Topographic watch maps out the time in 3D

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Design submitted by Peter from the UK.

Peter says: For a while now I have thought about creating a watch using Topography as an inspiration. “Topography is a field of geoscience and planetary science comprising the study of surface shape and features of the Earth” This is often shown using curved lines to show the shape and lie of the land at it’s various altitudes.

It was only when I did an internet search I found that someone had beat me to it. The existing design uses the Topographic element as a decoration on an analogue watch face. So I decided to make a digital design using the Topographic element as the time telling.

The time is told in a 12/5/9 format using the Topographic curved lines as the time telling elements. I have opted for e-paper for my example as this fits with the paper-map like inspiration. (LCD could also as easily been used, ideally multi-colour LCD as the lines could be various colours to add to the theme) The strap features grooves and multi-toned segments to continue the theme throughout the design.

This design has an arty feel that may appeal to people who like “groovy” unusual designs. It may also appeal to outdoorsie people or people who have a fondness for maps.

The Topographical themed display combined with “groovy” strap design sets this design apart from others.

30 thoughts on “Topographic watch maps out the time in 3D”

  1. Very nice! I like how you have grouped the relief lines for easy reading & continued the outlines through the case & strap.

    The subtle colour change in each stage on the case & down into the strap (as seen in the first bunch of images) is a great idea. It’s particularly appropriate here, but having the metal evolve from dark to light is a clever touch of its own which could be inspiration for other designs.

    You didn’t use elevation numbers & I don’t think it needs it. Still, that could look nice too if it compliments the map theme.

    Overall this is a stylish, understated design. It doesn’t shout, it simply winks with a quiet confidence – I like that very much 😉

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    • Cheers for posting and commenting Toky! I did contemplate adding numbers but was worried it might make the display too cluttered. It would add to the theme tho so it might be worth considering. I would suggest that they are part of an easy mode which could be turned on and off. Also if e-paper was used maybe other map shapes could also be selected with varying levels of difficulty etc. Regarding the strap colour shading, I should have another version with various textures too going from smooth to a rough sparked finish. All food for thought. Cheers again! 😀

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  2. i like this right away but i was hoping to see some bright colors in the isobars like a weather radar. Nice thinking out of the box 5y

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    • If colour LCD was used it could be multi-coloured like you suggest. I did contemplate has a multi-coloured tinted lens but fouls it looked odd when there were only a few segments on etc. I’m sure there is plenty of scope for improvement and development. Cheers for the feedback and support sir! 😀

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  5. My new favourite of the watches you’ve submitted, Pete. Definitely one of the best on the blog.
    The groupings do help read the time, once you’ve learnt them (e.g. hours are grouped 3/5/2/1/1), so I don’t think it needs multiple colours, but might be interesting to see how that would look.
    Continuing the theme into the strap always appeals to me – the audition of the strap tones makes this even more interesting.
    Altogether a great design. Can’t wait to buy it! 5y, of course.

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    • It would be cool if multiple maps could be included, which should be possible if e-paper was used. Then there could be a choice of shape and spacing, from cryptic to initiative etc. Hopefully there are some features TF find worth developing further x^^x cheers for the feedback and support Nev! 😀

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  6. Hi Pete, beautiful, very beautiful imagination.
    I would have called this watch “isobath watch”, because the level lines go down inside the watch (remote memories of studies…)
    Then for me that will be a beautiful 5, with the full of one stars.

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    • Yeah Isobath could work, thats kind of the opposite side of the coin to Topograpth. Maybe the one version with the dark to light strap could be called topograph and the opposite could be called isobath. So may possibilities. 🙂

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  10. This concept is excitingly unique I really like the concept of the Map “contour” display Pete Fantastic work Pete.
    5 Stars

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  12. That’s REALLY thinking out of the box Pete! I love the band and body, but the time telling method is just not for me.
    (Not that it’s not good, it’s maybe just a little too far out there for me personally)
    Nice work though, as all your designs are!!
    Best of luck Pete!

    Regards,
    ALinCAL

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    • Thanks a lot ALinCAL! Im glad you like the thinking and the strap/case. No worries if the time telling isn’t for you. I’m sure others will be in the future 😉 Cheers for the feedback and the luck! 🙂

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  14. Time is almost up for this one, so all that’s left to do is thank TF for posting it here and everyone who took the time to comment, vote, like and share! Cheers everyone!

    Pete from the uk 🙂

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