Today, it is not difficult to find all kinds of watches with LED displays. After [Paul]’s grandfather, a master horologist and pocket watch collector, passed away, he decided to retrofit a broken watch left to him with a custom LED face. Starting from scratch, he designed a PCB complete with 133 (hand soldered) LEDs, room for a temperature controlled oscillator for real time clock capabilites, a LiPo battery, and a cell phone vibrator to provide a simulated “second hand tick” feeling. The whole watch is powered by a PIC 16F946.
This is currently version 1, and he has already begun work on version 2. He plans on adding a more compact, lower power TCXO, automatic NTP syncing, and a USB port for charging and reprogramming. He has a number of detailed videos, and we have a demo video after the break.
[digg=http://digg.com/gadgets/LED_Pocket_Watch]
[youtube = ‘http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lex53AY7Fmo’%5D
That is one of the most elegant pieces of handmade electronics I’ve ever seen. The integration with the case and the thumbwheel and the extras such as the vibrate alarm and ‘tick’ are just incredible. Applause!
Speechless!
So want one.
Love the PCB work. It is so detailed and well done.
Let me know when you start selling them.
Thx for sharing.
your article is highly appreciated!
I don’t wear a wristwatch, I pull out my iPhone to check the time but I would gladly buy a waistcoat/vest to display something like this. What a remarkable fusion of ye olde and ye new. Beautiful and awe-inspiring.
A credit both to you and to your Grandfather who inspired you. Your circuit layout is beautifully arranged.
This is going to appear in a movie as a futuristic timepiece. It just has to! As already stated, worthy of the great Who.
Respect and kudos to you Paul.
It’s such an awesome work!
Love the design, look forward to the day selling them.
This is by far one of the most amazing devices I’ve seen. Not only is it very modern, but it has that beauty of an antique. I would love to see notes on this. My grandfather inherited his old silver pocket watch to me, the insides are well… not well taken care of. But I would love to do something like this to it. I’d never even thought about something like this. You are amazing, thank you for posting.
How can I obtain one of these?
Dead link