Wow Watch Wednesday: Devon Tread 1

Depending on who you read, you may have heard something (or nothing) about a rather remarkable new concept watch, the Devon Tread 1. Although, given the overwhelming media attention the Tread 1 received when it was first announced earlier this year one could almost suggest that it would be impossible for internet savvy enthusiasts not to be at least familiar with the name, if not the extraordinary idea behind it.

So, why have we waited so long to write about the Tread 1?

It’s simple really, we weren’t quite sure where it fit and to be honest, we’re still not.

It’s Definitely Different
At first glance the Tread 1 looks like a rather impressive piece of modern age haute horology, not unlike something that might be produced by the famous Atelier of Christophe Claret.

At first glance.

And herein our conundrum lay. You see, the Tread 1 is not a high-end piece of haute horology, at least not in the traditional sense. Certainly it is complicated and boasts an array of tiny, finely machined moving parts that work in unison to animate this most unique timepiece, but that is very much where the similarities end (at least at a mechanical level.)

Unlike other mechanical timepieces which also use the increasingly popular conveyor belt concept to present the time and other functions to the wearer, the Tread 1 is powered by a lithium polymer rechargeable cell that Devon claims will run for up to two weeks on a single charge. This rechargeable cell powers four incredibly compact micro-step motors which drive the movements of the four individual, overlapping belts visible on the Spartan-esque dial.

It is undeniably a bold concept and completely unlike anything we’ve seen before, yet like many of our on-line colleagues we also find ourselves asking the question; is this a luxury timepiece or simply a very expensive gadget? And more importantly, does it really matter?

Certainly the Tread 1 won’t suit all tastes, and dare we say that the more traditional among us may even consider this an affront to the fine art of mechanical watch-making, yet we do not believe that this is the spirit in which this curious timepiece was conceived. To us this piece speaks of artistic creativity and a strong desire to challenge commonly accepted conventions.

We have talked before about the difference the place of inception can make on the design and ideology behind a timepiece, and so it will come as no surprise to many of you that the Tread 1 was actually designed in California not Europe. Whilst it undoubtedly shows in the design, it is also reflected in the state-of-the-art technology encapsulated within.

For example the pulley system is lubricant free and moves smoothly thanks to the integration of jeweled bearings. A temperature-compensated crystal provides data to the on-board microprocessor that drives the four micro-step motors while the exterior case is formulated from high-grade stainless steel complete with crystal viewing panel made of scratch-resistant and anti-reflective polycarbonate with bulletproof durability.

Sounds impressive doesn’t it but is it enough?

The Final Word
For all its advanced technology and new-age looks, we’re still not sure about the Tread 1. Conceptually it is very cool, but does it really satisfy what we crave in a timepiece, especially one with a reasonable price tag attached? The Tread 1 retails for $15,000, which in context, is not unreasonable given the technology offered, however, at the same time the brand has no history or credibility as a watch-maker and in many regards is more an expensive toy than a luxury timepiece.

Of course, we could be completely off the mark here, and so if you think we are please don’t hesitate to tell us!

To find out more about the Devon Tread 1 check out their official website: www.devonworks.com

Tags: belts, complex, devon, gadget, luxury, Mechanical, New, special, tread 1, Watch

Category: Wow Watch Wednesday