Yes, you read that right – today we’re going to have a look at a Kickstarter project that’s currently seeking funding for a watch that incorporates 3D printing.
The project is coming from Zayger watches (project page), and it’s combining quite a unique mix of manufacturing processes to create these watches:
Zayger will create watches combining modern manufacturing methods such as 3D printing and laser cutting with old school hand finishing and polishing techniques. Hand engraving, hand painting and enameling will be the finishing touches to make beautiful, stylish and unique timepieces that will stand out, without straying too far from the “classic” watch look.
As far as watches themselves go, this is a fairly simple two-hander quartz (I assume that’s the movement, given the price), not anything you’d necessarily write home about. When this watch aims to differentiate itself is with the materials in use. The pictures in this post show the antique bronze finish, though they will also have gold plated steel, polished silver, and polished gold available.
Additionally, there are going to be at least six different leathers to choose from in a variety of colors:
- Alligator/crocodile
- Ostrich
- Python
- Lambskin
- Lizard
- Shark
These are incorporated into the dial (which I don’t know that I’ve seen before), the bezel, the sides of the case, as well as the rear of the case – as well as the strap. In short, you end up like you’re wearing a solid swatch of leather on your wrist that happens to have some vestiges of a watch case showing through, as well as the handset.
At the time of this writing, there were still a handful of the “early adopter” level available, netting you a watch for $175. Should that be filled, pricing goes up from there, in smaller increments. For a simple quartz watch, that seems a touch high. However, once you included the processes and finishes available (as well as the made in the USA aspect), there are some intriguing things going on here.
While this watch itself isn’t to my personal tastes, I’m curious to see how this turns out, as well as what future plans (sounds like he’s planning to make his own movement at some point) come to fruition.
