Gizmodo
If the Di Grisogono Meccanica DG was the first watch with a mechanical-digital display, the Opus 8 watch by Harry Winston comes in at a close second. While the DG used mechanical tubes to display the time, the Opus 8 works using a complicated system of mechanical pixels that rise up from the display when the user activates a mechanism on the side of the case. But that's not all.
From the press release:
In addition, the back of the watch features a design resembling a printed circuit that functions as a second time display. AM and PM status are featured on the left, hours and minutes in the center, and a power reserve indicator is located on the right. Throw all of that fancy technology in a case with a cool looking retro vibe and you have yourself one hell of a timepiece. Just don't get your hopes up about owning one yourself. The series is limited to 50 watches and the rumor is that they were sold out before the unveiling. [Worldtempus via Watchismo and ViaLuxe]
An exceptional and advanced timepiece, Opus 8 utilizes hand-wound mechanical movements to create a modern, digital time display. Inspired by pin art games, which create 3D impressions of objects pressed against them, the numbers in the display will only appear "upon request," activated by a bolt on the right hand side of the case. Nothing appears until the mechanism is wound.A plate joins together small segments, both mobile and fixed. Just underneath is a disc driven by the movement, which turns independently in real time. When the mechanism is wound, the pieces adjust to display the time. As the plate descends, the small segments remain visible, "blocked" by the crystal, allowing the hour to be read for 5 seconds. Technically, all functions are related, enabling everything to be displayed on demand - the minute hand turns the hour that then turns the AM/PM function.
Comments
Does anybody really know what time it is?
Does anybody really care?
What was the point of mentioning this thing? or any of the 'marvelous' timepieces if they're going to be sold out before they're even unveiled.
Just to be reminded that, if I have to ask the price, I can't afford it.
Yes. It's time for the cheap knockoffs from Hong Kong! I can't afford these nice-ass watches!
@strider_mt2k: Only in Chicago....
@strider_mt2k: Ironically enough, I just got my 1960 Tudor back from being serviced today. After sitting through the old Russian watchmaker basically calling me a doofus (in his subtle Russian way) for not having the crown properly screwed down while doing laundry, and getting it full of water....
The DG used a series of tubes to display the time? Go on...
price? If you have to ask you can't afford it.
If it had a spring loaded, built-in garrote, then it would be perfect.
call me when the watches tell time in a way that IMPROVES on the current analog or digital system. If I can't look at it and discern what time it is - then it is pointless. You don't run around with a calendar carved from an elephant tusk with horns and fireworks to tell you what day it is, why would you want a watch that is less efficient?
maybe I'm just getting old and bitter...
@OMG! Ponies!: ROTFLOL!
I HATE YOU GUYS! STOP SHOWING ME BADASS WATCHES I CAN'T AFFORD! :(
Why show "12PM"? Why not show the whole time thing instead of that 5-minute bar? Why make so little exclusive watches? why BOTHER. WHY!!
Doesn't this watch designer know how to properly make a watch look like a biting mouth?
The smooth teeth shapes go INSIDE the red lips!!!
@judacris: It's art... it's not supposed to make sense.
" ... the Opus 8 works using a complicated system of mechanical pixels that rise up from the display when the user activates a mechanism on the side of the case."
So does the time ONLY display when the mechanism is activated? That would imply that you need BOTH hands to operate the watch (unless you're one hell of a lot more flexible than I am) which would sort of defeat the point of a watch wouldn't it?
@twvogels: Maybe its just a button?
@judacris: It's called Avant-garde. In other words, the less it makes sense to you or I, the more attractive it is to the Haute couture!
I will stick with my solsuno thank you.
Meh, Opus 5 was better.
Why is it that watches with with mechanical-digital display are so cool but everyone makes fun of my mechanical digital alarm clock?
@strider_mt2k: If so, I can't imagine why.
As long as there's time enough to die.
@ltcmurray: Oh come on. You're not bitter...
Screw mechanical digital watches, where's my James Bond high powered laser watch so I can cut through stuff?
Oh come on? All these comments and no one has yet to include this piece of art into the annals of "unintentional goatse"?
The way it shows time is very impressive as it doesn't show time in 3D always but only when you push the button.
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