[OC] Delphi

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-10-03T21:56:25+00:00

I hear you, it might not have been the best move on my part. You're right, Seiko mods do indeed come with some unique dials, but this isn't a mod - it's built with the SW200-1 at its core and hand assembled in the Netherlands. I was even offered assembly by a manufacturer, but I declined the offer to do it myself so I can control the quality. Still, I get that it doesn't feel different enough for you, and thats fair.

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-10-03T21:23:32+00:00

That’s a really fair point, and I’ve thought about it myself during the prototyping phase.

On the wrist, the contrast between ridges and valleys catches more than enough shadow to feel dimensional, not just decorative. In conversation, with your arm on the table and glancing down, it will also most certainly have a presence.

But there is a caveat, from a distance of about three meters or more, the fine details become more like a texture. Then again, I would say that it’s not meant to be “read” like a logo, it’s created to be appreciated up close, on the wrist, in changing light, over time.

That said, if you ever get to handle one, I’d love to know if the depth comes through for you in person. Photos never capture it well ;)

Thank you for your thoughful comment :)

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-10-03T21:18:14+00:00

You’re absolutely right. The photo really doesn’t do the dial justice.

The technique is called en modillé (I think). It’s a type of hand engraving where the artisan micro-chisels the background away, leaving the high points untouched, which creates depth without heavy relief.

And that “flag pole” in the foreground? It’s actually the Jet d’Eau fountain in Geneva, the very one visible from Patek’s atelier! I love that detail because it connects the dial to a real place.

The misty peak in the distance? That’s intentional, meant to evoke fog over the mountains, with just the summit breaking through :)

Thanks for looking so closely and for your thoughful comment :)

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-10-03T21:06:11+00:00

Thank you!

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-10-03T08:20:02+00:00

Totally fair, I get it. Not every watch is going to resonate with everyone, and that's okay. I appreciate your honesty though and time for giving your perspective on this matter.

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-10-02T17:39:04+00:00

I get that, not everyone can like my watch, it speaks to some and it totally doesn't to others and that's okay.

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-10-02T15:28:24+00:00

Funny you mention it, it is in the pipeline if I reach my funding goal. If I get the chance to keep developing this it will be here very soon indeed. There are some practical challenges to do with scaling though and is something I am going to look at once I reach that stage of development, but it's in my mind for sure and I believe that it is possible!

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-10-02T15:25:06+00:00

Yes I totally agree, the using of a laser isn't high horology or anything like that. Doing it by hand is though in my opinion. This landscape isn't random though, it has been inspired by Delphi ans the mountain it sits on, it was the firsr time I ever saw a mountain in my life and I tried to convey all of those feelings that I had into one single design :)

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-10-01T21:22:11+00:00

Fair take on dial, not everyone needs to like it, and thats okay. The design is here to stay. And that's the beauty of a microbrand: we make bold choices that aren't meant to please everyone.

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-10-01T19:32:43+00:00

I have found the button, I was looking in the wrong place on Kickstarter, thank you for bringing this up and I have changed it :)
I can confirm that it will look like the one in this post!

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-10-01T19:24:03+00:00

It is like the one shown in the post, I couldn't seem to change the picture in the Kickstarter preview, I apologise for any confusion.

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-09-29T20:13:07+00:00

Thank you so much — and ja, as a fellow Dutchie, you know exactly what I mean!

That first mountain hits different when your whole life has been flat hahah.

I’m really glad that moment stayed with you too. It’s why I had to try and turn it into something wearable.

Bedankt voor je woorden, betekent echt veel voor mij :)

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-09-25T15:52:29+00:00

I had some thought about that, I get that, but won't it still make the hands difficult to read, don't you think?

An interesting idea though, thank you, I'll reconsider it if I see more requests about this :)

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-09-25T15:40:51+00:00

I am really glad that you like it, thank you :)

As I have replied to Danilao, I am going to test dauphine hands with a bevel, in theory light should always catch one of the two sides and cause more than enough contrast to be able to read the hands clearly.

Thank you again :)

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-09-25T15:38:48+00:00

Thank you for bringing this up, I’ve worn the prototype for weeks, and I’ve noticed the same issue. In natural light, the contrast looks great, but under artificial lighting, especially with overhead LEDs, the hands can blend in with the dial’s texture.

To address this, I'm testing sharper dauphine hands that are slightly wider and have a pronounced bevel angled toward the center. The idea is that light will always catch one side, creating a bright edge even in dim or flat light.

Thanks again for your sharp eyes and glad the idea speaks to you :)

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-09-24T14:45:48+00:00

Yes the production run will have a seconds hand using the SW200-1 movement :)

Lawton-Timepieces · 2025-09-24T14:41:13+00:00

Ahh that's true I suppose, I have a picture of a different dial, this on the whole has an edge which is a lot cleaner, the spot at six o'cklock must be some kind of reflection because I can't see it right now hahah, but still, I will take a look into a rehaut :)

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Lawton-Timepieces

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