My, how time flies. The first article I wrote for 3DPrint.com was about Tenvas’ 3D printed watches, and at the time, I was just beginning to learn everything that can be done with this new technology. Eight months later, Singapore-based Tenvas is back in the 3D printing news now that the company has added a new free on-line customization tool–and has less than a month left for its Indiegogo campaign seeking to raise $10,000.
What’s so special about Tenvas watches? Well, for one, they are 3D printed. Time pieces have accrued special value to people probably because, for dedicated watch wearers, a watch is something highly functional and worn almost every waking hour of the day. This is one reason people have such distinctive 
When I was in high school, we had the Swatch watch craze. Kids were lining their wrists up with mix-and-match watches that came in a stunning variety of designs and colors: telling time hardly seemed to be the point during this crazy trend. Also, Apple has taken the idea of a valuable watch to a higher level by launching its own wrist watch–as you are surely well aware.
With the use of 3D printing, Tenvas believes it can appeal to this same niche market craving unique time pieces, by offering interchangeable 3D color printed watch bands that can now be easily customized using a free online tool.
CEO and co-founder Damien Chow explains the idea:
“We believe that everyone can be creative if given the right tools and confidence. We wanted our users to experience that sense of fulfillment through customising their own trendy 3D printed watches.”
Being able to upload your own photos or designs is an excellent way to bring the watch wearer closer to the piece. If you support the Indiegogo campaign you can also get a great deal on a customized watches, including a variety of packages that give you extra bands or a membership.
The days of bland watch bands are numbered, but also consider the options for customization, as images can constitute a watchband design, or words and numbers can be printed so they are in-laid within the watch strap. I don’t know about you, but these watches have “creative gift” idea written all over it. Imagine a fun watch to commemorate someone’s retirement emblazoned with images of golf clubs with the person’s first day of official retirement engraved in the band!
Is this Indiegogo campaign one you’d back? Let us know your thoughts on these fun, creative watches in the Tenvas forum thread over at 3DPB.com. Below are videos from Tenvas demonstrating their concept.
