I am so impressed with my Bradley

We’ve received some great feedback from customers who bought The Bradley tactile timepiece, but we were particularly struck by an email we received from Molly Watt, a deafblind student who suffers from a rare genetic disorder (+ interview).

Molly’s family gave her The Bradley in the hope that it would help make her days a little easier, as it allows users tell the time with touch rather than sight.

After being diagnosed with Usher Syndrome, she set up the Molly Watt Trust to help others suffering from the same condition and has since given talks at Harvard Medical School and the UK Parliament. Usher Syndrome causes gradually worsening hearing loss and visual impairment, and is currently incurable.

“I had heard about The Bradley before and thought it would be good for me, but after actually getting one I was elated as it was more than I had imagined,” said Watt. ”My Bradley watch has a mustard yellow strap and a very stylish retro looking face, and my first impression was that it was classy and light.”

Being deafblind didn’t prevent Watt from excelling in art and graphics at A level, and she recently won a place to study at University of Roehampton, London, later this year.

“For those who do use these watches, a talking watch in a meeting lecture hall or anywhere in public is not ideal, so The Bradley is perfect,” added Watt, who is 20 and lives in Berkshire, England. ”I am so impressed with my Bradley that I am hoping my charity will consider funding these timepieces for other people with Usher Syndrome.”

Read on for the full interview we conducted with Watt:

Can you tell us more about you and Usher Syndrome?

My name is Molly, I am 20 years old and have Usher Syndrome, which has left me deafblind. What I see is like looking through a straw with my right eye and, in good light, however, my left eye is now just a blur.

How did you come to own The Bradley?

This summer I took my A levels and was delighted with my results. I got As in art and design and a C in English Literature. My parents rewarded me with several gifts for my hard work, among which was The Bradley timepiece.

Was this the first time you came across The Bradley?

I had heard about The Bradley before and thought it would be good for me, but after actually getting one I was elated as it was more than I had imagined. The box it comes in is tactile and has Braille on it. Whilst I’m not a braille reader, it is great that it has been made that way. There were also Braille instructions inside the box, which was impressive.

Can you tell us what you like about it most and what others have said about it?

My Bradley watch has a mustard yellow strap and a very stylish retro looking face – my first impression was that it was classy and light. It was a little stiff, but after a couple of weeks of wearing it, the strap has softened and is much more comfortable.

I cannot tell you how many people have commented on my Bradley. That includes most of my friends and family who would like one because it looks so good and quirky. It really is a looker and also a conversation opener, which will be great for me as I head off to university later this month.

Could you tell us about the design of The Bradley and your thoughts on its functionality?

The face of the Bradley is very tactile with its marking that represent numbers on the clock. A triangle shape marking 12 o’clock at the top and the other numbers marked by dashes makes it easy to feel your way around it. The Bradley doesn’t have hands, it has two small balls that show the time instead.

A ball rotates around the side of the watch and indicates the hour, while the minute ball rotates around the face to indicate minutes. I did have to ask for help in setting the time at first, but I knew how to tell the time immediately.

How practical has it been for everyday use?

I am the first to admit, as a result of my condition, that I am a little clumsy and prone to tripping, falling and bumping into things.

While The Bradley is light, so far it has been “Molly-proof”. After heavy knocks it can be reset with a shake of the arm, leaving it unmarked and working perfectly. I love it.

Have you used any other products that allow you to tell the time without full vision? If so, how did they compare?

Previous watches for the blind that I have tried have been digital, with large LCD numbers and the ability to verbally announce the time, but this couldn’t work for me. Anything that is bright and full of glare is unacceptable for my blindness and, being deaf, a talking watch has little use. For those who do use these devices, a talking watch in a meeting lecture hall or anywhere in public is not ideal, so The Bradley is perfect.

I am so impressed with my Bradley that I am hoping my charity will consider funding these timepieces for other people with Usher Syndrome.

Click here to see more of The Bradley on Dezeen Watch Store »

Article source

The Molly Watt Trust will be looking to fund or part fund these to people living with usher syndrome, demand is high so they will be looking for more fundraising ideas.
Can you help them to fund these incredible tactile watches to those who cannot access the time like we do, another of the many things we take for granted.
If so please contact MWT contact@mollywatt.com

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