KAZU displays time as anagram

Posted on by

Design submitted by Lloyd from Australia.

Lloyd says: This concept watch design is called “Kazu” after the Japanese word meaning ‘numbers’. I thought it would be fun to create a watch that uses the letters that make up the numbers 0 to 9 instead of the digits themselves and present them in a puzzling way.

The 4-digit time and date are each displayed in the top 4 rows of the display. In each of these rows the letters that make up the number in that row have been rotated and/or shrunk to form an enigmatic looking number, temperature, sum, etc. The great thing about this is that the same number can be displayed in many different ways so you won’t get bored too easily. In addition, the 7 initial letters of the days of the week have also been rotated to form numbers and these are displayed in the bottom row.

This watch is USB rechargeable via a computer, the strap is made from an animal friendly material and the display is “always on”. It comes with a choice of several different coloured straps and the display is available in different colours too.

I feel this design would appeal to anyone who likes puzzles, maths, games, sci-fi, quirky things, lateral thinking, creativity and thinking “outside the box”.

This design stands out because of its original cryptic display which is modern-looking and very simple to read. Also, because the numbers can be shown in so many different ways, you won’t be bored by the display.

31 thoughts on “KAZU displays time as anagram”

  1. Very clever concept, tricky at first but once you get your eye in it works great. Nice simple case keeps the display the main focus. Nice work Lloyd! 5*/Yes! best of luck!

    Like

  2. i like the general idea of this a lot..writing out the numbers using what seem to be digits. it takes a little too long though, i think, to find the time, especially if it will have different ways to display each number. perhaps it would still be cryptic, but easier to figure out if the letters were rotated, but stayed in order?

    anyway, i do love the idea, and your layout design is great, and it’s nice to have the day of the week on your watch….my friday is ruined when i realize it’s tuesday… 😉

    5* great work!

    Like

  4. There are a number of things here that I really like, though I have to confess that I’m not a huge fan of the complete concept.
    The things that work for me are the weekday indicators (clever stuff!), and the idea of calculating the numbers to make up the time. I’m a bit concerned though that it might prove a bit too time-consuming to work out when you’re tired or otherwise engaged. But then that applies to a lot of concepts, not least some of mine…=)

    I got a bit scared there for a moment, this looks a bit close to a concept I’m working on at the moment…=) Fortunately, on closer inspection it turned out to be different enough that I don’t have to rework my idea.

    Like

    • Thanx a lot Anders. 😉 It’s much easier to read than you think. It’s really only confusing the first time you see it. Good luck with your idea.

      Like

  5. Ok, first I have to agree, it takes a bit long. But that’s exactly the point: at first. Once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it, like the english speaking people like the say 🙂 It’s not super quick at the moment, but it’s fun to read. You just hafe to keep some things in mind (f/4 and t/7 have to be distinguished, n/2 and s/5 …) I think an overview of the numbers would help alot here. If you show the resulting numbers in one line, then one or two lines of their transformation and as final line the original numbers, that would make it convenient. Now that I spent some time with it, I must say, I really like it. Looks like an information board. The different symbols make it look very interesting. Maybe it’s not for the masses. A solving button would add a comfortable learning option 🙂 I would buy it and I rate it the full collection of stars cause it’s creative, hard at first but a piece of pie and fun in the end!

    And I learned that 数 is “kazu” too. I knew it as “suu” only. Ah, the different pronounciations… Difficult but interesting 🙂

    Like

    • Thanx Sam. 😉 Yeah this watch is easy to read after you’ve got accustomed to it. Just like most TF watches. You don’t really need to solve anagrams every time you want to know the time. It’s much more intuitive than that.

      Like

  6. I like how intricate this one is. It’s definitely one of Lloyd’s more enigmatic puzzles, but for people who really get a kick out of them, this one is a refreshing one-two punch that’ll jump start your noggin.

    I appreciate how Lloyd had the foresight to take a minimalist approach to the details as the puzzle itself is elaborate enough.

    5 and yes for the bit of fun to be had whenever I look at this design. Thanks!

    Like

  7. Replacing letters with numbers and also anagramming is probably too difficult of a combination for the general public. If you pick just one, I think this watch will have greater appeal.

    Like

  10. This watch very clever, and the numerals are easily identifiable when you know how. It only takes a couple of views of the ‘digits’ to make it easy to identify them. This is very different! It is really cool that the display looks like something very mysterious and mathematical, or scientific, but is really numbers signified by jumbled words. This watch would be a real talking piece. The case is very sleek and simple, and doesn’t detract from the display.
    Very Nice.

    Like

  11. Way to complicated, Nice design but really a little too cryptic, I would pass on this one. I give it a 1 out of 10.

    Like

  13. I like this watch alot, I am a fan of watches that have alot of numbers on them hehe, it looks more technical.

    Like

    • Thanx a lot Leon. 🙂 Unfortunately a lot of people have voted it down so I don’t know if Tokyoflash will consider making it. It seems it’s too tricky for most people. 😦

      Like

  16. If you try to find place where you can buy term papers or buy research papers here is very number one place for you about essays writing, which contribute examples and gives an occasion to learn how make review . But this site is more beautiful, and more improving. So don’t be lazy and write your own or buy essays about this post. Thanks.

    Like

  17. Have important individual affairs to concentrate on? Do not have time to accomplish your essays paper? Worry no more! Just get information: “how to do my essay ” and get an admission!

    Like

  18. I like the look of this watch, and I think it’s a good idea unfortunately gone overly ambitious.
    I would suggest a couple of things:

    1. Make the coded letters appear in order. It would be far more legible.
    2. Possibly have one number representing one letter, or at least ensure that representations of the words are easily legible.
    3. Consider incorporating some more symbols or upside-down numbers so that telling the time is easy.

    Perhaps try for re-submission?

    Cheers,
    DZ555

    Like

    • Thanx for your feedback DZ. 🙂 I started off doing the watch as you suggest, but it seemed a bit boring and it limits what you can do with the letters. TF could always incorporate both easy and challenging displays if they like the idea.

      Like

  19. If you are willing to satisfy your courseworks needs, you will be able buy course work writing service. Lots of students do that.

    Like

  20. Submission to directories for cheap is not a stuff you really need. Firstly you must select experienced best directory submission service. Your business will get much better for sure.

    Like

Comments are closed.