A Week On The Wrist: The Devon Works Tread 1 (2024)

Is This Horology?

The Tread 1, built by Los Angeles-based Devon Works, is a departure from the norms set forth by the mavens of modern haute horology; Urwerk, MB&F et. al. The biggest deviation from these purveyors of mechanical art is that the Tread 1 uses an on-board battery system to supply the power that brings the watch to life. Though, in many ways the Tread 1 captures the same spirit of inventiveness and interactivity that we've come to expect from high-end contemporary watchmakers. Walking around with the watch on your wrist is an engaging experience, and not nearly as awkward as a first glance might suggest. I spent a week with the Tread 1, and it didn't take long for my skepticism to gave way to a childish sense of enjoyment. Mostly.Industrial Gadgetry For The Wrist

First impressions of the Tread 1 can range from curiosity and confusion to anger and awe. Most of the time, all at once. The watch is an imposing figure, its square-ish form overwhelms all but the manliest of wrists. One of my biggest surprises then, was just how easy the watch is to wear. The integrated lugs take steep angles as they attach to the rubber strap, affording a snug fit to my 7.25" wrist. The attachment points of the lugs bare nice detailing, from brushed surfaces to exposed lug nuts. They provide a fitting transition to the stage of activity tha lay under the large sapphire plastic crystal. Exposed gears, sensors and belts all dance away under the dial, you'd be tempted to call it graceful if it weren't for the decidedly industrial manner in which it goes about its business. Even the bulking crown, built with lovely detail, is an imposing structure to manipulate.

So the Tread 1 may not be for the faint of heart, but it is quite competent in its core function of telling time. Once you know what you're looking at, getting a quick read of the time is a breeze thanks to excellent visibility. The watch would make an equally good desk clock within a modern office setting (something to consider, Devon?) The watch's exposed moving parts make the Tread 1 a visually arresting machine, but the legible belt system used to display the time bring the watch to a level of every day usability often lost on machines of such complexion. For example, I find it difficult to read the time on many Richard Mille timepieces.This balance of complexity with practicality makes the Tread 1 as interesting to wear as an HM4 or UR-110, though it does lack the charm of those pieces due to its electronic innards. This fact shouldn't take anything away from the Tread 1 however, the precision and speed with which the watch works give it a personality all its own, one that holds great appeal to those who appreciate a well-made gadget and that's exactly how the Tread 1 should be viewed - less of a watch or piece of horology, and more of a gadget, but a really freaking cool one.

So the Tread 1 may not be for the faint of heart, but it is quite competent in its core function of telling time. Once you know what you're looking at, getting a quick read of the time is a breeze thanks to excellent visibility. The watch would make an equally good desk clock within a modern office setting (something to consider, Devon?) The watch's exposed moving parts make the Tread 1 a visually arresting machine, but the legible belt system used to display the time bring the watch to a level of every day usability often lost on machines of such complexion. For example, I find it difficult to read the time on many Richard Mille timepieces.This balance of complexity with practicality makes the Tread 1 as interesting to wear as an HM4 or UR-110, though it does lack the charm of those pieces due to its electronic innards. This fact shouldn't take anything away from the Tread 1 however, the precision and speed with which the watch works give it a personality all its own, one that holds great appeal to those who appreciate a well-made gadget and that's exactly how the Tread 1 should be viewed - less of a watch or piece of horology, and more of a gadget, but a really freaking cool one.

So, How Does It Work?

The Tread 1 uses a patented system of TimeBelts woven between one another (there are four of them) to display the time. They are powered by four very tiny micro step motors, which receive power from a single lithium polymer rechargeable battery cell. Technically, the Tread 1 is an impressive machine boasting many high-tech materials and a very real dose of space-age engineering. It works accurately, and is as strong as an ox thanks to its polycarbonate crystal (which, at first, Devon Works claimed was bullet proof but that seems to have subsided).

Battery life is OK, but if you travel with the watch, you will most certainly have to bring the charging case. Though, all you have to do is set the watch atop a pedestal in the provided case to charge it - no plugging in involved at all.

Made In California, USA

Also, Devon Works makes a point of reminding us that while this watch is indeed consumed mostly by fans of true Swiss-made goodness, the Tread 1 is not trying to be a part of inbred Swiss watch industry. In fact, not a single piece of the Tread 1 comes from a watch industry supplier. Instead, Devon Works used suppliers the aeronautics industry and each watch is manufactured right here in the United States of America.

That didn't stop the Tread 1 from being pre-selected as a finalist in the 2010 Geneva Grand Prix in the "design and concept" watch category, losing only the noble , which retails for more than ten times the Tread 1.

But, what makes the Tread 1 so cool is what it looks like when it's turned on. And when you turn it on, it looks like this:

Too Loud For The Boardroom

Like most watches, as with anything in life, the Tread 1 is not without fault. The most egregious of of these faults is the sound the watch produces as byproduct of the hefty moving pieces within. Upon turning the watch on, the time will set itself in a dizzying array of motion (as see above), finally setting on the correct digits with the seconds belt clipping away at a rather alarming decibel level. Unless you've got the music turned up, or find yourself in a busy environment, you and others around you will notice the sound of each second passing. Thankfully, Devon has built the watch with a "quiet" mode, which turns the seconds belt off, setting it to zero. With quiet mode engaged, you will only hear the sound of every minute passing, a far more bearable experience but one that is void of the visual fun that makes the watch what it is. With the seconds running, you could not wear this watch in a business meeting.

Like most watches, as with anything in life, the Tread 1 is not without fault. The most egregious of of these faults is the sound the watch produces as byproduct of the hefty moving pieces within. Upon turning the watch on, the time will set itself in a dizzying array of motion (as see above), finally setting on the correct digits with the seconds belt clipping away at a rather alarming decibel level. Unless you've got the music turned up, or find yourself in a busy environment, you and others around you will notice the sound of each second passing. Thankfully, Devon has built the watch with a "quiet" mode, which turns the seconds belt off, setting it to zero. With quiet mode engaged, you will only hear the sound of every minute passing, a far more bearable experience but one that is void of the visual fun that makes the watch what it is. With the seconds running, you could not wear this watch in a business meeting.A jeweled bearing peaks through the TimeBeltsI'm not going to say that the size of the Tread One is a drawback, as it is clearly intentional and integral to the design, purpose, and character of the machine. You don't buy a watch like this and say to yourself, "If only it were 38mm…" and if you do, might I suggest that you've missed the point. The rubber strap is a bit on the wide side however, enough to slightly restrict lateral movement of the wrist. This issue rarely came into play for me though, perhaps I don't do enough calisthenics.

Conclusion

The Tread One is a purpose built machine, and it succeeds at being in-your-face, graceful and practical all at once. It is the ultimate gadget for the ultimate guy, not a hint of indecisiveness or modesty. While I may not recommend wearing the watch every day, you certainly could. The Tread 1 captures the same level of wonderment that you'll find in many of the top dollar marques of today, but it does so on its own, very unapologetic terms. The Details

The Tread One is a purpose built machine, and it succeeds at being in-your-face, graceful and practical all at once. It is the ultimate gadget for the ultimate guy, not a hint of indecisiveness or modesty. While I may not recommend wearing the watch every day, you certainly could. The Tread 1 captures the same level of wonderment that you'll find in many of the top dollar marques of today, but it does so on its own, very unapologetic terms. The Details

The Tread Works 1 is priced at $17,500 and is available at select dealers around the globe including, shockingly, Tourneau. See more information about the watch, inclusing a break down of all the geeky tech specs and patents on Devon's website right here. Devon Works also designs and crafts other products, including cars and motorbikes, so if the Tread 1 speaks to you, don't miss the other lifestyle elements of the brand.

Devon-works