jpeg

IMG_0193.jpeg

I thought you'd manage to get one of your watches in the conversation

Yep, he is always doing that!

JLC have had that for many, many years…

As it happens I have the same style adjustment, albeit a different style bracelet, on one of my JLCs that had a production run from 1998-2006.

Neil

Don't upset him, you know how he gets


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MichaelMD wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 4:03 pm

nbg wrote:

MichaelMD wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 1:23 pm I didn't realize how much this watch looked like the Czapek until I googled it. Wow, yeah it appears CW got a little "inspiration" from this watch LOL

I wonder if one of the designers of the Antarctique and the head of design for CW are very well acquainted…

Neil

I still can’t work out from your reply, whether you just think CW copied the Antarctique, or whether you do actually realise the inference in my post…

Let’s try again…

If I was involved in designing a watch for one brand, would I be copying it if in my role as head of design for another brand, I was a guiding influence in the design of the watch that was released after the other, albeit that the concept for both was at about the same time.

Or would it just be a case of two different brands benefitting from my design expertise?

Neil

FloridaPhil wrote:Oops.

IMG_20230427_113206157.jpg

" Incredible finishing and attention to detail "
I suppose when you're getting paid you lose a sense of integrity....


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Interesting. Looks like it might wear a little smaller than my PRX. I hope they put the SW300 into more watches - I fine the operation of these 3XX movements very refined compared to the less expensive SW200.

I’m tempted - almost blew a big chunk of my annual bonus on a Black Bay 54. Will be reading/watching reviews.

Well, once again, I am the fish out of water! The dial, is erm, round, with the much hyped 'we took our time' just a bit of padding on the outside. Nothing original about the dial design, but then again in this day and age, that's hard to acheive. The hype compared to the end product is just flatulence. I can't tell you how underwhelmed I am. I think they would have been better off with a full blown homage!

Anyway, you guy's enjoy it, while I sit here reflectively, bemused.

nbg wrote:

MichaelMD wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 4:03 pm

nbg wrote: I wonder if one of the designers of the Antarctique and the head of design for CW are very well acquainted…

Neil

I still can’t work out from your reply, whether you just think CW copied the Antarctique, or whether you do actually realise the inference in my post…

Let’s try again…

If I was involved in designing a watch for one brand, would I be copying it if in my role as head of design for another brand, I was a guiding influence in the design of the watch that was released after the other, albeit that the concept for both was at about the same time.

Or would it just be a case of two different brands benefitting from my design expertise?

Neil

What I believe you were inferring in your post is that the head designer at Christopher Ward previously was a designer at Czapek

And what I was saying is the Mr. Bachmann simply brought over his design of the Antarctique with him, made a few subtle changes, and re-released the watch with CW.

Whether that's a right or wrong thing to do is open for debate. I was simply having a little fun with it.

Perhaps both our points were misinterpreted, but I didn't think so?

@MichaelMD
He didn’t leave Czapek and move to CW. He is still involved with both brands. And certainly involved with the 2023 Czapek releases.

It is possible (although I don’t know the timings) that work on the concepts of both was going on at the same time.

When I saw the CEO of Czapek in November 2018, I don’t recall talk of an integrated bracelet watch being imminent. Similarly IIRC the original concept for a new CW integrated bracelet watch dates from 2017, albeit then shelved until 2019.

I almost paid a deposit for an Antarctique last year, but didn’t go ahead, as I hadn’t tried one on.

I will now likely make do with the CW watch, once I have tried one on.

Neil

Caller wrote:Well, once again, I am the fish out of water! The dial, is erm, round, with the much hyped 'we took our time' just a bit of padding on the outside. Nothing original about the dial design, but then again in this day and age, that's hard to acheive. The hype compared to the end product is just flatulence. I can't tell you how underwhelmed I am. I think they would have been better off with a full blown homage!

Anyway, you guy's enjoy it, while I sit here reflectively, bemused.

I'm so, so glad it's not just me


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nbg wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 5:39 pm @MichaelMD
He didn’t leave Czapek and move to CW. He is still involved with both brands. And certainly involved with the 2023 Czapek releases.

It is possible (although I don’t know the timings) that work on the concepts of both was going on at the same time.

When I saw the CEO of Czapek in November 2018, I don’t recall talk of an integrated bracelet watch being imminent. Similarly IIRC the original concept for a new CW integrated bracelet watch dates from 2017, albeit then shelved until 2019.

I almost paid a deposit for an Antarctique last year, but didn’t go ahead, as I hadn’t tried one on.

I will now likely make do with the CW watch, once I have tried one on.

Neil

OK, thanks for the clarification. I didn't realize he was working for both brands. I figured CW just poached him from Czapek. That explains the disconnect

Hicksmat wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 4:08 pm You have to question the designers
Zero originality
A homage too far
I'm struggling with the illegible dials on the lighter colour models

I agree but I must admit I am not a fan of integrated bracelets. I feel that CW has been putting out some boring designs lately (for me). For example, the super compressor was an amazing watch as was the Bell Canto (however you could argue it is separate from the regular catalog). Perhaps my thoughts are just from watch fatigue but I would advise CW to do things differently:

1. Packaging - the boxes are nice but they are large and useless. I do not understand why watch brands do this, put the watch in something useful. By that I mean not just a watch box or watch roll. Use something branded that can actually be used. For example, a Yeti cup. This could be actually used and would make for an awesome branded item.

2. Merch - They should have mech. Capitalize on the ocean plastic program and make some CW branded bags. They should have other merch as this would sell out for sure. There are several items that could be branded CW that the market wants and pairs well with watches. For example, a travel pouch. Not a watch roll but a strap travel pouch. I travel a lot and I take a watch and several watch straps but I have yet to find something that really works. They could combine the plastic program and make something like this. There are countless ideas here. People who buy CW are buying into the brand and they should capitalize on this with a merch in the marketing ecosystem.

3. Chronographs - I would like to see more work in this area. They just sponsored a racing team but there are no watches that align with this.

4. Dress Watch - They should expand this line especially if they want to move up market.

5. More Technical - I do not like that most of their COSC stuff is always in bronze. I would like to see more COSC or come out with METAS. This would surely help move the price up market. Also, scratch resistant coating. I think they should move on this especially for the Ti watches.

6. U.S. Market Issue - I do not mind them moving up market but they MUST solve the duty issue. It is more of a hassle and probably catches first time buyers off guard. They should move to an all inclusive pricing. I think Farer does this. What you pay is the landed price (I think).

7. Jubilee Bracelet/Beads of Rice Bracelet - They need this as an option. I think especially with some of the retro stuff. The jubiless would look good on the Sealander line and it would give the option of upscaling the watch to a higher price.

8. Precious Metal - I am not saying full gold and diamonds here but some accents would be nice. I think this could make the C60 range look good or the Sealander range.

9. C60 Range Mark IV - I would have like to see this come out before summer. I feel they forgot about it.

I know I went in a different direction than this new release but I think they should stop following and do more leading. I am sure these are very nice watches but, this has been done already (really too much) and CW does well with they innovate.