Before 3D & Prototypes: Spectrum Racing 39 Peppermint

The Spectrum idea

The Spectrum family exists to explore balance through contrast. Not contrast as decoration, but as tension. 

Between restraint and energy. Between tool-first functionality and moments of expression. The idea is not to design loud watches, but watches that feel alive without asking for attention. 

For the Spectrum line, inspiration consistently comes from the late 70s and 80s. Not as literal references, and not as nostalgia. That era treated color and form with confidence. 

Everyday objects were expressive, but still purposeful. Instruments, clocks, electronics. Designed to be used, not displayed. That mindset is the foundation of the Spectrum Racing 39.

The meaning of Peppermint

Peppermint was never meant to describe the dial color as a whole. The name comes from a single, deliberate accent. 

A cool blue-green, peppermint-like tone that appeared consistently across every variation we explored. In the final dial direction, that color lives on the chronograph seconds hand.

It is intentionally restrained. That accent does two things. Visually, it creates a sharp point of focus against the black dial. Conceptually, it represents freshness and energy. 

A sense of motion and optimism without turning the watch into a novelty. The winning dial direction uses a black base with controlled color touches. 

Legible, grounded, and wearable long term. Expressive, but not loud. This is the direction we are now carrying forward into 3D.

Case proportions and dimensions

Proportions remain the quiet backbone of everything we do. For the Spectrum Racing 39, the target dimensions are clear:

• 39mm case diameter

• 47mm lug-to-lug

• 12mm case thickness, excluding the crystal

These numbers are not arbitrary.  They are the result of years of iteration, wear testing, and learning where comfort actually lives on the wrist. Chronographs complicate this.

The Seiko NE88 is the likely movement direction, but it is not confirmed yet. It is a capable chronograph movement, but keeping the case under 12mm with it requires careful engineering. 

Dial stack height, movement placement, case architecture, and bezel thickness all interact. This is not something we can solve on paper alone. 

It requires close collaboration with TMI and our own engineers, and it is one of the main challenges of this project. Performance, proportions, and cost all pull in different directions.

This is where ambition meets reality.

Crystal considerations

We are seriously considering an acrylic top-hat crystal. Not as a nostalgic gesture, but for functional and aesthetic reasons. 

Acrylic offers excellent legibility, softer light distortion, and a warmth that aligns naturally with the neo-retro character of the Spectrum Racing.

Scratches are often mentioned as a downside, but they are easily addressed with Polywatch or similar solutions. 

More importantly, acrylic absorbs impacts rather than shattering, making it surprisingly durable in everyday use.

This decision is still open, but it is being actively explored alongside sapphire alternatives.

Caseback and bracelet direction

The caseback direction is now defined. We are moving forward with a screw-down caseback. Robust, simple, and appropriate for a tool-oriented chronograph. 

Engravings and markings will be developed later. At this stage, construction and integrity come first.

The bracelet has also been defined. A design focused on balance and continuity with the case. Functional, comfortable, and visually calm. Not decorative. Not overworked. 

Something that supports the watch rather than competing with it.

What is still unresolved

Several details are intentionally left open. Finishing is one of them. Do we introduce polished chamfers, or keep everything brushed? Should the hands be polished or brushed for legibility? 

Do we use applied markers, and if so, how restrained should they be? What about chamfers on the bracelet links? These decisions cannot be made responsibly without physical references. 

They will be explored through renders, 3D prints, and prototypes before anything is finalized. There will be trade-offs. Especially where finishing choices impact cost.

Where we are now

This phase is about verification, not expansion. The concept is clear. The direction is defined. 

What remains is pressure-testing every assumption before committing to tooling and physical prototypes. Chronographs are complex. Movements impose constraints. Pricing is always a factor. 

Being honest about that is part of building something we can stand behind. The next updates will show less romance and more process. 

3D prints. Test renders. Adjustments measured in millimeters. This is where the Spectrum Racing 39 Peppermint starts becoming real.