Casio’s A158W digital wristwatch has remained relevant for decades with its simple design and reliability. Now, Casio brings that design from your wrist to your desk with the DQD-851J-8JF desk clock. Scheduled for release on October 25 in Japan, this desk clock channels the aesthetics of the A158 with modern updates.
Designer: Casio
The DQD-851J-8JF borrows design elements from the A158W, including the silver-toned casing and familiar digital display. The clock’s body echoes the classic curves and rectangular silhouette of the A158 watch, giving it a nostalgic appeal reminiscent of the 1980s.
Introduced in the 1980s, the Casio A158W became popular for its utility, affordability, and retro aesthetic. It offered a digital display, LED backlight, and water resistance, making it versatile for all lifestyles. Even today, it remains a favorite among minimalists and retro watch enthusiasts.
The DQD-851J-8JF desk clock pays homage to the A158W while incorporating modern features. One key addition is Wave Ceptor automatic time adjustment, which synchronizes the clock to the Japan Standard Time radio signal (JJY) broadcasted from transmitters within Japan. Note that this feature is exclusive to Japan, and it will not function with radio signals in other regions. The clock also includes a thermometer and hygrometer, providing insight into indoor comfort. Additional features include a snooze alarm, 12/24-hour format, full auto-calendar, and an amber LED backlight.
The desk clock captures the iconic look of the A158W. From the rectangular digital screen framed by the brushed silver-tone bezel to the tactile buttons, every detail evokes a retro vibe. The clock features a larger, easy-to-read LCD screen with bold black digits for readability. It is compact yet stable, measuring 102 x 117 x 48 millimeters and weighing 185 grams.
The amber LED backlight offers a warm glow, reminiscent of the original wristwatch’s light. The buttons for adjusting settings are placed intuitively, similar to the wristwatch, for easy interaction. The brushed finish of the casing and slightly raised bezel add to its retro charm.
The DQD-851J-8JF is powered by two AA batteries, offering about one year of battery life—convenient and low-maintenance, much like the original A158W.
Casio’s decision to create a desk clock inspired by the A158W honors the enduring appeal of a product that has outlasted tech trends. The A158W’s straightforward nature makes it timeless. With the DQD-851J-8JF, that appeal now lives in a new form factor, ideal for any desk or nightstand.
For those who cherish the A158, the DQD-851J-8JF brings that classic vibe into other parts of life. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Casio’s digital nostalgia for the first time, this desk clock is an excellent way to celebrate a design that has stood the test of time. Pre-orders are available in Japan.
Smartwatches are now a staple of the tech market14, but the departure of several high-profile brands and the arrival of smart rings are making some reevaluate the wearable device. Just like with paper notebooks, there is a strong and large culture around analog, mechanical watches that find smartwatches unappealing, except for some features that aren’t totally unique to smartwatches, namely, health sensors. Hybrid smartwatches exist for this reason, trying to have the best of both analog and digital worlds, but they are not exactly that common nor are their designs well-established. There’s still plenty of room for exploration and experimentation, like this rather peculiar concept that cuts out a whole in the middle of a circular screen to make room for an elegant analog watch.
Inspired by the rather divisive notch or cutout on smartphone screens, the Lunar Eclipse hybrid smartwatch concept puts a mechanical watch in the middle of that hole instead of a camera. It might have been easier to have the display as an inset or restricted to a certain part of the watch face, but that presents some challenges as well, particularly when occluding the beauty of the analog timepiece itself. As weird as it may sound, this notch-based design actually has more benefits compared to a smartphone camera cutout.
Because it is technically still a complete screen, with just the middle part rendered practically unusable and invisible, it is theoretically easier to design the user interface of the “digital bezel” around the watch face. You can have icons and text that curve around the border, and you can even have them animated to add more natural-looking visual feedback, like how notification icons can appear like they’re flowing from the center of the watch rather than just appearing out of nowhere.
This gives Lunar Eclipse nearly the same benefits as having a smartwatch but with fewer opportunities for distractions. The bezel around the watch face is still just a small space that can only fit a few words and icons. You definitely won’t be using the watch to read those notifications or, worse, type out a response. You’ll be able to still see some of your health stats, presuming the watch has the sensors to track your steps, heart rate, and other biometrics.
One disadvantage that design has is that its battery life might not be that different from a regular smartwatch. The concept could use an E Ink screen, however, to help reduce that consumption, especially since the display won’t be changing as frequently as on a normal smartwatch. Another consideration is that with the electronics and battery inside, the room for the actual mechanical components would be very cramped, detracting from the inherent beauty of these timepieces that wristwatch fans are after in the first place.
For those of us who grew up in the age of analog watches, it’s quite unfathomable that there are kids now who have a hard time, or worse, don’t know how to actually read time. They’re so used to looking at their smartphones to tell time that reading the short hand and long hand of is pretty difficult and at times even impossible. But analog watches are still a big thing for those who want to own classic or funky timepieces on their wrists. And there are brands that keep churning out great designs for those of us who still prefer telling time the “old school” way.
Designer: Sō Labs
Sō Labs is one such brand that is creating watches that are distinct, colorful, and dynamic. They previously released their limited edition Layer 1 collection that has since then sold out so now it’s time to unveil Layer 2. The collection features the signature triangular and circular shapes from the brand but this time bringing a different twist to the design. The day and date complications are now both functional and an aesthetic feature. Each day and date corresponds to a different color so you get 217 color combinations since each wheel has a gradient pattern.
Each of the watches in the Layer 2 collection have 40mm cases and a Swiss SW220-1 automatic movement. They also have a domed sapphire crystal transparent caseback, 20mm lugs, and a 10ATM. You also have the option to switch between the suede and stainless steel strap that comes with each watch. The colors in this collection are more muted compared to Layer 1 but the dials and layers are still pretty interesting.
There are five models in the Layer 2 collection: Obsidian Frost, Iron Flamingo, Plum Punch, Charcoal Fog, and Iced Oatmeal. Each of the watches are uniquely numbered so you can also guess that the price tag is pretty hefty compared to other funky designed analog watches. If you’re a collector though, you already expect that limited edition watches are pretty expensive (but maybe worth it as well?)
While most people are probably dependent on their smartphones and other digital devices to tell time, there are still those who would much rather tell time the old school way: through an actual watch. Those who drive a vehicle and want to know the time through their wristwatch sometimes have a bit of an uncomfortable situation as they need to twist their arm when their hands are on the steering wheel. Award-winning architect Eduardo Souto de Moura has a unique design solution to that problem which he created for Lebond.
The Lebond Souto Moura watch adjusted to the line of vision of a driver when his hands are on the steering wheel. The watchface was rotated 30 degrees “for optimal visibility on the wrist”. There are no numbers except for the 2 in the middle with a long straight line beside it which serves as the number 1. The other hours are represented by short and slightly longer lines (the latter for 9, 3, and 6) while the minutes are small dots. And if you’re not used anymore to telling time in the analog manner (as kids these days are), it can be a slight challenge.
There’s also a date function located beside the 3 o’clock position but it just shows the number date (hopefully you know what month it is already). In terms of the materials and specs of the watch, it uses grade 5 titanium with a 38.5mm large case with a 7.6mm thickness when the strap is attached. It weighs only 46 grams as they are also aiming for a lightweight device. The case has a micro-sandblasted finish while the caseback has a sapphire insert. It has a power reserve of up to 50 hours and runs at 28,800 VpH/4Hz.
There are two versions of the Lebond Souto Moura watch. The Original Edition has a navy blue Top Nappa leather strap and a matte beige dial. Meanwhile, the Dark Edition has a black strap with a matte gray dial. While it’s designed as a “driving watch”, even if you don’t actually drive but just don’t want to constantly twist your arm when you want to tell time, then this would be a nice one to have if you have around $3,000 to spend on an analog watch.
The BTF Nixie Watch is a remarkable combination of history and modernity, blending the nostalgic glow of Soviet-era Nixie tubes with contemporary design and technology. More than a mere timepiece, it’s a statement of style and innovation, offering a unique blend of retro charm and modern functionality. In this exploration, we uncover the features that set the BTF Nixie Watch apart, from its distinctive aesthetic to its user-centric features, making it a standout accessory for those who value both form and function.
The design of this watch prominently features the iconic glow of the Nixie tube, recognized for its warm orange light that adds a retro yet futuristic charm. This aesthetic is a purposeful homage to an era when technology was valued for its form and function, starkly contrasting the often impersonal feel of contemporary digital devices. The use of genuine Soviet-era IN16 Nixie tubes not only lends authenticity to the watch but also makes it a unique collector’s item due to the rarity of these components, which were phased out for more efficient display technologies.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it incorporates advanced features like gesture-based activation, which lights up the Nixie display with a simple wrist lift, eliminating the need for manual operation and enhancing the user experience. This feature adds a layer of convenience and contributes to the watch’s energy efficiency by ensuring that the display is only activated when needed.
Lift the wrist to wake the watch
The charging experience marries convenience with aesthetic harmony, featuring a bespoke wireless charger designed to mirror the watch’s unique look while delivering efficient power. This tailored solution underscores the watch’s seamless blend of form and function. Further enhancing its user-friendly appeal, the watch is fully compatible with all Qi-standard wireless chargers, ensuring you can keep your timepiece powered using any Qi-certified charging pad. Whether at home, in the office, or on the move, this universal compatibility ensures that your BTF Nixie Watch remains charged and ready, embodying the perfect fusion of retro design and modern convenience.
Easily recharge using any Qi-compatible wireless charging pad
Another cool feature is the timer, which combines the nostalgic charm of Nixie tubes with the practicality of modern technology. Initiating the timer is effortlessly intuitive; a quick double-tap on the watch’s lower button engages the timer mode, priming it for use with just a simple gesture. To start the timer, a single tap suffices, setting it in motion from zero and allowing for precise tracking up to 99 seconds. This feature proves invaluable for a myriad of everyday tasks and moments where precision is crucial, such as timing exercises during a workout or monitoring short intervals while cooking, showcasing the watch’s blend of vintage charm and modern utility.
Double-tap tap lower button to activate the timer feature
The BTF Nixie Watch offers flexibility in time display, allowing users to easily switch between 12-hour and 24-hour formats to suit personal preferences or cultural norms. This feature enhances the watch’s versatility, catering to a global audience and diverse user needs.
The designer combines ergonomic design with an intuitive user interface, ensuring comfortable wear and ease of use. Its thoughtful layout elements cater to user comfort, while the seamless interaction between its vintage and modern components provides a straightforward, enjoyable experience. This approach underscores the watch’s commitment to making advanced technology accessible and delightful to use.
The sapphire glass on the watch’s face ensures durability and clarity
Worn on the wrist, the watch transforms the concept of timekeeping into an art form, blending technological innovation with unparalleled craftsmanship. Including a sapphire surface on the watch’s face is an aesthetic enhancement that ensures durability and clarity. Known for its scratch resistance and hardness, sapphire glass protects the watch while offering a crystal-clear view of the Nixie tubes’ captivating glow, ensuring the time is always visible in its full, luminous splendor.
The sapphire glass is durable and scratch-resistance
The watch comes with two unique case options to cater to different tastes and needs. The 7-series aluminum variant, commonly used in aerospace and military applications, provides an excellent balance of durability and lightness. As a result, the watch can withstand daily wear and tear while remaining comfortable and unnoticeable on the wrist.
For those seeking an extra touch of elegance and resilience, the titanium frame is an ideal choice, offering high strength and corrosion resistance, which keeps the watch looking sleek and new over time, regardless of the environment. These carefully selected materials and customization options reflect the watch’s blend of luxury, functionality, and personal expression, making it a versatile accessory for any occasion.
Besides its technical specifications and customization options, the BTF Nixie Watch provides a distinct identity. Unlike a traditional watch, this timepiece stands out and speaks volumes of individuality, offering wearers the chance to express themselves through a piece that is as rare as it is handsome.
The BTF Nixie Watch combines style, engineering, and history that goes beyond telling time. It invites wearers to appreciate the precision and functionality of a high-quality timepiece and connect with the aesthetic and emotional resonance of a bygone era while enjoying the comforts and conveniences of contemporary technology.
Smartphones are quite expensive these days, especially the fully-featured, high-end premium models, but that might still be enough for a few “well-funded” people. Limited Editions are not uncommon in this industry, but nothing says “limited edition” more than an extremely limited number of devices being made with extremely extravagant materials and designs. Luxury brand Caviar has for years been making these kinds of exquisite variations of already pricey smartphones, and Samsung’s latest flagship is unsurprisingly getting the same treatment. With the launch of the Galaxy S24 series so close to the Chinese New Year, the marque took the opportunity to welcome the Year of the Dragon with a special edition that’s laden not just with gold and jewels but with references to the union of East and West that Samsung’s smartphones embody.
Just one look at this Caviar interpretation of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and you can already tell it’s far from being ordinary. That golden Korean dragon is no mere painting or sticker but is a highly-detailed bas-relief covered with 24-karat gold. That dragon is seen descending from the top of the phone, in other words, the heavens, and wraps around the analog watch that is at the center of this design.
Yes, there is an honest-to-goodness mechanical watch on this phone’s back, one that boasts a CVR ELT3350A Tourbillon with a manual winding mechanism and 19 stones. This element does add quite a bit of thickness to the phone’s otherwise slim profile, but its novelty and beauty could very well be worth that price. Curiously, the watch is encircled by the 12 signs of the “Western” Zodiac, not the Chinese roster you would expect from a phone that commemorates the Chinese New Year. These symbols, made of enamel on PVD-coated titanium, represent that mix of European and Eastern culture that is representative of Samsung’s own business.
Every inch of this rather elaborate design was made with meticulous attention to detail and symbolism. The three diamonds in the corner not only mimic a constellation but is actually a homage to Samsung’s original logo, the “three stars” from which the company takes its name. The green color of the watch dial might seem like an odd mix to the prevalent gold and black motif, but it symbolizes rebirth and prosperity, which also happens to be the color and theme of the Year of the Wood Dragon.
If the $15,070 price tag isn’t enough to mark this design as something only the elite can afford, the fact that there will only be 24 such devices made will definitely cement that image. The chances of meeting another VIP holding the same phone would be as low as meeting a mythical Korean dragon, but the prestige of owning a rare and enchanting piece of craftsmanship is all that matters to those who will be scrambling to fall in that very short queue.
When looking at my wrist to check the time, I’m used to the digital interface of my smartwatch. I just see numbers (unless I’m using an analog display) so there’s no need for a split second delay in my head as I try to figure out the time. But there are certain watch designs that may be a bit more complicated but have such a well designed interface that you will forgive your brain for taking a longer time to figure out how it works.
Designer: Ressence
The Type 1° Round Multicolor is a minimalist watch with “bespoke complications” that is pretty attractive to analog device collectors. It’s actually an updated and more colored version of the Type 1 ZZ that they launched back in 2019. Its case is Grade 5 Titanium with a double-domed sapphire crystal top and an anti-reflective coating inside. It uses a patented Ressence Orbital Convex System module and has 40 jewels and 27 gears with a self-winding mechanism.
What makes it stand out though is how it tells you the hours, minutes, seconds and even day of the week. The main dial points to the minutes while the yellow satellite tells you the seconds. The green section tells you the hour while the pointer within the red section indicates the day of the week. You get the 3 biaxial satellites inclined at 3° for the hours and 4.75° for the seconds and days of the week. It’s pretty cool how everything works together although it might take you some time how to figure things out but once you get the hang of it, your watch will become a conversation piece as well.
In terms of colorways, it seems to have just a white one since the satellites are already colorful enough. You get an ardillon buckle and a 20mm rubber strap to put them on your wrist and it is 42.7 mm in diameter and 11mm in thickness. It has a 36 hours power reserve and you get 28,800 vibrations per hour. It’s a pretty nifty watch to have, that is if you have around $19,000.
There are a lot of smartwatch options available in the market already but there are still who prefer their watches to just tell time. Some prefer these analog timepieces as they are more well designed and beautifully crafted than the smart versions. Hublot is still one of the top brands out there when it comes to watches and their latest one is a collaboration with iconic Japanese designer Takashi Murakami. Even for the most casual watch lovers, this seems to be something to aim for although it is a very limited edition.
Designer: Takashi Murakami for Hublot
There are only 50 MP-15 Takashi Murakami watches available and for a serious watch collector who likes pretty things, this is a must-have. Not only does it have the iconic motif from the Japanese designer of a sapphire flower, but it is also the first watch that Hublot produced for an exclusive release that has a central flying tourbillon and it also does not have a traditional dial. Instead, you get a complication in the center and the hands are moved to the edge instead of the center, running under the tourbillon.
The aforementioned tourbillon is in the middle and surrounded by the sapphire flower with 12 petals. The entire design is luminous and so you get to experience the play of light when it is reflected on the translucent flange and bracelet as well as the sapphire case, caseback, and crown. The flying centre tourbillon has a power reserve of 150 hours and a special pin to wind it up that can be charged through a USB port. All of the components for the watch are skeletonized, giving off a mixture of transparency and delicacy.
The overall effect of all these different elements make it look like it is floating in space. Since there are only 50 pieces of the MP-15 Takashi Murakami, you can expect that it is not cheap. But for those who collect rarities like this, the chance to own an intricate timepiece like this will probably be too good to pass up.
