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DaveS 
Posts:470
Bristol UK
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| 01-11-2007 09:48:17 PM |
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Here is a little project I have been working on using my limited resources and talent.
I have a yen to make my own custom L5100 watch, and wanted to make it stand out, so came up with the "Cowbutt" format dial, being the opposite of Bullhead. What it means is that I would endeavour to put the crown at 6, and pushers at 5 and 7. I know it sounds mad, but it has reasons, which i won't go into here, as they are not relevant. It is also a pretty challenging thing to try, meaning all sorts of clashed with lugs, which I have some means of getting over (I think). It does mean the pushers will not sit between the lugs as shown.
Anyway, I am posting this to show some ideas about dials and hands (for the project watch Al is planning), so the actual format is irrelevant, as the movement will not be the same. Please feel free to comment and criticise, it is definitely a work in progress.
So, the basics.
Dial colour - deep, inky, matt black
Dial marking colour - I decided on a pale yellow (with matching lume where appropriate). I wanted a definite difference between the hands and the dial markings, to make the hands (the bit you read) really jump out and be legible.
Hand Colour - bright white for time, orange features for chrono hands, to differentiate between the two. Again, lume as appropriate to match. I also have blacked out all centre pinions (but left them grey here to illustrate them). Again, no centres really makes the hand jump out.
Hour markers - rectangles all round - thinking about it, perhaps a differentiator at 12 is a good idea, but simplicity dicates that it is at 12 only, not at 3, 6, 9 and 12
Minute/second markers - same, and slender
Sub-minute/second markers - same, but smaller still. Note I have gone for 1/2 second markers only, not 1/5th (as per a lot of chronos), which I find illegible and confusing.
Sub-dials - clean and minimally marked, with no colour differentiation or edging - keeping it simple. Note that by necessity here the 24-hr dial is smaller - it is closer to the edge of the dial than the other two.
Hand-shape - simple. I like the ploprof-style hour hand a lot (provided it is not too huge), but it has drawbacks in terms of concealing information underneath.
Day/date - white, thick and clear for legibility - perhaps the day is too much though?
Hour numerals and sub-dial numerals - clear as possible, I have used Ariel here (my font-set is limited in Autocad), and I am beginning to think I do not like the large tails on the 1s, but otherwise not too contentious.
The overall feel is, I think pretty military, and fairly contemporary, which may not suit the project watch. However, a different font may assist in that.
Tell me what you think
Cheers
Dave  |
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ATG
Posts:3193
Bristol, London, Liverpool - UK
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| 02-11-2007 03:57:55 PM |
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Hi Dave,
A little busy for me. The Bull head idea is cool. Hands are a little big, and the hour hand should stay away from the hour numbers.
I like the layout but maybe an idea to separate the markers from the numbers by colour, big date window is good but text could do with being smaller.
Apart from that great attempt for a first go I think you did really well.
Keep em coming.
Cheers!
Alistair |
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Regards
Alistair |
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