KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/23***

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Bradystraps
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KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/23***

Post by Bradystraps » Mon Sep 23, 2024 12:38 pm

Hi all,
Long time, no speak. Hope everyone is well. 😎
I am moving forward with the Northern Lights and would love to hear any input you have.

Happy to answer any questions as well.

Best,
Todd
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Wario406
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Re: KWC Northern Lights

Post by Wario406 » Mon Sep 23, 2024 12:53 pm

Looks really nice Todd. I could possibly see myself trying a blue no-date. I like the design.
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CarloDWC
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Re: KWC Northern Lights

Post by CarloDWC » Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:05 pm

Thank you and generally nice looking.

I would prefer different hands. Sword, pilot, different then those, more lume on them too.

I would prefer a lume marker below the date window.

I would prefer the marker at 12 to have the same chrome frame as the rest of the hour markers.

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Re: KWC Northern Lights

Post by DocHollidayDDS » Mon Sep 23, 2024 4:12 pm

Would look better if the index at 6 on the no-date was the same shape as those at 3 and 9. I'm also not a fan of the colored border around the 12 index.

JMHO.

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Re: KWC Northern Lights

Post by CGSshorty » Mon Sep 23, 2024 4:19 pm

I said this when you started working on these; the 3,6,9 markers should be the same. The one at 6 is weird and unnecessary.
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Re: KWC Northern Lights

Post by Ryeguy » Tue Sep 24, 2024 11:33 am

If this watch is to be designed as one to be worn on straps, would you consider squaring off the area between the lugs (similar to the Hemlig)?

The blue version on a blue BC rubber strap would make a fun summer watch. The squared off inner lug area would minimize “strap gap”.

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Re: KWC Northern Lights

Post by Bradystraps » Tue Sep 24, 2024 5:41 pm

Ryeguy wrote:
Tue Sep 24, 2024 11:33 am
If this watch is to be designed as one to be worn on straps, would you consider squaring off the area between the lugs (similar to the Hemlig)?

The blue version on a blue BC rubber strap would make a fun summer watch. The squared off inner lug area would minimize “strap gap”.
It will have a bracelet as well. Still considering design options.
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watches503
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Re: KWC Northern Lights

Post by watches503 » Tue Sep 24, 2024 8:20 pm

Bradystraps wrote:
Ryeguy wrote:
Tue Sep 24, 2024 11:33 am
If this watch is to be designed as one to be worn on straps, would you consider squaring off the area between the lugs (similar to the Hemlig)?

The blue version on a blue BC rubber strap would make a fun summer watch. The squared off inner lug area would minimize “strap gap”.
It will have a bracelet as well. Still considering design options.
That’s great news ! Looking forward to seeing what bracelet you go with.


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Re: KWC Northern Lights

Post by Ryeguy » Wed Sep 25, 2024 8:13 am

Bradystraps wrote:
Tue Sep 24, 2024 5:41 pm
Ryeguy wrote:
Tue Sep 24, 2024 11:33 am
If this watch is to be designed as one to be worn on straps, would you consider squaring off the area between the lugs (similar to the Hemlig)?

The blue version on a blue BC rubber strap would make a fun summer watch. The squared off inner lug area would minimize “strap gap”.
It will have a bracelet as well. Still considering design options.
I'll be interested to see what you come up with.

I'm so used to seeing that asymmetric case style on straps, I'm just not sure how a bracelet will look.

My suggestions FWIW are:
1) make the radius between the lugs gentle, like a Doxa 300T case so those who wish to use a strap can do so without too much gap.
2) make the bracelet something light weight with lots of articulation. Maybe something in the BOR family, or similar to the style Mido uses on their Ocean Star Tribute

This is an example of what I would not do (no disrespect to the watch owners - just photos I found on the web):
Image
Image

I'll be following this thread! :cheers:

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Re: KWC Northern Lights

Post by watches503 » Wed Sep 25, 2024 4:01 pm

Ryeguy wrote:
Bradystraps wrote:
Tue Sep 24, 2024 5:41 pm
Ryeguy wrote:
Tue Sep 24, 2024 11:33 am
If this watch is to be designed as one to be worn on straps, would you consider squaring off the area between the lugs (similar to the Hemlig)?

The blue version on a blue BC rubber strap would make a fun summer watch. The squared off inner lug area would minimize “strap gap”.
It will have a bracelet as well. Still considering design options.
I'll be interested to see what you come up with.

I'm so used to seeing that asymmetric case style on straps, I'm just not sure how a bracelet will look.

My suggestions FWIW are:
1) make the radius between the lugs gentle, like a Doxa 300T case so those who wish to use a strap can do so without too much gap.
2) make the bracelet something light weight with lots of articulation. Maybe something in the BOR family, or similar to the style Mido uses on their Ocean Star Tribute

This is an example of what I would not do (no disrespect to the watch owners - just photos I found on the web):
Image
Image

I'll be following this thread! :cheers:
Yeah that’s a horrible bracelet for it. Great example.

An H-link might be cool.

I’d for sure buy it with this kinda mesh and end link set up. Image


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Bradystraps
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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/3***

Post by Bradystraps » Thu Oct 03, 2024 5:11 am

Thoughts on this mesh bracelet?
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CarloDWC
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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/3***

Post by CarloDWC » Thu Oct 03, 2024 9:00 am

Since you ask, my personal opinion is that the mesh looks like an afterthought and not something built for the watch. Also I think that brushed finish would be best if you go with a bracelet.

Maybe an H style bracelet? Not this one particularly but something similar, I believe Sinn use something like this.


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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/3***

Post by DocHollidayDDS » Thu Oct 03, 2024 9:13 am

CarloDWC wrote:
Thu Oct 03, 2024 9:00 am
Since you ask, my personal opinion is that the mesh looks like an afterthought and not something built for the watch. Also I think that brushed finish would be best if you go with a bracelet.
I concur with everything said above. That bracelet does not go with that watch. H-link, Engineer or Oyster-style would best suit this tool watch design language.

Also, I've never been a fan of bracelets that leave those big gaps between the lugs.

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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/3***

Post by Ryeguy » Thu Oct 03, 2024 9:17 am

The trick to any bracelet is the fitted end link.

I have that style mesh on my Squale 50 ATMOS, and while it was actually sold by Squale for the watch, it does look a bit like an afterthought (and that is even with a more squared off area between the lugs).

Image

I'd figure the cost of manufacturing the fitted end link first, then decide on the bracelet style.

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KWC Northern Lights ***Updated [emoji2389]0/[emoji[emoji2390]39[emoji2389]]***

Post by CGSshorty » Thu Oct 03, 2024 1:36 pm

This watch will probably work great on a NATO. The bracelet does nothing for me.
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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/3***

Post by watches503 » Sun Oct 13, 2024 11:34 am

CarloDWC wrote:Since you ask, my personal opinion is that the mesh looks like an afterthought and not something built for the watch. Also I think that brushed finish would be best if you go with a bracelet.

Maybe an H style bracelet? Not this one particularly but something similar, I believe Sinn use something like this.


BRAC-81-01__93595.jpg
Yup. This would be pretty sweet


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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/3***

Post by Bradystraps » Mon Oct 14, 2024 11:32 am

How about this style?
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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/3***

Post by Wario406 » Mon Oct 14, 2024 5:15 pm

I love that you’re considering bracelets- a nice president would be cool
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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/3***

Post by watches503 » Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:31 am

Bradystraps wrote:How about this style?
I like that. With a taper.


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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/3***

Post by DocHollidayDDS » Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:50 am

Bradystraps wrote:
Mon Oct 14, 2024 11:32 am
How about this style?
Better than the mesh, IMO.

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Bradystraps
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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/3***

Post by Bradystraps » Tue Oct 15, 2024 11:46 am

Working on some renders with the style bracelet. Will update again soon.
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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/3***

Post by Bradystraps » Wed Oct 16, 2024 8:04 am

A couple of different bracelet options. Please let me know your thoughts.
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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/16***

Post by Ryeguy » Wed Oct 16, 2024 8:59 am

Can you do fitted end links?

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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/16***

Post by CarloDWC » Wed Oct 16, 2024 9:04 am

If you go through the trouble of having a bracelet you should either used curved end links to fill (fit) the space between the lugs or maybe modify the case to make it straight so straight ends fit and fill the space.

Otherwise it looks like an afterthought. My opinion of course... :grin:

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Re: KWC Northern Lights ***Updated 10/16***

Post by DocHollidayDDS » Wed Oct 16, 2024 10:14 am

CarloDWC wrote:
Wed Oct 16, 2024 9:04 am
If you go through the trouble of having a bracelet you should either used curved end links to fill (fit) the space between the lugs or maybe modify the case to make it straight so straight ends fit and fill the space.

Otherwise it looks like an afterthought. My opinion of course... :grin:
Absolutely. Gotta fill up that empty space somehow. Straps can have gaps, bracelets never really look good with them.

Yeah, I'm looking at you Omega Seamaster NTTD.

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