Over the years, we here at WWR have developed relationships with quite a number of different brands, ranging from the newest indie’s to some of the bigger, more established names in the industry. One of the newer relationships we’ve developed is with Projects Watches. Along with the obvious affordability the brand offers, they have a unique sense of design, often pushed along by bringing in designers who are not traditional watch designers, resulting in some unique ideas. The latest of these is the Projects Watches “On the Right Track”.
The obvious design reference here, starting from the name, is a railroad track. Given that I commute daily by rail, I was initially confused by the design. If you attempt to look at the lines as the rails themselves, I think you will be as well, since five rails really does not make sense. If I change my frame of reference a bit – turning those lines into railroad ties, rather than the rails themselves – then things make a bit more sense to me. This then leads to the obvious next question – how do you know which lines to use to tell the time?
If you had to guess, you would probably pick the center ones, and you would be correct. The central lines (thicker and shorter for the hour, longer and narrower for the minutes) extend down to the arbor, making things plain that those are indeed the true time indicators. This should lead to some interesting patterns as the day goes by. When they are in opposition to each other (say, at 6 PM) then it’s just sets of straight lines. When you get to those lines overlapping (say, 7:20 PM) then you start seeing what the design can do to make things interesting.
The Projects Watches “On the Right Track” will be available in two different versions. Both will feature a 37mm case, with one coming in brass and the other in stainless steel. Depending on the choice you make there, that also impacts the color of the included leather strap, as well as the hour lines. Tucked away inside the case you will have a reliable Miyota quartz movement, and up top you have a mineral crystal protecting the watch from the environment. Rounding out the hard specs, the watch carries a 30m WR rating – so no swimming with this one for sure.
The Projects Watches “On the Right Track” is firmly in a category that values form, whether you call it a “fashion” or “designer” watch. Often times, those terms are used to denigrate a particular watch, as someone perceives it doesn’t hold up to some perceived standard. Now, yes, some of the watches sold at the mall that value form over function are pretty much junk. Here, though, the form is used to elevate the watch. Frankly, how many of you would pay attention to a simple quartz two-hander, if it were not for the design used on the watch itself?
We may all look longingly after the latest mechanical creations coming out, but there is something to be said for the reliability of a quartz watch. They’re robust and they just keep on working. Pair it with the design of something like the Projects Watches “On the Right Track” and, well, you have something that I think will appeal to more than just a few people. If you find yourself riding that particular train, you will be able to get your own in April, for a price of $140. projectswatches.com
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Projects Watches “On the Right Track”
- Price: $140
- Who we think it might be for: You only need a simple watch, but you don’t want it to be boring
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: No, this one is not for me – I appreciate the design, but it doesn’t call out to me
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: I wonder if a RR Crossing sign could be hidden in the watch somewhere
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: Seeing how the hands interact when they cross over each other
