Sol by Shin Azumi

Untrod is a mysterious project (Mysterious because I couldn’t find a link for it anywhere) that collaborates with international designers on various project themes. Coincidently the first theme is about watches.

For the project, designers were asked to investigate the possibility of bringing new meanings to the conventional form of a watch. Below are some of the design concepts and I hope to dig up all of them:

The Sol, pictured above, is a solar powered watch that features the cell technology on the face instead of disguising it. (I’ve done a similar design myself minus the solar technology part)

Ororon by Fumie Shibata

The Ororon does a simple improvement. The strap on this watch fastens on the case itself. Unfortunately, they didn’t work around the problem of adjusting it for different wrists thus rendering it obsolete commercially.

Analarm By Industrial Facility

I like the name of this one – It’s called the Analarm and it’s by industrial facility (They previous did a watch for Seiko Instruments – See link). The watch is inspired by the alarm clock with the exception that the sound is replaced by a vibrator that indicates when the alarm is activated. I like how it sets the alarm – You have to keep the alarm button pressed while moving the hands to the desired time and then release the button. Simple.

Skew by Ross Mcbride

Madokadoke by Ross Mcbride

Duo by Ross Mcbride

The last three are all done by Ross Mcbride who incidently runs his own little wristwatch brand called ‘Normal’. The first one is called the Skew. It allows the wearer to adjust the case so it can be adjusted to your ideal viewing angle.

The second one is the most impressive. It’s called the Madokadoke and it is a bracelet that camouflages the buttons and the presence of the watch except when the digits appear to tell you the time. This concept has been done before by Hiranao Tsuboi but it was definately not as sexy in it’s execution.

Finally, the last one is called the Duo. It’s a dual time watch where the crown is concealed under a silicon flap.

related links

Designboom: untrod: watch designs

The Pulsograph (Video Presentation)

Spent a truckload on your mechanical wristwatch and have a burning desire to display it the way it deserves? Design firm Dietlin has something for you – It’s called the Pulsograph and it not only displays your watch but it enhances the mechanical sound of the watch for your aural pleasure (see video). The Pulsograph is currently a prototype.

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Dietlin

The Post-it watch only receives email and has an acid-etched glass on top which allows the user to scribble notes on the surface. This is the first wristwatch to combine an analog interface (pen/pencil) with a digital one.

Designed by Industrial Facility for Seiko and selected for the 1999 Industrial Design Yearbook. I think this was always meant to be a prototype.

related links

Industrial Facility

Tima – E-paper watch

I recently came across some wristwatch and personal accessory concepts by Julien Bergignat that were worth noting:

Tact is a wristwatch for the blind. Usually most watches for the blind allows the users to lift the glass of the watch and feel the hands. This can be something ineffective because the users can accidently move the hand with their finger while looking for the time. Julien attempts to solve this problem by using the two disc wristwatch with two tactile markings on it, however, since he added no hour markers, it isn’t really an improvement. Also, he would still need a glass to protect the movement from any dust or water that may seep through the discs.

Marcus is a different type of timing device. It’s a ring that discretely measures the amount of contact a person has with UV rays in order to avoid skin and eye diseases as it only allows you to be aware of how much time you spend under the sun but you can share the data with your doctor.

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Julien Bergignat

The ‘Watch’ is a concept digital watch by Stas Aki that uses the analog hands as decoration rather than to tell time. The hands remain still, each pointing towards the relevant digital display.

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Stas Aki’s Watch [Video]

The Kissing Cobra is a concept bracelet watch by Ukrainian designer Andy Kurovetsis. It features two small screens on either end. One indicating hours and the other minutes.

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(via TDB)

In their battle against the onslaught of the cell phones, watches have always faced a uphill battle due to their limited screen sizes. Well, they might just be able to overcome it – Samsung is showing off a prototype phone with a flexible Oled display that can be folded. Now imagine a wristwatch the folds into a larger display.

related links

Engadget: Samsung Concept Phone unfolds

Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a nanotech fabric technology that repels water. The fabric is made from polyester fibres coated with millions of tiny silicone filaments and when water falls on it, it stays as spherical balls on top of it until they are rolled off like marbles. So water can easily bounce off the fabric without leaving a trace.

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Nanotech Clothing can never get wet

Pointless concept watch that cycles through your basic activities – Wakeup -> Car ->PC -> Car -> TV -> Sleep. Designed by the guy who brought us the Oracle watch.

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Andy Kurovets

French designer Lysandre Follet shows her love for Nooka and Nixon with his concept game watches that allow you to play pong, tetris and other iconic retro games.

Lysandre’s work for Rip Curl during her internship. Unrelated to the whole game post but I thought I’d add this as well.

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Mini Groille