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Phosphor World Time Sport E Ink Watch Review

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 07:04:30 +0000

The E Ink watch saga continues over at Phosphor as their World Time watch (that I reviewed here) gets turned into the World Time Sport. This less expensive model gets a bit more hip and loses its buttons. It it hard to visually miss this all-white model, and you'll also find that Phosphor offers the World Time Sport in all black and in a black case with orange strap version. I think E Ink is more than ready for mainstream.

People love the high-contrast look of E Ink watches. I have reviewed a few Phosphor watches and in each case I have found that people who check out the pieces are really drawn by the screen - yet no one knows what it is. I was totally under the impression that widespread marketing of the Amazon Kindle more or less informed people of what E Ink is. Yet the mainstream consumer seems to consistently ignore these little details. Glad I have my geeks around me.

Rather than a techie metal look, the World Time Sport is in a colorful plastic case with silicone strap. Like I said, it makes for a hip, more trendy look that appeals to a large range of people - the same type of people who sport G-Shocks most of the time. The Phosphor World Time Sport offers them a more exotic option.

E Ink screens currently don't offer backlighting, but do offer very easy to see screens that use very little power. As is the case on Phosphor E Ink watches, you can reverse the colors of the display for that "negative" look. The watch has five different screen options that either have different functions on them or display the time in a slightly different way. In all, the watch has the time, calendar, and world time zone function. One small issue that existed as well in the World Time is the lack of a memory feature. When you switch to the world time screen it does not "recall" the last time zone you were looking at.

On the wrist, the watch is thin and wide, and quite comfortable. The tonneau shaped case is 38mm wide and pretty tall. Having it curve a bit more might actually help it look properly sized on most wrists. On the back of the watch is an easy-to-use battery compartment. That statement should imply that the movement is quartz (in case it wasn't obvious).

While the World Time has buttons to adjust the watch, the World Time Sport does not. It has two touch areas under the screen that you touch or swipe to get it to work. The system is a bit touchy! Oh yea, silly pun. But really, while I like the touch concept, I wish the buttons registered actions more consistently and there is not much of a performance gain. It really only offers a more sleek look. What I also find interesting is that the metal World Time watch is water resistant to 50 meters while the plastic World Time Sport is only water resistant to 30 meters. I think I would be more into the touch areas if they offered some benefit over buttons aside from mere style.

Having said that, it is clear that most people wearing this watch will rarely adjust it and be more into its ability to tell the time. I really feel that Phosphor needs to expand this "Sport" range and add to it with more E Ink watches, just not just the World Time. Colorful and fun cases with a cool E Ink screen will prove to be really popular. The Phosphor World Time Sport watch is not without its little quirks but it is an overall nice watch with a good look and technology you will appreciate. Price is a reasonable $99 and you can get them via Phosphor's website.

Thanks to Phosphor for the review unit. Opinions are 100% independent.

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

Last Chance: Phosphor Reveal Watch Giveaway

admin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:35:58 +0000

Just a couple of more days to enter before a winner is chosen to win two Phosphor Reveal watches. Don't forget the giveaway post also has a special discount coupon for buying a Phosphor Reveal directly from Phosphor online. Click here to enter the Phosphor Reveal watch giveaway on aBlogtoRead.com.

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

Giveaway: Phosphor Reveal “His & Hers” Watches + Discount

admin — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:02:43 +0000

Phosphor's recent announcement of the Reveal watch excited a lot of people - both men and women. So this month I have for you the opportunity to win two watches, one for him and one for her (but the winner can get two men's or two women's watches if they desire). I had the chance to review the Phosphor Reveal here, and found out that it certainly a fun and affordable range of timepieces. They use a special mechanical electronic magnetic technology to flip segments on the dial to digitally tell the time. At about 44mm wide in steel, these watches come in a few styles which you can browse through here on Phosphor's website. Priced at between $199 - $250, the winner will be able to choose any two Phosphor Reveal timepieces that they like.

BONUS!: aBlogtoRead.com readers can get a $30 off discount on ANY Phosphor watch when ordering on their website until April 10th, 2011. Just checkout using the discount code "ablogtoread" on their website.

To Enter You Must:

1. Comment on this post below before the giveaway is over with your valid e-mail address where required. In the body of your comment mention a watch you love but might be embarrassed to wear.

2. Be a pal. If possible, Facebook friend/fan all or any of the following:

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3. Wait until the giveaway is over on April 30st, 2011 for the winner to be chosen at random.

A couple of basic rules. You can only enter once. You must comment with a valid e-mail address where you can be reached. Your comment must be confirmed and approved. You must complete the objectives to be considered. You are responsible for providing your contact shipping information if you are chosen. Shipping restrictions to non US entrants may apply based on sponsor's policies. Giveaway watch selection based on sponsor's inventory and watch availability. All comments made after the end of the giveaway period will not be considered. For the full terms and conditions, please click here.

Good luck, and thanks to Phosphor the sponsor of this Reveal watch giveaway here at aBlogtoRead.com!

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

Phosphor Reveal Watch Review

admin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:02:43 +0000

This is the Phosphor Reveal watch - and it is sort of a bling object for watch nerds (and nerdettes). This is a new type of timepiece for Phosphor - as up until now they were known for offering well-priced e-ink screen watches such as the World Time and Digital Hour Clock. The Reveal is not an e-ink watch but rather a timepiece that uses "micro-magnetic mechanical digital" technology. Basically, the movements use magnets to flip around the crystals to display the time digitally.

It is on a base quartz movement with the complex mechanism on top if working to show the time. For this first collection Phosphor chose to do this with crystals. Thinking about it - I would guess that they aren't limited to crystals, and the same effect can be done with small balls or other textures. If this watch is successful enough, then I hope to see Phosphor really experimenting and playing with this tech in the future. For now we have a few Reveal watch styles. For you to check out here is a men's version and women's version. Each of the watches are in approx. 45mm wide steel cases. The men's model is done in black, while the women's model is in polished steel. As you can likely see, the cases are pretty bland given what the dial has got going on. Though the women's model is spruced up a bit more.

At the same time, the cases offer a lot of space for some clever aftermarket guy to modify these timepieces in an interesting manner. The case has just two buttons to operate the watch. This includes setting the time, and switching between the three displays. You can blank out the dial to see just the crystals, see the time, or see the seconds.

If you look closely at the sections that turn over, they are little groups of crystals and turn over faster than the eye can detect. From a distance it is hard to understand how the dials work, but you get a better understanding looking at the dials up close. There is a lot of novelty here which I appreciate - the Phosphor Reveal is a neat watch whether or not you like the looks. When the time changes, you hear a little clicking noise as things shuffle about.

Like I said, the watch shows the time and another screen will show the seconds. No date or anything like that. Phosphor points out that there is a special security system if you drop the watch. Some senor detects a fall or impact (just like certain portable Hard Drives) and locks the crystals in place so that they don't get messed up. And even if they do, there is apparently a way to reset the positions of the crystals. I like that such a level of engineering went in to the user experience.

The men's model is the most simple with a black leather strap and standard round case. It is comfortable on the wrist, but large so as to make a visual statement. Like I said, it is a sort of gadgety watch, but the shiny crystals on the dial change that. The intersection of showy and techie is rather amusing. The women's watch is much better composed. There is a red patent leather strap and more little crystals in a double row around the bezel. For women it is a fun timepiece with a good spirit and ton of character. Though again it is about 45mm wide so it won't look dazzling on petite wrists.

This fun time toy shouldn't cost to much and is available now. Prices start at $199 for a polished steel case. $210 for this IP black case, and $250 for the women's model. Learn more or get a Phosphor Reveal here.

Thanks for Phosphor for the review unit. Opinions are 100% Independent.

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

Phosphor World Time Watch Review

admin — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:04:26 +0000

Phosphor watches can be credited with a very special honor. That being of the brand the officially popularized and mainstreamed e-ink watches. While they didn't invent the concept, they made them cool enough and affordable enough for mainstream adoption. With prices under $200, now everyone can have a neat looking, easy to read e-ink watch on their wrist. The newer World Time watch adds just that to the mix - a world time complication. In addition the time and a calendar, you can now scroll through time zones of the world. Aside from one minor drawback, the watch is a nice addition to the Phosphor watch collection.

The last Phosphor watch I reviewed was of this Phosphor Digitial Hour Clock watch. I raved over it, and the World Time is simply a slightly different version that offers a new style, and an the ability to see more than one time zone. The highly curved steel case is 35mm thick, but very long. Though its curvature helps it look good on the wrist. Instead of buttons on the side of the case (like the earlier model), the World Time has a large pushers on the front of the watch that is two buttons based on which side you press.

e-Ink screens can be curved, which is very good in this instance. At the same time, they still retain a high level of contrast making them easy to read. e-Ink screens still have a few down sides (such as the lack of backlighting and a seconds indicator - I discuss the reasons for this in my earlier review), but offer a lot of benefits in terms of being easy to read and crisp. I promise you that in the future (especially as e-Ink technology improves), we will have more e-Ink watches out there.

The World Time case is really thin at about 9mm thick, and doesn't feel like you are wearing a high-profile item on your wrist. The strap comes in polyurethane, leather, or a metal bracelet. While the Digital Hour Clock had a more "mod" look to it, the World Time is a bit more mainstream techie. This is a watch that is meant to compete with other gadgety watches out there (for that large market) and does it well.

Using the watch is pretty simple, aside from setting the time, the pushers are used for two main things. First is switching between function screens, and second is juxtaposing the colors - so you can have a light background with dark numerals or the opposite of that. There are first different mode screens to choose from. Two of those are for seeing the time in another time zones (one with just the world time, another with the home time and the second time zone). This is fine, but the problem I was referring to earlier comes in to play here. If you select a specific world time zone, then leave that display mode - when you return you will have to search for the time zone you selected again. The watch switches back to GMT + 0. I would have preferred that Phosphor retain the selected World Time setting even when you switch between display modes.

Another small issue is that the strap is integrated with the case. This means that if you wish to replace the strap for any reason, you can't and will need to either send it in to Phosphor, or replace the watch. How big of a deal is with? Well it wouldn't stop me from buying the watch because I know in the event the strap tears I probably wore the watch enough to buy a new one. Plus, if the buckle breaks, that is something that can be repaired. So while ideally you could switch out the strap, it isn't a deal breaker for me.

The price for the Phosphor World Time watch ranges from $150 - $195. This version with the black polyurethane strap is also available with a white strap. The leather strapped version costs $165, and the top model includes the steel bracelet. Get your self an e-Ink watch if you don't have one yet - they are worth it to wear even just ones in a while. People seeming me wear these watches love them, so I assume they'd make good gifts as well. Learn more or get one from Phosphor here.

Thank to Phosphor for the review unit. Opinions are 100% independent.

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

Giveaway: Phosphor Digital Hour Clock Black Watch + Discount For All

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:06:13 +0000

Back almost by popular demand is another Phosphor e-ink watch giveaway on aBlogtoRead.com. This month's Free Watch Giveaway is a chance to get a new version ofÂ the popular Phosphor Digital Hour ClockÂ watch (in black)Â - and everyone who enters gets a special Phosphor watch discount. That's right. Even if you don't win the watch at the end of the month, you'll still get an e-mail with a special exclusive discount coupon for a Phosphor watch. This makes a high value watch, even more enticing. I recently reviewed the Phosphor Digital Hour Clock here with much praise. New for this version is the black toneÂ coated over the steel case.

As you know, Phosphor is the leading e-ink screen watch maker with very useful and stylish timepieces available. The specific watch you'll be entering to win is the Digital Hour Clock Black on the leather strap with a retail value of $185. Visit the giveaways sponsor Phosphor watches right here to learn more about this and other e-ink watches. Good luck!

To Enter You Must:

1. Comment on this post below with your valid e-mail address where required. In the body of your comment mention your favorite non traditional (traditional meaning standard three analog hands on dial)Â manner of reading the time (e.g. digital, jumping hour, retrograde, etc..) Or you could just share why you love the Digital Hour Clock Black so much and want one.

2. Whether you win or not, you'll later be sent an e-mail with a special discount coupon code for Phosphor watches. By entering you are opting in to receive occasional watch related news letters or announcements from the sponsor, Phosphor Watches. You may opt out at any time.

3. Wait until the giveaway is over on March 1st, 2010 for the winner to be chosen at random.

Good luck, and thanks to Phosphor Watches, the sponsor of the Digital Hour Clock watch giveaway here at aBlogtoRead.com!

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

Last Chance To Enter For Free Phosphor e-Ink Watch Giveaway + Discount

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:43:59 +0000

The end of the month is upon us, and you will need to enter now to win the Phosphor Digital Hour Clock watch if you have not entered already. Remember, that in addition to entering to win a Phosphor Digital Hour Clock watch, you are also going to get a special aBlogtoRead.com discount from Phosphor on the purchase of any watch they carry!

Click here to enter to win a Phosphor Digital Hour Clock now.

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

Free Phosphor Digital Hour Clock Watch Giveaway + Discount For All

admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:04:34 +0000

This month on aBlogtoRead.com's Free Watch Giveaway you can get a really cool watch, and everyone who enters gets a special Phosphor watch discount. That's right. Even if you don't win the watch at the end of the month, you'll still get an e-mail with a special exclusive discount coupon for a Phosphor watch. This makes a high value watch, even more enticing. I recently reviewed the Phosphor Digital Hour Clock here with much praise. This watch is great for you or as a gift (given the holiday season). Oh, and don't worry, the watch to be won is brand new direct from Phosphor, and not the particular piece I personally reviewed.

As you know, Phosphor is the leading e-ink screen watch maker with very useful and stylish timepieces available. The specific watch you'll be entering to win is the Digital Hour Clock on the leather strap with a retail value of $185. Visit the giveaways sponsor Phosphor watches right here to learn more about this and other e-ink watches. Good luck!

To Enter You Must:

1. Comment on this post below with your valid e-mail address where required. In the body of your comment mention why you'd like to win a Phosphor Digital Hour Clock watch.

3. Wait until the giveaway is over on December 1st, 2009 for the winner to be chosen at random.

Good luck, and thanks to Phosphor Watches, the sponsor of the Digital Hour Clock watch giveaway here at aBlogtoRead.com!

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

Phosphor Digital Hour Clock e-Ink Watch Review

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:27:34 +0000

Welcome to the watch for nontraditional watch lovers. This is something even people who claim their mobile phones are enough for time telling can get behind with ease. In a nutshell you have a nicely designed angular rectangle watch, using an innovative e-ink display, at a very reasonable price. So let's get the e-ink discussion out of the way. I was under the impression that everyone knew what e-ink was, until I started talking about it and people gave me a blank stare. Are you familiar with the Amazon Kindle e-book device? Well that is probably the most popular use of e-ink today. Unlike LCD screens, e-ink uses a different system for providing very high contrast, easy to read screen. They only use electricity when "changing" (the image on the screen changes) so they use very little battery power. The screen is made of positively and negatively charged electrodes that work in an "on" or "off" position. Meaning it either displays the positively charged (light color) electrodes, or the negatively charged (dark color) electrodes. A current is only required to alter the position of the electrodes, and not to sustain the display - which is why it uses so little energy. Alternatively, and LCD display must always have power running through it in order to be "on" (although that amount is low, LCD devices that use a lot of energy have most of the juice going to the processor, RAM, and/or the backlight.

E-ink is named as such because the high contrast display looks a lot like paper. Meaning it is easy to read and easy on the eyes (with no backlight required in lit instances. This is the first watch you'll have where people don't need to ask you what time it is. They can clearly see it on your wrist without having to ask. So the company is Phoshpor and the model is the Digital Hour Clock watch. Dismiss the awkward name and focus on the immediately pleasing to the eye display as well as watch case. The first generation of Phosphor e-ink watches used a round case with analog hands on top of an e-ink display. This next generation of watches from the brand finally become more comfortable with the technology and the unique benefits of e-ink, so they removed all things "analog."

The case is long and rectangular. I was actually quite pleased with the dimensions of the watch once I got it on my wrist. It is just the right size as I prefer it. Goes from one end of the wrist to the other, without being too long. The width is good as well. I find that many rectangular shaped watches are too narrow, but here the 38mm width feels right. It is also relatively thin at just 8mm thick. Then you have the nicely tapered ends that help ease the size transfer of the case to the slightly more narrow strap. The case itself is also completely curved to fit on your wrist well. There is a bit of a protrusion on the rear of the case for the battery compartment, which honestly does not interfere in the comfort of the watch at all. Which also brings me to point that the battery compartment is easy to access and can be taken off using a coin. No real tools required. This is good as many battery operated watches are pain to get in to, and do you really want to visit a specialist just to change a watch battery?

Case material is all stainless steel and enjoys mostly a high polish finish around the watch. The face of the watch has a sandblasted look that fits nicely with the look of the e-ink display surface. I applaud Phosphor on this clever design point. The watch pushers (one on each side of the case) are integrated right into the case, and don't protrude at all. This gives the case a modern and seamless look. I don't say this lightly when I remark upon the fact that I feel as though Phosphor put more design attention into this case, than do people who sell watches at many times the price. The case is also water resistant to 50 meters, and the watch crystal is mineral glass - that while not as hardy or scratch resistant as sapphire crystal, is totally acceptable at this watch's very good price.

Going to the front of the watch again, you'll see the Phosphor logo in cursive engraved into the case. The look is nice, and I like the cursive style of the text against the otherwise modern looking case. It brings down any apparent nerdiness of the watch making it much more hip instead. Which is really a good statement about the watch as a whole. The combo of an unknown display technology combines with a futuristic looking case could easily have gone in the wrong direction for Phosphor, but with the Digital Hour Clock, they pull the timepiece off well, and I think it has real mass appeal.

The strap is a soft and flexible black leather with orange applied around the edges. I like the double pin style buckle, which goes well with the thick and wide clasp. The look reminds me of leather bracelets that are seemingly perma-popular. The strap is the type that will wear out after years of use, but so are many styles of leather straps. Replacement straps are available from Phosphor when the time comes (they are $15 each). In addition to this leather strap a less expensive version of the Digital Hour Clock watch comes with a black polyurethane strap, and for a bit more you can get a stainless steel bracelet on the watch. I think I prefer the leather strap the most.

Now on to the screen and functions. There are four displays that you can choose to look at, and each in either the positive or negative color tone. What I mean by the latter is that by pressing the right pusher on the watch in any screen will juxtapose the colors. For instance if the numbers are dark, and the background is light, press the button and the numbers before light, and the background dark. The four screens show: 1) the time with stacked hours and minutes,Â a calendar with stacked date and month, the alarm setting, and an alternative time display with a semi-analog hour on top of digital minutes. The watch also has an adjustable tone that will beep on each hour, but this can be turned off. The pushers are easy to use, but require a deep push into the case. A few downsides to e-ink are that there is no current backlight option, and there are no seconds indication available. Both are understandable given the nature of the screen, and are not merely left out of the design. e-Ink needs energy each time the screen "changes." If the watch were to count seconds, the screen would need to change each second, and thus use up too much energy. This way it only needs to change each minute. e-Ink does require a bit more voltage than a standard LCD display, but with the CR2025 battery, you should get 18-24 months of battery life. Plus, these types of batteries shouldn't be hard to find at non-watch stores as they are also used in non watch devices.

Another benefit of e-Ink is the display angle. In addition to them having a very high contrast from light to dark, you can also view them at any angle. This is one of the problems with LCD displays, as you can no longer read the dial if you look at it from too much of an angle. Not an issue with e-Ink. This is going to be one of the most enjoyable benefits from the watch. There is a bit of ghosting if you look closely at the dial. Meaning that you can see some of the numeral segments of the basic "8" shape - that all digital numbers stem from. This is not much of an issue really, but more of an observation.

A combination of solid looks, very useful technology, enjoyable operation, and high value, allows this $185 watch to make a ton of sense for anyone who is drawn to it. Traditional watch lovers will find appeal in the novel use of technology, while non-tradition watch lovers will appreciate the good price, as well as the cool timepiece that is unique enough to have them leave their phones in their pocket next time they need the time. For all these reasons and because I personally like this watch so much, I am giving it a rare aBlogtoRead.com Seal of Approval Award.

Buy or learn more about Phosphor Digital Hour Clock e-Ink watches here.

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