Independents

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 regulators, no, not from China or Thailand). All parts made inside and assembled inside the USA. I like that...for sheer global economical reasons, jobs, feel good factor and history.

There are almost NO arrangements that are derived from standard clockwork systems....well..there are minutes and hours and seconds...but not in the traditional and econoquartz way! Not even in the mechanical way.

as a piece of collectable and wearable art or timepiece or tool or fashion accessory...it is relevant...it will never be without any conversational stimulus. Heck..it will always be interesting even at a funeral! Or at divorce proceedings.

The incredible mechanical components of the watch is complex, and numerous. It brings to mind a total mechanical watch, with the exception of the mainspring and the balance wheel...but adding in 100 more mechanical parts....but wait...when I last examined several chain and fusee drives and belt displays, the one thing that they cannot have is sheer power of drive and motion!

Just what the HELL is that?

It means we cannot have a mechanical drive with this kind of powerful motion...as in speed and fast sexy mp/h speed. Look at the way the time can be adjusted! I have a feeling I will be spending much time and battery resource to display the ability to set the seconds and hours etc to friends! At this price...it's cool. My other watches will look almost "stationary".

Nah...I am not about to throw away my collection....but THIS Devon is something that has to go into my box or remain always on my "other" wrist.

I won't say it now...but havea look at this real time, non accelerated, undoctored video of a real sample...on utube.

It's not the CG diorama thingy...I am going to recieve a small press package soon, before I get my watch...looks like it's going to be in September!

But look..worth the look....and at $15,000..I think it is time that America is coming back into watchmaking AND kicking ass....congratulations to all who live in the US of A. I think you have proven that the US is almost always a force to recond with.

 

This message has been edited by bernard cheong on 2010-08-17 16:58:56 This message has been edited by bernard cheong on 2010-08-17 17:04:57

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2010-08-19 20:12:41

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.

Three of us, all owners of "all sorts" of really crazily expensive watches...are and continue to wait with watery eyes for this watch!!!

 

 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 context i overcame this tiny part of it being not fully mechanical not fully quartz... ying and yang again . would i consider it , YES  .

 

 waiting for the indepth review Bernard.

 

 Faisal

 

 

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 masturbation chamber cut it or press it.

So..even if we proudly look at our own mechanical watches, I will always recall the (electronic) machine that had a part in making it.

So...here's to the USA.

 

 for this pure USA creation .

 

 Faisal

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

 

 

 

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 machines, which is a good sign that the Swiss are now making their own machines for making their watches.

Otherwise, altho made in Swiss Land, many of our watches are also made by Japanese technology...strange world this one!

 

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 made in the country that invented the penile enlarger.

...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...but still....

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

part of the OCTO collection with both sides or faces different one mechanical and the other digital LED

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.

....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.

 

...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?

Thanks yet again!

 

Cheers,

pplater.

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.

And this may mean they will make sure the watch withstands the macro lenses of most journalists these days.

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.....just plain fun to watch, appreciate and enjoy!

Cheers,

Steve

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

How much is Devon inspired by Christophe Claret?

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 context of watchmaking.

If I am correctly informed the Tread needs to be recharged at least once a month.  I do not know the size of the battery, but considering the size of the watch I expect it is a standard cell-phone battery of around 750mAh.  So using 750mWh it will run about 30 days.  A standard quartz chrono has the same amount of motors as the Tread, is a wearable size and has a battery of maybe 45mAh with which it runs about 3 years.  A little more work on the part of the developers would certainly have found motors that use less current.  I bit there is a power gobbling microprocessor in there running the whole show using milliwatts.  An horological microprocessor uses nanowatts.  Look and you will find.

Maybe I am all wrong, but as an electrical engineer who has some idea of what low power is, I can see no reason why it needs so much energy to run.

I will readily admit, the Tread is a spectacular watch, but otherwise it is IMHO a standard US development such as we unfortunately so often see.  Don't try to make something that is technically advanced, make something that is spectacular, but cheap. 

(on the other hand I am with them in using polycarbonate for the crystals.  Despite their marketing, it is not high tech, being in all our glasses since the '70s of the last century if not before, but the folly of grinding saphire in all possible forms just drives prices through the sky.  And as we know from our glasses, good polycarbonate lenses with antireflection and surface hardened can take some punishment.  And when necessary they can be inexpensively replaced.  That said I also find the Tread expensive for what it is.)

Don

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 smaller motors and a more manageable size.

Andrew

But were there any belts in watches prior to Claret? If not, than any belts are after Claret, IMHO.

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 least a few months driving thru and having breakfasts in the Swiss and French towns, you will see why they make such designs onto their watches.

The Germans have it as well, but likewise..very teutonic.

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 an example of quality and passion beyond my wildest expectations.
The fit and weight is perfect. Although it is a larger watch, it settles on the wrist and is very comfortable.

I must say that I have not had the watch set to current time for more than about half an hour since I can't stop playing with it! Turning the crown and watching the belts spinning in all directions is highly addictive.

Thanks again and see you soon!

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?

Would like to see one in the flesh.
And like already mentioned, I would imagine that is is vert addictive to play with.

... 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.

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 bar scenes!

Chuckles...