aBlogtoRead.com » Concept Creations

Virtual Ideas “Toxic” Linear Time Watch Concept

admin — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:56:03 +0000

With linear time indicators that resemble syringes, the "Toxic" watch concept creation by Swiss Virtual Ideas is another neat idea by the watch design firm. Showing time on linear scales means that an indicator moves across a scale and then jumps back once it reaches the end. Look closely and you can see a telescopic arm that moves across the dial with a red strip for the indicator. It moves like a vial filling up or emptying at the arm extends and pushes in the indicator. It would have been cool for it too look like one side of the indicator was filling with a colored liquid. The telescopic arm would be difficult to manufacture but by no means impossible. I like how Virtual Ideas has pushed the envelope of watch engineering limits, but still within the range of possibility. Nevertheless, a watch like this would cost a lot. Recently, I discussed the Urwerk King Cobra watch with a similar liner time concept.

The Toxic watch concept features a horizontally long rectangular case with soft curved edges on the top and bottom, with sharped curves on the right and left side of the watch. The case would ideally be made in some satin finished metal. You can see the perlage polish on the inside of the dial - that would require a series of expensive to manufacture sapphire crystals. The Toxic watch displays just the minutes and hours, and nicely indicates what scale does what with a clear "H" or "M" next to the scales. While a watch like this is anything but ordinary, it actually succeeds in not being that hard to read, I dig it. Though I would also be a bit apprehensive of a needle sticking out of it!

The watch would have to be large. Likely on par with the dimensions of a Cabestan watch - similar in shape as well. The movement would be manually wound and of course would need to be custom made. Problem of course is power. The segment of the case with the Virtual Ideas logo could theoretically house the movement, but it would need to have some clever machinery to house a manually wound movement that could have enough power to operated the large telescopic arms. With some effort, the watch could be pulled off though. I can't image a price however for a watch like this that would be under $100,000 if it was mechanical movement based. More details on novel Virtual Ideas concept watches as they become available. If you are, or are part of a watch maker and want to Virtual Ideas to work with you, simply go to their site (link above) and contact them.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Virtual Ideas “Big Time” Watch Concept

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:04:21 +0000

Allow me to present you with another watch concept from Switzerland based Virtual Ideas, a design firm that creates watches for established watch companies (a lot of the time large companies rely on smaller, independent design firms when it comes to watch design. They then figure out how to produce it, market it, and then sell it). The first concept I shared with you (a while back) was the Pink Panther watch concept. The concept watch here is called "Big Time." You can see the thematic similarity to their previous concept design.

Big Time is a larger, square shaped watch with dimensions that should be in the 50mm wide and 45mm tall range. The dial itself is perfectly square, but as you can see there is an interesting rubber guard/bumper around the crown. The case is curved a bit and looks nice in rose gold. You can see the sharp faceting around the edges. Lugs are set widely apart but cut short and sharp for a technical feel. They also help preserve the angularity of the design. You see more faceting around the edges of the sapphire crystal.The design looks good with the rubber strap, but would also look good with a reptile strap.

All the action of course is in the dial - one that has a unique way of telling the time. The face is separated into two areas. Once for the hours (left), and one for the minutes (right). As the hand moves vertically along the dial, it actually turns when itÂ comes to the top or bottom. Thus each side of the path is utilized. These paths are also called "rails" by Virtual Ideas. Although this watch is a concept, this style of telling the time has been done before. It was actually quite a coincidence, because although Virtual Ideas did not base their design around Italian Carlo Ferrara watches, the manner of telling the time is the same. Carlo Ferrara was able to do it with a modified ETA 2892A2 movement, so the complication has bee done before.

The dial color could be a dark brown (that matches gold well), black, or any other color. It looks nice being a bit bare. I find the font that Virtual Ideas used for the numerals to be interesting. A technical, almost computer generated font that you'd expect to see on a receipt print out. It makes the counting of time more mathematical, or rather the watch look more like an instrument. The hands are smaller but useful. They might stand for some improvement so as to be more clear . They look to be lume covered, so I hope the numerals on the dial are as well. Virtual Ideas designs concepts such as this show watch companies what they can do. As fresh ideas are often better than a stale design department (many of you out there can attest to that). Whenever I see their designs I wonder to myself what brands the looks best fit with.

While Virtual Ideas is often inclined to create highly luxurious creations, it is often the fact that such designs are remarkable good at being "mainstreamed." Good watch designs can design for all timepiece levels. A common theme in all their designs is the ability to innovatively display the indication of time. This is the goal for many watch makers actually, and I applaud and appreciate their efforts (and the results). Big Time fits directly into this meme. Although they aren't the first to produce the hands on rail system, they did so a novel way, with attractive results. I can easily see myself putting on a watch like this and grinning at the results. Very cool.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Awesome Bracelet Integrated LED Concept Watch From Hiranao Tsuboi Of 100% Design Firm

admin — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 10:48:39 +0000

Just to be clear, this is a concept, so it might never reach the light of retail day. But it really should, aside from some technical hurdles that need to be crossed. Japanese Designer Hironao Tsuboi at 100% Design has imagined this minimalist LED watch, that isn't quite all that minimalist in look, merely function. The minimalist element comes in as the watch only shows the time in minutes and hours Philippe Starck style. The time telling element is neatly integrated into the dark colored metal (either PVD, gun metal, or some other steel darkening technique). That is the really cool part, but it looks as though you have merely a masculine looking bracelet on, that happens to tell the time.

If you look at the numbers, they are brightly lit LED lights behind a few segments. The brightness is very power intensive, and I don't see a place for a lot of battery power. This is the main element that will need to be worked on if this watch ever makes it to production. There are several "solutions" to this quandary, but no one asked my opinion. Best to have the watch in an off state until turned on by the user either via button or flick of the wrist (as Casio does on some watches with its illumination system).Otherwise some power generation system in the watch itself will have to do, but I digress.

Stylistically you have an interesting quandary. What do you make of a watch without the watch? Although the time is displayed, this is really a bracelet. I have mixed feelings about this piece, but I lean toward liking it. In my opinion it is not a watch, at least not in the traditional sense, but more a functional bracelet. Perhaps there is no real distinction, but for some there might be. Bracelets come and go into style, even among those who would not ordinarily wear watches. Adding a bit of functionality (the ability to tell the time), might attract a different demographic than those strictly used to wearing watches. So in a way, this concept is a thematic barrier destroyer, which is good. Given demand, this watch (or whatever it is) might be made, arguably should be made. You can easily appreciate that even though it is simple in design, the concept is quite complex.

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Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Triple Watch Mobile Phone Concept By Manon Maneenawa: A Realistic Phone Watch

admin — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:17:48 +0000

Typically concept phone/watch combinations are intriguing, but so far away from practicality or the limits of current technology that they are only worth a brief glance. Then there are those things that actually look as though they could work with what we have today. This is why I am excited about the Triple Phone Watch concept.

In a nutshell, the device is a folding phone that fits on a wrist strap. When the phone is folded, a smaller anterior screen displays the time. To use the phone, the wear slips out the phone and unfolds it. A concern immediately appears, but I think is easily dismissed. You can surmise that because the phone separates from the wrist strap, they can easily become lost from one another. However, mobile phones aren't typically latched to anything anyways, so these phones could be just as easy to lose as any other. Second, if you lost the wrist strap, it doesn't look like something that would be too expensive to replace anyway. Thus, I don't think there is too much of a risk of loss, and there must be some way of securing the phone into the wrist strap harness. No big deal there.

The phone unit itself is what is of most interest. The watch part of it is pretty simple, but the design has been proven a few times. You have no seconds, just the hour and minute, which are stacked on top of one another. Mod watches companies such as (now deceased) Ventura, and others, have proven this to not only be attractive, but also highly legible. Not for those of us who demand an analog watch, but there is a time and a place for watches like this. The folding design of the phone makes a lot of sense. We have passed the point where we can make tinny little phones. The two things stopping us from making phones smaller is the fact that a human needs to comfortably use it, and the fact that it needs a battery. Sure this Triple phone will need to be charged daily, but so do most phones.

Taking generously from popular phone designs from Motorola (RAZR), and Sanyo, among others, the Triple CellPhone watch is a nice amalgamation of some of today (and yesterday's) best phone design from an aesthetic standpoint. Usability does not look hampered by its design, and it is up to the software and people to make it function properly. I would say that the Triple Watch CellPhone (yes I keep mixing up the name because it is written in several ways in several places, and is not a true "cell" phone) is perfectly usable and comfortable from an ergonomics standpoint.

There really isn't too much more to say while the phone is in concept phase. As I mentioned before, we totally have the ability to produce this phone, and the fact that the designer, Manon Maneenawa was given an award of $10,000 for the design (even if he was a fashion designer) must mean that some people are more than simply interested in producing this interesting phone and timepiece.

See Watch phones on eBay here.

See watches phones on Amazon here.

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Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

High Quality Spy Gadget “Q” Watches From Veldini To Arrive Soon; Three Versions For The Spy In All Of Us

admin — Tue, 27 May 2008 21:19:09 +0000

No one that likes watches doesn't like cool gadgets. Gadgets are little morsels of functional goodness. Items designed specifically for the purpose of doing one or more things (aside from sitting there). Gadgets can be tools, but can also be so much more. So if you don't like cool gadgets, then stop reading. But if you do, then this new line of products from Canadian Veldini will certainly evoke an audible "cool" from you.

Do you remember playing with spy toys as a kid? Those plastic things that you wished came in professional quality? Well I remember, and I think most of the real stuff was reserved for the CIA, and alike agencies. And now, when I am (publicly) too old to play with toys, comes Veldini with its Q watches. Three models are due for release, the Q; Outdoor, Spy, and Everyday. Further the watches will come in three materials, sterling Silver, yellow gold, and rose gold. Prices depend on the material used and will range from $2,000 to $15,000 dollars.

So lets talk about what these watches will do, as that is certainly the main attraction. Each of the different types (i.e., Spy, Outdoor, and Everyday) has a different tool card that slides out of the watch. Feasibly, you could have one watch and three different interchangeable tool cards. Though it is unclear whether the watches will be sold in this way. The cards are very similar to the Victorinox SwissCard that came about a while ago. That was a credit card shaped pocket tool, with various implements that either folded out of it or detached. It is basically a flat pocket knife with 13 tools in it. Victorinox proved that you could make functional device that was flat, but they never stuck it into a watch, even though they make a line of Swiss Army branded watches. Note to Victorinox, make pocket knife watches.

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The Veldini Q takes this same approach with a smaller module that detaches from the watch itself (that other than telling time has no tools built in it). Ideally, the tools on the modules are going to be smooth operating and at least as hardy what Victorinox produces (which is high quality). The release mechanism on the watch is really cool and shaped like the hammer on a pistol. You pull back on the hammer with your thumb to eject the tool card; nifty. Here are the tools that you can get. Q Everyday: flat-head screwdriver, bottle opener, refillable slide-out pen, magnifying class, and serrated knife. Q Outdoor; flat-head screwdriver, file, flint stick (for starting fires), compass, and serrated knife. Q Spy; diamond tipped glass cutter, philips head screwdriver, slide-out lock pick, magnifying glass, and straight edged knife. Pretty cool, but I would want them all.

The watch itself has style elements from all over the place, yet there is nothing out there that looks like it. The shape of the case looks like a Bell & Ross BR-01 with a gun trigger, though the strap is connected from the bottom, without lugs, but rather bolted to the case. This is needed for the slide out module to work well. The face is quite sparse and likely large. Clarify will be good, but I would have liked to see some more functionality. A jet-setting spy could use some additional functions. GMT maybe? A chronograph? That isn't too much to ask for is it? The images probably don't do the watch too much justice. I look forward to seeing one in the flesh for a real determination of how well it would go with a tuxedo.

Now here is the odd part. The whole idea of a "spy" watch is to be stealthy. James Bond's toys were so cool because they were disguised. Otherwise the villains would have just stripped them off him each time he got caught. The Veldini Q watch doesn't exactly hide the fact of what it is. Rather it embraces it. If I were a villain, it would be the first thing I look out for. So while the watch will function as a cool wearable pocket knife, it isn't exactly going to blend in too much. And honestly, were is my figgin' laser cutter? I don't care if I have to attach the watch to a car battery that I wear on my back, I want my spy watch to shoot laser beams!

We will have to wait a bit to see this watch in action, but it looks promising so far. Lets hope that Veldini provides a nice instructional video on how to use the diamond tipped glass cutter and lock pick. Otherwise I am going to be caught in some very compromising situations while practicing.

See Veldini and other "Spy" watches on eBay here.

See Victorinox SwissCards on eBay here.

See Spy watches on Amazon here.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

The Watch LCD Revolution Is On The Horizon: LG Releases First Circular Color LCD Screens

admin — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:32:46 +0000

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This may look like a pretty average watch, but in actuality it represents years of effort. This is one solid circular LCD (liquid crystal display) screen, something that is very hard to do. It also displays 262,000 colors, unlike the monochromatic watch LCDs that you are used to.

In the past, all LCD panels needed to be square or rectangular. For years, efforts have been made to give LCD screens more organic shapes, but the nature of their construction made this almost impossible. That left us with boring little screens on our Casio watches.

Color LCD panels are nothing new, but there is little to no color LCD penetration on watch displays. This is due to the necessity for backlighting, which would require frequent battery changes or charging. New technologies are changing this, and what you see is a clear representation of what we can come to expect in the upcoming years. On that note,Â new types of LCD (and of course OLED; organic light emitting diode) require less or no backlighting at all, which increases the battery life. Further, it is worth noting that because there are TFT (Trans reflective) displays, they have a sharp yet wide viewing angle.

Some of you might be turned off at the thought of having to charge a watch. Think of it this way, how much more work is it to charge a watch than it is to wind a manual watch, or put an automatic watch on a winder when not worn. To an extent, an exciting watch can sometimes have a temporal cost of ownership.

This screen was made by LG, but you can look forward to other companies jumping on board soon. Currently the costs are probably pretty high. But as the laws of technological innovation go, as production increases, costs will go down. If you think of the possibilities they are really vast. The artistic and function flexibility when it comes to designing a watch on a totally circular, color LCD is vast. Watches can take just about any form, either digital or analog, and can obviously change via user command. I even foresee user modifiable DIY watch kits. Think about it. You get the watch and interchangeable straps along with software that allows you to create any type of watch or wrist instrument you want. Now that is a very cool idea.

Look out for more interest technological achievements sure to benefit your love of watches. Read more about LG circular LCD technology here.

See LG electronics on eBay here.

See LG products on Amazon here.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

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Future Watch Tech Revealed: Nokia Eco Sesnor Concept Is A Digital Watch You Want to Wear

admin — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:58:24 +0000

We usually stay away from far-fetched tech concepts, because it is never a good idea to make one salivate with news of something that might never become attainable. In this instance however, it is probably safe to say that such a device is within our grasp in the next ten years max. The Nokia Eco Sensor Concept brings about the functionality that Star Trek and all science fiction fans have desperately awaited. Namely, a convergence device that functions as a watch, communication device, health monitor, and environmental senor, all in a cool looking touch screen form factor.

While it is unclear whether this is a functioning concept, it uses available technology in realistic ways. From a time telling standpoint, the Eco Sensor merely utilizes available digital technology with GPS to tell the time in the right place. It uses various on board sensors along with the GPS to determine environmental conditions. There are plenty of watches today that use this technology, such as Suunto, which makes amazing "wrist-top computers" combining a watch, compass, altimeter, thermometer, and barometer, all in a neat and attractive little package. Further, companies like Suunto, among others, have been able to implement a number of sensors, such as heart rate, and body heat monitors into a watch. Thus, most all the technology that makes the Nokia Eco Sensor desirable is already in watch form in some way or another.

You might be asking yourself what the point of the Nokia Eco Sensor Concept is all about. Don't confuse yourself with thinking that this is just another pointless "do it all device." Far from it, it encapsulates the tools each person will need and come to expect. As mobile phones become a more permanent part of our overall daily "luggage," so are the other functions those devices provide. Even now, people are becoming accustomed to their phones providing e-mail, text messaging, cameras, and Internet navigation. A phone that is just a phone does not cut it anymore. Soon, we will come to except a phone to tell us what the weather is going to be like, what our blood pressure is, and of course we want it to fit on our wrist.

The detachable quality of a mobile phone is what makes them something disconnected enough to be forgotten or under utilized. Like the watches we wear today, a mobile device on your wrist will truly become part of every ensemble. It will function much like today's mobile phones as a device on your wrist is close enough to your hand, it will be the same action, but it will look like our hand it empty, and we will of course still use wireless headset's like today's Bluetooth headsets.

Because almost all the technology exists in some form or another already, the Nokia Eco Sensor Concept is not that far off from reality. Notice that it can be worn in several ways, but one of them is a a watch, on the wrist. That is the most exciting part of course. So while a digital computer watch is not going to steal the hearts of die hard mechanical watch enthusiasts, it is a sign of things to come. Even the vast amount of functionality that the Nokia Eco Sensor provides will seem limited in the years to come as watches are as well connected as any computer is today.

See Suunto watches on eBay here.

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Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.