Happy weekend

So true applies to all big brands. Rolex, Omega, Tudor, AP, etc are boring af.

Honestly I‘m only exited for the smaller independent brands at the Watches and Wonders.

And don't forget, "And put my name on the dial..." from businessmen who wouldn't know a mainspring from a hairspring. One of my pet hates among some microbrands out there.

Sounds about right....I would substitute the white with a black faced diver.

Same here.

100 % .... only independent or micro, whatever we call it, can came up with something exciting or really new.

I've been thinking this all week.

There really is some truth here. The importance that the community and industry has about pretty minor changes to a dial or a 1mm change in thickness has got to look crazy to an outside observer. I also think with a few exceptions most watch companies are trying to make watches that the greatest number of people will buy (as a business I get that). But unfortunately this results in a lot watches that seem very similar (basically a world of subs, explorers, speedmasters and watches that look like them). I often think that most of watch innovation occurred in the 60s (technical) and 70s (design), ultimately ending with the biggest technical innovation (quartz). All this said - it’s is only a small device to tell time meant to fit in one’s wrist (so a limited canvas for innovation). But on the other hand, would any major brand make something like this today? Doubtful

This is so true! Up next: “Let’s make one out of plastic, guys! Limited edition, all set.”

Spot on. In the last 5 years what has actually come along and been a 'wow, didn't see that coming'? I can think of Christopher Ward's Bel Canto... and I'm done. Anything else that struck you as a genuinely unexpected release??

The lower picture should be a CNC machine instead of a person. Lol

Lack of technical innovation is interesting. I have some EDC knowledge so know that, for example pocket knives and flashlights are leaps and bounds on where they were say 20 years ago in terms of steel composition and fit/finish and lumen power/interface respectively. Hard to point to anything similar in horology. Spring Drive is rightly celebrated, but it's over 25 years since it was put in a commercial package. Rolex offer +2/-2 but they are an outlier and most marques will offer some watches that keep to COSC but there's no palpable sense of anyone vying for greater accuracy via technical innovation. I'd love to see more companies thinking about execution of unusual complications. The Bel Canto is a great example that has proven you can make a splash (and sell a lot of units) bringing a 'high horology' complication at a lower price point. Mido's Multifort TV Big Date is similar - focus on a single complication, deliver it in a polished package, and the plaudits and sales will follow.

Or you could just put it out with a cartoon character somewhere on the dial.