A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:
Proof of Concept
Explorations that test ideas and functionality.
Functional Prototype
Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.
Appearance Prototype
Looks like the final product, but is not functional.
Design Prototype
Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.
Production Prototype
Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.
Prototype Gallery
These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.
Xeric Trappist-1 Moonphase : Bending Time and Space
NASA’s recent ground-breaking discovery of the Trappist-1 solar system inspired us to imagine what a journey to these newly found planets might be like. The watch pays tribute to this new planetary system of seven planets resembling our own, located 12 parsecs (39 light years) away from us and orbiting a red dwarf star slightly larger than Jupiter.
Several key features of the Trappist-1 Moonphase watch set it apart from other traditional watch designs.
The large Cupola grille floating over the dial provides a window into the depths of space and time as distant planets slowly come into view amongst the star riddled void.
Two Super-LumiNova™ planets indicate hours and minutes on the dial, and the center viewing window shows the current moon phase.
The watch features a domed crystal made from Hesalite, a material that was initially developed for NASA. Hesalite is still used for watch crystals on all space missions due to its rigidity and durability even in the harshest environments of space.
The straps are made from U.S. Horween leather and the ridges are modeled after texturized space gloves.
Each colorway will be limited to 2017 pieces and each watch will be individually numbered.
During observation of the Trappist-1 planetary system, researchers found that these new worlds were within a habitable zone where liquid water and even plant life may be present. Traveling to these planets may still be a long way off, but that doesn’t prevent us from dreaming up the perfect watch about the journey: the Trappist-1 Moonphase.
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Spaceport Observatory Grille
The grille of the watch represents what a first glimpse of the Trappist-1 system might look like through the observatory deck of a spaceship. As the spacecraft makes its 12 parsecs (39 lightyears) journey from earth, the Trappist-1 system would begin to come into view amongst the vast starry backdrop. The observatory grille provides a window into the beauty of space while protecting onboard occupants from the great unknown.
Cupola viewing window on ISS
The grille also serves as a window into space, similar to observatory space decks seen in many sci-fi films and modern spaceport designs. The International Space Station (ISS) has recently made a new addition known as the Cupola, allowing astronauts to get a better view of their surroundings. The Cupola is a module comprised of 7 panels in a dome layout making it the most massive window ever used in space. The geometric framework inspired us to design our window to space as interstellar travel becomes more prevalent.
Vasarely Op Art
The inspiration for the grille also stems from the theory of a fabric of spacetime and Victor Vasarely’s groundbreaking optical artwork; his work provided the world new visual illusions, creating beautiful 3D objects that seem to transcend the 2D surface they were painted on. One of his most famous works, the Vega-nor uses square spaces to create distorted quadrants that add depth to a purely flat image. The spatial depth he created draws many parallels to the curvature of spacetime as it wraps around massive planets and stars. By incorporating these design cues into a domed surface, we were able to increase the visual impact while keeping the watch thin and comfortable to wear.
Super-LumiNova™ Star Trails Display
The glowing Super-LumiNova™ indices help space explorers travel in the darkest regions of space while creating a beautiful dance of motion as the planets orbit amongst the stars. The inner luminous planet represents the hours while the outer luminous planet shows the minutes, all while orbiting around the central axis.
The time reads like a traditional watch, with inner and outer planets representing hours and minutes
Super-LumiNova™ Central Moonphase
One of the earliest known complications in horology, the moon phase displays the sunlit portion of the moon, as observed from earth. The moon completes its lunar cycle in 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.8 seconds. The Trappist-1 Moonphase shows the luminescent moon as it reveals the current lunar phase from underneath the semiopaque cover.
The moon display in the center of the watch gives a visual presentation of the current phase of the moon
Domed Hesalite Crystal
The domed crystal spans 41mm across the entire dial and is made of a space-age material developed for NASA known as Hesalite. The material was introduced in the 1960s as a crystal replacement for space-bound watches. The first watch to be worn on the moon by Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong had to withstand the harsh environment of space. A standard sapphire crystal poses many issues in the event of an impact in zero gravity as tiny fragments of floating glass could spell disaster for the cabin and onboard crew. To remedy this, NASA replaced sapphire crystals with Hesalite versions as they have a higher resistance to impact and do not shatter like traditional glass.
The material is still being used today by astronauts aboard space missions and the ISS proving its durability and effectiveness. This space-tested material provides many other exceptional properties over sapphire crystals. Hesalite has an exceptional light transmission with minimal refraction, meaning that the dial below does not get distorted or magnified as a traditional domed sapphire crystal would. Thus, the display below is clear and easy to read at any viewing angle.
American Horween Leather
The straps are made using full grain leather from Horween, one of the oldest continuously running tanneries in the United States. Since 1908, Horween has been making the highest quality leather from their Chicago location on the corner of Elston and Ashland. The Trappist-1 straps are textured and stitched to pay tribute to the articulated ridge-lines seen on space gloves. The straps can fit wrists up to 9.25 inches.
Limited Edition
Each watch colorway will be limited to 2017 pieces to commemorate the year Trappist-1 system was announced. Each watch will be individually numbered making each piece unique to you.
The Ronda mov't runs off a readily available Renata 371 battery. The watch weighs just 71 grams (0.25 oz). The lug to lug measurement is only 48mm from springbar hole to springbar hole so the Trappist-1 Moonphase will fit a wide range of wrist sizes.
original concept sketch
Exploded View of CAD Design
Xeric was started from a passion to push the boundaries of design and create unique, yet affordable time machines. Watches like you've never seen before. Xeric is one of the most successful watch brands on Kickstarter. We started out as watch collectors, and it’s our passion to create unexpected timepieces.
The team behind Xeric is also responsible for Watches.com (formerly Watchismo). Founded by brothers Mitch & Andrew Greenblatt who are modern horological enthusiasts with a passion for unique timepieces. They’ve been scouring the globe since 1999 discovering obscure, unusual brands that you’ve probably never heard of as well as carefully curating the brands you love. A watch is a unique form of art, design and personal expression. They have a long-standing mission of providing exceptional and affordable timepieces to adventurous enthusiasts. Shop men's watches at Watches.com
More about Trappist-1 Discovery
Risks and challenges
We vigorously test our working prototypes before bringing production-ready designs to Kickstarter. In fact, we have spent the months advancing our working prototypes to production quality.
We are confident that we will meet or beat our projected delivery dates. We have identified ways to shave time for any potential delays in the manufacturing process and expect to ship by the projected dates. Our backers will be in the loop as we communicate updates at every stage of the process.
Our manufacturers stand ready to complete production as soon as we meet our Kickstarter funding goal.
