Uniform Wares 3D prints the thousands of links for its watches

Watch manufacturer Uniform Wares wanted to explore how additive metal fabrication could change the way watches are made. With its partner Betatype, they imagined a titanium alloy rim for its 2019 collection; the PreciDrive M-Line. This is thanks to the powder-bed melting technology. Leading to them being able to make a lighter, more aesthetically pleasing bracelet or rim with a unique clasp system.

The market of watches and jewellery have for some years now looked to additive manufacturing and adopted it in the production cycles of watches, bracelets, necklaces and other jewellery. It is a method that offers a wide choice of materials and allows to obtain more geometric complexity. SmarTech’s firm estimated the sector’s expenditures into 3D printing at $ 900 million by 2026.

A lighter and more aesthetic watch thanks to additive manufacturing

The watch rim for the new collection was printed on a Renishaw AM250 from a titanium alloy. It consist of more than 4,000 links fitting together to form a strong and light structure. The rim weighs only 10.5 grams. According to Uniform Wares, each of its links is also asymmetrical unlike more traditional watches. This means that each side of the watch rim has a different radius of curvature. This would allow them to be easily adjusted on the hand, while remaining flexible enough to hold well on the wrist.