Three years ago, we previewed an exciting project with Silicon Valley roots from an upstart indie watchmaking brand called Barrelhand. Their Project 1 watch had an innovative display for telling the time, futuristic looks, and bore the influence of designs from Urwerk, HYT, and other brands representing the vanguard of high end, independent watchmaking. The key distinguishing feature of the Project 1 is in the nature of its manufacture: components are produced through various types of 3D printing methods. According to Barrelhand, the use of 3D printing reduces R&D costs dramatically, and allows them to manufacture parts that would not have been possible otherwise. With the Project 1 finally available for interested customers to reserve, we thought we?d take another look at a watch that truly pushes the envelope.
Barrelhand Project 1

Case Material: Titanium
Dial: Open, with Geneva Jump Hour and linear minute displays
Dimensions: 44 x 15mm
Crystal: Sapphire        
Water Resistance: 5 ATM
Crown: Binder jet steel/titanium crown release system                   
Movement: Manual wind movement with in-house jump hour mechanism, 50 hour power reserve
Strap/bracelet: Leather 
Price: $30,000
Reference Number: n/a
Expected Release: Reservations now open 

When we talk about 3D printing in the context of the Project 1, what we?re really referring to is state of the art technology that allows for the binding of powdered metal at great prec...