Industrial watch design is a synergy of creativity and functionality. To meet the aesthetic requirements of the user and maintain the correct operation of all mechanisms, you need to understand the intricacies of creating a watch brand.
What to look for when developing a watch design
Factors that influence the industrial design of watches and can create additional difficulties for engineers:
- development of the clock mechanism;
- body strength (water / shock proof / dustproof coating);
- accuracy of the course;
- the ability to change the strap;
- ergonomic design;
- ease of management (understand what is for what);
- additional functions.
Development of the clock mechanism
There are several types of watch escapements.
- Mechanical the watch is set in motion by means of a spiral spring that unwinds. The longer the spring, the more accurate the work and the greater the gap between the windings.
Lovers of mechanical watches touch the time by performing the daily ritual of setting the watch. Although for some it is this ritual that becomes a burden.
Mechanical watches are sensitive to the environment. Moisture, dirt, shocks and magnets are the four horsemen of the Apocalypse for them, who, if not kill, then cause great harm.
Most modern mechanical watches are self-winding. If impeccable accuracy is important in a chronometer, then it is better to opt for a quartz watch.
- Affordable and some of the most accurate – quartz watch … Such a watch is driven by a battery (designed for about 3 years), which transmits voltage through a quartz crystal. The vibration of the quartz is converted into the movement of the second hand. Quartz watches depend on electricity. They don’t have as many moving parts, so the watch can withstand shocks and environmental influences. The only service they need is timely replacement of the battery and minor repairs in case of damage.
- Autoquartz the course works with the help of quartz and automatic mechanisms. The watch is powered by a rechargeable battery, which is recharged by a generator. If they are not worn for a while, the mechanism will stop. To prevent this, it is worth getting a winding key.
Hull strength
The strength of the case determines the duration of the watch and the level of protection of the trigger from external influences. Therefore, when designing a watch, it is important to pay attention to the material from which you want to make the watch case.
- aluminum;
- polymer;
- titanium;
- stainless steel;
- brass.
The robust case is constructed from titanium or stainless steel. For greater strength, a vacuum deposition method is used.
Also important watch face protection … For this, the following materials are used:
- sapphire (up to 2500 units on the Vickers hardness scale);
- plastic (up to 500 units);
- mineral glass (up to 800 units).
Wealthy clients make custom watch cases along with shock-resistant glass to protect the dial, which is usually sapphire or quartz (mineral) glass. Those who cannot afford to make a watch case to order, use a watch with a plastic dial. This is a budget option that is used 90% of the hours.
Sports the watch is able to withstand immersion in water and shock. The impact test takes place according to the ISO-1413 standard – falling from a height of 1 m onto a tree. Basic water resistance provides protection against sweat and light rain. But manufacturers are also developing more serious water protection:
Strap
The strap falls into disrepair from constant wearing, therefore, when developing a watch design, it is necessary to pay attention to the possibility of its replacement and to the fastening elements.
Manufacturers offer a wide range of straps: leather, fabric, metal, plastic. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Leather They crack, but they look very stylish and have remained the most popular for many years.
Tissue straps are more practical and comfortable than leather straps. Popular are nylon straps from Nato and Zulu.
Metal the bracelet is heavy. Its main drawback is the links, which, due to poor-quality fasteners, may require frequent replacement.
Plastic – practical, reliable and inexpensive. They are most often used for sports models.
Design
Design decisions depend on the design of the watch and its function.
The choice of shape is an individual preference for everyone, but all watches should be comfortable to wear.
The watch is mainly worn on the hand that is less involved in any work. Watch ears should not protrude beyond the wrist. On a wide brush, a small watch looks ridiculous.
Read also: Wristwatch design
Additional functions
In addition to measuring time, the watch is improved by the following functions:
- calendar usually displayed in separate windows;
- tachometer – owner’s movement indicator;
- moon calendar shows what phase the moon is in;
- power reserve indicator helps to keep track of how long the watch lasts without winding or replacing the battery;
- tourbillon – a device that neutralizes the Earth’s gravity, which increases the accuracy of the clock;
- jacquemarts – figures that move at a certain time.
The industrial design of complex mechanisms is undergoing previous testing on master models. Read more about this. here …
Industrial watch design
The first mechanical watches appeared in the 14th century, but they were very large. The first pocket watches appeared 200 years later and their appearance was more reminiscent of the ones we were used to.
The main problem with the watch was (and remains) accuracy : mechanical watches give an error of -10 to +40 seconds per day. This problem was solved after the invention of quartz watches, which give an error of -10 to +20 seconds per month. But this was not enough for the scientists. Researchers from the United States and Singapore have developed an optical atomic clock that can be misleading by 1 second every 15 billion years. Scientists have already developed models of atomic clocks that can be worn on the hand. The clock works thanks to the vibrations of atoms of cesium-133 (stable isotope).
Another challenge for industrial designers is to create watches that are not only beautiful but also capable withstand the temperature from -20 to +100 (for example, Casio), water, pressure up to 20 atmospheres, boiling, hammering.
V watches for divers solved the high pressure problem. Such a clock works equally well after exposure:
- salt or fresh water;
- magnetic field;
- critical temperatures;
- mechanical damage.
This diver’s watch has a bezel. It records the time of ascent from depth. Some watches have chronographs with five-minute intervals. A prerequisite for such watches is clear visibility of signs at a distance of 25 cm, illumination of the hand or the entire dial. The maximum human diving depth is 332m (Ahmed Gabr in 2014), but Rolex diving watches are rated for depths of up to 3900m.The best ones include Zenith and Oris at 1000m.
Interesting equipment at the watch for tourism … They are equipped with:
- barometer;
- height level indicator;
- GPS navigator;
- thermometer;
- compass;
- solar battery;
- timer.
The watch for tourism can withstand temperatures up to + 60 ° C. Watches from Casio (Japan), Suunto (Finland), Highgear (USA) are popular in this segment.
Astronaut watches are made in a titanium case with a quartz movement, they are able to withstand temperatures from -45 ° to + 75 °. The only NASA certified mechanical watch for outer space is the Omega Speedmaster. For use on the ship and the orbital station, there are quartz chronometers Omega Skywalker X-33, Timex Ironman Triathlon Datalink (models 69931, 69721, 78401, 70502) and Casio G-Shock (DW 5600C, DW 5600E, DW 5900, DW 6900).
Smart watch
Smart watches outwardly resemble an ordinary wrist chronometer. But they are equipped with additional electronics that increase their functionality.
Interaction with a smartphone. The watch works with other gadgets via Bluetooth. Models that support the SIM card have already been developed: Scinex SW20, LEMFO KW88, Samsung Gear S2 3G / 4G, LG Urbane 2nd Edition LTE. These are compact mobile phones in a watch case.
Sensors monitor: pressure, temperature (including bodies), height. They perform the functions of a compass, gyroscope and accelerometer.
Many smartwatches are designed for Sport : with their help, you can find out the pulse, the number of calories and steps taken, the amount and quality of sleep, oxygen consumption.
Industrial designers have developed watches for children. ELARI FIXITIME 2, ALCATEL ONETOUCH MOVETIME, MYROPE R12, DOKIWATCH, Smart baby watch is mother’s spy which allows you to find out:
- the location of the child and eavesdrop on surrounding sounds;
- how much and how the child slept;
- the history of his movements.
Smart Watch is made waterproof and shockproof. For example, you can swim with the Apple Watch series 2, and the Asus ZenWatch 2, Garmin Fenix 3, Motorola 360 have shock protection.
For fans of bright accents on watches such as, for example, Apple Watch, Garmin Fenix, Asus Zen Watch, you can change the strap.
How to create your own watch brand
If time is money, then the Rolex philosophy is: “Maximum quality for maximum money”. Creating your brand, you need to go a long way of marketing red tape (market analysis, target audience, registration, etc.). If you don’t have time for this, entrust marketing to us …
A mechanical watch is a piece of jewelery that requires maximum precision. When creating your brand of mechanical watches, you need to be sure that each gear will work correctly. Designers will cope with this using digital prototypes that allow you to see the final design of the future product and track its work.
For the “heart” of an electronic clock, you need, in addition to a battery, electronic circuits … Their development requires special knowledge and skills. Having developed electronics , you can proceed to the next stage – design.
When creating your own watch brand, you need to develop industrial design wearable gadget … It should be as simple and understandable as possible in operation, and meet the requirements of the target audience. For this, several drawings are created for one product. After evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each, the best option is selected, on the basis of which it is created 3D model products. This will allow us to improve the product, correct the existing flaws that were not visible when drawing. Depending on the functional features and purpose, the design of the watch case is designed. 3D modeling of the hull will allow the creator of the brand to choose the right material for the manufacture of the watch case. When all the preparatory steps have been passed, you can begin mass production …
The final steps are release, advertising, promotion and other important marketing routine.
The main thing is to create a quality product. Entrust the design of the shockproof case to our specialists. We already have in our portfolio similar projects …
Examples of successful watch brands
The main thing in creating a successful watch brand is a properly developed industrial design. This is confirmed by well-known brands of classic and smart watches.
Rating of the best smartwatches based on characteristics and functionality.
- Apple Watch Series 2
- Samsung Gear S3
- Lg watch sport
- Garmin Vivoactive HR
- Polar M600
- Nokia Steel HR
- Pebble 2
- Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45
- Asus ZenWatch 3
- Huawei Watch 2
The clock that says it’s time to get up from the computer and go for a walk is a tribute to modern laziness. And some hours are worth fortunes. Most of them are mechanical and high jewelery pieces. Many companies offer custom-made watch cases.
The most expensive watch in the world:
- The most expensive watch was produced by the Swiss trade mark Patek Philippe. It took 5 years to create the Henry Graves Supercomplication watch, and it was sold at Sotheby’s for $ 11 million.
- The most expensive copy of the German company Lange & Sohne – Grand Complication – cost $ 2.5 million.
- The cost of the Tour de l’Ile watch from the Swiss company Vacheron Constantin is $ 1.5 million.
- Another Swiss company, Jaeger-LeCoultre, has created the Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie watch for $ 1.47 million.
- Petro Poroshenko’s favorite brand – Hublot, which, by the way, has a store in Kiev, has created the Big Bang chronograph watch – the price is $ 1 million.
The industrial design of watches does not stand still and develops along with modern technologies. We will develop a new model and go with you all the way from drawing to mass production.
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