missF wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 6:34 am

asqwerth wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 4:55 am Here is my imagined scenario: (take it with a pinch of salt) ...

Brilliant post. You kind of demonstrate well that anyone wanting to design an integrated bracelet sports watch in 2023 is operating with very little elbow room. But I don’t see any difference to any other watch being designed by any other manufacturer, (everything in the watch world has already been done) so I’m not sure why some are feeling fizzy and wanting to apply the ‘homage’ word...

Here’s another scenario:
1. We’re going to design a completely original diver...
2.

Anyway, I love your design meeting asqwerth, and your thoughts on the whole thing. I’m looking forward to plenty more IRL pics before I consider buying

Original dive watch?

Well it seems to me even Rolex tried that and failed!

However the folk at Blancpain managed it…

Then everyone else followed.

Mind you I have found what looks to me an original take on the integrated sports watch… Neil

iain wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:36 am @Amor Vincit Omnia Steve, the first time you unwrap your titanium watch it will be all shiny and new with no oxidisation. I found the process tended to start quickest at the points your skin has come into contact with the metal. If a darker thumbprint appears on the back of your watch which won’t rub off, don’t worry. That’s just the start of the process and it will fade as soon as the surrounding metal catches up.

Thanks for the heads up! I’m sure it won’t worry me too much – OCD doesn’t really form a part of my watch psyche. I just wear them.

nbg wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 8:23 am
.....
Mind you I have found what looks to me an original take on the integrated sports watch…
06025833-5E4A-423E-AE0E-C4468EF43EE3.jpeg
0CE72EE6-D235-4AC3-9D85-F5D5B82337E0.jpeg
Neil

I think this subset of rounded, soft-curves integrated bracelet watches has probably been around quite some time as well. Who was it who posted their purple Di Lorenzo? Was it you? [CORRECTION: it's Direnzo, and it's not one of the soft-curves watches I was thinking about]

And this is my no longer working, Ellesse quartz chrono from maybe the 90s (I think):


https://imgur.com/nhfuqkJ

Maybe it's just me, but I see some similarities in the case shape and even the shape of the links.

The Gauthier has an interesting subdial placement and non-symmetrical dial though - top portion of dial from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock seems smaller than bottom portion.

asqwerth wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 4:55 am 7. We want a fancier bezel but not with screws on the front or people will say it looks like (insert name of watch) . Well, what about something like the octagonal or dodecagonal shape from... (insert watch name of your choice)?

The bezel looks very similar to the Zenith Defy. Taking influence from multiple watches and making something available for less that 3-20 times others is what CW do. And it is a good thing.

What these 15 pages have taught me is that you can't please everyone and that those in the critical camp are the most likely to repeat their opinion or try to justify it and convince/troll others. I also probably appreciate more than ever how hard it is to create a watch as a younger brand knowing the criticism that will always come their way, whether fair or unfounded.

There are limitations of what a design can be as the genre of the watch created pre-determines a number of factors. Not everything can be re-invented so to improve or combine elements from others and deliver them in a low cost package is what CW do. This should not be a surprise. If this watch is not good enough people are welcome to go buy what they feel is the original.

This reminds me of how every high end phone which costs similar to the 12, look very much the same. They are produced partly because they incrementally push design further but largely end up as they do because that is what the mass of customers want.

asqwerth wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 8:58 am

nbg wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 8:23 am
.....
Mind you I have found what looks to me an original take on the integrated sports watch…
06025833-5E4A-423E-AE0E-C4468EF43EE3.jpeg
0CE72EE6-D235-4AC3-9D85-F5D5B82337E0.jpeg
Neil

I think this subset of rounded, soft-curves integrated bracelet watches has probably been around quite some time as well. Who was it who posted their purple Di Lorenzo? Was it you? [CORRECTION: it's Direnzo, and it's not one of the soft-curves watches I was thinking about]

And this is my no longer working, Ellesse quartz chrono from maybe the 90s (I think):


https://imgur.com/nhfuqkJ

Maybe it's just me, but I see some similarities in the case shape and even the shape of the links.

The Gauthier has an interesting subdial placement and non-symmetrical dial though - top portion of dial from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock seems smaller than bottom portion.

Yep like everything else the more rounded ones aren’t new either.

I think reaction amongst many to designs that have taken inspiration from elsewhere goes like this:

- Cheap and cheerful from kickstarter type brands: a free pass, as no one really cares.
- Top tier very expensive brands: wow that’s fantastic!
- Brands that produce quality watches at a sensible price point: Hey that looks a bit like an homage…

Neil

First thoughts, it doesn't wear as big as I thought it would

@sproughton - the size looks just right. I’m keen to see as many pics as you can muster!

sproughton wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 12:17 pm First thoughts, it doesn't wear as big as I thought it would

Received my white dial about an hour ago and it wears spot on for my 6.9inch wrist. It definitely wears smaller than you’d expect from a 40mm integrated watch. I actually measure the bezel at 38.5mm, which probably explains a lot.

Am really pleased with it though, beautiful watch and outstanding build quality.

A couple of wrist shots……..

AlphaLimaGolf wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 12:25 pm
It definitely wears smaller than you’d expect from a 40mm integrated watch. I actually measure the bezel at 38.5mm, which probably explains a lot.

Excellent heads-up. Thank you.
Yes with a watch like this, 40mm from where to where?

Can you tell us or perhaps show how the bracelet drapes from the watch head and perhaps a measurement of the extremities when you do?
Thanks so much in advance.

asqwerth wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 4:55 am

What these 15 pages have taught me is that you can't please everyone and that those in the critical camp are the most likely to repeat their opinion or try to justify it and convince/troll others. I also probably appreciate more than ever how hard it is to create a watch as a younger brand knowing the criticism that will always come their way, whether fair or unfounded.

Stone the crows guv! I've just been reading about our Royal family and Princess/Countess/Duchess Me again and her husband the former squaddie passing for a certain major Hewitt: it's almost as if the world of watches and royals are hewn from the same bar of soap.

I've chosen an easier path: I like Christopher Ward watches because I like the brand. Sometimes I want one casually, compulsively or obsessively and sometimes I'm content to know that they exist and that I could have one if I wanted. Enjoyment gives pleasure after all.

Noush wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 12:47 pm

AlphaLimaGolf wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 12:25 pm
It definitely wears smaller than you’d expect from a 40mm integrated watch. I actually measure the bezel at 38.5mm, which probably explains a lot.

Excellent heads-up. Thank you.
Yes with a watch like this, 40mm from where to where?

Can you tell us or perhaps show how the bracelet drapes from the watch head and perhaps a measurement of the extremities when you do?
Thanks so much in advance.

Hope these help…..

I also got lucky and managed to get a perfect fit with no half links. So the bracelet links look identical all the way around.

Awesome! Thanks my good man.
Tells (and shows) me everything I need to know. In a good way as it turns out