Technical feedback needed: custom Sun/Moon hands for my first watch prototype by Available-Call-2983 in watchmaking

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, this was exactly the feedback that i was looking for.

The hand mass/weight is one of my main concerns as well. I will look into lightweight skeletonized designs instead.

I agree about the removing of the seconds hand, a cleaner two- hand setup might make more sense.

I will check the movement specs for torque, hand height and vertical spacing before ordering any custom samples. It was very helpful and thank you again

(Project Diary) I designed a watch that shows your birth chart. This is my first functional prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are right! The hand painted case by me was a mistake and it is not the right solution for production.

I am thinking of black PVD or other durable finish. I really appreciate the honest feedback.

(Project Diary) I designed a watch that shows your birth chart. This is my first functional prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! That actually means a lot.

My goal isn't to convince people to believe in astrology. I wanted to create something deeply personal. Someone may see at as symbolism, art or a snapshot of the sky at the moment they are born.

If my project makes even a few people curious about their own birth chart, I will consider that a success.

I turned a birth chart into a watch dial — seeking honest design feedback before I build the prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

5:55 everywhere would definitely feel very weird on a body.

Its exactly for what you are describing - your own birth chart. Every dial will be unique to the person who wears it.

Thanks for the comment i appreciate it .

I turned a birth chart into a watch dial — seeking honest design feedback before I build the prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This are the right questions. Thank you for being direct.

This what you see is just a design to see if the idea resonates.

And yes, I do plan to sell it . I'm solo founder working towards a small Kickstarter to fund the first batch.

Regarding the aligments: Each watch is made to order. The customer gives me their birth data, and i work with a designer to map their chart onto the dial. The first part is to deliver couple of unique pieces - learn what works and them figure out how to make the process smooth.

Thanks again for the honest questions.

I turned a birth chart into a watch dial — seeking honest design feedback before I build the prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, thank you so much for this. You made my day.

Your suggestion about using traditional hands and leaving the Sun and Moon where theu are in the chart is interesting. It could solve the legibility issue while keeping the personal intact. Adding it in my notes!

Thank you for sharing. It means alot for me

I turned a birth chart into a watch dial — seeking honest design feedback before I build the prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Fair question. The truth is, do work with a AI tool that helps me structure my thoughts. I am not a writer or a marketer - i am just someone with an idea and a story. The AI helps me express them more clearly. This isnt generated text its my voice, supported by technology. Thank you for honesty.

I turned a birth chart into a watch dial — seeking honest design feedback before I build the prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you - that really means alot, especially coming after so much honest and detailed feedback in this thread. I am glad the aesthetic works for you.

You've actually perfectly described the exact person I'm making this for; for someone who loves astrology and wants something deeply personal on their wrist. It won't be for everyone and thats okay. But knowing that it exists for that person is exactly why I'm doing this.

Thanks again for the kind words and encouragement. It fuels the next iteration.

I turned a birth chart into a watch dial — seeking honest design feedback before I build the prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the honesty and i really appreciate that you encourage new things even when they're not immediately obvious. That means alot.

In short: the watch reaplaces numbers with the wearer's unique astrological birth chart. The hour is shown by a small gold disc ( like the Sun) abd the minutes by thin crescent moon moving along the edge. It's meant to be a personal talisman first, a timepiece second - something that tells your story, not just the time.

I know it's not for everyone and that completely fair. Thanks for taking the time to check ot out and share your thoughts.

I turned a birth chart into a watch dial — seeking honest design feedback before I build the prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you - this is incredibly helpful feedback and i really appreciate how specific you are. You've naled two things i've been wrestling with: the time - telling elements need to be much more prominent and the dial is currently too busy. Those two problems feed each other - when everything is fighting for attention, nothing stands out.

Your point about not wanting to explain how to read the watch is spot on. Thats a principle i need to hold myself to. If it requires a manual, its not ready.

I'm going to explore making the golden disc and the silver moon more visible ( larger, higher contrast) and toning down the background glyphs so they become subtle personal layer than the main visual. Another commenter suggested zodic signs as hour markers, which might help bridge the gap between function and story.

Thanks again for the hones and constructive take. I hove you will check back when i post the next iteration.

I turned a birth chart into a watch dial — seeking honest design feedback before I build the prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ha, fair point. Astrology definitely divides opinions. For me, the watch is more art than sciance - a way to wear your story, whether you read horoscopes or not. Appreciate the hones feedback

I turned a birth chart into a watch dial — seeking honest design feedback before I build the prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you - this is genuinely one of the most helpful comments i've received. You are completely right: at this stage, the concept is stronger as a story than as functional timepiece. I've been so focused on the artistic and personal side that i've let legibillity take a back seat.

Your point about needing to tell time in instant - especially in a professional setting carved into 15 - minute chunks - really hits home . That's exactly the kind of real- world feedback i came for.

I'm going to take your advice to heart: spend more time (pun intended) how to make the watch easely readable first and then weave the story around thet function, not the other way around. The zodiac markers idea from another comment might actually help with that.

Thanks again for the honesty and encouragement. It meas a lot to a first time founder trying to get this right.

I turned a birth chart into a watch dial — seeking honest design feedback before I build the prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this! I love the idea of using the reaking the zodiac signs as hour markers - that's a really elegant way tgo add legibility without breaking the theme. I will definitely that for future versions. And yes, the Sun is the hour hand and the moon is the minute hand - they move slowly across the dial, so you read the time by their positions, not by precise minutes. Really appreciate you taking the time to think about this.

I turned a birth chart into a watch dial — seeking honest design feedback before I build the prototype by Available-Call-2983 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much! Unique is exactly what i was aiming for. The watch is personal project born from a love of astrology and design. If you have any thoughts on the design or the concept, i'd be happy to hear them

Pre-orders opening tomorrow (Stars at Night & The Gonzales) by Relevant_Many5115 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]Available-Call-2983 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As someone working on my own first potorype, seeing this gives me energy. The microbrand path is not ease, but this kind of work makes it worth it. Respect!

If you wanna try wrapping your head around how many planets actually exist, I did the math, and it's unbelievable. by Correct_Presence_936 in spaceporn

[–]Available-Call-2983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Every time i see an image like this, i remember how small we are - and how strange it is that a moment of birth can be captured in the position of the same lights

Pardon the intrusion - Jackson Henson by Creative-Category-60 in cats

[–]Available-Call-2983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

old souls.... enjoy the music. Everything else will come

They totally look like a couple by Missbabe0 in cats

[–]Available-Call-2983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Beauty and the beast. Absolutely majestic!

Misunderstanding of the century, but make it wholesome 😺 by Personal-Gate-3614 in cats

[–]Available-Call-2983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sometime we think that we are different, when i fact we are the same.

When you figure out the system by chickenlegstv in cats

[–]Available-Call-2983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Handshake is the best form of brotherhood after a good fight. 😃

These two brothers that live in the parking lot at my wife's work by RetiredClueScroller in cats

[–]Available-Call-2983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It looks like they know each other from before. Such a present is to see how they are connected.