CK12 'cold-war' LCD watch

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Design submitted by Anders from Sweden.

I was reading about the Swedish cold war fighter-bomber JA37 Viggen, in partiular its computer system; the Centralkalkylator 37 (or CK37). It used ferrite core memory, the principle of which I found very cool. I’ve wanted to incorporate it into a watch concept for a while, and here it is.

The display comprises four panels of nine intersecting bars, and their intersection points represents numbers from one to nine (1-3 in the top row, 4-6 in the middle etc.) One horizontal and one vertical bar per panel indicate the time/date. Zero is represented by the four outermost bars.

For this concept I wanted a ‘cold-war chic’ look, using the square display panels as a main motif. The masculine shape could be tweaked to give a unisex or feminine appeal. The display could be LCD, LED or even mechanical (rotating triangular bars), but this last option is not shown.

This design should appeal to those interested in electronics, gadgets and the more stylish elements of the 80’s. It’s a simple design; not very difficult to learn yet cryptic enough to baffle the uninitiated. The simplicity should also guarantee long battery life and good reliability. It might even be water-proof.

30 thoughts on “CK12 'cold-war' LCD watch”

  1. Holy watch, this is great! 5*/YES for the look of the display and the watch and how both interact. I love it! Then comes the time telling. Very very nice! I like the 3×3 grid time telling very much and the 0 idea is clever. Simplicity and style combined.

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    • Thanks Sam, I’m glad you like it!
      I knew I’d come up with something good when I thought of the time telling, and then someone (unfortunately I can’t remember who, possibly Lloyd but not sure and too lazy to check… ) got in first with a similar system…=) They should be different enough for it not to be a problem, I hope.

      Thanks for the vote! =)

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  3. The Time reading method is not explained very well at all, Have no Idea how to tell the time on this design. Therefore it gets only 1*

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    • The time telling isn’t so hard, but a diagram would probably help.

      Imagine a square made of nine dots – where the 2 line cross it equals the numbers 1-9, a bit like a telephone dialling pad.

      123
      456
      789

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    • I see your point, and it’s a fair one. Sometimes I make a diagram to explain my concepts, but judging from a number of other more complicated submissions that seem to do well without one, I didn’t bother with this one…
      As a technical illustrator I should know that there is no such thing as too much explanation…=7

      Anyway, thank you very much for commenting and explaining your vote! If everyone did, the Internet would be a better place, I feel…=)

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      • Yes, giving at least a reason is good so we know where to change. If one doesn’t fall in love with it, it’s ok. I must say, a diagram would have helped (some seconds faster) indeed. We must pamper the people hehehe.

        I had two or three concepts based upon phone number pad. I’m just saying, no stress 😉 It’s a free method and your version is just wonderful! I think today it shouldn’t be hard to understand a 3×3 layout. Either from phone usage or computer usage (mirrored layout there). I rated it 5*/YES before knowing the time telling method, cause of the look. It has a certain plaid charme. Good luck Anders!!

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      • Exactly, just voting ‘1’ doesn’t really do anyone any good unless you explain why…

        As my teacher at university said; ‘if a user doesn’t understand your instruction, it’s not the user that’s wrong’…=)

        Again, thanks for the vote! =)

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  4. I thought the time telling was explained very well, very cool idea hope this one makes it 🙂 5/Y

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  6. Hi Anders,
    This isnt my favorit of yours but its still cool. I prefer the display to the strap but as the display is the main event and the strap design would ultimately be dictated by TF if they choose to make it that wont affect my vote in anyway, the black or steel colour are my favorits. Best of luck! 😀

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      • hahaha Its probably a toss up between RTO and Stylux, I loved the form of RTO and the many possbilities of Stylux. I could ask you the same question there :p

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      • Hmmm, I had to look at a few of yours to remind me, actually…=)
        Origami has a very nice, clean and well-proportioned look to it, but I’d say Camalien is probably the one that wowed me the most lately… Very well integrated design, the almost minimalistic look, the customization possibilities… All good in my book…=)

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      • Cheers for taking another look! Id have to agree that Camalien is probably one the best concepts I have had a hand in, hopefully TF agree! x^^x. I have to give Sam a lot of the credit for that one! There is plenty more in the pipeline so hopefully there are more that capture peoples interest as much as that one did. I bet your probably the same in that regard!
        BTW I voted 5/Y for this one! 😀

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  8. Telling time method, I like it very much! And wonderful rendering! Fully support from me! 5 stars!

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    • Thanks! =)
      Hmm, cool concept! Strange if it was never posted… But I suppose TF moves in mysterious ways sometimes… I certainly see the resemblance, but they seem to come at the same place from different directions… I hope it gets posted, I think it should do very well!

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    • Laszlo’s “segments” design will be posted, its in our to-do list.

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  10. Good concept !
    The display is really cool, easy to read when you know how, and it seems easily makable.
    And the big “plus” on my wrist… why not 🙂
    Well done Anders.

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  11. This one is nice. I like the overall look. The band could be wider, as wide as the display. The time reading is good, but a diagram would have help a lot. It’s a bit like the scope, but better :

    I would buy, if it was LCD ( or another “always on” tech )

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