Two demonstrations of MeRVeille were given to independent watchmakers Oligo Watch & ID Watch.
Will one of them continue the adventure with us?

A third round of user tests took place in July 2024 to answer the following research question:
Does the weight of the watch's physical mockup have an impact on the customer experience?
To answer this question, 18 participants completed a standardised questionnaire on their propensity to immerse, then tested two experimental conditions (condition A, the weight of the mockup was 78 grams = true weight; condition B, the weight of the mockup was 17 grams).

A 2nd user test session will take place at the end of February at the UX-LAB. These tests will enable us to submit or validate the advances made in our research thanks to the watchmaking enthusiasts who have signed up to test the device according to a pre-established protocol.

The purpose of these tests is to review the various technical functionalities currently under development:
- grip and handling of the watch in the environment
- ease of customization of watch components (dial and case)
- the quality of visual rendering
as well as more "experiential" aspects, such as brand storytelling and personalization of virtual watch components (dial, case, bracelet).

Some members of the MeRVeille team attended the 27th International Watch Marketing Day, to stay up to date with the latest subjects in the watch marketing business and better understand the place currently occupied by virtual reality.
The day was divided into several talks, workshops and events around different subjects.

The Engineering and Architecture Research Day was held in Fribourg at the HEIA-FR. We took advantage of this event to set up a stand where the public could test the device.
Feedback from visitors was collected with the aim of improving the handling of the device by users not accustomed to Virtual Reality.

The MeRVeille project is taking a major step forward thanks to the collaboration with the watch manufacturer Tavannes Watch. This collaboration will enable the watch company to experiment in the field of VR, while the challenge for MeRVeille will be to meet the needs expressed by Tavannes, particularly in terms of the quality of the watch's renderings, the experience for the user of the device and the storytelling that goes hand in hand with the brand's image.

User tests at he-arc's UX-LAB in Neuchâtel. The tests were carried out according to a protocol previously validated by the he-arc and HEIA teams. During these tests, 5 people with a passion for watchmaking came to test the device. A report was drawn up following these tests, enabling us to specify a little more precisely the needs of the future product's users, and to prioritize the important elements for further development.

Rental of the UX-LAB to prepare user tests with the Imagery (he-arc), User-Centered Product Design (he-arc) and HumanTech (HEIA) groups. Pooling of the work done by the three teams and testing of the various functionalities already developed (3D environment, handling of the watch in VR, VR headset, etc.).
This day provided an opportunity to align the three teams on the content of future user tests and to ensure that the protocol ran smoothly.

Visit to the Initium watches workshops in Le Noirmont to learn how to emboit a watch. It was very interesting to take part in the course and to see the participant hesitate when choosing these elements: Which material for my bracelet? What style of hands? A skeleton watch or one with a dial? What will it look like on my wrist once it's all assembled?
The difficulties encountered by the participant underline the value of a device that would allow him to visualize the entire watch, as well as to touch the materials and appreciate the dimensions and weight of the watch.

Visit the Time To Watches salon held in Geneva on the HEAD campus from March 30 to April 02.
The salon is an ideal opportunity to meet and talk with a wide range of watchmakers and watch enthusiasts offering watches in a variety of creative and innovative styles. These interviews enabled us to find watchmakers interested in the project, some of whom will be testing the device once we have a first version of it.