Available now: World's inaugural 3D-printed timepiece, surprisingly pocket-friendly
Apiar Unveils Sustainable Gen1.0 Watch Made with 3D Printing
This week, British watch brand Apiar is debuting their innovative Gen1.0 watch, a testament to the power of additive manufacturing in watchmaking.
The Gen1.0 watch boasts a unique design, with a textured, web-like titanium dial and skeletal lugs and caseback that were previously unattainable through traditional methods. These intricate components are produced layer-by-layer using titanium powder, rather than being carved or machined from solid blocks.
The watch's complex, organic, and overlapping geometries are possible thanks to generative design principles, a design process that allows for the creation of complex shapes based on specific rules and algorithms. This approach results in a watch that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, with a lightweight yet robust construction.
Apiar's commitment to sustainability is evident in their use of additive manufacturing. This process minimises material waste, as it adds material only where it is needed, in contrast to conventional subtractive machining. As a result, the Gen1.0 watch boasts a very efficient buy-to-fly ratio, wasting just 14 grams of titanium across the midcase, dial, and caseback combined.
While the bezel is the only part that is CNC machined, the rest of the case, dial, and lugs are 3D printed to maximise design freedom and efficiency. This approach allows Apiar to push the boundaries of performance and beauty in watchmaking.
The Gen1.0 watch is available in two different color choices, Dawn and Dusk, which are visible through the skeletonised dial. These colors are inspired by space and blueprint aesthetics, reflecting Apiar's innovative spirit and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in watchmaking.
Matt Oosthuizen, co-founder and managing director of Apiar, believes that additive manufacturing expands their design canvas, allowing them to create the Gen1.0 watch. He states, "Additive manufacturing allows us to create the Gen1.0 watch, a watch that would be impossible to make using traditional methods."
Orders for the Gen1.0 watch are opening this week, with a price of £2,250 incl.VAT. Apiar is one of the few brands that use locally sourced new technology and additive manufacturing in watchmaking, setting a new standard for sustainable and innovative watch design.
[1] Apiar (2023). Gen1.0 Watch. [Online]. Available: https://www.apiar.co/collections/apiar/products/gen1-0-watch
[2] Additive Manufacturing (2023). What is Additive Manufacturing? [Online]. Available: https://www.additivemanufacturing.uk/what-is-additive-manufacturing/
[3] Generative Design (2023). What is Generative Design? [Online]. Available: https://www.generative-design.co.uk/what-is-generative-design/
The Gen1.0 watch, unveiled by Apiar, showcases the potential of additive manufacturing in the realm of watchmaking, using 3D printing technology to create its intricate titanium components. This revolutionary watch, dressed in Dawn and Dusk colors, is one of few gadgets demonstrating the use of locally sourced technology and additive manufacturing.
