Reticle watch targets futuristic time telling.

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Design submitted by Peter from the UK.

Peter says: For a long time I have had the idea in the back of my head for a watch design that you could look through rather like a gun scope, this is probably partly inspired by one of Cory’s older designs called “Lock On”

The two issues I had with this idea were 1). I couldnt figure out how it would work and 2). would you look a little silly holding your wrist up to your eye like a poorly co-ordinated salute?

It was only recently that I realised that the solution could be using similar tech to heads up displays that now feature in some cars (as well as fighter planes) This would make the design more feasible, look less like a gun scope and not require the wearer to have to peer through a gun-scope like aperture.

The time is told by a hybrid digital/analogue format shown on a vertically mounted transparent display. This could be done in a number of ways: the first could be a transparent LCD like “spider” assuming that the packaging would allow an LCD in this orientation, and ideally a frameless free side to the glass. The second is using tech similar to heads up displays in cars and planes. They use lasers which illuminate special coatings on the inside of the windscreen or viewing glass (which is probably on the xpensive side) my suggestion if this priciple was used would be to have the segments painted in UV illuminated paint and then use blackight LEDs to illuminate the display. The third and possibly the simplest method would be to use the same priciple used on red-dot gun sights. They feature a bright LED array mounted at a slight angle infront and below the display that reflects on the glass reticle giving the impression of a floating display.

I have tried to show a couple of time telling methods using this priciple, the first (black and green watch) shows an analogue format with a cross-hair for the hours (the longest line of which points the hours) the minutes are shown by 60 segments in a ring. Seconds are shown by blocks at either side. The second version (silver and blue) shows a similar method but with the minutes in negative. The third (silver and red) shows a 12/5/9 format with the left blocks showing hours, ten minute groups shown by a digit in the centre and single minute blocks on the right.

The inspiration for this design is very industrial and a little bit military so will probably be more likey to temp the out door type of people. That said the technical aspect may temp people who like technology and futuristic products.

The heads up transparent display, angular industrial form and millitary inspiration sets this design apart from others.

34 thoughts on “Reticle watch targets futuristic time telling.”

  2. Very cool! A HUD in a watch would be awesome.
    The transparent ‘spider’ LCD solution you mentioned would certainly be possible. The others sound a bit complex for a watch. I don’t really know to be honest, but I imagine power requirements would be quite high.

    I think a transparent LCD would work well, for one the ambient light in your surroundings would act as a backlight & the LCD would probably be a very strong contrast. You can see this in action if you hold up the spider watch (not on wrist) – the light from your surroundings shines though the LCD from both directions & gives a very strong effect.

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    • Cheers for posting and commenting Toky! 🙂
      I’m all for the most simple method.
      I totally agree, the spider display is really clear minus the wristy background.
      I assumed that the packaging would be the fly in the ointment here. Is it possible to have the top side of the LCD exposed as I have here? not that it would be the end of the world if it had to be “framed” around all sides (as long as it wasn’t too chunky etc) Fingers crossed that feasibility doesn’t stand in the crosshairs here 🙂

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  3. Looks amazing, Pete.
    I like all three time telling methods, so would be happy if TF chose only one of them, but they may give us the choice and include all three, which would be even better. Green and blue look best, preferably on black.
    The only thing that confuses me is the seconds in the first two formats. All the blocks are full when you get to 30 seconds, so how do you show 31 – 59? Is it by negative blocks from the bottom?
    Anyway, I hope this gets made. Good luck and 5y.

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    • Hey Nev! Cheers for the support and burning the after midnight oil! 😉
      Regards the seconds, I figure few people need the seconds other than for the sense of animation hence I didn’t feel the need for 60 blocks (not that 60 blocks wouldn’t be possible) so they could just keep ticking away 30 blocks at a time or like you say start un-ticking when they reach 30. Cheers again sir! 😀

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  4. Can I buy it yet?

    very nice design. I want one right now. one little problem might be trying to clean the inner surfaces. i guess if you sealed the open surfaces that would wreck the design, but very good job nonetheless. definitely a different idea. Nice two modes, i think i’ll do the first mode more haha.

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    • Oh whoops theres three modes. Ah I want all of them. Is a purple or white led also possible and what kind of software do you use to design these things…

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      • Cheers for the feedback Kloryc! Yeah there are three time telling examples here but there is probably “scope” for more using this layout or a modified version of. If the display was transparent LCD then a white and or purple version should be possible. I have never seen a purple LCD but if blue and red are doable purple should be.
        I use SolidWorks with PhotoWorks 360 for rendering. Cheers again 😀

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  5. First of all, niiice material/light color combinations! Three types, three times yumm. I like the red one most.

    The projection idea is super duper! Outstanding!! Good time telling alternatives. There’s always a way to please everyone with alternatives. Dopey geometry xD I like it – stealthalicious. 5bullets/affirmative

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  6. I like the Scope of this concept it truly On Target, as display & overall shape stands out from the crowd. Well Done.

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  8. I really like this case design, Pete; the angles really appeal to me. I like how you designed the buttons, though for practical reasons perhaps they should be limited to one side. How ’bout a carbon fiber version?

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  12. Another great proposal that goes beyond our present or perhaps our world …
    I think it’s one of your best concepts.
    Versatile combination of materials and colors. Yes good concept and well done.
    Good luck master Pete 🙂

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  13. I like the overall look. I prefer the last 2 models. Plain black is a bit too plain. The sides panels could be in another color. (the gun metal/carbon fiber is nice)

    I like the idea on how to display the time: very futuristic. The 12-5-9 was easy to understand, compared to the others. Then, I realized that the horizontals bars are only the seconds. This mean that it has a nice animation & can be ignored when that level of precision isn’t required! (which is most of the time)

    I would buy.

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    • Nice review sir! Yeah I agree the black one is a bit too stealthy and could do with a little contrast. Black and carbon would be nice for a subtle option. The gun metal and carbon is my favourite (cheers Xian).
      I think its always a bonus to have more than one time telling mode, so the wearer can choose their preference. I’m glad at least one mode suites you. Cheers for the support and the feedback! 🙂

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      • Having multiple time telling remind me of a watch I saw a while back: E-Paper 5 displays & black/white or white/black = 10 choices. ( I was going to buy it but didn’t & they rapidly discontinued it ) & 1 of my next design will use that idea.

        I like both time-telling here. 1 thing I like from the 1st is that it’s using (or seem to use) 30 bars for the seconds & that 2/4/6 are 1/2/3 light(s) per columns. (I was simply confused when trying to match the texts & the times)

        It would be nice if the negative & positive minutes could both be added & the wearer could choose!

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  14. This one ends very soon, so all that’s left to is thank everyone who voted, commented, liked and shared! and Toky for posting it here on the blog. Cheers everyone!

    Pete from the UK 🙂

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