bernard cheong
7182
I look at the balance wheel/regulators and I built my collection this way
A VERY Salient and pertinent point.
Moot argument and all.
The "inexpensive" quartz models that drive wheels and pinions, are many, and are stamped and made en masse. They are mounted with a myriad of other inexpensive creations...many of which are quite beautiful. Most are not relevant. Some are/were.
The Bulova Accutron (not quartz), and the Omega Mecaquartz and Patek Philippe's Quartz devices are beautiful creations which I covet, and have managed to acquire.
The ones I treasured are the Bulova Spaceviews and Omega's Seamaster Mecaquartz Marinechronometer wristwatch.
Now..the Devon Tread 1. I see this as a challenge to the creation of a hybrid timing delivery system that relies on belts and pulleys to create a new aesthetic, for the moment. However, it cannot be ruled out that an alternative to hands and LED displays may be useful in the future. I cannot speculate why, but I won't throw away any possibility.
Second, this watch is VERY like the Bulova Accutron, an American Machine, built the American way...which, being an Asian in Singapore, I am always grateful that the USA has saved my ass, the American way in the second World War, with their technology and vision.
I wish and hope that the USA will come back to watchmaking.
That's my 2 cents, anda half.
But in all humility, this is an electronically driven device and the timing regulators may still be quartz pulses, but the future of integrated software, with GPS, has been written for this watch. I am sure Devon is "ready".
This is NO ORDINARY SWATCH type imitator or piggy back quartz design with flashing LED lights. The quartz is there with relevance, but it is not an adaptation, but an evolution. And mechanical watchmaking is written all over the design.
This message has been edited by bernard cheong on 2010-08-24 06:39:58
The belts of the mighty Devon Tread 1, probably the first affordable "superwatch"
The Tread 1 from Devon may not be 100% mechanical. It's also not 100% quartz. It's just 100% American, and altho I am not from the USA, I admire the purity of this product which does not carry any Swiss or Asian part (except for 1 regulator, maybe 2 regul...
I love this
but I've seen a few wrist shots and its huge. I will have to try this one on. I'm hopping it fits ok, because its really cool for the price.
Yeah!!! We ordered THREE pieces in Singapore without seeing the watch!
Three of us, all owners of "all sorts" of really crazily expensive watches...are and continue to wait with watery eyes for this watch!!!
Fantastic1
such an achievement on all aspects, design wise, mechanism wise ... i admit at the first glance i was attracted to it then when i knew that its not a mechanical watch i went :S , then when i viewed it from all the angles , and looked to it in the suitable...
You know...thinking out loud: ALL of our mechanical watches are made with machines..
and these HUGE machines cut, erode, spark...and they are in many ways quartz controlled. There are no exceptions...even with Dufour and Volker...a certain part, or case ..had to have electronically controlled machine, looking like Darth Vader's masturbati...
absolutely agree with you
i need one too, really bad....and i agree 99.9% of your analysis and rationale...excpet part about Darth Vader"s masturbation chamber...comeon...we all know Darth Vader do not have a masturbation chamber...he uses the Force
Speaking of masturbation chambers...after visiting the last 3 factories in 2010
I noticed that these CNC/wire erosion/laser lathes were made in Japan...yes, even in the HALLOWED HALLS of the inhouse movements of the big brands. Invariably, they are painted white with blue swathes of color. This year, 2010, I noticed many new SWISS ma...
goodness
i would think that these cnc/corrosion machines would be either german or swiss or even eastern european made...one just assume that these counries are where mechanical devices are still best made at. masturbation chambers on the other hand......should be...
Love the idea...[+ mechanical v quartz?]
...and the execution...I would love to play with one in the flesh. But one just question Bernard: How is this not a quartz watch? After all, all analogue quartz watches still have gears turning inside them. OK, not the amazing arrangements of the Devon......
I look at the balance wheel/regulators and I built my collection this way
A VERY Salient and pertinent point. Moot argument and all. The "inexpensive" quartz models that drive wheels and pinions, are many, and are stamped and made en masse. They are mounted with a myriad of other inexpensive creations...many of which are quite ...
GUYS don't any of you remember the GERALD GENTA that had both mechanical and QUARTZ at the
part of the OCTO collection with both sides or faces different one mechanical and the other digital LED
There certainly is a frequency standard, if for nothing else, to help...
regulate the belts rates. To do a good or very good job, the oscillator needs to be accurate to 10s of seconds/year, IMO. For a state of the art product, you need the best technology.
Interesting points, Bernard.
....I am not particularly sensitive to aesthetics. It's more the ideas, thought and capabilities that I am interested in. That's why the Devon Tread intrigues me.
Thanks Bernard...
...it's great to see 'live product' like that and you are right (respectfully) to be championing the piece for all of the reasons and attributes you mention. A wristshot would be the cherry on top - do you (or you, tourbillon001) have one you might post? ...
Bernard, the delay was due to production problems?...
Did any of the three of you have a 6" wrist? It looks as if I will not get to see one until they are availbale for retail.
I doubt. I think...they are really going for quality in this piece.
And this may mean they will make sure the watch withstands the macro lenses of most journalists these days.
Mechanical Marvel......with belts
Bernard, really nice to see the concept come to life.....and made in the USA for a change! I look forward to seeing your report and a few wrist shots when this piece arrives. For me I think this will be a great conversation starter and perhaps even more.....
I love this one A LOT!!
When I saw this watch for the first time, all there was in my mind was "This is spectacular!!" I didn't even think about the movement, the look and the motions on the watch is just too spectacular. Can't wait to see the wristshot Bernard! Cheers Sam
IMHO very little....
As I see it, the DualTow is an exploration in using belts as a display element in an horological context. It makes quite a spectacular but exceedingly expensive watch. The Tread is in my eyes an exploration is making a spectacular watch, outside of the co...
A horological S.U.V. ?
Thanks fornthe comments, Don. I also think the Devon Tread looks interesting and a lot of fun. A smaller size would suit me better, but it will be interesting where they might take this design. I assume that greater energy efficiency may also lead to smal...
Belts
But were there any belts in watches prior to Claret? If not, than any belts are after Claret, IMHO.
No. I feel the essence of an American approach using tech and the cool factor
There are two modern cultures that I have admired for being INCONSISTENT with producing "cool", but when they get one right..they always get it 100% right. The USA and Japan. The Swiss have a very heavy european essence, and if anyone were to spend at lea...
I've got one on my wrist!
Bernard - thank you for all of your support and excitement! I have one on my wrist and it is simply stunning - you will be very pleased when we hand you yours in a few short weeks. The photos and videos online do not do this thing justice. In person it is...
Err..Mr Jason Wilbur is the engineer and developer of the Tread 1..welcome to thePuristS!
Thanks Mr Wilbur for being here...the entire commnunity is excited to see and hear about the tread 1. BTW..what does the docking station/charger look like?
What a marvellous piece of technology......
Would like to see one in the flesh. And like already mentioned, I would imagine that is is vert addictive to play with.
That's well understood Bernard...
... but since there have been no other wristshots of his sensational design available, the (cheeky) 'challenge' was posted in the hope of seeing one from the man himself! Cheers, pplater.
Apologies..the response was meant for the other forum readers/trawlers
Of course, Jason Wilbur is a known factor among the moderators and all our regulars. But...I hope to post the DETAILED MULTI PART story of the ownership and for the first time..."chick pulling factor" (CPF for short) when I test it at the local pub and ba...
Must hear about the technical details and the CPF...
although will it really be the watch, and not you, Bernard?
CPF at 10+ Levels!
The CPF of the the Tread 1 is peaking at 10+ levels for sure. I will continue my testing for CPF this evening in Hollywood and send results tomorrow!
Hard to contradict your research, Jason. Now will the CPF..
be neutralized by being on a skinny wrist?
CPF Still high for small wrists
Ronald, It is a big watch, no doubt...But, it is not sloppy. We created multiple fit models and refined the weight and fit with multiple sized wrists in mind and the ergonomics are great. You will have to try one on in person to appreciate the fit.
Jason, I will try one on at the first opportunity. What is the weight..
including the strap?
Thanks Bernard!
I can't take credit for the engineering. I designed and conceived of the watch and manage the development, but it is our awesome team of engineers who really made the Tread 1 a reality. Oh...to answer your question about the charger. The one I use is a ba...
Much appreciated...
... that re-defines 'presence'. Looking forward now to the Hollywood CPF report: if Uma liked it, please accept an order for two!!! ;-) Cheers, pplater.
Btw, when you press the crown button, what is the 2nd time display?
Is it a 2nd time zone? - AT
sorry to be the party pooper, as much as I can understand the "coolness" of the
watch it remains an (expensive) quartz watch, It would have been really exciting to see the bets be driven my mechanics! Sorry but can't share the enthusiasm on this one
Everyone can't get excited by every watch out. I would think...
an all mechanical version could be made, but at what cost and accuracy?
No Compromises
Ronald, The Tread 1 has large pulleys and huge belts. Turning these takes piles of power and torque, especially the seconds belt which is always clicking away. The only way to do that mechanically is to hire someone to sit on your lap and wind the watch e...
Revolution - not evolution
Alex - this is an electro-mechanical timepiece, not a quartz watch. That aside, there were no compromises made on this one. The watch was never meant to be mechanical. The idea was to use the most modern technology to create the most pure vision of the or...
In no way did I imply that it is a lesser watch as I do not imply that the Shelman
minute repeater or world time with the fabulous cloisonné enamel dials are lesser watches but they are quartz and that doen't make my heart tic (pun intended). Once again I'm just saying that your watch is cool no doubt about it and just reading the ...
Ok, I'm psyched. I think it's very cool.
The video was very convincing, Bernard! If I wasn't paying attention before, I am now! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I enjoy reading them, as always! Cheers, Daos
Too big for my wrist...
...but I am completely intrigued! You know I love Independent timepieces. Cheers, Daos
The wisdom of one James T. Kirk. may be judicious
There is NO DOUBT of the Tread 1 being mechanical, but our acceptance is not an argument, but an integral and intellectual debate of it's soul...that it has not a spring within its heart. I must point out that the possibilities, the potential for knowledg...
It's definitely an interesting piece but I can't say I love
the design aesthetics. I bet they really improve this piece visually in versions 2.0 and 3.0. It reminds me of Urwerk, in the sense that I never really liked the presentation of the original 103x models, but the design updates (e.g. 103T) really brought t...
Fantastic toy. Very cool.
Love the concept, not the size. Once again, too big for me. Congrats to the Devon team. The watch looks fantastic. Vte
Bernard and Jason, thanks for the information, video, and pics. What a marvel!
I cannot wait to learn more about this watch, and also see one! Best, CaliforniaJed
Almost bought one...
I almost bought one of these and was in touch with Devon to try and get one.... at the last minute I decided not to... what stopped me... well no doubt a cool looking watch, big which is great as my other watches are also big, but in my opinion they shoul...
I guess, and I may be wrong..but it is "the true American way"...
that when it is limited, it has to be limited not ingenously by market manipulation. A lesson which the USA had learnt trhu several economic crisis...so..this time, it seems that Devon is playing the true red, white and blue colors of honesty...is you fin...