London-based brand Apiar has launched the Gen 1.0, the world’s first fully 3D printed titanium watch. More than a luxury timepiece, it represents a milestone in additive manufacturing, combining aerospace-grade engineering with Swiss watchmaking precision. The design explores how advanced fabrication methods can lead to sustainable innovation in consumer products and beyond.

3D Printing Meets Generative Design

Crafted from Grade 5 and 23 titanium, the watch uses laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), a process typically applied in the aerospace and medical industries. This technique enables algorithm-driven, skeletonised geometries that would be impossible to achieve with traditional CNC cutting. The result is a lightweight structure with an optimised strength-to-weight ratio, paired with a sapphire case for durability and clarity.

Additive Manufacturing

Unlike conventional watchmaking, where components are cut from solid blocks of metal, Apiar builds the Gen 1.0 layer by layer, adding material only where needed. This reduces waste—production generated 14 grams of titanium waste. Co-founder Sam White explains that this approach creates components that are not only functional but also sustainable works of art.

The method also supports design freedom and efficiency, with organic, complex geometries that traditional processes cannot replicate. Co-founder Matt Oosthuizen highlights how this efficiency aligns with circular principles: maximising performance while minimising material use.

A Wearable Sculpture

Beyond its technical innovation, the Gen 1.0 embraces personalisation. An interactive online configurator allows users to preview the watch in 360°, choosing case colours and finishes to suit individual preferences. The watch itself measures 39mm, weighs just 38 grams, and integrates a Swiss automatic movement with a 68-hour power reserve.

Implications for Design Disciplines

The Apiar Gen 1.0 illustrates how material innovation and digital fabrication can transform not only watchmaking but also fashion, product, and automotive design, where lightweight yet durable structures are increasingly in demand. The project demonstrates how generative design, additive manufacturing, and circular strategies can create functional, customisable, and sustainable products across industries.

At £1,800 (excluding VAT), the Gen 1.0 is positioned as both a luxury accessory and a case study in the future of sustainable manufacturing—a reminder that design innovation often starts at a small scale but can ripple across disciplines.

Source: Apiar / Parametric Architecture
Photos: Apriar