What makes a beautiful watch

[Jace]

Chapter two of the Tao te Ching says when we see something as beautiful other things become ugly.

I have been WIS for over 20 years and I still here these statements all the time from fellow seasoned collectors. How many times have I heard Rolex is boring with old designs, or Patek is crazy with its new watch, or this watch from VC could have been amazing except...

What aesthetic drives or repels this this for you? Banal answers like it what YOU like need not apply.


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[rajcuatrista]

It's coincidental I just got the TAO book, so I'll catch up with you later!

[AzPaul]

In a word: Balance

[dreyep]

Symmetry (ruling out watches with cyclopes), lack of extraneous dials (ruling out ND subs), non-gimmicky (ruling out Milgauss toy second hand), lack of brandmark as 12 o'clock indicator (ruling out OPs, Air Kings), non-wall clock size (ruling out anything above 36mm).

Leaving the 1/14270, in my book at least. How convenient.

(PS I'd settle for a blue Nautilus too, mind.)

[Petroc Tremaine]

Elegance, proportions and attention to detail.
Like most beautiful things.

[Chester01]

Hard to say, balance for sure as others have said, but first my eye goes to the whole and then processes the detail. For me, the whole has to be astheticslly pleasing, somewhat under the radar as my tastes have become more conservative, but then I notice the functionality. I know, there are many that say we have phones to tell the time. However because of my job, I need and use a watch and so there needs to be functionality. The date and chrono or bezel so I can measure elapsed time is necessary. So for me, all these boxes have to be checked.

[Brew]

Elegance, proportion, a bit of surprise color. I also like pieces that "play with light."

[77T]

For those wanting to comment without banalities - I humbly offer the J. Legge translation of the Tao with regard to the OP’s question. I include the sentence in the paragraph on skill as I believe Lao-tzu had a concept of beauty and skill working together in objects.

“All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is;
they all know the skill of the skilful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what the want of skill is.”

Every culture appreciates different aspects of visual beauty. And that beauty should be more than “skin deep”.

I believe one color can be beautiful in China - like pink pastels - yet bold bright purple seems ugly.

Dial artists achieve appreciation of many colors...




For a watch, the deep beauty may stay hidden - to me the beauty that requires skillful execution of a +2/-2 movement to chart the progress of our days is most appreciated. In Rolex it is hidden because some may call it ugly - yet PP often allows their movement’s beauty to be seen (and artists sometimes add to it).



The utility of the watch case to protect that movement and house the dial & crystal may not have graceful curves or engravings. Yet artisans make a habit of adding gewgaws to embellish it.



Some timid lovers hide their love.



For such a question with broad cultural interpretations, I use pictures to save a thousand words...

My own preference is elegant simplicity.




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[Headshrinker]

Originally Posted by Petroc Tremaine

Elegance, proportions and attention to detail.
Like most beautiful things.

Yep!

[enjoythemusic]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Dr. Robert]

Now that I’m older.....number 1 is fit, balance, comfortable etc. there are lot of beautiful watches out there, but I’m built for comfort

[nick c]

IMG_0351.jpgIMG_0350.jpg


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[Burlington]

Originally Posted by 77T

For those wanting to comment without banalities - I humbly offer the J. Legge translation of the Tao with regard to the OP’s question. I include the sentence in the paragraph on skill as I believe Lao-tzu had a concept of beauty and skill working together in objects.

“All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is;
they all know the skill of the skilful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what the want of skill is.”

Every culture appreciates different aspects of visual beauty. And that beauty should be more than “skin deep”.

I believe one color can be beautiful in China - like pink pastels - yet bold bright purple seems ugly.

Dial artists achieve appreciation of many colors...




For a watch, the deep beauty may stay hidden - to me the beauty that requires skillful execution of a +2/-2 movement to chart the progress of our days is most appreciated. In Rolex it is hidden because some may call it ugly - yet PP often allows their movement’s beauty to be seen (and artists sometimes add to it).



The utility of the watch case to protect that movement and house the dial & crystal may not have graceful curves or engravings. Yet artisans make a habit of adding gewgaws to embellish it.



Some timid lovers hide their love.



For such a question with broad cultural interpretations, I use pictures to save a thousand words...

My own preference is elegant simplicity.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Great post !

[Burlington]

Where aesthetics come from complex skills, that perhaps only few would recognise. Perfect finishing, taking the care to refine parts which will never be seen, multiple polishing techniques which work harmoniously together.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

In a word: Balance

Perfect.