Seven Years Went Into This Watch Case, And Discommon Was Still Not Done
Seven Years Went Into This Watch Case, And Discommon Was Still Not Done
Seven Years Went Into This Watch Case, And Discommon Was Still Not Done
October 16, 2026
October 16, 2026
By: Quality Addiction Editorial Team
By: Quality Addiction Editorial Team
How a grandfather’s watch in a sock turned into 7 years of steel molds, and the one thing the new version adds.
How a grandfather’s watch in a sock turned into 7 years of steel molds, and the one thing the new version adds.
How a grandfather’s watch in a sock turned into 7 years of steel molds, and the one thing the new version adds.
Most brands we cover would hide it if a simple product took 7 years to get out the door. It’s the kind of number that makes people assume something went wrong. Discommon puts it right on the product page: “It took us 7 years to get this right. Most people would be embarrassed by that timeline. We’re not.”
Most brands we cover would hide it if a simple product took 7 years to get out the door. It’s the kind of number that makes people assume something went wrong. Discommon puts it right on the product page: “It took us 7 years to get this right. Most people would be embarrassed by that timeline. We’re not.”
Most brands we cover would hide it if a simple product took 7 years to get out the door. It’s the kind of number that makes people assume something went wrong. Discommon puts it right on the product page: “It took us 7 years to get this right. Most people would be embarrassed by that timeline. We’re not.”
The product is a round leather case that holds one watch. It’s called the Puck, and this month the company released a new version of it called the Tracker Puck. When we first saw that 7-year line on a case that fits in your palm, we figured it was marketing, because a watch case is foam and leather with a zip around the middle. We wanted to know what a watch case could need 7 years for, and what could still be left to change after all that.
The product is a round leather case that holds one watch. It’s called the Puck, and this month the company released a new version of it called the Tracker Puck. When we first saw that 7-year line on a case that fits in your palm, we figured it was marketing, because a watch case is foam and leather with a zip around the middle. We wanted to know what a watch case could need 7 years for, and what could still be left to change after all that.
The product is a round leather case that holds one watch. It’s called the Puck, and this month the company released a new version of it called the Tracker Puck. When we first saw that 7-year line on a case that fits in your palm, we figured it was marketing, because a watch case is foam and leather with a zip around the middle. We wanted to know what a watch case could need 7 years for, and what could still be left to change after all that.
The answer starts with the man who runs the company.
The answer starts with the man who runs the company.
The answer starts with the man who runs the company.
Its founder spent 11 years at Oakley watching his work get broken on purpose.
Its founder spent 11 years at Oakley watching his work get broken on purpose.
Its founder spent 11 years at Oakley watching his work get broken on purpose.
Neil Ferrier grew up in Auchterarder, a town of about 4,000 people just outside Gleneagles in Scotland. His dad worked in the golf industry and his mum was a teacher. When it came time to pick a direction, he chose mechanical engineering over art school as the safer path. As Neil puts it, “I was thinking about a salary.”
Neil Ferrier grew up in Auchterarder, a town of about 4,000 people just outside Gleneagles in Scotland. His dad worked in the golf industry and his mum was a teacher. When it came time to pick a direction, he chose mechanical engineering over art school as the safer path. As Neil puts it, “I was thinking about a salary.”
Neil Ferrier grew up in Auchterarder, a town of about 4,000 people just outside Gleneagles in Scotland. His dad worked in the golf industry and his mum was a teacher. When it came time to pick a direction, he chose mechanical engineering over art school as the safer path. As Neil puts it, “I was thinking about a salary.”
He wanted to work at Oakley, and he applied 7 or 8 times before, in his words, “somebody in there eventually saw a little spark in me.” He joined Advanced Product Development and stayed 11 years. On an eye-protection project there, about 60 to 70% of the testing was impact testing.
He wanted to work at Oakley, and he applied 7 or 8 times before, in his words, “somebody in there eventually saw a little spark in me.” He joined Advanced Product Development and stayed 11 years. On an eye-protection project there, about 60 to 70% of the testing was impact testing.
He wanted to work at Oakley, and he applied 7 or 8 times before, in his words, “somebody in there eventually saw a little spark in me.” He joined Advanced Product Development and stayed 11 years. On an eye-protection project there, about 60 to 70% of the testing was impact testing.
His boss was a man named Carlos. Neil would spend months on a prototype, and Carlos would bend it, flex it and work the hinge until something gave. “Probably 90% of the time it ended up broken,” Neil says. The running joke was that you always made two. Nobody in that building looked at a flaw and said “it’ll be okay”, “that’ll be fine” or “it doesn’t really matter”. Neil calls what he walked away with “an allergy to mediocrity”. His actual phrase for it is too rude for us to print.
His boss was a man named Carlos. Neil would spend months on a prototype, and Carlos would bend it, flex it and work the hinge until something gave. “Probably 90% of the time it ended up broken,” Neil says. The running joke was that you always made two. Nobody in that building looked at a flaw and said “it’ll be okay”, “that’ll be fine” or “it doesn’t really matter”. Neil calls what he walked away with “an allergy to mediocrity”. His actual phrase for it is too rude for us to print.
His boss was a man named Carlos. Neil would spend months on a prototype, and Carlos would bend it, flex it and work the hinge until something gave. “Probably 90% of the time it ended up broken,” Neil says. The running joke was that you always made two. Nobody in that building looked at a flaw and said “it’ll be okay”, “that’ll be fine” or “it doesn’t really matter”. Neil calls what he walked away with “an allergy to mediocrity”. His actual phrase for it is too rude for us to print.
Going out on his own was harder. At Oakley, “Hey, my name is Neil. I work in design at Oakley” opened doors in about 4 seconds. “It was a lot harder when you had to start saying, ‘Hey, my name is Neil, I have a small startup called Discommon.’” That was 2014, and at first it was just him, consulting. The company’s line now is “Making Ordinary Obsolete.” Neil’s view is that most of what we buy, the phone cases and plastic spatulas and charging cables, ends up in the trash, when things should be made to “last alongside us”. He told Inverse, “Fast design is unacceptable to me.”
Going out on his own was harder. At Oakley, “Hey, my name is Neil. I work in design at Oakley” opened doors in about 4 seconds. “It was a lot harder when you had to start saying, ‘Hey, my name is Neil, I have a small startup called Discommon.’” That was 2014, and at first it was just him, consulting. The company’s line now is “Making Ordinary Obsolete.” Neil’s view is that most of what we buy, the phone cases and plastic spatulas and charging cables, ends up in the trash, when things should be made to “last alongside us”. He told Inverse, “Fast design is unacceptable to me.”
Going out on his own was harder. At Oakley, “Hey, my name is Neil. I work in design at Oakley” opened doors in about 4 seconds. “It was a lot harder when you had to start saying, ‘Hey, my name is Neil, I have a small startup called Discommon.’” That was 2014, and at first it was just him, consulting. The company’s line now is “Making Ordinary Obsolete.” Neil’s view is that most of what we buy, the phone cases and plastic spatulas and charging cables, ends up in the trash, when things should be made to “last alongside us”. He told Inverse, “Fast design is unacceptable to me.”
That’s the person who spent 7 years on a watch case.
That’s the person who spent 7 years on a watch case.
That’s the person who spent 7 years on a watch case.
The case itself goes back further than Oakley, to a watch in a sock.
The case itself goes back further than Oakley, to a watch in a sock.
The case itself goes back further than Oakley, to a watch in a sock.
The Puck started with his grandfather’s Monaco and a sock.
The Puck started with his grandfather’s Monaco and a sock.
The Puck started with his grandfather’s Monaco and a sock.
When Neil was 18, his grandfather left him a vintage Heuer Monaco. It was on a metal bracelet, which doesn’t lie flat, and the watch rolls he could find were all made for straps. The Monaco went in a sock whenever he travelled with it. On Discommon’s page for the Puck he writes, “I protected it with socks for years, which is less a plan than an admission.”
When Neil was 18, his grandfather left him a vintage Heuer Monaco. It was on a metal bracelet, which doesn’t lie flat, and the watch rolls he could find were all made for straps. The Monaco went in a sock whenever he travelled with it. On Discommon’s page for the Puck he writes, “I protected it with socks for years, which is less a plan than an admission.”
When Neil was 18, his grandfather left him a vintage Heuer Monaco. It was on a metal bracelet, which doesn’t lie flat, and the watch rolls he could find were all made for straps. The Monaco went in a sock whenever he travelled with it. On Discommon’s page for the Puck he writes, “I protected it with socks for years, which is less a plan than an admission.”
If you’ve ever packed a watch on a bracelet into a weekend bag, you’ve probably done the same thing. A sock keeps it from getting scratched. It doesn’t do anything if the bag gets dropped.
If you’ve ever packed a watch on a bracelet into a weekend bag, you’ve probably done the same thing. A sock keeps it from getting scratched. It doesn’t do anything if the bag gets dropped.
If you’ve ever packed a watch on a bracelet into a weekend bag, you’ve probably done the same thing. A sock keeps it from getting scratched. It doesn’t do anything if the bag gets dropped.
It took years before he had the means to do better. “Once we had the means to do engineering, R&D, testing, and tooling, it became one of those problems I immediately wanted to get back to solving.”
It took years before he had the means to do better. “Once we had the means to do engineering, R&D, testing, and tooling, it became one of those problems I immediately wanted to get back to solving.”
It took years before he had the means to do better. “Once we had the means to do engineering, R&D, testing, and tooling, it became one of those problems I immediately wanted to get back to solving.”
What he set out to make was a round leather case with a zip around the middle, and it took them 7 years.
What he set out to make was a round leather case with a zip around the middle, and it took them 7 years.
What he set out to make was a round leather case with a zip around the middle, and it took them 7 years.
Two problems ate most of those 7 years.
Two problems ate most of those 7 years.
Two problems ate most of those 7 years.
The first was the leather. “We’re attempting to form leather around the entire depth of that puck,” Neil says. “You’re asking leather to change its shape an awful lot without stretching, kinking, or tearing.” What worked was Napa leather skived very thin and wet-formed over a mold, the same way car interiors are shaped. It’s soft in the hand and it holds its shape.
The first was the leather. “We’re attempting to form leather around the entire depth of that puck,” Neil says. “You’re asking leather to change its shape an awful lot without stretching, kinking, or tearing.” What worked was Napa leather skived very thin and wet-formed over a mold, the same way car interiors are shaped. It’s soft in the hand and it holds its shape.
The first was the leather. “We’re attempting to form leather around the entire depth of that puck,” Neil says. “You’re asking leather to change its shape an awful lot without stretching, kinking, or tearing.” What worked was Napa leather skived very thin and wet-formed over a mold, the same way car interiors are shaped. It’s soft in the hand and it holds its shape.
The second was the foam inside, and that’s where the money went. “Traditionally, you just get a thin layer of EVA foam bent to shape to make a little watch puck. We actually cut metal injection molds and injected polyurethane foam into the exact shape we wanted. That’s just expensive, you have to cut steel tooling to make molds, and it’s a very large commitment.”
The second was the foam inside, and that’s where the money went. “Traditionally, you just get a thin layer of EVA foam bent to shape to make a little watch puck. We actually cut metal injection molds and injected polyurethane foam into the exact shape we wanted. That’s just expensive, you have to cut steel tooling to make molds, and it’s a very large commitment.”
The second was the foam inside, and that’s where the money went. “Traditionally, you just get a thin layer of EVA foam bent to shape to make a little watch puck. We actually cut metal injection molds and injected polyurethane foam into the exact shape we wanted. That’s just expensive, you have to cut steel tooling to make molds, and it’s a very large commitment.”
You can’t trim steel with scissors when the fit is a little off. As the company puts it, “steel tooling makes every single change consequential.” Every wrong version meant cutting steel again.
You can’t trim steel with scissors when the fit is a little off. As the company puts it, “steel tooling makes every single change consequential.” Every wrong version meant cutting steel again.
You can’t trim steel with scissors when the fit is a little off. As the company puts it, “steel tooling makes every single change consequential.” Every wrong version meant cutting steel again.
A lot of those 7 years went into the leather forming and the foam molds.
A lot of those 7 years went into the leather forming and the foam molds.
A lot of those 7 years went into the leather forming and the foam molds.
The foam they ended up with is shear-thickening, so it stays soft day to day and stiffens when it’s hit, taking the energy before it reaches the watch. The corners are rigid so the case doesn’t collapse if it’s dropped or crushed at the bottom of a packed bag. The lining is microfiber, which the brand says is “softer than a baby koala’s warm embrace”. The zip is YKK, with a rubberized Discommon pull. It holds one watch, on a bracelet or a strap, and it’s 4 inches across, 2 and a half inches thick, and 120 grams.
The foam they ended up with is shear-thickening, so it stays soft day to day and stiffens when it’s hit, taking the energy before it reaches the watch. The corners are rigid so the case doesn’t collapse if it’s dropped or crushed at the bottom of a packed bag. The lining is microfiber, which the brand says is “softer than a baby koala’s warm embrace”. The zip is YKK, with a rubberized Discommon pull. It holds one watch, on a bracelet or a strap, and it’s 4 inches across, 2 and a half inches thick, and 120 grams.
The foam they ended up with is shear-thickening, so it stays soft day to day and stiffens when it’s hit, taking the energy before it reaches the watch. The corners are rigid so the case doesn’t collapse if it’s dropped or crushed at the bottom of a packed bag. The lining is microfiber, which the brand says is “softer than a baby koala’s warm embrace”. The zip is YKK, with a rubberized Discommon pull. It holds one watch, on a bracelet or a strap, and it’s 4 inches across, 2 and a half inches thick, and 120 grams.
They tested the fit on everything from Greubels, RMs and MB&Fs to a $25 Casio. Their own description is that it “might be the most over-engineered single-watch travel case ever made. Also, our packaging is awesome.”
They tested the fit on everything from Greubels, RMs and MB&Fs to a $25 Casio. Their own description is that it “might be the most over-engineered single-watch travel case ever made. Also, our packaging is awesome.”
They tested the fit on everything from Greubels, RMs and MB&Fs to a $25 Casio. Their own description is that it “might be the most over-engineered single-watch travel case ever made. Also, our packaging is awesome.”
The case all that tooling produced does one job very well. That turned out to be only half the problem.
The case all that tooling produced does one job very well. That turned out to be only half the problem.
The case all that tooling produced does one job very well. That turned out to be only half the problem.
The original Puck had 19 five-star reviews, and Discommon went back to it anyway.
The original Puck had 19 five-star reviews, and Discommon went back to it anyway.
The original Puck had 19 five-star reviews, and Discommon went back to it anyway.
Alexander, an owner of the original, wrote: “No wonder this took 7(!) years to develop and perfect… it is the best watch puck out there, without comparison. Materials are top notch, the way the zipper glides - just amazing.”
Alexander, an owner of the original, wrote: “No wonder this took 7(!) years to develop and perfect… it is the best watch puck out there, without comparison. Materials are top notch, the way the zipper glides - just amazing.”
Alexander, an owner of the original, wrote: “No wonder this took 7(!) years to develop and perfect… it is the best watch puck out there, without comparison. Materials are top notch, the way the zipper glides - just amazing.”
Brett B, another owner, went straight to the shell: “Over engineered to the max. Zipper and pull tab are strong and unzip/zip well. The rigid corners help prevent the puck from collapsing if dropped.”
Brett B, another owner, went straight to the shell: “Over engineered to the max. Zipper and pull tab are strong and unzip/zip well. The rigid corners help prevent the puck from collapsing if dropped.”
Brett B, another owner, went straight to the shell: “Over engineered to the max. Zipper and pull tab are strong and unzip/zip well. The rigid corners help prevent the puck from collapsing if dropped.”
We’d have said that was the end of the story. Once a case protects a watch from getting crushed in a bag, what’s left? Then we read the page for the new version, where Discommon lists the places a travel case actually ends up: “the hotel safe, a lost bag, the back seat of a cab.” A watch case is something you put down.
We’d have said that was the end of the story. Once a case protects a watch from getting crushed in a bag, what’s left? Then we read the page for the new version, where Discommon lists the places a travel case actually ends up: “the hotel safe, a lost bag, the back seat of a cab.” A watch case is something you put down.
We’d have said that was the end of the story. Once a case protects a watch from getting crushed in a bag, what’s left? Then we read the page for the new version, where Discommon lists the places a travel case actually ends up: “the hotel safe, a lost bag, the back seat of a cab.” A watch case is something you put down.
So this month they gave it a pocket.
So this month they gave it a pocket.
So this month they gave it a pocket.
The Tracker Puck has a hidden pocket for an AirTag.
The Tracker Puck has a hidden pocket for an AirTag.
The Tracker Puck has a hidden pocket for an AirTag.
The Tracker Puck’s product page calls it “Seven years in the making. The last travel case your watch will ever need.” The case itself hasn’t changed. It’s the same wet-formed Napa, the same molded foam core, the same rigid corners and the same YKK zip.
The Tracker Puck’s product page calls it “Seven years in the making. The last travel case your watch will ever need.” The case itself hasn’t changed. It’s the same wet-formed Napa, the same molded foam core, the same rigid corners and the same YKK zip.
The Tracker Puck’s product page calls it “Seven years in the making. The last travel case your watch will ever need.” The case itself hasn’t changed. It’s the same wet-formed Napa, the same molded foam core, the same rigid corners and the same YKK zip.
What’s new is a dedicated, concealed pocket that holds an Apple AirTag, so you can see where the case is from your phone, whether it’s still in the room safe after checkout, in a bag that didn’t make your connection, or under the seat of a taxi. The AirTag isn’t included, so you’d use your own.
What’s new is a dedicated, concealed pocket that holds an Apple AirTag, so you can see where the case is from your phone, whether it’s still in the room safe after checkout, in a bag that didn’t make your connection, or under the seat of a taxi. The AirTag isn’t included, so you’d use your own.
What’s new is a dedicated, concealed pocket that holds an Apple AirTag, so you can see where the case is from your phone, whether it’s still in the room safe after checkout, in a bag that didn’t make your connection, or under the seat of a taxi. The AirTag isn’t included, so you’d use your own.
The other change is on the lid. Every Tracker Puck comes with a standard Discommon patch, and the patch comes off. Discommon sells patch 3-packs separately for $45, in Numbered, which is 1, 2 and 3, and Excursions, which is Dive, Race and Space. An owner of the original Puck, MVR, titled a review: “It started with 1x puck…And then there were 3x pucks…”
The other change is on the lid. Every Tracker Puck comes with a standard Discommon patch, and the patch comes off. Discommon sells patch 3-packs separately for $45, in Numbered, which is 1, 2 and 3, and Excursions, which is Dive, Race and Space. An owner of the original Puck, MVR, titled a review: “It started with 1x puck…And then there were 3x pucks…”
The other change is on the lid. Every Tracker Puck comes with a standard Discommon patch, and the patch comes off. Discommon sells patch 3-packs separately for $45, in Numbered, which is 1, 2 and 3, and Excursions, which is Dive, Race and Space. An owner of the original Puck, MVR, titled a review: “It started with 1x puck…And then there were 3x pucks…”
That leaves the price.
That leaves the price.
That leaves the price.
It’s $115, and 3 are $270.
It’s $115, and 3 are $270.
It’s $115, and 3 are $270.
A single Tracker Puck is $115. But let’s be honest: if you’ve read this far into an article about a watch case, you own more than one watch. The 3-Pack is $270, which works out to $90 a Puck. Three cases is also a good excuse to pick up a set of patches, which are $45.
A single Tracker Puck is $115. But let’s be honest: if you’ve read this far into an article about a watch case, you own more than one watch. The 3-Pack is $270, which works out to $90 a Puck. Three cases is also a good excuse to pick up a set of patches, which are $45.
A single Tracker Puck is $115. But let’s be honest: if you’ve read this far into an article about a watch case, you own more than one watch. The 3-Pack is $270, which works out to $90 a Puck. Three cases is also a good excuse to pick up a set of patches, which are $45.
Both colours are available: Black and Oslo, which is black Napa with a pale blue lining, and Racing Green and Pepita, which is green with a houndstooth lining.
Both colours are available: Black and Oslo, which is black Napa with a pale blue lining, and Racing Green and Pepita, which is green with a houndstooth lining.
Both colours are available: Black and Oslo, which is black Napa with a pale blue lining, and Racing Green and Pepita, which is green with a houndstooth lining.
There isn’t much risk in trying one. Discommon gives you 30 days to send it back unused for any reason, and there’s a 2-year warranty on the materials and the build.
There isn’t much risk in trying one. Discommon gives you 30 days to send it back unused for any reason, and there’s a 2-year warranty on the materials and the build.
There isn’t much risk in trying one. Discommon gives you 30 days to send it back unused for any reason, and there’s a 2-year warranty on the materials and the build.
If you travel with a watch you care about, this is the case we’d point you to.
If you travel with a watch you care about, this is the case we’d point you to.
If you travel with a watch you care about, this is the case we’d point you to.
P.S. Neil still has the watch that started all of this. In 2017 he told Time and Tide, “I still have my grandfather’s Heuer Monaco that was given to me on my 18th birthday.”
P.S. Neil still has the watch that started all of this. In 2017 he told Time and Tide, “I still have my grandfather’s Heuer Monaco that was given to me on my 18th birthday.”
P.S. Neil still has the watch that started all of this. In 2017 he told Time and Tide, “I still have my grandfather’s Heuer Monaco that was given to me on my 18th birthday.”