The Vacuum Fluorescent Display Watch Is The Quirkiest EVER
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- Watches on the whole tend to be pretty straightforward, so if you’re looking for something different, how about the retro cool of a vacuum fluorescent display watch? Not only is this most quirkiest of watches awesome to look at, it’s surprisingly affordable too!
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Was fully expecting a price in the thousands of dollars. For $380 there's no way I'm not going to add this to my collection as soon as possible!
It's sold out unfortunately
I bought them all. Price is now $3,000.00 if you want one.
@@DarthDickhed nice..
Preorders available for March / April
@@DarthDickhed How about 10 bucks?
This might be one of the coolest things I'd never spend 400 bucks on.
😂
cos you'd be fuggin late all the time😂
Why not? I know loads of folks who spend twice as much on drinks and lap dances on a Friday night. Every Friday... I'd certainly buy it.
@@gerard518 I know a couple of guys who go through that much just “getting ready” to go out
You've just described my watch hobby.
Extraordinary price and battery life: pretty sure it’s worth buying just for the WTF factor. Good find, Andrew!
Scientist here (or wizard if you prefer):
Yes there are orange VFDs but they do not contain a gas, those orange ones are neon bulbs, the blue one is probably the VFD part (notice that the light comes from the coating on one of the elctrodes, rather than from the gas sorrounding it, in fact a VFD has vacuum inside).
I think this is probably the only watch/time-telling instrument that I'd ever set to 12-hour mode. What an absolutely awesome piece!
I just interviewed an applicant to my engineering college. He built a watch that tells the time in base-4. Rather than numbers, he displays the time on a 4 by 4 grid. I gave him a positive score.
You mean a 10 x 10 grid
@@onradioactivewaves I see what you did there and I heartily approve
Oh boy I want this real bad. Going to have to add it to my list. I'm a sucker for these kinds of things. While actually reading the time isn't this watches forte, I have other watches for that. And as a guitarist, anything with analog tubes in it tickles my fancy especially hard. What a cool little gizmo.
"The Electricianz" is a company that makes some watches with a similar-ish aesthetic to the VFD and Nixie custom offerings. Personally I think the Accutron Spaceview is one of the coolest watches ever and it has a "analog-digital" aesthetic as well.
@@doubleugly1594yuck
There was a wide range of novelty watches in the early 2000s that represented time in different fashions. This reminds me of those.
I own this watch and I have to say, it is really impressive, unique and really fun to wear. Telling the time is getting easier as you get accustomed to it. Becomes second nature and boy does it turn heads and start conversations.
Mine will be ready next week apparently, I simply cannot wait! Your comment is truly reassuring.
Will it last?
Only $380?! While it isn't my style, the wow factor in and of itself is enough to justify. I was totally expecting it to be priced north of $1k, so this is certainly a welcome feature.
Perfect timing!! I played with these a couple of weeks now and am publishing the unboxing and tutorial this Sunday.
Also, the BIG boy sadly ISN'T 50mm, as that would be wearable, HUGE, but wearable.
It actually measures 55x17mm!!! It is GIGANTIC!!
I saw it and I literally laughed out loud, absolutely ludicrous!
I love the glow of the tubes, but I'm not gonna wear a watch that huge just for that!
This model is 39x12mm. Nixie watch with in-16 tubes measures 55x17mm
Look forward to Sunday for your vid. This watch seems to be sold out but I would abs6lpve to be able to buy one
However it's made of Nixie tubes and not VFD, right?
VFDs are so frickin cool. Vintage hifi gear on your arm. I’m in love.
I was gutted when I saw this, went to the website, and saw that they were all sold out. Fortunately they just opened orders on the next batch so I managed to snag one. Looks wonderful.
That's a tenth the price I would have expected tbh
Already sold out 😂
I absolutely love that WFC is highlighting some really interesting, creative and affordable microbrands. Could watch this all day.
NOOO! I wanted one!!! 😭
I wasn't sure, why would WFC promote them, if they're already gone. Long story short, I contacted them and -- by their words -- there should be some kickstarter event happening next week. So I suppose "Sold out" in their terms mean "Coming soon". True, they're being kinda misleading -- nevertheless, if you're interested, keep an eye on the "Buy it now" button ;-)
@@ludvikhladky3579 thanks Ludvik. I had assumed that they sold out when WFC dropped their video due to increased demand, I'll keep an eye out for that button.
@@redbeam9212 If you can't get one but absolutely want nixie tubes in your life, you'll have a much easier time getting a desk clock using them :)
They just reopened preorders for the next batch.
To answer you question your question about why vfd's are not lightbulbs, it's because they're not exactly not lightbulbs. It depends on what your definition of a lightbulb is. VFD's are similar to some things people would normally consider lightbulbs, like fluorescent lamps. Which work on a kinda similar concept. A VFD will have a cathode, which you drive current through and create electrons due to something called thermionic emission (just a fancy way of saying you get something really hot and it emits energy), and an anode, which is coated with phosphor and it fluoresces when hit with said electrons. A fluorescent lamp works by driving current through mercury vapor contained in the "bulb" which then creates ultra violet light that hits the phosphor coating on the glass and create visible light. The difference is in the mechanism by which the high energy particles of choice get to the phosphor material. But yeah, they convert electricity to light, and their purpose is to create light instead of like, heat. So it's basically a light bulb. On a side note, if these truly are VFD tubes, there should not be any gas in them, hence the vacuum part of the name. Just phosphor, a tungsten filament (probably) and a graphite (probably) anode. You're thinking of nixie tubes.
I would be tempted to pick one of these up just because of how unique it is, but I feel like I would spend all day staring at it and get nothing done.
It is very cool though, I will give it that.
Doubt I'd buy one given how hard it would be to read/use daily, but definitely an interesting piece to see. Definitely keep reviewing ones like this...way better than another clip of a sub clone of a sub clone.
The point of a watch is not reading the time.
@@TomRauhe uhm only to read time
You wear a daily driver on one wrist and this one on the other!
I dunno. I was given a binary clock a few years back and I can tell the time at a glance, I imagine you'd get used to it.
I guarantee if this was your daily, within a week you wouldn't even have to think about how to read it.
An anode is the positive
Cathode is the negative
An easy way to remember is :
"I got an A+ in electronics but a C- in maths" (or whatever..)
However. In terms of current, it actually runs from the negative to positive, but in traditional electronics, we always calculate voltage running from the positive going to the negative.
You just keep getting better and better and better: "magnet on a stick" - love it!
The company that makes this watch has been putting out the most incredible designs for many years. Each watch must be learned and none of them are traditional. Good luck picking the one you want first. This will change your watch game.
No, absolutely no more of this sort of content ! It's just too interesting and novel and surprising and informative and quirky and fun and enjoyable.
I want ever more excruciating detail about the latest differences between historic Rolex model numbers. If there is a change in colour of the typeface on the dial of a limited edition of an obscure Rolex model, I want an hour of close-up macro shots and a doctorate-level essay on the technology used to mix the new paint and a live panel discussion at a specially-convened international symposium to decide if it is more a reddish-brown, or a brownish-red colour. Rolex is my entire world, and I don't want to see or read or hear about anything besides my lord and saviour, Rolex (hallowed be thy name).
BASED
I fully expected you to say it cost 4 thousand, not 4 hundred!
Add a minute repeater function and you will have the coolest watch ever yet never know the time.
Small correction: The neon gas surrounding the cathode glows, not the cathode itself. Sort of. Ions smack into electrons and kick out photons. Yes, it is magic. The orange glow is the neon gas glowing at its natural color spectrum, without phosphor. Other gasses such as argon, krypton, or xenon can be added to glow a different color. The blue glow could be argon gas, or a phosphor coated cathode, or a VFD. Superb.
The blue-green tube is, (I think) something like a CV6094 indicator tube. Interestingly, these were used in early transistor computers such as the Marconi TAC and Elliott 803.
It's practically a mini fluorescent tube watch
Magnet on a stick is common in explosive environments. Like gas detection controllers. We used them at a job I worked at. Pretty cool. Most people had trouble understanding it for some reason
Something out of metro 2033.
From my understanding, the difference between a lightbulb light and fluorescent light is due to residence time of the electrons in excited states; where the electrons that produce fluorescent light have longer residence times than the electrons of a lightbulb, which are caused by spontaneous emission!
This watch appears to be an interesting novelty. As for myself it is not a type of watch I would want to use since I need my watch for telling time at a quick glance. It is obvious this watch uses a microcomputer with a controller run by software, and uses voltage inverter circuits to generate the necessary voltage level to illuminate the gas filled tubes. Fairly sophisticated. It is using micro reed switch, or Hall device sensing technology to respond to the magnet that is used to set the watch.
The small tubes are using Neon Gas. The part number is NE2. Used to be very commonly used in electronic devices. Still used in some types of specialized illuminated switches and indicators. The blue illuminated tube on the right has been used as a power indicator lamp. I cannot remember the part number. It is not commonly used any more. If I remember correctly it was using a gas combination of argon with mercury vapour.
The NE2 indicator light triggers on at 63.5 Volts. If AC is applied both elements inside will appear to be lit. It is the cathode side that lights up. With DC the negative side becomes the cathode. It takes a minimum of 400 uA (400 micro Amps) at 63.5 Volts to excite the Neon gas inside of the NE2 lamp.
Way back in the early 70s my dad and I went over to spacecraft in Orlando, they got all of the old computers and electronics from NASA cape Canaveral and we bought a old UNIVAC computer console that had 1500 of those lights on the display panel so cool we used it for a handwriting analysis for the carnival business!
It was a great show piece
I am truly enjoying this branch of the videos. A little weird? A little affordable? That's my jam!
it's refreshing to be surprised by a new style of watch, not only quirky and interesting, actually affordable for those with modest means. I'm sure this a a occcasional segment that would prove to be very popular.
Love the idea. These different ways of time telling are interesting, especially when they highlighted with craftsmanship. I’d enjoy seeing more. Thanks 🙏 for the great vids 👍
What a cool watch. And you explained the technical stuff so good.
Cathode is the -ve end, anode is the +ve end. Electrons flow from - to +, but what we call current is actually flowing from + to -.
All the audio heads are losing their minds for this one. Query: dude walks into a room wearing a submariner. Another dude walks in wearing this watch. Who do you want to talk to?
Not the stereotype with the Rolex for sure.
This thing is fascinating! And reasonably sized and priced too…I want one! I’ve been a fan of the retro look NIXIE tube tech for a while now. Ever since they were first shown on the Techmoan channel. And yes, make more videos about quirky timepieces like this 👍
Perfect. Want one.
Edit: mine just arrived. Brushed steel case. This watch is over the top already, no need to go even more fancy. it's hilariously awesome.
More content like this, please.
This has to be the most unusual watch I have ever seen on UA-cam videos. It must take some time and practice to learn how to read the flashing tubes display. This is so different from the typical analog and digital displays.
This would look great as a wall clock, but as a wristwatch it makes little sense. I already find it hard to read some of my watches cause they are black on black, and this would just make me give up completely.
That was really neat. I was waiting for the sticker shock at the end and was very pleasantly surprised.
I... Can tell the time by looking upwards towards the sky. After all these years of watching you...I never realised you are an actual Wearwolf.
The technology was already touched upon by William Crookes aka Crookes or -Hitford tubes 1869 - 1875 using cathode rays. Also the Crookes radiometer was interesting.
I've already made those for my college science projects under 30 dollars (considering that i had like 400 of small old neon bulbs in my home and most of the inductors capacitors and all I collected from scratch, just the Arduino and transistors were the things I had to buy, What i used to convert low voltage to high voltage was simply a mini "flyback circuit" which is actually a "joule theif circuit" if u know what I mean.. and it's much more efficient, which could run seamlessly even at 0.5 volts! due to the adapting boost converter it had.. now the only thing left is to put all the codes in a dedicated ic which will cost me some bucks.. so I'm happy with my slightly big but cool looking wall clock made from tiny neon bulbs!) electrical engineering is fun for real, if u have the passion for it :)
God ... this really is the most beautiful Watch ive ever seen.
wearing an ";ED Matrix Watch" for 20 years and this one is just wonderful.
Great Time Machine! Love the theme, the tech, how mesmerizing the piece really is. I use tube amps on my sound system so I can appreciate this watch. Let’s see more of these!!
Of u really want to confuse hem then listen to my theory on takeons an oragon energy . Well the axon particle has a access point the access point has a charge positive and negative the particle itself has a charge flip around the access point you get Oregon energy flip around again you get chi.
Beautiful.
Instantly visited the manufacturers site and preordered for the next available manufacturing wave.
Love it! Please continue with other quirky watches.
That's the coolest little watch...I really like that.
I have several Nixie tube clocks and thermometers. Been wanting a Nixie watch too. Niwa watches(the maker of this watch)has them available.
Definitely fascinating. Place my vote in the “more interesting / weird stuff” column. Well done.
I own both niwa nixie version 1 and 2 and they look absolutely awesome.
Very cool watch for a very good price, not very good for actually telling the time but definetly a really cool accessory and a great conversation starter. Definetly want to get myself one of these in the future.
I would not call this a VFD watch as the VFD is not used to display time, only power, just like in other Niwa watches. There are real VFD watches that tell time with VFD tubes, this is technically a neon bulb watch. So basically just a nixie watch but without the numbers themselves being displayed. That said, it is still a really cool watch and not a bad price, would love to have one.
When you're viewing a watchfinder & co video and a watchfinder & co add comes on in the middle. It's watchfinder inception.
Looks Great! The Devon also has an amazing watch with belts thats pretty quirky
Airport Security : Sir, is that?
Me : *calmly .. its vacuum fluorescent display watch. Cool right?
Airport Security : SIR, I NEED YOU TO CALM DOWN, HANDS ON THE FLOOR. HQ WE NEED THE BOMB SQUAD, ASAP.
very cool , changing settings with a magnet is very futuristic
This channel just keeps getting more and more interesting. Thank you!
Actually my friend, the cathode is the negative end of the battery. Electrons flow from negative to positive.
I really like this. Certainly a novelty and worth having in a collection. Definitely added to my list.
If they weren’t out of stock, I would have bought this so fast. Gawd knows I’ve spent more money on dumber shit.
I work at Walmart... and a Huge Watch Collector. (I Usually wear my Casio Solar G-Shock.) I'd pay to review one of them... Just Sayin! :-) I Love Watches...
The only vacuum fluorescent part of this watch is the blue-green part. The bulbs are standard neon bulbs with no phosphor coating.
It has that techie touch, like my BCD clock that nearly no one else can read, yet it is affordable too!
looks like a bomb on your wrist for the layman, i could imagine having a lot of issues everytime i walk past a security scanner and he notices it lol
The blue green tube is a fluorescent anode display, the little orange lamps are neon.
These work much the same way as those little lightbulbs that look like flicker flame or the little red light on a coffee maker button or a power strip, fascinating stuff. Only downside I can see to this would be when the bulbs begin to go out, if you've ever had a power strip with the little light you'll know when they go out they "flicker" (those little flame lights are purposely designed wrong to make them do the exact flicker) BUT its not going to be anytime soon Id imagine. Cool watch though I imagine it would be quite a conversation starter.
While i am still convalescing from my cerebral hemorrhage from your worst 10 watches event, the idea of quirky watches is pleasantly evocative.
This is the watch that will start my collection
I ordered one a while back, now waiting patiently for it to arrive.
VFD's are basically like old CRTs (cathode ray tubes), except VFDs don't have the magnets to steer an electron beam around. This means the electrons get sprayed everywhere inside. Whenever they hit phosphorus, it lights up. VFDs do not contain neon. It's just vacuum (The V in VFD.)
I think Technology Connections has a good video on VFDs. Main issue with VFDs is that they require high drive voltage. Modern components usually aren't able to provide that, so it requires a lot of large discrete components to implement your driver. It sucks.
I just put down the deposit for one in the second batch. I am just starting a watch collection, and this will be the "out there" example. It might turn out to be like that girl with whom you like to hook up, but not for your friends to see. I just hope that the tubes will not start to burn out for a long time, because getting them replaced will not be easy.
The tubes are actually very robust and extremely reliable. I have one in a test light that is third gen hand me down with 100% reliability.
Add some BBC radiophonic workshop 'chime effect' and you will have the perfect wrist 'thing'.
Would make a cooler clock & give you that year-round Christmas feeling.
I understand how to read this watch but when to read hours? All I saw is it light up in minutes. Can someone please teach me?
This might be the very first watch I'm going to spend more than 50$ on.
I need one thing from a watch and that is telling me what's the time. A 5$ frog watch can do this, I don't need a 20k$ Rolex that tells me the same exact time.
However this thing has something....something my enthusiastic engineering heart wants at some point (when I feel comfortable paying around 400$ on a watch)
Excellent video; I’ve watched it twice to get all the details about this fascinating watch. Now off to their website to invest more of my hard earned in one of these eccentric, but scientific, little beauties. But they’re sold out. Bugger. So another wait list now has my name on it!
same, couldn't resist, it's truly unique
I love the cathode and anode "or something".
Cathode is negatively charged and Anode is positively charged, usually...or something.
🙂
It’s a neat idea, but I’m not learning a new way to tell time (“electric light abacus”).
Well… as a guitarist, audio engineer, and general tube amplifier fan I literally have to buy this… be right back.
Interesting watch ....cool timing of ages...thank you for showing us this
What fortuitous timing, lately I've been binging these videos and learning about VFD displays, wondering if perhaps a watch like this existed. Thanks for this excellent video!
Ordered one. It's a pre-order, hopefully not going to take years 🤞
I’m shocked a charge lasts that long.
There is a game orientated similar watch from the Metro Exodus franchise which has Nixie's built in and super steam punk... this one reminds me a lot of my Soviet quartz especially the big 3050 resonator which has quite a lot of steampunk value inside of spinning cogs, gold wires, nothing pretty or aesthetic, them Soviets never had a word for "fluffy" hehe
I like this new love for quirky pieces and usually the unusual for the channel. But can we have the Omega chronochime 1932 somehow, please?
I know it’s early but still
With ultimate respect to my fellow horologists here, I couldn’t be any less interested in this watch, and for the first time ever, I did not view one of your presentations all the way through. But, that’s my clutter. Thank you. Please keep up the great work.
Cool story.
Man shut up
By this watch is the design and functionality hIgh intressted. I think tis watch look so beauty a litle steampunk! Werry nice!
When you said 380$ i almost cried for a min I thought this was gonna be a rich person exclusivity but glad to hear with a little saving i can own something so neat
Imagine trying to wear this through airport security. You'd have some explaining to do.....😂
Am I the only one whose brains turned to instant ramen, when Andrew was explaining how to read the thing. It looks gorgeously Spacepunk, but nobody should approach you to ask the time while you're wearing it.
Glass vaccum tubes that small is mindblowing.
I wonder if they ever held the nixie tube watch in their hands yet. Techmoan has a video on it, they are in severely limited quantity and not sure if the maker sells them anymore. Actually this may be the same company that made that watch, he references a nixie watch and I dont know of many that did such a thing.
The only vacuum fluorescent tube in this watch is the blue/green tube that serves as the battery indicator. It's also the only tube that costs a few dollars. The orange bulbs are just bog standard 10 cent neon bulbs. Not that I don't like the watch but it's not like it's a Nixie watch.
If it had a see through dial with a hour hand and minute hand I'd buy
New viewer of your channel. Please DO feature more of the unusual timepieces available for under a thousand dollars. I am fascinated by the "unusual". Thank you.
I am a sucker for nonstandard time displays and I honestly have to say I need one of these.