Independents

Devon Tread 1

 

Bernard Cheong’s post about the Devon Tread 1 certainly struck a chord in this community, evoking passionate responses both in support and in opposition. I had the opportunity to handle a prototype of the Devon Tread 1 recently and wanted to add to the discussion of this larger than life timepiece.

“Wow!” was my initial reaction to the watch when I first clapped my eyes on it, similar to how I felt when I’ve come across other hyper-sized watches with distinctive styling, such as the Maitres du Temps Chapter One:


and the Christophe Claret Dual Tow:


among the many others (Urwek and MB&F) that are making adventurously designed watches today.

One lesson I’m learning from experience is that the sheer volume of a watch definitely evokes a visceral response in me, and my first impressions are usually positive. A second impression comes when I try the watch on:



And when I strapped on the Devon Tread 1 I found it to be wearable. There is no mistaking the fact that it is huge and that I would have to adapt my attire for the days I wanted to wear it, but then, I have found that I do/have done that with other watches in my collection. This would be a watch for the weekend for me, a very pleasant partner for my denim days.


This watch is 53 mm from side to side and 47 mm from lug to lug. It is 17 mm high, meaning it won’t fit under any sleeve that I own. When it comes to the wearability of such a large watch, the design of the lugs is paramount, and the downward angle of the lugs of the Devon Tread 1 was carefully thought out.


Reading the time is intuitive, and I was amused by the two-second intervals between movements on the seconds tread, rather than by the usual and expected one-second ticks on a standard quartz watch. I did not try any operations with the crown, so I am unable to comment on user-friendliness.

The Devon Tread 1 is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer cell, which operates four independent electrical motors, one for each rubber tread, which in turn are controlled by an onboard microprocessor. The Tread 1 is recharged wirelessly by placing it inside a box, which must be plugged in. The watch is expected to work reliably for two weeks after recharging.

It is this fundamental nature of the Devon Tread 1 that I, and I’m sure many here within the PuristS community might have difficulty getting our heads around with our focus on traditional mechanical watchmaking. Anyone considering this watch will have to answer a slew of questions: How do I feel about battery-powered movements? Do I care if the watch is not beautiful (very different than being interesting, a quality which the Devon Tread 1 has in spades)? What can I compare it to? Does it represent a good value (Retail value is $15,000)?


I have little doubt that the Devon Tread 1 will find an audience and be successful. I just don’t know if that audience will be from within this community. This is a story I definitely am interested in following.

Bill