Hi everyone! Wanted to post this as a finished piece. I was continually going back to it, tweaking, changing slightly etc., and it was just never-ending so I’m drawing the line here. Would really like feedback on it, so all C&C welcome. Now I can move on! Thanks for viewing.
it looks very good.
Nice modelling and clean design. What was the lighting set-up you used to get the clear highlights and reflections.
I am currently working on a watch but struggling to get to grips with the lighting and reflections.
Thanks for your kind comments.
Hi Robbur, I’ll admit lighting was a struggle.
I started off googling the setup used to photograph watches and jewellery but that only got me so far. In the end I have a rather complex setup that’s probably a lot of overkill, but:
4 small emission planes circling the watch, pointing slightly upwards to light from underneath
2 large emission planes on either side
Above there are around 6 emission spheres, spaced out like overhead lighting AND
3-strip emission planes (Like roman numerals III) overhead, slightly off centre and angled towards the watch
Believe it or not these are then supplemented with spot lamps. It’s a lot of lighting (and trial and error) but it allows me to ‘switch’ lighting on and off / stronger and weaker to get the desired effect. I hope this helps and good luck.
Very nice model and render!
Thanks Blender_Mania
Wow, that’s some fine craftsmanship there, man. How long did it take you to model this, I’m just curious. You don’t have to answer.
Hi Medium Solid. Thanks so much for your comment. I worked it out to be around 60 hours over 6 weeks (on and off). So quite a long time. I kept revisiting parts of it towards the end (I guess this a normal part of people’s processes, too) but I’m glad I did. Each time I work on something I feel like I learn so much, so it’s a lot of fun.
I am thinking the texture is a little too bright which makes it not that much like metal. what you think?
Hey foxrender. You mean a bit plasticy? I’m so deep into this I find it hard to be objective, so I really appreciate your comment. Thanks 
Yes, I can see what you mean. I’d like to know if anyone else feels the same. Maybe it’s a lighting thing?
Ohh man, just as I thought. These things do take time, because 6-5 years ago when I started modeling I wasn’t really fast and I thought the problem was in me but I never gave up. But as time passed I heard from other people that it takes a lot of time too for them too to model. The problem is that we see on paid tutorials modeling of advanced models in unrealistic time frame, while in reality those models were modeled couple of times before they’re recorded so that the modeling process could be as fast as possible for video recording.
Totally agree. I’ve seen some speed modelling, 1-2 hours, and they are pretty awesome models and still manage incredible renders, but for me I’m still learning. Maybe one day I’ll be that good 
For now I’m happy learning as it’s a really enjoyable part of the process for me. If that means it takes me longer than other people I’m OK with that.
I’d say about 40% of the time on this model was just tweaking stuff. Small adjustments here and there. Like you say, I ended up redoing the watch face a couple of times because it wasn’t smooth enough for me. Each time I did it I learned a little more, until I could create the face easily and quickly because I knew what to do.
Really nice work! Modelling, lighting materials all top-notch.
Thanks pleskinen, really appreciate your comment.