Devon Works Tread 1 is the bulletproof Droid of wristwatches (video)

Forget the fact that this thing is bulletproof or that its internal battery is recharged wirelessly, just look at it. Built around an array of four microstep motors -- each driving one of an interwoven quartet of time belts -- the Devon Works Tread 1 creates a veritable visual symphony of precise motion to accompany the typically mundane task of checking the time. The watch was designed with the help of a Californian aerospace engineering company, which should go some way to justifying its $15,000 asking price. The rest of that justification will have to come from the "oohs" and "aahs" you incite in stupefied onlookers. Go past the break to see the promo video, it achieves rare heights of machismo that are not to be missed.

[Slygathor Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:12AM]

Damn that's a nice watch.

[mattpez Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:31AM]

@Slygathor

But will it blend?

[Slygathor Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:32AM]

@mattpez Probably not.....probably NOT. =[

[DeFlanko Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:42AM]

@Slygathor

I want one...

[One Love Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:43AM]

@Slygathor : Stupefied Hookers?

[Atkins Posted Apr 20th 2010 11:05AM]

@Slygathor Fk the car. I am getting this.

[Girish Posted Apr 20th 2010 2:09PM]

@mattpez Please don't blend it

[sonola777 Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:13AM]

Wow, this thing looks like something from a Terminator movie.

[Archon Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:15AM]

I want it but...
$15k?

[NaeemTHM Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:26AM]

@Archon I know that's like three Evo's!

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/htc-evo-4g-shows-up-in-sprint-inventory-shots-of-the-accessorie/

[Plazmic Flame Posted Apr 20th 2010 2:26PM]

@Archon

For $15k this thing should be able to transform into a cell phone, mini PC and a car.

[willowtwf Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:16AM]

two notes about the video.

1 - would've been nice to see the actual watch in motion instead of this somewhat cheesy rendering.

2 - the watch at the end is on the model arm upside down. i know it's right on for the final shot as we're looking at it, but it's being worn upside down on the arm in the shot.

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:25AM]

@willowtwf
LOL you're right...fail ;p

[safe travels Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:19AM]

Usually i don't find the ridiculously expensive gadgets posted on here very appealing, but this... this is just too cool.

[Rick James Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:19AM]

Who knew Lord Vader was designing wrist watches...

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:22AM]

Damn this is mind blowing...I love watches and all but for this much I'd rather get the diamond nixon rotolog (even though it's kind of old by now, it was still one of the sickest watches imho).

[Maurizio Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:43AM]

@DoctarPeppar
Looked at the Rotolog, and...They are not in the same league.
http://www.nixonnow.com/include/images/diamond-rotolog.jpg

This one is sporty yet elegant as hell.

the Rotolog is gaudy with a side of gaudy, and stiill doesnt have the understated refinement and elegance this one does.

This watch is bad ass but you would definitely wear it at a board meeting. The Rotolog...I dont think so.

IMO

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:45AM]

@Maurizio
The rotolog is not really a "board meeting" kind of watch :P
It's more a skater look, combined with luxury -- which I happen to *love*
:) -- plus, diamond skulls are awesome.

[NiKoLaSm Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:26AM]

Well if I ever come into *eff you* levels of money I am totally buying one of these.

[xzavier Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:27AM]

Magnificent watch. Great computer animation!

Now for $15,000.00 can you show me the REAL THING PLEASE!

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:49AM]

@xzavier
How much you wanna bet they have not even got one of these things actually built yet? I bet it's still in the conceptual \ testing phase with no real production models ready for sale yet.

[jwilbur Posted Apr 20th 2010 4:35PM]

@DoctarPeppar
I can assure you it is real...

[Zalgo Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:37AM]

Bullet resistant not bullet proof.

[Gavin M Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:40AM]

Damn that is a really nice watch. now ill be looking for the KIRF version

[bebop Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:47AM]

Concept is cooler as a small desktop clock than as a wristwatch.

"Ooh, how cute, you're wearing that toy tank on your wrist again!"

.....

[harhar Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:48AM]

I don't think I've ever referred to watch as "badass."

Except for this one.

And Dick Tracy's when I was 8.

[CeNeTti Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:56AM]

I want some Chinese company to fake it.... so I can afford it...

hahahaha

[Riccardo Posted Apr 20th 2010 11:47AM]

@CeNeTti
+1
It looks awesome!! But if there were to be a Chinese'd version it would probably be huge if its going to have the same mechanics. :(

[magallanes Posted Apr 20th 2010 10:59AM]

how odd watch :
You don't want to use as a part of your formal dress (you can't compare with a leather Omega Seamaster) and you don't want to use in extreme condition because it is too bulky, too expensive and apparently it is a mechanics watch (i doubt that can beat a cheap Casio G-Shock watch)

[noot Posted Apr 20th 2010 11:02AM]

$15k is a lot, but not compared to a lot of the other watches that make it onto Engadget...

[airbag888 Posted Apr 20th 2010 11:14AM]

Eagerly awaiting a KIRF version. I'll buy it even if it runs 5mins too fast every 2mins...

[hischampion Posted Apr 20th 2010 11:29AM]

OH MAN that's so cool! It's bulletproof!

[rutter9 Posted Apr 20th 2010 11:44AM]

I thought it said $150, and was like wow that's expensive! Then I read it again, and had a good laugh.

[vintage31 Posted Apr 20th 2010 11:53AM]

But what time is it?

[majortom Posted Apr 20th 2010 12:10PM]

I thought it was an interesting watch until the very last shot, where you see the watch referenced to a persons wrist. It looks like a small TV on the person's wrist.

[Merton Posted Apr 20th 2010 12:27PM]

They should make a cheaper, non-bullet proof/resistant version for those of us that can't afford to spend $15k on a watch and don't care if our watch can withstand a bullet (which I am guessing would probably be everyone that reads engadget).

I understand this watch is for government type stuff (seeing as it is made my an aerospace company), but come'on! It looks so awesome! I want one!

[jwilbur Posted Apr 20th 2010 2:44PM]

I am the designer of the Tread 1.
We are very excited about the launch of our new watch;
I am happy to answer any questions you all may have.
Thanks for checking it out!

[REDMATT Posted Apr 20th 2010 8:23PM]

@jwilbur
Jason... This thing is a piece of art... end of story. Anyone who questions the price point... is not in your target market, has no business wearing this watch, and has no idea the design/engineering prowess it takes to create something this complex and get it into such a small package. Incredible work! When do you ship and how can I get on the waiting list?

[jwilbur Posted Apr 20th 2010 8:38PM]

@REDMATT
Thank you! We plan to ship the watch in June and sell it through a select network of high end retailers. You can sign up for our mailing list at the devonworks website.

[peepeeland Posted Apr 20th 2010 2:51PM]

$15,000? This watch looks beautiful, but it's a bit cheap for my expensive tastes... IF IT WERE ONLY MORE EXPENSIVE!!!

[Jurrens Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:00PM]

Seems like it would get snagged on a lot of things... suck your shirt right in, then you're in the hole a new watch.

[garythelegend Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:08PM]

This is nothing more than a display piece for watch collectors, not meant for real world use. The battery needs to be constantly recharged every 2 weeks for goodness' sake. Plus, for that price, I'm expecting a titanium case.

[Cicadymn Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:45PM]

People are bleeding money and not speeding at an extraordinary rate...what should we do Jim?
...I've got it. Build a watch that costs as much as a car.
GENIUS!

[jwilbur Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:53PM]

@Cicadymn
Considering the fact that the entire first run of watches have been pre-ordered...I would call that genius.

[Admiral Ackbar Posted Apr 20th 2010 4:00PM]

@Cicadymn

You know there are millions of people out there who are still wealthy.

[Teslanaut Posted Apr 20th 2010 4:44PM]

Query: Who shoots someone in the wrist?

[davincithought Posted Apr 20th 2010 5:05PM]

@Teslanaut

Who checks the time while they're getting shot?

[clydeseal Posted Apr 20th 2010 5:25PM]

@davincithought no no its like one of those Wonder Woman bracelets

[clydeseal Posted Apr 20th 2010 5:24PM]

but is it water proof???

[jwilbur Posted Apr 20th 2010 5:43PM]

@clydeseal
The company never stated that the watch was "bullet proof"...so it is funny that it has become part of the headline....
But it is water resistant.