The Vacuum Fluorescent Display Watch Is The Quirkiest EVER

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  • čas přidán 17. 11. 2022
  • 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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    Niwa Lunokhod
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Komentáře • 529

  • @Gaeb
    @Gaeb Před rokem +262

    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!

    • @robertsas9001
      @robertsas9001 Před rokem +14

      It's sold out unfortunately

    • @DarthDickhed
      @DarthDickhed Před rokem +18

      I bought them all. Price is now $3,000.00 if you want one.

    • @pest5373
      @pest5373 Před rokem +2

      @@DarthDickhed nice..

    • @tet5ujin
      @tet5ujin Před rokem +5

      Preorders available for March / April

    • @BJH-iv6nt
      @BJH-iv6nt Před rokem +1

      @@DarthDickhed How about 10 bucks?

  • @AbeKozz
    @AbeKozz Před rokem +757

    This might be one of the coolest things I'd never spend 400 bucks on.

    • @WouterZtube
      @WouterZtube Před rokem +9

      😂

    • @jamesblonde2271
      @jamesblonde2271 Před rokem +12

      cos you'd be fuggin late all the time😂

    • @gerard518
      @gerard518 Před rokem +37

      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.

    • @justanaveragegamer9744
      @justanaveragegamer9744 Před rokem +21

      @@gerard518 I know a couple of guys who go through that much just “getting ready” to go out

    • @mikewedgwood697
      @mikewedgwood697 Před rokem +2

      You've just described my watch hobby.

  • @firminshepherd4834
    @firminshepherd4834 Před rokem +286

    Extraordinary price and battery life: pretty sure it’s worth buying just for the WTF factor. Good find, Andrew!

  • @Krauser1226
    @Krauser1226 Před rokem +84

    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.

    • @doubleugly1594
      @doubleugly1594 Před rokem +5

      "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.

  • @cha0s956
    @cha0s956 Před rokem +92

    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!

  • @Jason_Quinn
    @Jason_Quinn Před rokem +23

    There was a wide range of novelty watches in the early 2000s that represented time in different fashions. This reminds me of those.

  • @brothberg
    @brothberg Před rokem +27

    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.

  • @giacintoboccia9386
    @giacintoboccia9386 Před rokem +10

    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).

  • @KC93SE
    @KC93SE Před rokem +16

    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.

  • @exp2745
    @exp2745 Před rokem +14

    That's a tenth the price I would have expected tbh

  • @WatchGeek
    @WatchGeek Před rokem +7

    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!!

    • @ramblr78
      @ramblr78 Před rokem +1

      I saw it and I literally laughed out loud, absolutely ludicrous!

    • @benny4162
      @benny4162 Před rokem +1

      I love the glow of the tubes, but I'm not gonna wear a watch that huge just for that!

    • @denobuhov7023
      @denobuhov7023 Před rokem +3

      This model is 39x12mm. Nixie watch with in-16 tubes measures 55x17mm

    • @000TQ000
      @000TQ000 Před rokem

      Look forward to Sunday for your vid. This watch seems to be sold out but I would abs6lpve to be able to buy one

    • @olivier5053
      @olivier5053 Před rokem

      However it's made of Nixie tubes and not VFD, right?

  • @Remo860
    @Remo860 Před rokem +10

    VFDs are so frickin cool. Vintage hifi gear on your arm. I’m in love.

  • @TheWitchfinderGenral
    @TheWitchfinderGenral Před rokem +6

    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.

  • @energ8t
    @energ8t Před rokem +7

    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.

    • @ArnisKaliFlow
      @ArnisKaliFlow Před rokem +1

      Mine will be ready next week apparently, I simply cannot wait! Your comment is truly reassuring.

    • @gyatak200
      @gyatak200 Před 9 měsíci

      Will it last?

  • @creynolds1031
    @creynolds1031 Před rokem +2

    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 👍

  • @kfwimmer
    @kfwimmer Před rokem +2

    You just keep getting better and better and better: "magnet on a stick" - love it!

  • @Conundrum191
    @Conundrum191 Před rokem +108

    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.

    • @TomRauhe
      @TomRauhe Před rokem +5

      The point of a watch is not reading the time.

    • @L4ftyOne
      @L4ftyOne Před rokem

      @@TomRauhe uhm only to read time

    • @balesjo
      @balesjo Před rokem

      You wear a daily driver on one wrist and this one on the other!

    • @mickenoss
      @mickenoss Před rokem +4

      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.

    • @m.cigledy6769
      @m.cigledy6769 Před rokem +5

      I guarantee if this was your daily, within a week you wouldn't even have to think about how to read it.

  • @redbeam9212
    @redbeam9212 Před rokem +38

    Already sold out 😂
    I absolutely love that WFC is highlighting some really interesting, creative and affordable microbrands. Could watch this all day.

    • @galil_6863
      @galil_6863 Před rokem +1

      NOOO! I wanted one!!! 😭

    • @ludvikhladky3579
      @ludvikhladky3579 Před rokem +4

      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 ;-)

    • @redbeam9212
      @redbeam9212 Před rokem +1

      @@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.

    • @H0kram
      @H0kram Před rokem +1

      @@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 :)

    • @TheWitchfinderGenral
      @TheWitchfinderGenral Před rokem

      They just reopened preorders for the next batch.

  • @Thrillrider10
    @Thrillrider10 Před rokem +9

    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.

  • @K.J.H_
    @K.J.H_ Před rokem +6

    I fully expected you to say it cost 4 thousand, not 4 hundred!

  • @rif6876
    @rif6876 Před rokem +2

    Love it! Please continue with other quirky watches.

  • @DavidDatura
    @DavidDatura Před rokem +2

    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 👍

  • @schaf012
    @schaf012 Před rokem +1

    What a cool watch. And you explained the technical stuff so good.

  • @nikolailoveikis
    @nikolailoveikis Před rokem

    This channel just keeps getting more and more interesting. Thank you!

  • @carloszx12
    @carloszx12 Před rokem +1

    Awesome review. More like this, please.
    Thanks!

  • @notnull5878
    @notnull5878 Před rokem +1

    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.

  • @tbone121974
    @tbone121974 Před rokem +1

    I really like this. Certainly a novelty and worth having in a collection. Definitely added to my list.

  • @jimmurphy6095
    @jimmurphy6095 Před rokem +1

    That was really neat. I was waiting for the sticker shock at the end and was very pleasantly surprised.

  • @WhileOnEarth
    @WhileOnEarth Před rokem

    I love this, please bring more informative content like these❤️

  • @akasickform
    @akasickform Před rokem +1

    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.

  • @boboso388
    @boboso388 Před rokem

    Great segment. Would love to see more of this.

  • @roberthepburn7461
    @roberthepburn7461 Před rokem +1

    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

  • @pktsqr
    @pktsqr Před rokem +2

    I am truly enjoying this branch of the videos. A little weird? A little affordable? That's my jam!

  • @RandomGuyRandomNumber
    @RandomGuyRandomNumber Před rokem +47

    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).

  • @MrBownze
    @MrBownze Před rokem

    Just preordered the next batch. Thanks!

  • @JoeGiz64
    @JoeGiz64 Před 9 měsíci

    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!!

  • @Disciplinez
    @Disciplinez Před rokem

    Awesome reviews! Always informative and entertaining. Can you review the Sbge 275 from GS, she's quite the beauty!

  • @anthonydelcollo1945
    @anthonydelcollo1945 Před rokem +1

    Definitely fascinating. Place my vote in the “more interesting / weird stuff” column. Well done.

  • @TheDropForged
    @TheDropForged Před rokem +1

    I own both niwa nixie version 1 and 2 and they look absolutely awesome.

  • @jerseythedog
    @jerseythedog Před rokem +3

    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.

  • @grandbacon5567
    @grandbacon5567 Před rokem

    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.

  • @ideaynojodas
    @ideaynojodas Před rokem

    Beautiful piece!! My goodness

  • @victorutomo7244
    @victorutomo7244 Před rokem

    Another great video. Thumbs up.
    With a quirky watch. I would love to have it on my desk.

  • @tet5ujin
    @tet5ujin Před rokem

    Beautiful.
    Instantly visited the manufacturers site and preordered for the next available manufacturing wave.

  • @LuxWad
    @LuxWad Před rokem +2

    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!

  • @Captain1Planet
    @Captain1Planet Před rokem +1

    Looks Great! The Devon also has an amazing watch with belts thats pretty quirky

  • @WatchmakerErik
    @WatchmakerErik Před rokem

    I am a sucker for nonstandard time displays and I honestly have to say I need one of these.

  • @shadowninja569
    @shadowninja569 Před rokem +5

    More content like this, please.

  • @themojo6291
    @themojo6291 Před rokem

    Yes! Unique pieces are what I love!

  • @KallouWhatElse
    @KallouWhatElse Před rokem

    I haven't understood how to read this watch but it's mesmerising !

  • @fahadkhan-db6bh
    @fahadkhan-db6bh Před rokem +1

    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

  • @markdavis-lorton9858
    @markdavis-lorton9858 Před rokem

    More quirky watch’s! This was great!!

  • @nclivin4220
    @nclivin4220 Před rokem

    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

  • @FC-kx7vy
    @FC-kx7vy Před rokem

    This watch is very unique! Thanks for the video.

  • @johnstyron6543
    @johnstyron6543 Před rokem

    It’s definitely very cool and I enjoyed the video. It’s a reasonable price too even though it’s not something I’d immediately want to go out and buy.

  • @MLightstone
    @MLightstone Před rokem

    I love this weird gem. Thank you.

  • @watchreviews4k
    @watchreviews4k Před rokem +1

    Interesting content. Keep up the good work on your channel. Regards, WR4K.

  • @jozefnovak7750
    @jozefnovak7750 Před rokem

    Super! Thank you very much!

  • @wingi7722
    @wingi7722 Před rokem

    This is really cool and the flattery charging and flattery life make it really quite functional

  • @wasteddude9387
    @wasteddude9387 Před rokem

    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.

  • @timmainson
    @timmainson Před rokem

    I would love to see a segment on nixi tube watches! either in this format or a talk with your buddy and maybe Matthew Taylor of Techmoan? Thanks

  • @jerryg50
    @jerryg50 Před rokem +1

    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.

  • @bullnose01
    @bullnose01 Před rokem +3

    Add a minute repeater function and you will have the coolest watch ever yet never know the time.

  • @kenormsby6702
    @kenormsby6702 Před 7 měsíci

    I ordered one a while back, now waiting patiently for it to arrive.

  • @hibernopithecus7500
    @hibernopithecus7500 Před rokem

    Would make a cooler clock & give you that year-round Christmas feeling.

  • @richspjones
    @richspjones Před rokem +1

    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!

    • @ArnisKaliFlow
      @ArnisKaliFlow Před rokem +1

      same, couldn't resist, it's truly unique

  • @rottingcorpse6002
    @rottingcorpse6002 Před rokem

    I have several Nixie tube clocks and thermometers. Been wanting a Nixie watch too. Niwa watches(the maker of this watch)has them available.

  • @timetowatch_francois
    @timetowatch_francois Před rokem

    😵‍💫 Hypnotizing
    Thanks for sharing.

  • @jeffreyyoung4104
    @jeffreyyoung4104 Před rokem

    It has that techie touch, like my BCD clock that nearly no one else can read, yet it is affordable too!

  • @Ecksterphono
    @Ecksterphono Před rokem

    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.

  • @craigwatt5696
    @craigwatt5696 Před rokem +7

    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.

  • @RicardoRodriguezFL
    @RicardoRodriguezFL Před rokem

    Great video as always. Can you review "Cuervos y Sobrinos" watches?

  • @digitalords
    @digitalords Před rokem

    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!

  • @Peter-fo4ec
    @Peter-fo4ec Před rokem

    Interesting watch ....cool timing of ages...thank you for showing us this

  • @hini1968
    @hini1968 Před rokem

    where am i able to find one of these? I absolutely ADORE this piece.
    i cant seem to find them online for some reason.

  • @legacywatchguy8333
    @legacywatchguy8333 Před rokem +3

    That's the coolest little watch...I really like that.

  • @dave38x
    @dave38x Před rokem

    Welp, that's me signed up for a pre-order notification. That thing is phenomenal.

  • @Dr_LK
    @Dr_LK Před rokem +1

    Cathode is the -ve end, anode is the +ve end. Electrons flow from - to +, but what we call current is actually flowing from + to -.

  • @kpkost
    @kpkost Před rokem

    I adore this content and intend to buy one cause of this video. Let’s be real: none of us here need our watches for the time. I just love the design and brilliant engineering in watches. This and the Devon Tread 2 I really enjoy

  • @pederlindstrom3132
    @pederlindstrom3132 Před rokem

    That was a bit different if nothing else,, a bit of fun at least and I just might have to get one.
    I am sure it's a conversation starter at the pub.

  • @MrValve-fr8hd
    @MrValve-fr8hd Před rokem

    Definitely liked this content

  • @yoroshikune08
    @yoroshikune08 Před rokem

    amazing... just wondering how it is charge. Thank you.

  • @Dleger13
    @Dleger13 Před rokem

    How long did it take to get comfortable and quick reading it? Super cool, but I feel like I would struggle to learn to read it at a glance

  • @toddp5026
    @toddp5026 Před rokem +3

    Where can I buy it?

  • @idletime
    @idletime Před rokem +2

    Wow, that's really cool and if I had the extra $$ I'd love to add one to my collection. In a way it's similar to and reminds me of the Back to the Future aatch. No not the Casio calculator watch, the really cool flux capacitor watch 😋 . Like this you tell the time on it by pushing a button and then you count the number of times each cathode ray tube flashes for the hours minutes and seconds 😀 .. on the flip side of that coin my birthday is in a couple weeks and who knows, maybe Santa Claus will hook me up with one of these watches for Christmas? 🤔 ..

  • @TLO7
    @TLO7 Před rokem +2

    very cool , changing settings with a magnet is very futuristic

  • @bradleyborrowman2115
    @bradleyborrowman2115 Před rokem

    This is the watch that will start my collection

  • @M4N1F3570R
    @M4N1F3570R Před rokem +1

    Amazing. I love seeing these completely strange watches. Would consider buying.

  • @matze6054
    @matze6054 Před rokem

    By this watch is the design and functionality hIgh intressted. I think tis watch look so beauty a litle steampunk! Werry nice!

  • @SLSAMG
    @SLSAMG Před rokem +5

    Something out of metro 2033.

  • @sparkyatwph
    @sparkyatwph Před rokem

    That was proper fun!

  • @JogieGlenMait16
    @JogieGlenMait16 Před rokem

    A magnet on a stick. This is one cryptic and cool tshirt idea.

  • @anthonystevens8683
    @anthonystevens8683 Před rokem +1

    This is stunning, I have a few watches that I look at on the wrist a few times but have to look yet again to actually bother to read the time due to the great dials out there. I would have to be careful with this watch though as I think I could be mesmerised by it to such an extent I could totally forget to eat or breath and have no idea how long it took me to leap off that mortal coil. I really want one but I think it may not be healthy option for me. I still want one though.

    • @melody3741
      @melody3741 Před rokem +1

      I have watches that i have nearly walked into things while staring at lol

    • @anthonystevens8683
      @anthonystevens8683 Před rokem

      @@melody3741 Yes, I've done that too 😊

  • @toupac3195
    @toupac3195 Před rokem

    Glass vaccum tubes that small is mindblowing.

  • @goldtutch
    @goldtutch Před rokem

    oh i really like this one because it reminds me of a real nice valve amplifier

  • @Zantsak
    @Zantsak Před rokem

    Stunning, I love the idea but setting the time will stress me out.

  • @englandsammo3904
    @englandsammo3904 Před rokem

    When you're viewing a watchfinder & co video and a watchfinder & co add comes on in the middle. It's watchfinder inception.

  • @fabreezethefaintinggoat5484

    Hopefully you would someday feature Kchaikin s creation..from the fun Minions watch to full on mechanical calculator he deserves some spotlight

  • @ginoongboyong
    @ginoongboyong Před rokem

    Wow!! Mesmerising!! Interesting!!

  • @Imsopathetic
    @Imsopathetic Před rokem

    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.