Several years ago, the designers of the French Brand ALB Watches decided to meet a challenge. They wanted to mix traditional craftsmanship and modern technologies in order to design their luxury watches. Now all of their products integrate 3D printed components, printed through Sculpteo’s services.
ALB Watch CAD Model (Photo courtesy of ALB)
From the beginning, Vincent Candellé-Tuheille and Simon-Pierre Delord, founders of the brand, had the same approach:
“We wanted to create upmarket designs, using high quality components, such as Swiss movement, or great quality interlocking parts. It was essential to find a harmonization between art, craft and technology. The brand universe gradually found its way, but 3D printing quickly became an obvious choice”.
With both having a 3D modeling background, the designers knew it offers great liberty of creation. Which was essential for their watches.
As Simon-Pierre Delord explained: “ALB’s main goal was to create a space in the watches dedicated to personal expression that would allow us to tell stories”. What better way to achieve it than 3D printing?
Seduced by the 3D materials offered by Sculpteo
“3D printing allows us to model up, and work the matter without constraints. We’ve been seduced by the materials Sculpteo offers, by their originality, their texture and their properties.
Inspection of 3D Printed ALB Watch components (Photo courtesy of ALB)
For example, we could develop a new painting process which would allow us to create a good looking impression of volume.
That’s how we started working with Sculpteo, coming up with multiple tests. Sculpteo’s team helped us to utilize all of the subtleties and potential of 3D printing.”
Now, they use 3D printed components to produce all of their watches. “It became so essential in the way we design our watches that we can’t imagine using another technology.” Their mission is now realized and all the parts are entirely hand-assembled.
ALB Luxury Watch with integrated 3D Printed components; printed through Sculpteo’s services. (Photo courtesy of ALB)
About Sculpteo
Sculpteo is an online 3D printing service based in San Francisco and Paris. They are one of the world’s largest 3D printers, offering on-demand 3D printing of individual products as well as short-run manufacturing. They have 45 materials, colors, and finishes available, plus superior file analysis and repair. Their factories use only professional printers and provide fast turnaround with worldwide delivery. Sculpteo was founded in 2009. For more information please visit: www.sculpteo.com