Episode 30…Igor Basargin and the Calendar Watch Part 1


0

Doesn’t it annoy you that so many people walk or drive while staring at their phones? They are an accident waiting to happen. I watched a woman walk right into a parking meter last week. On average, a smartphone owner checks their phone 221 times a day (in UK, source: Tecmark). Wouldn’t it be fresh to wear a great looking Calendar Watch with functions that help reduce the need to pull out the cellphone?

Buy NowBuy Now

The Calendar Watch by What? combines the heritage of watchmaking and one of a kind design with an always visible daily calendar that syncs with the most popular digital calendars, so you can see your day at a glance.

Calendar Watch

After careful testing and studies, we’ve come to the conclusion the best user experience is achieved by making the Calendar Watch as simple as possible.  We leave all extra features to their App and online calendars. There are no buttons or unnecessary functions.

Calendar Watch

The Calendar Watch is conceived and designed by renowned Japanese art director Masashi Kawamura.  He has been featured on the Fast Company’s most creative people list, and Italian industrial designer Umberto Onza, who together have fused the aesthetics and demands of consumers who want to curate their own style with an eye toward story, craftsmanship, and individuality.

Audiobook Now Available
e-book      paperback

With its iconic, refined features, the watch pays tribute to the heritage of watchmaking. It’s polished stainless steel case provides a classic feel, with both comfort and durability, while it’s domed hardened sapphire glass is made to last. I contacted the support team at What? Watch and asked them to answer the following questions:

How was the Calendar Watch Prototype Process?

The prototyping was actually quite quick. The concept of the watch had been around in our mind for 6 months or so, so the models and information that we handed to the manufacturer was quite mature.

Prototypes of the watch body were initially machined form solid metal to confirm that the ID surfaces of the watch were right.  This allowed us to make quick adjustments to both the CAD models to get the look and feel.

From this stage there was another round to make new visual prototypes to the correct weight, that had the correct materials, finishes, together with wristbands etc.
Because the movement and technology in the watch are known to us, there was only one for round, which was to produce full working Engineering Samples, which feature in our Kickstarter campaign!

How was the Calendar Watch Patent Process?

We got a brilliantly transparent concept from Mr. Masahi Kawamura which just needed to be technically implemented. By that time our team had already have a substantial experience with engineering of mono-functional watches with e-paper displays, connecting to mobile devices as well as certain background on patenting. As soon as we understood how Calendar Watch will function, we filed for a patent.

How do you plan to market the Calendar Watch?

The marketing campaign is a mix of industry specific trade shows, technology exhibitions, and then reaching out using popular social media.

We already have adverts running on Facebook and Instagram, and have been to various shows and exhibitions to start introducing the concept of Calendar Watch. Once we are through the Kickstarter we will finalise the next phase of the marketing plan, to ensure that Calendar Watch becomes known! We plan to sell this through a variety of channels; directly from our website, through retail partners and we are also considering a pop-up store.

Calendar Watch

How did you did decide on a manufacturer for the Calendar Watch?

We are making a hybrid watch that carries both digital and traditional features and needed a manufacturer that was use to this mix. We approached several different manufactures across the globe, concentrating on those that had experience with hybrid watch building. The suppliers that we eventually chose have a long history of watch making.  They were able to both challenge us, and confirm what we were doing was right at the correct time. They became more of a partner than a supplier.

Calendar Watch

What advice would you give to those interested in inventing?

Do it! If you have an idea write it down.  Try to capture the essence of it in a short sentence so you remain focused. Share your developed idea with friends/colleagues.  Any invention or idea will benefit from outside perspective. Don’t be afraid to rethink features, or even start from scratch.  Recognizing this and being adaptive will keep the ideas coming.

Purchase

on Amazon

What advice would you give to those interested in creating a crowdfunding campaign?

Carefully choose the platform to be featured on.  There are plenty of them and all so different, offering various range of products and projects.  There are even platforms for charity. Prepare  for the campaign and participate in it. And make sure you keep in contact with your backers, people who trusted you their money.  Always answer the comments, messages and post updates. Communication is the key.

Buy NowBuy Now

Click here to visit the Kickstarter Campaign Page.

The Invention Stories Podcast

on YouTube and More…

Click here to learn more about Invention Stories

and here for Women Inventors and the 7 Percent.

To watch more Invention Stories on YouTube, please click here.

If you are new to inventing, we invite you to visit Episode 1 with Forbes Riley.

Click here to visit (and Like) the Invention Stories Facebook Page.

Finally, we invite you to sign our Guest Book.

Thank you for reading this and please…tell a friend.

For more information please visit https://www.whatwatch.com/


, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Like it? Share with your friends!

0
robert_bear