Kickstarter success, Eone Timepieces, recently hit a huge milestone! The D.C.-based startup received $1 million in sales of its innovative watch, The Bradley. The company garnered support to begin manufacturing timepiece in July 2013 through its campaign through the crowdfunding giant and exceeded its $40,000 goal, raising nearly $600,000 from nearly 4,000 backers. It even became one of platform’s all-time most-funded designed campaign and its growth has largely been spearheaded by a loyal community that includes both sighted and vision impair supporters.
As previously reported, The Bradley is named after Bradley Snyder, a Naval officer that lost his eyesight in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2011. Since then he has become a Paralympic swimmer, winning gold and silver medals in London in 2012. It is a timepiece you can touch to tell time, which means everyone can use it, even those who are vision-impaired. Combining beautiful form and exceptional function, the tactile timepiece is a striking example of the power of universal design.
The use of ball bearings and magnets in order to denote the hour and minute is an innovative and discrete approach, especially considering the talking watch alternatives on the market. Perhaps the most compelling thing about the Bradley is the overall design. It has appeal that goes well beyond the market for the visually impaired. The device is stylish and the titanium construction means lightweight durability.
Founder of Eone, Hyungsoo Kim noted that by hitting $1 million sales within a year after launching the timepiece shows there a market for well-designed, accessibility-minded products. “By creating a timepiece that’s fashionable and functional, we’re supporting something we truly believe in: Universal design. Thank you to all the members of our community who have made this possible.”
Eone Timepieces was Kim’s self-funded pet project. He injected $150,000 of capital into the company and took to designing the Bradley timepiece. He was unsuccessful in finding outside investors and turned to Kickstarter in hopes of finding consumer interest and funding. Safe to say he has been successful in doing so.
Eon has even support from celebrities, including swimmer and the timepiece’s namesake, Bradley Snyder. Musician Stevie Wonder added momentum by wearing The Bradley to The Grammy Awards, and Auggie Anerson of the popular television series Covert Affairs also sported the timepiece.
The Bradley, which retails for $275, is available on Eone’s website.
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