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Horological Meandering

What doesn’t work for you in watch design?

 

Dear Purists,

This question is linked to the one above. There are no right or wrong answers. I am simply interested in your reactions to different aesthetic features on watches and why.

My interest in watches started with movements. However, since ‘hanging out’ with all of you for the last couple of years I have broadened my appreciation of design aesthetics related to dials and cases. I am therefore interested to know what design features attract or repel you.

I realise that much of this comes down to individual preference, like dial symmetry versus asymmetry, but I am interested to hear if there are particular things you look for in watches or particular things that bother you.

I will start off by mentioning a few. I don’t like subdials that partially ‘eat’ into the hour numbers, text identifying obvious functions like “Date”, subdials that are clustered together on a large watch, and tiny date apertures.

Any thoughts?

Andrew

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8 Comments view entire thread 

Design

 
By: Park : December 2nd, 2007-22:30
Andrew, It was design more than mechanics that drew me to collecting watches. It's clear to me that my preferences in watch design are a direct reflection of my tastes in architecture, furnishings, pens, guns, and knives, all of which interests antedated ... 

what deosn't work for me

 
By: grsnovi : December 3rd, 2007-09:02
Since the question asks "what doesn't work for me" I really don't care for Roman numeral hour markers nor am I a big fan of "big" designs.

When a brand uses a small movement in relation to watch case

 
By: AnthonyTsai : December 3rd, 2007-11:03
and the subdials for the chrono, perpetual calendar, power reserve, etc. are too close to the middle. These watch designs are not to my liking at all. Cheers, Anthony

Several things spring to mind.

 
By: carl : December 3rd, 2007-11:38
A heavy handed approach to branding. Over design - design for the sake of it. Claiming a movement is "in house" when it has been outsourced and simply refinished. Illegible face - ie a watch where it becomes difficult to actually read the time. Asymmetric...