QUATTROGRID forms cryptic time modes using luminous lines. (update)

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Design submitted by Wilhelm from South Africa.

Wilhelm says: The idea for this watch module came from the square metal grids used in the building industry, combined with 2 methods for reading time, the normal digital “grid” mode for easy time telling and the “quattro” binary method for reading digital time, hence the name “Quattrogrid”.

The EL luminous LCD module has 8×9 separate horizontal and 8×9 separate vertical lines, forming the square grid shaped graphic display. The LCD glass has a black checkered print of 81 squares between the gridlines. The luminous through the “open” gridlines displays the desired graphic for reading the time.

This watch will be for those people who prefer a digital watch that can be switched between easy reading and advanced binary reading to make it more interesting and a LCD display that is always “on” in idle mode ready to read without the backlight.

The uniqueness of the Quattrogrid lies in the display method that forms continious unbroken lines, unlike as in other digital displays, combined with choosing between two different time telling methods with the same graphics.

UPDATE: Binary Mode explained

17 thoughts on “QUATTROGRID forms cryptic time modes using luminous lines. (update)”

  1. Interesting design Wilhelm.
    The digital version is similar to Heathers Stencil watch, but the 2nd cryptic mode intrigues me.

    Can you explain the ‘binary’ mode – it seems I can almost grasp it in some diagrams & then I am lost in others.

    In the 3rd image – 8:47 – I can see 08 at the top where the 8 is larger & negative space; this looks really cool!
    But then, below that I can see the 7 ~ but I cannot find the 4. What am I missing?

    In the 4th picture 21:36, the image on the far right completely defeats me!

    (If you wish to send an extra image to help explain, please email blog@tokyoflash.com)

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  2. Hi Tokyoflash. First of all thank you for posting my design on your blog. I appreciate it very much. To the problem of not understanding the binary mode, I have noticed that there is a page missing (1 of 6 in total), explaining the binary mode. It is the same “Quattro binary” mode I used in my other designs in the past, not always easy for some to read I must admit, but you gave me some new ideas to rather make it cryptic instead of binary, so I think if I go back to the drawing board I might come up with some other ideas.

    I see what you mean by it’s similar to Heather’s Stencil Watch. The design was first only a binary watch, but the idea came later to do the stencil mode after I saw that the blocks of the grid leant itself for such a display. I checked out the Stencil watch to make sure it’s not a copy of that design and I would love to hear what other designers think.

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    • Hi Wilhelm, Thanks for the update, I have added the Binary mode image above.
      The files we received had P5.ZIP twice, but no P4, I guess that was the missing part of the puzzle! No problem, its much clearer now.

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  3. Hi Wilhelm, I have the same question that the studio TF, but the note display does not match the work done, so I put 5 * / Yes, I like this project.

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  4. Thank you Patrick. I don’t know why the page that explains the binary mode is missing. 😦 I checked my zip folder and it is complete with all 6 pages. I resent the missing page to TF, my only hope is that they somehow can post it here.

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  5. Hey, Wilhelm. The only issues I have are with the 6 and the 9. Seems with the 6 you might eliminate the right side of the center square, and the 9 should resemble the 6, rotated 180 degrees instead of 270 degrees. Good luck!

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  6. I’m not very good at reading binary so cant comment to much on that time telling method other than to say it looks very cool. The digital mode looks funky too, it does have a slight “stencil” look about it combined with a little bit of “Maze” neither of which is a bad thing in my book. Loving the Tron like grid look too! Nice work sir 5/Y Best of luck! 😀

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    • Thank you Pete! The idea was to keep the luminous lines continuous, and I think it’s possible by the using the printing grid over the EL module.

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  7. Neat design Wilhelm! I like the apparent simplicity, and the binary mode looks funkier than any binary mode I think I’ve seen…=) I don’t want to brag (only a little) but I think I’ve figured it out from the digits shown. The 9 would look like the 8 rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise, is that right? And the 5 would look like the seven either rotated 90 degrees clockwise (1+4) or 90 degrees counter-clockwise (2+3)?

    By the way, I really like the exploded view of the display; it’s an elegant solution for sure, and one I’m not sure I’d think of. Good work, and good luck!

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    • The binary digits are “counting” somehow in a clockwise way. I think if one can memorize the “symbol” for each digit you wont even need to count the some of the value of each quarter of each digit.

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  8. Both modes look good, Wilhelm.
    The digital mode does look similar to Heather’s Stencil, but not exactly. This could be the easy mode for the watch.
    The binary mode (now I’ve seen the explanation image) is great and very different – this could be the hard mode, but is certainly what I would want to use. Binary watches are always harder work, but at most it is only 3 digits to add for each number, so not too taxing.
    The only thing I’d add would be to emboss a grid pattern on the strap to continue the theme.
    Good luck and 5*/Y.

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  9. Hi Wilhelm

    Your design looks astonishing. When can we have a peak of your watches on the runway with Anna Sui, Dsquared2, Emporio Armani & Fendi. Your watch design will make an astounding Runway Fashion Accessory.
    Maybee something to think about.

    Go on the runway and change the Fashion Time.

    Warm Luxurious Accessory hugs
    Johlanda

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