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Were these watch designers actually paid to render this sh*t?

Archer
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blufinz52 blufinz52
@M'Bob, that Yachtmaster II has to be one of the most ridiculous watches Rolex ever produced.
I believe it was dubbed the "clownmaster" by a certain member of TRF when it first came out. A watchmaker friend who works at a Rolex AD showed me how it all works - cool but aesthetically it doesn't appeal to me at all.
 
galaxytime
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I've got a friend that thinks his yachtmaster is the greatest looking watch ever made. I persoanlly don't get it and don't like it but that is exactly what brings us selection. If we all loved and hated the same things, we wouldn't have a choice.
 
Trev
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Hey, heads up that we've removed a bunch of posts that were just arguments filling up the conversation and not constructive.
 
PatinaPete
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Adding tail fins to the nacelles is going to be popular in every century
IMG_0234.webp IMG_0235.webp


Just like Dad will always be around to tell you to get rid of them

IMG_0236.webp
 
Dan S
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People complain if companies continue to use the same old "tired" designs, and then they complain if companies do something out of the box.

I stopped buying modern watches a long time ago so I really have no skin in the game, but I appreciate my friends who enjoy modern designs and experiment with new watches. I like to look at them, but so far I really haven't been tempted to buy any.
 
ahartfie
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Dan S Dan S
People complain
This is the essence. You can’t please all of the people all of the time.
 
galaxytime
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Dan S Dan S
People complain if companies continue to use the same old "tired" designs, and then they complain if companies do something out of the box.

I stopped buying modern watches a long time ago so I really have no skin in the game, but I appreciate my friends who enjoy modern designs and experiment with new watches. I like to look at them, but so far I really haven't been tempted to buy any.
Well said
 
Charlemagne1333
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blufinz52 blufinz52
@M'Bob, that Yachtmaster II has to be one of the most ridiculous watches Rolex ever produced.

Yep, too many geometric shapes competing for attention, not helped by using that asymmetrical dial. Not a lot of aesthetic cohesion. Hard pass for me, too.
 
Giarc66
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When I bought my first "nice" watch I had a choice (hard to believe now) between that Yachtmaster and a black dial Explorer ll. I opted for the Explorer ll. Didn't care for the Yachtmaster then, and still don't care for it. That was also before I found Omega and have been almost 100% Omega since!
 
hen
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Are we discussing this thing?
IMG_0170-scaled.webp

Or this thing?
Rolex-Master.webp
The first one looks just like a conventional Rollex, to me atleast. The second is a tad more busy, is that a regatta starting count down thingy?
 
Giarc66
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hen hen
Are we discussing this thing?
IMG_0170-scaled.webp

Or this thing?
Rolex-Master.webp
The first one looks just like a conventional Rollex, to me atleast. The second is a tad more busy, is that a regatta starting count down thingy?
I'm referring to the bottom/blue bezel model. I like the top one and think it's one of Rolex's better looking watches. I like it so much that I can't wait to get my hands on the new SM300 that Omega just announced and that looks similar.
 
liquidsongbird
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Not a fan of Yachtmaster either. Perhaps the better automotive example might be BMW. I have owned two 3.0CS coupes which I still believe were some of BMWs best designs. Compare that to recent BMW efforts and they are pretty awful. I know some might say they are breaking new ground but I think the Korean cars are doing the same - but with better designs.
 
STANDY
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Nothing screams money like, way outside the norm.
Get to see a few extremely rich people through work every now and them and it’s not only watches. It is jewellery, clothes and glasses. It’s a total different planet these people shop at.
It’s definitely a look that once you have seen it a few times it’s a 💰💰💰💰look that has its own personality.
M'Bob M'Bob
They say that art and design reflect the era and culture that produced them. Is it a prerequisite to be on a cocaine binge when coming up with this? Do these folks have even a rudimentary conception of balance, symmetry, aesthetics? Do these make you want to admire you wrist, and note the passage of time in an elegant, refined way…or drive your Lambo into a lamp post?

IMG_3732.webp IMG_3733.webp IMG_3734.webp IMG_3735.webp IMG_3736.webp IMG_3737.webp IMG_3738.webp IMG_3739.webp
 
BlackTalon
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Is the Yachtmaster functional for people who race boats? Ultimately that's what matters.
 
blufinz52
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BlackTalon BlackTalon
Is the Yachtmaster functional for people who race boats? Ultimately that's what matters.
I'm sure the Yachtmaster II is functional for what it is designed for, but I doubt most of those who have one actually use it for that. Just like most folks with a dive watch don't dive, and many with a chronograph rarely, if ever, use that complication.
Edited:
 
Dsloan
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blufinz52 blufinz52
I'm sure the Yachtmaster II is functional for what it is designed for, but I doubt most of those who have one actually use it for that. Just like most folks with a dive watch don't dive, and many with a chronograph rarely, if ever, use that complication.

The design is not for me, but what's going on under the hood is pretty cool - you can use the bezel to set the length of time for the countdown timer - anywhere from 1 minute up to 10 minutes.
 
Archer
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Dsloan Dsloan
The design is not for me, but what's going on under the hood is pretty cool - you can use the bezel to set the length of time for the countdown timer - anywhere from 1 minute up to 10 minutes.
If you want a much nicer watch with even better functionality, the GO PanoRetroGraph is it. An up to 30 minute countdown timer, with a chime at the end to signal the end of the timing. And it's not ugly...

Only problem is it was made in small volumes - released back in 2000. Truly a grail watch...
 
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