Woodchip Design watch - WWII Bomber style

Last crawled date: 1 year, 11 months ago

This design takes inspiration from vintage aviation clocks, such as the LeCoultre / Wittnauer bomber dashboard clocks. In terms of style, I propose several different editions each having heritage going back to different eras. Each edition uses reclaimed materials as a mark of authenticity (like Romain Jerome watches, but less contrived and at a more accessible price point!).

WWII edition
- Metalwork made from reclaimed vintage Jerry cans with a canvas strap made from vintage military pouches.

Victorian edition
- Reclaimed brass with wood turned from vintage letterpress stamps and leather strap made from vintage belts.

Modern (Jack Daniels edition)
- Satin black DLC coated metalwork, with reclaimed oak from whiskey barrels and whisky tanned leather.


The dial is brushed steel, with mirror-polish chamfers and has infilled text engraving. The hands are blued steel with Superluminova C1 (white) luminous material.



Movement

A standard ETA 6497-1 (price permitting, it should be a high-beat 21.6kbph 6497-2 movement with screw balance, swan-neck regulator and wide stripe Cotes de Geneve

decoration). I had considered a custom skeleton movement, but in low volumes the cost is likely to exceed $1,000 - $1,500 per movement. So instead, I opted for an exposed movement with skeleton dial and exposed fixings to add to the mechanical feel.



Construction

The movement ring is externally threaded, allowing the bezel and caseback to attach directly with o-rings - sandwiching the rest of the case in position, thus reducing the number of water-tight seals required (the same approach as used by Panerai for their vintage diving watches).

The 26mm strap has a deployment clasp, unusual stitch position and attaches directly to the movement ring / main body using spring bars. The standard width strap / attachment allows users to replace their straps with custom made ones, which is a growing trend in the luxury watch market.

The crystal is a domed plexi-glass, as used in many vintage watches and has recently seen a come-back. The crown is sprung and screws down directly onto the movement ring / main body with o-ring seals.

The wooden element of the watch is decorative rather than structural, and is sandwiched in place by the bezel / movement ring construction, as well as being further secured by 4 socket screws.

Movement credit goes to Steen Winther.