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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

  1. #101
    Quote Originally Posted by PickleB View Post
    So a 60 minute dial is "a bit different" but an extra zero on digits of a convectional dial is too different?
    Yes, the 60 min dial is a bit different to the norm whilst still being functional –*probably more so than a conventional dial displaying the hours, in so much as we generally know the hour when we glance for the time, so what we're really looking for is the minute, and a confirmation of the hour.

    For me the 12(0) is just a bit of a gimmick, if I showed the watch to someone they'd probably ask why it has 120 on the dial, and the only reply is 'It's supposed to look like a speedo' and to me that seems a bit naff. I feel that people who know the Smiths Dials from that era, and Vincent Bikes will see the connection with the second hand, black face, date wheel, branding, polished bezel and unique minute track without the need to bee to literal and put 120mph on the watch face.

  2. #102
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chrisparker View Post
    Yes, the 60 min dial is a bit different to the norm whilst still being functional...
    I feel the same about the 120 version.

    Quote Originally Posted by chrisparker View Post
    ...For me the 12(0) is just a bit of a gimmick...
    That's fine; I think we'd best agree to differ on this point.

    Quote Originally Posted by chrisparker View Post
    ...without the need to bee to literal and put 120mph on the watch face...
    I haven't seen "mph" on any 120 version, nor have I noticed "minutes" on any 60 version. I just don't have a problem with seeing 120 as 12 o'clock, so perhaps I'm not the one being too literal?

  3. #103
    This debate rather begs the question: Why not just have conventional 1 through 12? The speedo inspiration is preserved and no danger at all of veering into naffness (10 to 120) or questionable usefulness (5 to 60). The rest of it in this latest incarnation looks great. I really like the steel bezel and crown matched to PVD case. If this ever made it to production, with 1 to 12 and without any other gimmicks, there's the very really possibility that a Timefactors watch might find its way onto my wrist :)

    Martin

  4. #104
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by muffle View Post
    ...If it was just the normal 1-12 I would order this straight away...
    Quote Originally Posted by PickleB View Post
    I'll meet you half way; how about 01, 02, 03 ... 12?

    I would still prefer 20, 40, 60 ... 100, 120 as per my post above, but then I'm a motorcyclist and remember having British bikes with Smiths chronometric instruments.
    Quote Originally Posted by MartinCRC View Post
    This debate rather begs the question: Why not just have conventional 1 through 12? The speedo inspiration is preserved and no danger at all of veering into naffness (10 to 120) or questionable usefulness (5 to 60)...
    Why not, indeed...I think it's down to what individuals prefer. As above, "I'll meet you half way; how about 01, 02, 03 ... 12?"

    But then, it won't be for me to decide...

  5. #105
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by PickleB View Post
    Why not, indeed...I think it's down to what individuals prefer. As above, "I'll meet you half way; how about 01, 02, 03 ... 12?"

    But then, it won't be for me to decide...
    Indeed, but whilst I'd be quite keen on something with 10 - 120 (or 1 -12 even, if we're going for 'inspired by'), I'd just find the 5-60 a pain personally, which is a shame as I've got the perfect dash for the 'watch and wheel' shot

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

  6. #106
    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 :-)

  7. #107
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    Love the 120 dial - great idea!

  8. #108
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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

  9. #109
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    I like the 120mph with greyed out zero - it makes it more distinct IMHO :-)

  10. #110
    Craftsman hako's Avatar
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    Big date at 6 with minimal clutter elsewhere and this is a winner.

  11. #111
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    Any news on the Speedo watch? Motorcycle season starts soon again....

  12. #112
    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".

  13. #113
    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    I'm still waiting for a modified design ;-).

    Eddie
    Noted boss.

  14. #114
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    Motorcycle season fully underway now....any news on this watch

  15. #115
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    Quote Originally Posted by bmwrover View Post
    Motorcycle season fully underway now....any news on this watch
    Season? I ride year round, except for the minute but that's because I was an idiot in the kitchen and severed a tendon in my hand.

    To watches though. The very first image for me. With the Vincent case back.

  16. #116
    Administrator swanbourne's Avatar
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    It's likely to be this:



    PVD case with a polished steel bezel to replicate the look of a vintage speedo.

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

  17. #117
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    It's likely to be this:

    [pic]

    PVD case with a polished steel bezel to replicate the look of a vintage speedo.

    Eddie
    Ye gods...that's good looking.

  18. #118
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    I am going to have to standby my mouse.

  19. #119
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    Thought I was set on a Seafire but after seeing the latest revision of this I'm quite torn.

  20. #120
    Master Wexford's Avatar
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    Pic 4, PVD with 3 digit greyed zeros for me please

  21. #121
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    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    It's likely to be this:



    PVD case with a polished steel bezel to replicate the look of a vintage speedo.

    Eddie
    That is rather nice.....

  22. #122
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    To quote Clarkson
    "I think I'm having a trouser moment"
    When will it be available?

  23. #123
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    Its a very nice looking watch - however, why does its say 5 atm on the front but then 100m water resistant on the back (which is 10 atm - or 9 atm depending if you want to allow surface as 1 atm)?

  24. #124
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    I'm still waiting for a modified design ;-).

    Eddie
    Quote Originally Posted by KAS118 View Post
    ...why does its say 5 atm on the front but then 100m water resistant on the back...?
    I suspect that's because it's still being designed and so the draughtsman uses whatever is convenient. Once the design graphics are settled, then engineering and design aspects will be brought together and finalised.

  25. #125
    Administrator swanbourne's Avatar
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    I think I'll remove the WR rating on the dial anyway.

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

  26. #126
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    I think I'll remove the WR rating on the dial anyway.

    Eddie
    That will improve the symetry
    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  27. #127
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    I like it a lot. The only doubt is about the day-date window, in the pic it looks to be a bit too close to the centre of the dial.

    Cheers,
    Christian

  28. #128
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wooster View Post
    I like it a lot. The only doubt is about the day-date window, in the pic it looks to be a bit too close to the centre of the dial.

    Cheers,
    Christian
    Is that because of the dial size maybe?

    I like it actually as it appears to be central between track and dial middle.

  29. #129
    Administrator swanbourne's Avatar
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    The day/date window won't be there, just look at any other 40mm watch.

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

  30. #130
    Administrator swanbourne's Avatar
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    I've just been offered some ETA2830 for this watch, it's the forerunner of the 2836 and was used extensively in Bucherer chronometers and also by Eherhard.

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

  31. #131
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    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    It's likely to be this:



    PVD case with a polished steel bezel to replicate the look of a vintage speedo.

    Eddie
    Thanks Eddie, excellent, the latest design plot with the missing 120 is so nice and now it replicates the speedo without compromise or odd greyed out numbers.
    When the WR is gone, even better. PVD with "chrome".

    On the case back, I am not so sure about the "picture" Without the Vincent it could appeal to a wider group of watch + vintage vehicle owners.
    Even old Series Land Rover drivers with Smith dials would be attracted.

  32. #132
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    It's likely to be this:



    PVD case with a polished steel bezel to replicate the look of a vintage speedo.

    Eddie
    I think that's ended up a stunner, love the missing 12 (120).

  33. #133
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    I really like this design (and the extra '0' is good too now it's not greyed-out) but there's just one thing that I miss from the original designs: the triangular hour markers.

    It's only a small detail but I thought triangular markers were a really good feature to keep from the original speedometer dials, and also having a triangle at every hour made it stand out a bit from the regular "rail track" markers you see all over the place. Funny how such small details like that make the difference between "that's a nice watch" and "I need one of those"....

  34. #134
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by icenian View Post
    I really like this design (and the extra '0' is good too now it's not greyed-out) but there's just one thing that I miss from the original designs: the triangular hour markers.

    It's only a small detail but I thought triangular markers were a really good feature to keep from the original speedometer dials, and also having a triangle at every hour made it stand out a bit from the regular "rail track" markers you see all over the place. Funny how such small details like that make the difference between "that's a nice watch" and "I need one of those"....
    +1

  35. #135
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    Three thoughts...

    Like the last iteration without the 120, but it looks a little unbalanced.

    Agee with those who wanted to remove the 5Atm. It's not particularly useful and nothing to boast of.

    Day and date are too close to the middle, so it's a big case and a small movement. How about putting the Smiths logo at the top filling the gap with Day and Date vertically below?

    Toodlepip

  36. #136
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    I'm not a biker but I appreciate the iconic status of the Vincent Black Shadow and it would certainly not put me off purchasing the watch if it had the picture on the case back.

    I also really liked the triangular markers.

  37. #137
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post

    I also really liked the triangular markers.

    Same here.

    That's what makes the dial remind me of a speedo, rather than just a dial with unrelated numbers on

  38. #138
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    one thing that I miss from the original designs: the triangular hour markers.
    +1 from me too… it gave the watch a distinct character. Nice to really go for a different design with this one!

  39. #139
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    Hmmmm – Ok so I know I’m about to say something stupid; but hey-ho:

    I love the look of the watch (although I agree with those who prefer the triangular markers) however, I can’t help but think that the lack of being able to know the minutes between 11 to 1 might transpire to be a bit frustrating.

    I’m aware that a make, Giulian Mazzuoli http://www.giulianomazzuoli.it/conte...d_categoria=16 makes a jump hour watch that goes from 1 to 12 and then jumps back again.

    Would it not be possible to keep the dial design how it is (with the gap at the top) but have numbers going from 10 to 120? Of course the problem is what to do about the minutes – and finding a reasonably priced movement.

  40. #140
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    Quote Originally Posted by KAS118 View Post
    Hmmmm – Ok so I know I’m about to say something stupid; but hey-ho:

    I love the look of the watch (although I agree with those who prefer the triangular markers) however, I can’t help but think that the lack of being able to know the minutes between 11 to 1 might transpire to be a bit frustrating.

    I’m aware that a make, Giulian Mazzuoli http://www.giulianomazzuoli.it/conte...d_categoria=16 makes a jump hour watch that goes from 1 to 12 and then jumps back again.

    Would it not be possible to keep the dial design how it is (with the gap at the top) but have numbers going from 10 to 120? Of course the problem is what to do about the minutes – and finding a reasonably priced movement.
    I agree, it's a great look but the gap between 10 and 110 is a bit too weird for my taste as is the lack of any indicator at all at 12 o'clock which is fairly fundamental. Be nice to see it either going 0-110 or 10-120, or at least with a marker of some sort at 12 o'clock.

    Case-back is superb.

  41. #141
    Grand Master SimonK's Avatar
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    So how about calling it the PRS 48 - the year production of the Black Shadow started?

  42. #142
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    To try and keep more people happy, the minute markers could extend into the 110 to 10 gap as with this speedo:


  43. #143
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    I'm not a biker but I appreciate the iconic status of the Vincent Black Shadow and it would certainly not put me off purchasing the watch if it had the picture on the case back.

    I also really liked the triangular markers.
    It MIGHT me (not that I have anything against Black Shadows, I'm just not a biker). Any chance of the option of a blank caseback?

    For example, I'd love a Marcos logo engraved in there and I'm sure MG, Triumph, TVR, etc owners would too.

    By contrast, the blank space at the top is rather good imo.

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

  44. #144
    Looks good to me.

    There's a superb 'blog post on the Smiths Chronometric Black Shadow speedometer here, which includes some scans of the original odometer / tachometer / speedometer designs. I'm not sure if all of these designs were used.

    Interesting to note that on one dial variant, the Smiths Motoring Accessories logo appears alongside the words "ENG. JAEGER PATENT".

    Black_Shadow_150mph EDIT.jpg

    By the way, doesn't the word "chronometric" just roll off the tongue? Good name for a watch? Or would it imply that the watch has passed a chronometric / chonometer test?

  45. #145
    ^Some good info there, thanks.

    I might try adding the triangle markers back having seen this.

    When I did the last edit I tried this but thought it looked a bit odd, now I've seen that Smiths actually produced this dial I'll have another go.


  46. #146
    Quote Originally Posted by chrisparker View Post
    ^Some good info there, thanks.
    You're most welcome.

  47. #147
    Master OliverCD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chrisparker View Post

    I might try adding the triangle markers back having seen this.




    That would be good to see back in Chris… I also like the way they have used type in the top section. Great info Broussard. Thats an amazing blog!

  48. #148
    Administrator swanbourne's Avatar
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    Maybe the time to start adding opinions was BEFORE the final design was submitted for manufacture. I have no objection to trying to get it changed to triangle markers but nobody said much about them at the time.

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

  49. #149
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    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    Maybe the time to start adding opinions was BEFORE the final design was submitted for manufacture. I have no objection to trying to get it changed to triangle markers but nobody said much about them at the time.
    ...but all the original variants suggested had triangle markers

    Seemed more sensible at the time to focus on the things that differed between the suggested designs.

  50. #150
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    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    Maybe the time to start adding opinions was BEFORE the final design was submitted for manufacture. I have no objection to trying to get it changed to triangle markers but nobody said much about them at the time.

    Eddie
    But you never put an non-triangled one up........

    Anyway, if its not to late to change them, couldn't the lettering for 'Great Britain' be lined up as minute markers - perhaps with bigger letters where the 5mins would be?

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