ORBO Watch Concept

[zsw]

Hello,

I wanted to share a watch concept I designed recently that I had some viral/internet success with (including publication in a chinese fashion magazine), but hadn't really gotten feedback on from other watch enthusiasts. I am a product and graphic designer and total watch enthusiast...and this is my first post on a watch forum (hopefully the first of many). Though this concept is just a series of renderings and a novel idea, I believe that the technology necessary to make this happen exists and I hope that through exposure, it will gain enough attention that able parties will be interested in collaborating on bringing this to market. So, with out further adieu...ORBO Watch Series:

The ORBO series of concept watches utilize orbiting digital displays (potentially e-ink) that are integrated into an analogue minute hand in order to add additional functionality to the watch, as well as create an extremely simple watch to read. The design of the face is meant to be very simple, clean and yet informative. It uses no numbers or text on the face, but rather clean cuts of varying width that indicate the normal hour and minute marks. The goal was to create a minimal graphic face that added function while not distracting from the orbiting digital displays. Since it is the core of the watch’s personality and innovative design, the displays and the armature hand are meant to be bold and graphic. As the hand makes its hourly rotation, the images on the displays maintain alignment towards the top of the watch, or twelve o’clock, enabling an at-a-glance read. The first display tells the hours and the seconds, the second display tells the date or current weather depending on the model, though this second screen could easily accommodate various forms of data both complex and simple, or be used to cycle through various functions. The STOP model is a design for a digital chronograph that functions in the same manner.

Thanks, please post your comments and critiques!
Also, check out my website zachstarrweiss.com
for more of my work

[Biased&Critical]

Very interesting. I would most certainly be interested in the STOP model, although I'd prefer prominent chrono pushers and a bigger crown.

I enjoy e-ink technology, although black is not actually black - its grey and you can't get that rich deep shade like in your renderings. We are not long away from coloured e-ink I'm sure, and it would be really great if you could cycle through some contrast options: in the STOP model example, it would be very cool if you could change the blue in the background and the yellow frame around the orbiter to whatever colours you wanted, out of what was available.

I'll assume you understand the limitations of e-ink at this point, which is why the chronograph does not display fractions of seconds? Along with coloured e-ink, I see the low refresh rate in e-ink getting fine-tuned to allow for more rapid changes.

[Beau8]

Pretty eccentric looking designs. These might be popular with youths!

[DragonDan]

I like the idea of an e-ink watch. I can't imagine that the tech exists now to provide not only power but information through the center post to the different displays. A single-face e-ink watch is a great way to start. Though don't take this a a limitation, you've got a very unique idea.

[Lester Burnham]

This is really nice, have you already got an idea about the size you would want your ORBO watch to be? I probably wouldn't go over 44/45mm if I were you.
Very interesting, I hope this is going to develop into an actual watch. I'd be interested

[zsw]

Thank you for the responses.
Lester: I agree, 44-45 max.
Dragon: I think that transferring energy and data through the central is certainly one of the major challenges this concept presents. I think some sort of "cuff" system could work that glides along the post as the hands turn, transferring data and power, without a mechanical connection...Like a subway's connection to the 3rd rail
Biased: I think e-ink is just one option. In it's current form it is less than ideal. I know that Phosphor uses it on some of their watches, but having not seen one in person, can't speak to their quality. AMOLED is another possibility.

Thanks, I hope to be developing some plausible watch concepts soon that I might actually pursue manufacturing of.

Thanks again

[CFI care]

My 2 cents worth----- LOVE IT !!!!!