Pixely e-paper watch : The time in low-res

Posted on by

Design submitted by Sam from Germany.

Sam says: The idea for a pixely display came while working on another watch. I like pixels so I developed a display, that shows time and date with low resolution numbers.

Imagine the classic 7-segment numbers you know from LCD displays. In this watch, they are pixelated to the max, until they are almost unrecognisable. Almost. The result is a set of numbers made of 2×3 pixels which are still distinguishable by the position and the brightness of their pixels. There are 8 numbers which in pairs tell the current hour, minute, month and day.

The watch itself is held minimalistic. It’s an IP-black band framed by two stainless steel stripes. I chose a metal based watch with a segmented strap to give the pixel display a sophisticated housing. I’m suggesting an e-paper display because that is capable of displaying the different pixel shades (black, white, two shades of grey). E-paper would also allow to implement a learning mode starting with the classic numbers which get more and more pixely until they reach the minimum resolution. The display is covered by glass plate, that’s slightly bumped on its inside, bringing the pixel effect to a hardware level.

This is a watch for artists, minimalists and pixel lovers who like it extraordinary but more sober, less flashing.

Low resolution doesn’t mean low quality. It’s a cool artistic way to describe reality. There are pixels everywhere these days and this concept makes them timeless.

35 thoughts on “Pixely e-paper watch : The time in low-res”

  1. I love the display. It’s easy to read, and stylish. These digits are genius. I’m a little bit jealous. If this is produced in a more unisex case, I want one. I think I prefer just 4 digits for time, date with a button press. Either way, 5*. Awesome concept. 🙂

    Like

    • Aww you’re nice :3 Oh a 4 digit watch would work fine too. I wanted to make a bigger difference to the “other” watch for some diversion. And unisex… always difficult to include the girls in my concepts. Heather, thank you for your insight!!

      Like

  2. Obviously we have already seen the ‘other’ watch which Sam refers too. I’m sure it will also be posted in the coming weeks. Both are incredibly inventive ways to display the numbers.

    This one is so desirable don’t you think? The slim case, metallic borders with black. The display fits in so tastefully too.
    Personally I like unibody watches & thin vertical type display, so this is right up my street, I would definitely wear it.

    The number 3 throws me off a bit, but the rest of the digits are pretty obvious. I’m certain after an hour of practice it becomes second nature.

    Like

    • Thank you Toky for posting my concept and for the compliment! Cool that you see it that way 🙂

      Oh yeah, the 3. I agree with the practice. I have a helpful hint: the only number that throws you off, is the 3. It’s like having an @ instead of a 6 on a normal digital watch – piece of cake, hehe.

      i ■ pixels

      Like

    • and stylish too, at the same time. In my opinion, this design is unisex enough and couldn’t have any complain about it. I’d prefer the screen is flatter or just as an LCD panel with ELB if possible to make it more pixelet looking.

      Like

    • Thank you Fir!

      Do you mean classic LCD or “television” LCD? Cause the classical one can’t do shades of gray… as far as I know. But I agree, if it emphasizes the pixel theme, it’s welcome 🙂

      Like

  6. This is very artistic indeed, the watch design is very sofisticated. If im honest I prefer the 3rd row down numbers level of pixeliness its more recognisable but still shows the intention of the design. Another hit from watch designing machine that is Samukun! 5 stars and a very pixely yes!

    Like

    • Thank you Pete! Honest is just fine, I see your point about the 3rd row. These cloudy shapes would be too messy for me. Hehe, if I’m the machine, you’re the conveyor belt of watches. Whoops, did I just inspire you with that term? Hahaha 😉

      Like

  7. Sam is one of my favorite creative, so I allow myself this bit of humor “I have invented this type of watch, if I do not put my glasses”
    Since Sam proposes his projects, I never voted less than 5 stars and a Yes and it’s not for this project that I will depart from the rule, so 5 * / Yes of course!

    Like

    • Hehe thank you Patrick for the nice comment and the vote. You would tell, if something mispleases you right 😉 I think, if one takes off his glasses, the display could be readable too… worth testing. That would be cool.

      Like

  8. It’s

    …. …. ….. . ….. .
    . . . . . . . .
    . .. …. ….. ….. . .
    . . . . . . . .
    … . . ….. . . . .

    I love the numbers, the case, the strap.
    5 stars and yes!

    Like

  9. chicken dinner here for sure, strangly enough i find this easy to read( maybe i need glasses). This is a very stylish and original watch, Good work Sam 5*

    Like

    • Nomnom chicken 😀 Thank you Gordon! Sometimes I look at the display and wonder, wow this actually works!

      Yeah there are two ways of looking at it. The one is the “I see the pixels clearly and have to think a bit about the number behind them” way. The other one works intuitive – quick look, then next.

      Like

  11. I love the idea and the nostalgic pixel effect.

    It is a tad difficult to distinguish between some of the numbers on the most intense level of “pixelization” – but you have that covered with the different grades. I guess I would start off on an easier level to get used to it.

    Would be delightful in e-paper.

    Like

  13. nice design. as a graphic designer and not-quite-geek, this appeals to me. retro, techno, and shall i say… sexy?

    Like

  14. Properly composed written essays can bring people an opportunity to get good reputation. However, customized essays creating will take some free time. Hence this will be workable to buy writing paper to foreclose it.

    Like

  15. A writing business evolve every hour, hence a paper writing service as a key of the literary essays selling business goes in the same direction and up to date good students will order essays securely.

    Like

  16. @ buy custom essay: fork off
    @ papers service: knife off

    Wow, how big is the probability, that TWO spam comments come to a page. This watch must be very appealing xD

    Tokyoflash, if you delete these spam messages, delete my comment too.

    Like

  19. Thank you everybody for telling me your thoughts! No big issues here, except e-paper has the potential to show so much more. But hey, it was fun to show you pixel numbers!

    Stay critical, stay creative, stay tuned!

    Sam from Germany

    Like

Comments are closed.