This high-tech wristwatch is more than a gyroscope in a globe. Besides always staying upright, the spinning clock face displays the time at the blink of an LED.
Actually there are three strobe LED’s in a pod, on an arm over the face. The clock hands are all really just one line on the face, spinning at 60 revolutions per second. Since each LED has a different color, illumination diameter and blink times, the observer’s persistence of vision causes hour, minute and second hands to be seen.
By slowing the strobe of the second hand LED to just less than 60 flashes per second, the second hand appears to move smoothly, relative to the numbered, fixed outer ring. Being a gyroscope, means the watch can be read at almost any angle. Also a bubble watch on a chain and a gyro-watch ring are in development.-- FarmerJohn, Apr 08 2003 (?) illustration http://www.geocitie...nie/gyrostrobe.html [FarmerJohn, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004] Analog/digital propellor clock, et al. http://www.luberth.com/analog.htmSame idea, less the gyroscope. These clocks work in analog or digital and can display text or images. [phoenix, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004] Rickard Gunée's "Virtual Game System" http://www.rickard....dualpic/gamesys.phpHere's one that plays Pong. [phoenix, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004] (?) Propeller Clock on a Mirror http://web.wanadoo....ien/propellerclock/ [phoenix, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004] (?) Alexander Telegin's Hi-Res Displays http://www.ledcontr...od.ru/eng/index.htmSuper cool. [phoenix, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004] 60 Hz is not enough for my eyes to overlook the flashing. So I, for one, will still see the flickering.
I think I prefer the principle used in phoenix's first link. Just as half-baked, but potentially more compact.-- DrCurry, Apr 08 2003 Rather more of a captivating feature, I guess.-- FarmerJohn, Apr 08 2003 Oh crap, I croissanted this before it even hed an illustration. Could I please have another?-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Apr 08 2003 It would be cool to make hubcaps that incorporate the propeller clock.-- Gulherme, Apr 08 2003 random, halfbakery