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View Poll Results: Which of the 5 designs do you prefer?

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  • 60mph dial with steel case

    124 40.66%
  • 60mph dial with PVD case a polished steel bezel

    89 29.18%
  • 120mph dial with steel case

    34 11.15%
  • 120mph dial with steel case and polished steel bezel

    41 13.44%
  • 120mph dial with steel case and polished steel bezel (alternate dial)

    17 5.57%
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Thread: Smiths speedometer inspired watch - POLL

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  1. #1
    Administrator swanbourne's Avatar
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    Smiths speedometer inspired watch - POLL

    You may recall that I mentioned the possibility of a Smiths speedometer inspired watch a few week ago and Chris Parker has been working hard to visualise my ideas, together with a few ideas of his own. The watches below are presented for consideration and comment.











    If none of the above designs appeal, feel free to add your own design.

    Eddie
    Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".

  2. #2
    I like that. Especially the '120 mph' version with the dulled out zero.

  3. #3
    Craftsman
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    The first two-digit one - aren't the 3-digit ones too busy, and they don't indicate the way we tell the time - e.g. 10 past 9 has the minute hand pointing to a '20'. I know it would usually be a '2' but we're so used to it that we don't even have to think about it.

    I would find it irritating. Really like the first one though. Silver hands with lume would give even better legibility against that black dial. Love the yellow seconds hand!
    Last edited by mostly_lurking; 3rd October 2013 at 15:04.

  4. #4
    Grand Master jwg663's Avatar
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    Much prefer the "two digit" design to the "three digit" one.

    Lose the "5 ATM" on the dial; it's superfluous (IMVHO).
    ______

    ​Jim.

  5. #5
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    +1 on the pref for two digits. the three digits just look like a gimmick.

    Congrats - TF is on a roll at the moment! This looks like a great design.
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  6. #6
    Administrator swanbourne's Avatar
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    Before the question is asked, I'll explain the thinking behind the PVD case with steel bezel. If you look at an old motorcycle speedo, it's usually a black case with a chrome bezel and that's the look I was after.

    Eddie
    Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".

  7. #7
    Master
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    I like those. Can't really decide which I prefer, think I'm leaning towards the version with the grey zeros.

    Any idea yet what the case size would be?

    Edit - no, I prefer the 120mph without the grey zeros!
    Last edited by dougjb; 3rd October 2013 at 15:22.

  8. #8
    Master
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    I love these, but not with the three digits. It's a cute idea in theory but in practice, a bit jarring (I find). The Smiths logo is especially nice. I like the way the date/day display evokes an odometer. But I always prefer to do without a date.

  9. #9
    Master
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    Second one for me.
    A good looking watch and I think the two digits suits it best. Pvd case works nicely too.
    Three digits is fun but I think it'd get annoying.

  10. #10
    Grand Master GraniteQuarry's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by brandersnatch View Post
    I like that. Especially the '120 mph' version with the dulled out zero.
    That's my vote, in non-PVD.

  11. #11
    Master chrisb's Avatar
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    I like the second version, lose the 5 atm though.
    It would be nice if the PVD could have the crinkly finish that some instrument binnacles used to have.

  12. #12
    Master village's Avatar
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    I like the last one best,but i think it would be better without the date

  13. #13
    Master
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    Great design. Strangely I was at the Gaydon Motor Museum only a week ago and saw a car speedo which I thought would make a terrific watch - not just the face, but also the hands too.

  14. #14
    Craftsman
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    Quote Originally Posted by chrisb View Post
    I like the second version, lose the 5 atm though.
    It would be nice if the PVD could have the crinkly finish that some instrument binnacles used to have.

    Would be interested in first version without date.

  15. #15
    Grand Master Chris_in_the_UK's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GraniteQuarry View Post
    That's my vote, in non-PVD.
    And mine.
    When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........

  16. #16
    Master Thewatchbloke's Avatar
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    The first PVD design would be my choice, but I'd prefer a full day window at 12 and move the Smiths logo down a bit, then have the date at 6. This would replicate the mileometer and odometer positions on many Smiths dialled cars i've owned over the years!



    By a full day window I mean a bit like the Seiko weekdaters of the 1960's



    I don't know how feasable this is with the movements available today though.

  17. #17
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    Pah, won't be getting my choice then!

    M
    Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?

  18. #18
    Master toezapper's Avatar
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    Middle one of the three 120's for me. It hints at it's heritage without being too obvious, and remains easy to read. the dulled zero is like the unobtrusive way Everest appears on the Smiths

  19. #19
    Master unclealec's Avatar
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    When you have this Smiths one sorted.......


  20. #20
    Master Lammylee's Avatar
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    I think the first dial, the numbers are relevant to timekeeping but in a clear speedo style, with the PVD case. I also like how you have the day and date to give a nod to the mileage display on a speedo! Orange seconds hand is also a nice touch.

  21. #21
    Master oldandgrumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lammylee View Post
    I also like how you have the day and date to give a nod to the mileage display on a speedo!
    If only they could be cylindrically like an old fashioned odometer !!

  22. #22
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    What a great idea. I'm not taken with the subdued zeros, they just don't look right. A 120 mph dial with a polished bezel best lend themselves to the look of the old chronometric instruments (IOM).

    A good look, so long as the hands don't jump round the dial as they did on my Triumph T100SS.
    Last edited by PickleB; 4th October 2013 at 00:48.

  23. #23
    Master deerworrier's Avatar
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    2nd option gets my vote. from the date position im guessing this will be a good size watch and with others on the best smiths logo yet.

  24. #24
    Craftsman Recht's Avatar
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    Can Automatic be replaced with "INSTRUMENTS" and drop the 5 ATM for "MPH"

  25. #25
    In my view dial is quite busy with numerals, therefore I cleared minute markers.



    And I would bring Smiths logo little bit higher up.

  26. #26
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Normunds View Post
    In my view dial is quite busy with numerals, therefore I cleared minute markers.



    And I would bring Smiths logo little bit higher up.

    Eddie,
    Of all the renders on this thread, I think I like Normunds' modification of your second silver bezel/black PVD case with 60 MPH/minute marker dial best. However, even then, I'd keep the nice early vintage "bridge" style Smiths logo as it is and where it is; dump the "AUTOMATIC" and the "5ATM" as superfluous clutter; and thicken the minute markers a bit at the 05,10, 20, 25, 35, 40, 50, and 55 increments while still leaving your original triangles at 60, 15, 30, and 45 as Normunds has it.

    I've by now come to honestly think you always prefer honest opinions as those are the only ones that allow you to accurately reconnoiter and navigate an issue. I'm like that anyway so I'll offer what I really think is the potentially best and most positive feedback I can offer in the end: Though I think the one above isn't bad and quite nice in its way, all of these so far seem a bit of a gimmick to me in that they, for me, start to elude the fact that they are a watch, if that makes sense.

    To be influenced by classic motorcycle speedometers or military aircraft instrumentation and such without compromising that it is a wristwatch for telling time, etc., strikes me as the balance best struck. I thought a good example of that would be CP’s more recent iterations of the WWII era aviation instrument inspired Seafire as below (but I’d myself still like to see the “100M” dumped even with it):


    Quote Originally Posted by chrisparker View Post
    The latest revision is below, the green will be in the Seafire name and the custom Nato. Green was chosen because the watch was inspired by the dials below.




  27. #27
    Tricky. I like the idea - didn't we discuss it on the "Seafire" thread? - but not quite sure it all works as a whole.

    • The seconds hand is pretty much spot on - instantly recognisable, drawing its design almost exactly from early Smiths speedos. The back end of the hand *could* be just a little longer (perhaps), although it might just be me
    • The markers are great. Again, instantly recognisable from old gauges. Perhaps you might combine them with longer ticks at, e.g. mid-point of the major markers. While adding nothing to the ease of reading, it's quite a nice way to add a bit more interest to the minute track
    • W.r.t. hands - I think these are pretty much spot on; the hour hand already reminds me of the 30mph "white line" that appeared on so many dials
    • I'd probably try not to be too tricksy with the numbering. The most successful of the "speedometer" (or gauge) watches to date (examples from Autodromo, Guiliano Mazzuoli, etc) get across the feeling of a speedo without necessarily looking entirely like one. If the dial had just a few classic elements from Smiths gauges (the yellow, counter-balanced second hand; triangle markers; etc) perhaps that's enough?
    • Given Smiths gauges are still being made by CAI, with the rectangular Smiths logo, a 30's inspired dial, with a different "Smiths" logo might work best if you are differentiate your brand from theirs...?
    • Re the bezel - chromed was good; brass / bronze might also work well

  28. #28
    Grand Master thieuster's Avatar
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    Great designs - I didn't know what to pick. I opted for the PVD case; I think that's goes great with the look and feel of this watch.

    I wouldn't mind owning a desk clock with this design as well. And, in a perfect world, a desk clock that fits (one of) my British-made classic cars as well. In fact, when typing this, I love the Borduhren Komibset from Sinn. A similar set up from Smiths would even be better!

    Menno
    Last edited by thieuster; 4th October 2013 at 19:09.

  29. #29
    Journeyman
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    I'm not a fan at all of this, anything that serves no purpose and is just to look interesting, quirky etc etc rather than do a job isn't for me

  30. #30
    Craftsman
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    Interesting idea.
    Last edited by Markw; 5th November 2014 at 01:07.

  31. #31
    Craftsman
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    Voted No1. Don't like PVD, and the 120 thing just seems too much of a gimmick.

  32. #32
    Master NenoS's Avatar
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    All are very nice but, the first one without 5 ATM would be a winner.

  33. #33
    Craftsman
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    date and day are too far from the dial edge. i would prefer them to be dropped. same for the 5atm line. the yellow second hand reminds me of a braun quartz alarm of old, and it is not meant as a compliment

    black case and polished bezel is a very nice idea

  34. #34
    Craftsman dbt001's Avatar
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    Love the 60 dials, and really not a fan of the 120, and not just because I would have been terrified to go 120 mph in the one vehicle I've owned with Smiths gauges.

  35. #35
    Grand Master SimonK's Avatar
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    Here's a crappy phone pic' I snapped last year at a classic car and bike show. I think the bike was a Vincent. You can see the Smiths logo is clearly the curved base version, like on the visuals at the start of the trhread.


  36. #36
    Really nice. Good work.

    Although I think the 120 etc idea is really clever, I prefer the 05 > 60 dial, on the basis of aesthetics and logic.

    Edit: By the way, I'd love it even more if the day/date could be centred above 6 0'clock... is that even possible?
    Last edited by Draygo; 3rd October 2013 at 20:25.

  37. #37
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    Quote Originally Posted by Draygo View Post
    Really nice. Good work.

    Although I think the 120 etc idea is really clever, I prefer the 05 > 60 dial, on the basis of aesthetics and logic.

    Edit: By the way, I'd love it even more if the day/date could be centred above 6 0'clock... is that even possible?
    that's what I said

  38. #38
    Quote Originally Posted by soapy View Post
    that's what I said
    :-)

    I was agreeing. But didn't phrase it well (should maybe have italicised could or added 'indeed' after it) or quote you: apologies.

    Would be nice though, wouldn't it?

  39. #39
    Grand Master AlphaOmega's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by brandersnatch View Post
    I like that. Especially the '120 mph' version with the dulled out zero
    Quote Originally Posted by GraniteQuarry View Post
    That's my vote, in non-PVD.
    Quote Originally Posted by Chris_in_the_UK View Post
    And mine.
    +1

  40. #40
    I have to admit I am not a fan of this at all. It looks tacky and awkward. If you absolutely must do something like this, what about making it a single-hand watch, like this?



    That would at least make some sense as a pseudo-speedometer. It might even work with a second hand too, to give it some movement - perhaps a thin straight hand the same length as the main triangular one; either both hands the same colour, or one the same as the dial markers and the other the highlight colour.

    Three hands all pointing in different directions, on a "speedometer" just seems wrong, especially with the hour and minute hands being different lengths.

  41. #41
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SimonK View Post
    Here's a crappy phone pic' I snapped last year at a classic car and bike show...You can see the Smiths logo is clearly the curved base version,...
    Googled for some more photos; both curved and rectangular versions here:


    As I recall, even the speedo on my Vespa went to over 60 mph - although it didn't need to. But that wasn't a Smith's instrument.

  42. #42
    Master quoll's Avatar
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    First version (0-60, steel case) but in one hand form. Any chance of a render of what that would look like?

  43. #43
    Craftsman hiver's Avatar
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    Have started saving for both this and the Seafire ...but please keep both under 40 mm

    Expensive hobby :-)

  44. #44
    Craftsman hako's Avatar
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    Big date at 6 with minimal clutter elsewhere and this is a winner.

  45. #45
    Craftsman
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    Any news on the Speedo watch? Motorcycle season starts soon again....

  46. #46
    Administrator swanbourne's Avatar
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    I'm still waiting for a modified design ;-).

    Eddie
    Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".

  47. #47
    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    I'm still waiting for a modified design ;-).

    Eddie
    Noted boss.

  48. #48
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    If that's the final then I'm very happy. It's extremely nice.
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  49. #49
    Craftsman
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    Eddie, congratulations, excellent, thanks for the last minute change to triangles.
    No. 16 for me please, and if possible a case back without the Black Shadow.
    When?


  50. #50
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bmwrover View Post
    Eddie, congratulations, excellent, thanks for the last minute change to triangles.
    No. 16 for me please, and if possible a case back without the Black Shadow.
    When?

    Sell him a sticker to put over the Vincent!

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