Designing my own watch (2020)

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Price, Value, and Privilege

  • Estimated price ranges from ~US$9–20k; some see it as reasonable or even “cheap” for a custom luxury piece, others see it as extravagant or out of touch.
  • Debate over whether such spending is inherently “conspicuous consumption” vs simply choosing a high‑end hobby instead of, say, expensive cars.
  • Some object to framing the story as broadly empowering advice, arguing this level of customization is accessible only to the very privileged.
  • Others respond that people routinely spend similar sums on other non‑essential goods; what’s “expensive” is highly relative.

Design, Aesthetics, and Readability

  • Strong agreement that watch taste is highly personal; some love the minimalist, unpolished, depth‑focused aesthetic, others find it “boring” or poorly finished for the price.
  • Several complain about low legibility: date indication and low‑contrast hands are seen as hard to read.
  • Comparisons are made to other brands (Ressence, Ming, Isotope, etc.) that some commenters would prefer at similar prices.

Mechanics and Complication

  • The annual calendar mechanism attracts technical curiosity; one commenter walks through how the disks and cogs likely interact, with some details still “unclear.”
  • Others note that the movement is based on a standard ETA calibre with an added module; disagreement over whether that justifies the price.

Customization, Uniqueness, and “Designing”

  • Clarification that this is a customization of an existing model and mechanism, not a ground‑up movement design.
  • Some feel the title overstates the owner’s design role; others argue specifying size, materials, layout, and colors is legitimately “designing” within a framework.
  • Later, nearly identical configurations appear in the maker’s online customizer, raising questions about how unique the piece remains.

Durability, Wearability, and Theft

  • Mixed views on fragility: some fear damaging a costly watch; others state mechanical luxury watches are robust, repairable, and should be worn daily, scratches included.
  • The low‑key look is seen as “security by obscurity,” less attractive to thieves than well‑known luxury models.
  • Strap comfort and material (metal vs leather vs cheap bands) is debated, especially around weight, hair‑pulling, and typing comfort.

Alternatives, DIY, and Broader Watch Culture

  • Many propose cheaper or more “practical” options (Casio, G‑Shock, Garmin, Seiko, Yeswatch, NH35/SeikoMods), including hackable and e‑paper‑like devices.
  • Several describe sub‑$100 or <$500 “custom” or semi‑programmable watches as more fun and accessible than five‑figure Swiss pieces.
  • Others discuss fully DIY mechanical watchmaking; feasibility is contested due to time, tooling, and design complexity.
  • Thread touches on smartwatches and phones: high‑end mechanical sales remain strong while lower‑end segments have been hit by wearables.
  • Some emphasize analog vs digital time “mental models” and the appeal of depth and 3D mechanics versus flat screens.

Longevity, Investment, and Heirloom Potential

  • Pro‑mechanical voices highlight decades‑long lifespans, repairability, and potential value retention or appreciation.
  • Critics counter that even replacing smart/fitness watches periodically often won’t total five‑figure sums, so “saving money” via one luxury watch is doubtful.
  • Several like the idea of such a piece as a personal story and future family heirloom, independent of financial return.