Could you design a better Rangemaster Mechanical?
I have been surprised how much heat this watch has generated on WC. The last Rangemaster had its critics, but was generally well received. This one has lit some folks' hair on fire. Could you do better? You would have to include, not one, but two logos and an inner 24 hour ring. This question isn't about its movement or any technical specs, just about looks and presentation.
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Greg
Restitutor Orbis. Aristocrat of beauty. Autocrat of time. (Trying to perfect trolling over at theescapementroom.com)
Charleston, SC
Member since
Last active: 1 hr ago
Better for who? I personally don't like it as I find the dial too busy. I could design a watch that I would prefer but that doesn't mean anyone else would like it.
For one the price could change and the size could get bigger
Better for who? I personally don't like it as I find the dial too busy. I could design a watch that I would prefer but that doesn't mean anyone else would like it.
Well, for you of course.
It’s a nice watch but think the double logos subtract from an otherwise good looking dial.
I can’t say anything I’ve ordered one I think it looks alright was mad to see all the hate on here over it I thought they all just sounded bitter to be honest we could all design a better watch but it would only be better to yourself as you make what you like and you can’t please everyone they will always be someone that doesn’t like it
Better for who? I personally don't like it as I find the dial too busy. I could design a watch that I would prefer but that doesn't mean anyone else would like it.
Pretty much just said the same thing ha
The above is A.I generated.
As you can see it looks better than the Rangemaster
Update: I'm sorry. This comment above was a joke. Please don't take it seriously. In reality, I couldn't even get the a.i program to stop drawing chronographs.
I couldn't do better, but I'm not a designer. Luckily Hamilton, Bulova, CWC, and others already have done better though. I much prefer their offerings, even at a higher price.
I know I like a design or not when I see it. But I cannot articulate particularly what I look for in a design. I guess it is just how all the elements come together. For this colab however, it just feels meh. Nothing that tickles my senses. I'll pass... 😒
Perhaps a different case and slap two logos and mine there you have it lol…
Well I studied architectural design, fonts and lettering meant a lot back then. To me the 24 h marking on the inside could have been smaller font and lighter type as well as the bold makes it standout too much on the dial. Then the lines on the TGV and Islander logo kan also be slightly slimmer. I guess the Tudor Ranger styled hands could be changed, but not sure to what. The choice must be an homage to the watch I guess.
Font of the 369 and red islander on the 6 o clock works so well, especially the font is very modern, the slanted cuts on the end of the lines works great.
Just my opinion though ✌🏽
The above is A.I generated.
As you can see it looks better than the Rangemaster
Update: I'm sorry. This comment above was a joke. Please don't take it seriously. In reality, I couldn't even get the a.i program to stop drawing chronographs.
Ummmm........nope.
And I'm not a fan of the Rangemaster
I’d get rid of the smudge at 6 and the 24 hr markings and it would be a more acceptable looking dial……
The above is A.I generated.
As you can see it looks better than the Rangemaster
Update: I'm sorry. This comment above was a joke. Please don't take it seriously. In reality, I couldn't even get the a.i program to stop drawing chronographs.
What’s the price for such a watch? Can you keep it $350 or below?
What’s the price for such a watch? Can you keep it $350 or below?
I don't make watches. But I guess someone on Aliexpress can fit a quartz movement in for less than 350$
Kind of off topic, kinda not, but I've always thought Bill Yao's MKII take on a field watch has been an awesome way to show off print on the dial, but also hide it at the same time.
Nice stealth effect, and that green dial is especially handsome. Love that shade of green.
I’m not sure I have to be personally qualified to improve upon it in order to say it’s ugly. Which it is. 🙂
Absolutely can’t wait to get my RMM. It’s an innovative design at a fabulous price point. I’ll wear it across the globe as I have the Rangemaster.
If the elements had to be identical, no. But the problem here are, for me, the dial elements.
In terms of dial layout, the bottom logo is a problem just by existing and the upper one is too tight between the numerals of the 24h ring.
My solution:
Get rid of the bottom logo and either replace the islander text at the bottom with the urban gentry or replace the islander logo with the urban gentry logo.
Get rid of the 24h ring or make the numerals on that much smaller.
Make the main numerals slightly smaller.
I think that you are taking something away from this discussion that is different than what I am perceiving. This is a forum for discussion. When we all agree, or don't care, there are very few comments. As of this comment 177 people have voted in the poll and a large number, 93, have left comments. This is obviously something that the members of the forum want to talk about.
In any large group there will be some that have a tone that you won't like. We are adults, we can handle that. Just remember that if you say anything remotely negative about Skmei, a certain someone will block you.
As an example of the maturity of this forum, and even this thread, someone dropped a video of their review of an Invicta several comments back. No one had a negative thing to say, about an Invicta, an Invicta as large as your head, an $800 watch without sapphire crystal. I could go on, but you get my point. Invicta is the flame to any troll moth. No one took the bait.
I enter the conversation with a few things that I take for granted: 1. the purveyors of this watch are sincere in wanting to bring their interpretation of a field watch to market; 2. they had taken a risk by doubling the production amount compared to the automatic; 3. They will sell their entire run.
This site runs in cycles. I run in cycles (apparently I have wrong opinions about Ball, for example). This place is connecting people over watches. How many discordant comments equal pizza in Stockholm? Quite a few I'd say.
🎯
Also, pretty sure if anyone says anything bad about Skmei, there might be voodoo dolls of avatars made, lit on fire, then drowned in a lil paddlin pool......🤏🏻😉😂
Make the tgv look like an eighteen instead or the same color as the dial and it’s a winner! 🌈
Not for me, too busy, clashing logos. Love TGV all the same.
If the elements had to be identical, no. But the problem here are, for me, the dial elements.
In terms of dial layout, the bottom logo is a problem just by existing and the upper one is too tight between the numerals of the 24h ring.
My solution:
Get rid of the bottom logo and either replace the islander text at the bottom with the urban gentry or replace the islander logo with the urban gentry logo.
Get rid of the 24h ring or make the numerals on that much smaller.
Make the main numerals slightly smaller.
Similar to my thinking.
If the indices and outer numerals were smaller, and the 24 hour numerals were also smaller then the complete 24 hour ring could be closer to the bezel creating much more dial space in the centre to accommodate the logos somehow - the logos might need to be a tad smaller. They might look a lot better with more space in the centre?
Struggling a bit with the two logos but I guess it’s an Islander watch at heart in collaboration with TGV. Maybe etch the TGV logo nicely onto the crown?
As to all the chatter on this thread, these guys spend a large part of their lives critiquing watches and producing content for the watch community so I think it totally appropriate that their creation is critiqued too. They would doubtless be disappointed if it wasn’t.
Even my gf who hates busy dials said it looks beautiful. I took that as an approval for a good design. Mine is on its way to Germany 👌
It's a nice watch, I'd need to try it on to see if a 37mm works for me, I'd probably of preferred the 39mm older version. However I have a nice Hamilton Field watch so really not in the market of another.
I got mine today...
I am very pleased with my purchase.
Taking a break from viewing and posting on WatchCrunch. A few here have lowered this place into a sad and petty place to visit. I can easily put them on "ignore" but I should not have to. A few others have championed striving to be our better selves and I commend them for it, however, I don't need the negativity in my life, especially when it is associated with the watches I get so much enjoyment out of learning about. I feel this is just the beginning of the end for this special place, I hope I am wrong but it usually starts like this with just a few people who can't help themselves, or choose not to. Their slighting opinions, hate and negativity are their own, and it will bring them exactly what they wrought. There's no one to hold them accountable so they continue as if righteous. They will start attacking other's opinions and choices since they can and we'll end up with just another watch site with threads of threats and invectives taking up all the oxygen. Lived too long, fought and survived too much to put up with bad manners and poor behavior.
Trust me… I get hate mail on here from all sorts, just roll with it. We can’t all be right all the time (it’s a curse 😉)
I think that you are taking something away from this discussion that is different than what I am perceiving. This is a forum for discussion. When we all agree, or don't care, there are very few comments. As of this comment 177 people have voted in the poll and a large number, 93, have left comments. This is obviously something that the members of the forum want to talk about.
In any large group there will be some that have a tone that you won't like. We are adults, we can handle that. Just remember that if you say anything remotely negative about Skmei, a certain someone will block you.
As an example of the maturity of this forum, and even this thread, someone dropped a video of their review of an Invicta several comments back. No one had a negative thing to say, about an Invicta, an Invicta as large as your head, an $800 watch without sapphire crystal. I could go on, but you get my point. Invicta is the flame to any troll moth. No one took the bait.
I enter the conversation with a few things that I take for granted: 1. the purveyors of this watch are sincere in wanting to bring their interpretation of a field watch to market; 2. they had taken a risk by doubling the production amount compared to the automatic; 3. They will sell their entire run.
This site runs in cycles. I run in cycles (apparently I have wrong opinions about Ball, for example). This place is connecting people over watches. How many discordant comments equal pizza in Stockholm? Quite a few I'd say.
Who goes to bat for Skmei? Genuinely curious now…
With regards to the Rangemaster - it is a little bit of a mess, and rides on the cult of the YouTuber who is involved, of which I am not a fan for a variety of reasons. It has its place, and not in my collection. I do not wish to see it fail, and I appreciate that there is an element of charitable donation involved as well - but whilst I do not own an Islander, I have a lot of time for the brand. I still think their GMT from last year is an excellent option, and was surprised to see how much kickback that received despite its reasonable price tag for the spec. I guess even Islander fans wish to have their cake and eat it, so no one is perfect at the end of the day.
If I take your original question - I said yes, I probably could, because I wouldn’t plaster multiple logos onto it, or use an edgy font for the numerals. I also believe that the best “field” watches have been designed already - if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I also think the field watch, as a concept, is lost, because people want everything to have sapphire crystal, divers WR, and yet still be a dress watch, and again, people just want to have their cake and eat it, and many just do not get what each watch type is, still, and I am tired of repeating myself. I would wager that the best field watch is the CWC G10, which the British army had in circulation from the early 80s right up until 2006, before the Pulsar G10 until the 2010s. If something is adopted for 30 years plus, running an army, I think that pretty much ends the discussion. I’m also wrong - it’s WC, and it’s me, of course I’m f*ck*ng wrong. Someone is already typing the DM telling me I’m a pr*ck.
Alas, the answer is probably D) Seiko
I just don't see the point though. Seems like we already have fairly affordable versions of this (Hamilton)
I'm super happy with mine and glad I put my order in before they sold out!