FLE #8 Design Vote #2

Discuss Christopher Ward watches

Please vote for any, and only, those that you would buy.

Poll ended at Tue Nov 19, 2019 2:04 pm

OPTION 9: Red gradient dial, red bezel insert Image
7
11%
OPTION 20: Blue bezel insert Image
11
18%
OPTION 22: Blue bezel insert Image
16
26%
OPTION 28: Image
11
18%
OPTION 30: Image
16
26%
 
Total votes: 61

User avatar
Viognier
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 4611
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 8:16 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: Canada

Re: FLE #8 Design Vote #2

Post by Viognier »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2019 8:00 pm When the dust settles a bit we may realised that there were a number of reasons why this didn’t work out.

Back in the early days, and I suppose that still applied to some extent when I joined back in 2011, there were far fewer designs, styles and models out there so a FLE was quite a big thing.

Not surprisingly these days a lot of people are “watched out”. Some of us simply have more watches than we can wear sensibly in a given period of time. Many people have stopped, are stopping, or are contemplating stopping buying watches. Most of us begin to realise after a while that you cannot simply keep on buying them, at least not the standard models, and not unless you are a genuine collector as opposed to a wearer.

My sentiments exactly as well Steve....well stated. I have not been part of the process nor have I voted as it would falsely signal my intention to purchase.

The forum has gone from selling 80-100 Forum LE watches to struggling to hit 25.

I hypothesize that perhaps these Forum LE workups might be cancelled and replaced by more of an annual brainstorming (meets photoshop) session for the forum to generate ideas for CW and future watches. Just my thoughts.
Small collection of timepieces that I enjoy
Gyelex
Junior
Junior
Posts: 52
Joined: Sat Mar 30, 2019 12:48 am

Re: FLE #8 Design Vote #2

Post by Gyelex »

20
User avatar
Amor Vincit Omnia
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 33792
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:34 pm
CW-watches: 4
Location: Norfolk, UK

Re: FLE #8 Design Vote #2

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

^^^Too late
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time


Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
politel
Senior
Senior
Posts: 177
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2017 7:16 pm
CW-watches: 8
Location: Germany

Re: FLE #8 Design Vote #2

Post by politel »

Hey Kip, thanks for your time and the opportunity to create something special. :clap:

Unfortunately, there are more rejections than useful suggestions.
Stop the misery.

Maybe Chris reads along and gets ideas that his fans like.
Rainer

wanted:
C9 Me109 Single Pusher Chronograph
C8 Flyer Mk II DLC
C8 Power Reserve Chronometer DLC
C11 Makaira Titanium Extreme 1000
C65 Trident Diver SH21 LE
Mikkei4
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3587
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2017 7:20 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: FLE #8 Design Vote #2

Post by Mikkei4 »

It's disappointing that we haven't been able to produce a consensus of design and thereby sufficient buyers for a 2020 FLE. Even the date was going to be so good.

None of the final designs appealed to me but despite this I'd like to thank Kip for his work and those members that spent so much time producing photoshop'd designs from the numerous suggestions.

Some of the reasons for an unsuccessful attempt at a 2020 FLE have been well expressed already but I'll add my tuppence worth in the hope that discussion might help the future.

Personally I think the white dial, 2 colour ceramic bezel GMT was the best design of them all but I still couldn't have been induced to buy 1 due to my reason No.1, which is the divisive name logo location. Before you start berating me Yes I know it's been discussed and discussed but IMO it is divisive. Some like it so buy the watches, some don't care so might buy or might not buy, some dislike it so will never buy but when you're looking for over 25 buyers for a £1000 watch it can only reduce the field of potential purchasers.

No. 2 - The "explosion" of designs from every watch brand out there. There is so much to choose from now and these probably already provide a large percentage of the variations in size, style, colour, cost. I'd include in this the numerous standard releases from CW, particularly around the time of trying to design a FLE.

No. 3 - Associated with No. 2 is the thought that it is necessary to push the boundaries of design to make the FLE special or unique. The more each design boundary is pushed to the outer limits the more it will reduce the number of people that like each of the designs and be willing to buy any of the designs. Less is so often more.

No. 4 - Costs. This covers the cost of "collecting" watches and the increasing cost of a CW watch. Most definitely I am near saturation point with watches. I'd find it very difficult to justify further significant expenditure on more watches especially when I know that it/they will be stored in a drawer for a large percentage of each year. Additionally the average cost of CW watches has increased to a point where a FLE is going to cost £1000. I'm not knocking the increase in costs per se as CW watches may still be vfm and cheaper than some of their peer and above competition due to the designs, movements and materials used. However they are no longer a cheap purchase decision that enables somebody to say "Yes I can afford to buy that FLE" unless it was absolutely perfect for what they want.

No. 5 - You can't see the final product before paying up. No matter how good the photos, design blue-prints or any other 2 dimensional medium can be a watch is a 3 dimensional product that at £1000 I consider it needs to be seen and felt "in the flesh" and on the wrist. IMO the previous FLE failed as it looked good in mock-ups but less so in the flesh. There is no 60 day return protection for a FLE, and of course there cannot be, but because it'll now cost £1000 people can't take the chance that it will look and feel good.

In a way I'm relieved that the 2020 FLE has stopped now. If it did just about manage to achieve 25 potential buyers at this stage then some would have dropped out at the deposit paying point. I'd rather it stopped now than it get to the mess that was the previous FLE where people were dropping out after paying deposits, CW were left with pre-orders and were paying back deposits in full.

Relieved but disappointed and sorry.
User avatar
FloridaPhil
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2483
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2016 5:48 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: Sarasota, Florida, USA

Re: FLE #8 Design Vote #2

Post by FloridaPhil »

I mirror Mikkei's remarks above.

While running a second round of voting didn't change the outcome (you were right Kip!), it was the right thing to do and at least puts a line under the FLE project, for now at least.

Hopefully some of the more popular design cues can be picked up by CW for potential inclusion in future releases.
WatchChat on Facebook
The friendliest watch group on Facebook chatting about our watch passion and whatever else happens to come up.
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post