What Time is It? Scratch That – I'll Just Check My Turntable Wristwatch

 
Most watches featured on The Gadgeteer have all sorts of high-tech features or blinky lights.  The Turntable Metal Wristwatch is just an analog watch, but it might be perfect for the aspiring DJ or the not-so-young person who remembers the days of vinyl records.  The silvertone watch is water resistant to 3 ATM.  The face measures 1.89″ x 1.57″, and it captures all the details of a old-school turntable – complete with strobe markings on the platter's edge.  The black vinyl “album” serves as the watch face.  The Turntable Metal Wristwatch is $79.99 at ThinkGeek.

Tokyoflash Japan's Newest Watch: Kisai Online

 Tokyoflash Japan is known for their unusual, artistic watches.  Their newest, the Kisai Online, was inspired by a customer suggestion.  The watch bezel and bracelet are stainless steel, and they are available with a black or natural finish.  The LCD displays are available in natural, blue, or red.  The Online has time, date, and alarm functions, and there's an animation function for the LCD display.  Regular price for this watch is $169, but there are a few hours left to get the watch at the launch price of $149.

TriArch LED Watch

 
Most wrist watches today are really trying to give people a different way of telling time. There are now wrist watches that offer an unusual way of giving you the time, which sometimes take some time to get accustomed after learning for years to tell time the usual way. One of them that some people would probably see is this unique TriArch LED Watch.

The TriArch LED Watch is unique in its own way of telling the time. The watch face features 26 LED lights arrange in arches in order to tell time. 12 LED's indicate the hour, 5 LED's tell the minutes in increments of tens and 9 LED's to indicate the single minutes. Two other LED's indicate whether the time is AM or PM. A push of a button would then indicate the date on the watch. The TriArch LED Watch comes with a black electroplated finish that further gives this unique watch its distinct character. This unique wrist watch is available at Hammacher Schlemmer for US$130.

Mobile Phone Watch For Kids

 
Kids would like to have cool stuff that they can brag about with their friends. High tech gadgets would usually give them that chance to do so. But if you also have their safety in mind, you can also make use of such high tech gadgets to help you. One ideal product that works both ways is this Mobile Phone Watch for kids.

The Mobile Phone Watch would surely be something that kids would want to have. A mobile phone on a watch is not something common among kids and would be a cool device that they might want to show to friends. But more than that, the Mobile Phone Watch can also be considered as a safety device for kids. It allows them to have a means to contact parents in case of emergencies. Not only that, this unique watch also comes with a GPS tracker to allow parents to determine the location of their child at all times. The GPS tracker can even be reprogrammed to alert parents in case kids venture outside a designated area. The Mobile Phone Watch is available at Chinavasion for US$80.

Seiko releases limited edition Golgo 13 active matrix EPD Watch in Japan

Oyaji‘s most beloved manga character Golgo 13 is now the coolest spy on earth thanks to Seiko and its deadly gorgeous Limited Golgo 13 active Matrix EPD Watch! Available in two different version with the SBPA009 limited to only 500 units and the SBPA011 limited to t only 1000 units, these watch comes with five different time display, world time display of 32 cities and the gorgeous Seiko's active matrix EDP display. These two watch will be released in Japan starting July 7 and will be sold at 57,750 and 63,000 Yen

Tokyoflash Japan Announces the Kisai Uzumaki Watch

 
Tokyoflash Japan has announced another entry in their line of limited edition watches.  The Kisai Uzumaki is made of stainless steel and is available with a black or natural finish.  The face has a swirling vortex design, covered with an acrylic crystal with concentric circles that add to the whirlpool illusion.  The outer ring indicates the hour, while the inner ring indicates the minutes.  The face is available in blue or green.  The Uzumaki will sell for $129, but Tokyoflash Japan is offering a limited-time price of only $99 if purch

Shelby teams up with David Yurman for wristwatch line

Say what you will, but in this business you're nobody until you have your own watch line. Ferrari has several, Bentley teams up with Breitling, Aston Martin partners with Jaeger-LeCoultre, Bugatti with Parmigiani Fleurier… the list goes on and on, and now includes one more: Carroll Shelby and David Yurman.

The collaboration was forged over the timepiece you see here, created to accompany the 950-horsepower Shelby 1000 unveiled at the New York Auto Show just last month. The David Yurman Limited Edition Shelby 1000 timepiece features a Swiss-made Valjoux 7753 automatic chronograph in a 43.5mm stainless steel and rubber case with tachymeter bezel and guilloche racing stripes on the galvanized steel dial.

It's affixed to the wrist by a rubber strap with snakeskin texture, and only 300 examples will be made: 150 in bare stainless steel and 150 with a black PVD coating. It's the first of many Shelby-branded wristwatches that the David Yurman brand will be making for Shelby.

Kisai Uzumaki Watch

 
Timepieces nowadays that one wears on the wrist usually no longer just tell time. There are now more and more wrist watches out there that makes telling time somewhat a challenge. Just taking a quick look at the Kisai Uzumaki Watch and you'll easily get the meaning of it all.

The Uzumaki Watch is another interesting wristwatch design coming from Japanese watch maker Kisai. According to them, “Uzumaki” is the Japanese term for “whirlpool” and that is exactly how this watch tells the time. Wearers can tell the time by looking at the spiraling color display.

The Kisai Uzumaki Watch comes with a display composed of two colored swirls.  The outside circle stands for the hour and the inner circle stands for the minutes. The sole hand found in the watch indicates the seconds. The watch is made of stainless steel with a custom made acrylic lens made out of concentric circles, imitating that whirlpool look as its name indicates. The Kisai Uzumaki Watch is available at Tokyo Flash at a regular price of US$129.

ArtyA Werewolf Watch Puts Silver Bullets on Your Wrist

ArtyA wants you to be protected the next time you're in Transylvania or Forks Washington. Their Son of a Gun Werewolf watch has a real silver bullet incased inside it. According to ArtyA, the bullet was forged under the full moon… so you know it's going to work against Lon Chaney Jr. or Taylor Lautner. Bonus points to those of you that don't need to google that first person's name. If you want your own protection from the children of the night, head over to ArtyA's site and plunk down $8287.00. I think the price scares me more than the possibility of running into a werewolf.

The Mutewatch

 
Wrist watches today may no longer be as essential as they were before. People now have other ways to tell time via their other essential devices such as smartphones, media players and even tablets. What may still make wrist watches relevant is that they are worn more as a fashion statement nowadays. That is the very reason why unique looking watches like the Mutewatch are becoming more and more appealing.

The Mutewatch is simple and yet offers more unique features in terms of design and function. For some it may look like just a unique looking bracelet since it ordinarily just has a blank screen where the time should have been displayed. But that is where the Mutewatch may appeal to the ordinary user.

In order to display the time, the user may need to touch the display screen for the time to appear. Another option is by flicking the wrist 90 degrees. And to go through the different watch modes, users need to swipe through the screen, somewhat similar to swiping on smartphones nowadays. The Mutewatch comes with alarm, timer and clock modes. It can also be charged via USB using an accompanying cable. Quite an interesting and unique wrist watch to have, the Mutewatch is now available at Watchismo for US$258.

The cookoo Watch

 
With wrist watches not quite as appealing today if they merely function to tell time, many are being redesigned to keep in pace with rapidly developing technology. One of the aspects that makers are concentrating on is by trying to improve digital interconnectivity with other portable devices. This is certainly what the cookoo Watch is aiming for.

The cookoo Watch is more than just a typical wrist watch. According to its designer Peter Hauser, this unique wristwatch aims to connect you with your smartphone even while you have it in your pocket. This allows you to be alerted when you receive a text message, a call, email, and alerts from your social network accounts. The watch face comes with those typical icons that light up signifying alerts that your smartphone may be receiving. This way you need not take out your smartphone out of your pocket every time you need to check it if something comes up. The cookoo Watch can even alert you if your smartphone is running out of battery.

The cookoo Watch connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth 4.0. It allows smartphone users to be alerted of information at a glance, eliminating the need to frequently take out the smartphone out of the pocket. The cookoo Watch is currently a design project at Kickstarter. Production will push through after it is able to come up with the target funds. A US$50 pledge will entitle one to a black cookoo Watch once production is underway. Retail of the cookoo Watch is expected to be around US$100 if ever it becomes available in the market.

Wall Switch Click Watch

 
Looking at wristwatches today, you no longer see a device that is just designed to tell time. Well, it still is the main function being offered, but most wristwatches being introduced nowadays certainly do not lack in uniqueness in terms of design. It is usually the outrageous ones that get that attention most of the time. The new Wall Switch Click Watch certainly belongs to this category.

The Wall Switch Click Watch is unique in that it is designed to look like an over-sized rocker switch that is usually associated with those light switches at home. But this time, the Wall Switch Watch gives it a different twist. Flick the switch one way and the user gets the time displayed on the watch, switch it the other way and the date is displayed.

The Wall Switch Watch is quite simple to operate really with no other buttons to press or even visible on the watch. However, the addition of the wall switch function gives this watch that added level of uniqueness that is worth anyone's interest. The Wall Switch watch is designed by Click Watches and is available in different attractive colors at Watchismo for US$100.

WeWood Jupiter Watch

 
People try to stand up for what they believe in. That also extends to the items and gadgets that they use. For those who are against destroying the environment or even against animal cruelty, they might find this unique WeWood Jupiter Watch fascinating.

The appeal of the WeWood Jupiter Watch comes from the fact that it is made out of wood. But before many of the environmentalists around here cry foul, let it be noted that the wood used in the wrist watch is sourced from those wood scraps coming from the flooring industry that would otherwise just be thrown away. In a sense, no tree is being cut specifically just to make this unique wooden watch. But the recycling waste angle may even please those who care a lot for the environment.

And since it is a watch made of 100 percent natural wood, this means that it does not use leather, something that animal lovers will appreciate. The watch comes with a wooden housing, bracelet and dial. The timepiece makes use of two Miyota time movements and is hypoallergenic, given that its parts are made of natural wood. And to please eco-friendly people even more, WeWood plants a tree for every wooden watch purchased. It is now available at ThinkGeek for US$135.

Seiko Limited Edition Golgo 13

 
Wrist watches today need to be cool in terms of looks if ever people will give them some attention. And if it attention watches need, new technology can sometimes offer it. Couple it with one of the most popular manga characters and you get the new Seiko Limited Edition Golgo 13 wrist watch.

The Seiko Limited Edition Golgo 13 is an active matrix EPD watch. It is able to offer five different ways to display time. It also is able to display world time for 32 cities. And it comes with the signature manga character Golgo 13 in its unique time displays. The Seiko Limited Edition Golgo 13 Wrist Watch comes in two different limited edition versions. The SBPA009 will only be limited to 500 units while the SBPA011 will be available in only 1,000 units. They will be available on July 7 and will cost 57,750 Yen (US$725) for the SBPA011 and 63,000 Yen (US$791) for the SBPA009 model.

Swatch Gets Touchy Feely

Why wear a certain touch screen mp3 player on your wrist when you can slap on a reliable Swatch?  The Swatch Touch is a new line featuring, you guessed it, the ubiquitous touch screen!  All physical buttons have been removed, giving the watch face a sleek new profile.  The wearer just needs to now swipe the screen to access the alarm clock, timer, date, chronograph, and two time zones.  Three on screen buttons allow for adjustments and settings to each screen, and holding the screen will activate the back light. Like most other Swatch watches, the Touch line comes in various bright colors (purple, pink, turquoise), as well as the standard unisex white, black, and camo.  All colors feature the same functions and digital number design.  They are available now and retail for $140.

Kisai Stencil LCD Watch

Wrist watches nowadays are being worn more for their form than for their function. It is now primarily being used as a fashion statement of sorts, the cooler the watch looks, the better. And the people at Tokyo Flash know this with their many interesting versions for wrist watches like the Kisai Stencil LCD Watch. The Kisai Stencil LCD Watch is one of those wrist watches that do not look like any typical wrist watch in terms of telling the time. Looking at it for the first time will make reading time on the watch a complicated matter, just like in the typical Tokyo Flash fashion. But once you get the hang of it, telling time on the Kisai Stencil LCD Watch is actually just simple. The LCD display on the Kisai Stencil Watch has a choice of five different colors. And just like any other wrist watch, it also displays time, date and also has an alarm mode. The Kisai Stencil LCD Watch is available at Tokyo Flash for US$139.

Record Your Underwater Adventures with the Pyle Snorkeling Master Watch

Pyle is introducing a new item in their sports gear line – the Snorkeling Master Watch.  This watch is water-resistant to 10 atmospheres (330 feet), and it has a selectable sea or lake diving setting.  It measures your dive depth (up to 328 feet) with a resolution of 0.1 feet and water temperature (range of 14°F to 140°F) with an accuracy of 1 degree, and it displays this data onscreen with the dive duration.  It has an electro-luminescent backlight and a dive alarm that activates when emerging faster than 6m per minute.  The Snorkeling Master also keeps a log of your 100 most recent dives with the time and date, dive duration, maximum dive depth, minimum water temperature, and dive site indication.  The Snorkeling Master is available in green, black, or red for $215.99 or orange for $222.99.

Kisai Stencil LCD Watch from Tokyoflash Japan

The Kisai Stencil LCD Watch was originally a concept submitted by Heather Sable, a math teacher and fan of Tokyoflash Japan watches from the USA.  The Stencil shows time with the “negative space” on the LCD screen.  The display is always on, and there's an electroluminescent backlight for night use.  The Stencil displays the time and date and has an alarm mode.  The case is stainless steel and measures 1.3″ X 1.85″ X 0.4″ thick.  The leather watch band is available in either black or white and fits wrists between 4″ and 8.26″.  The LCDs are available in either mirror or green, blue, pink, and red colors.  The Stencil is even water-resistant to 3 atmospheres.  The Kisai Stencil will sell for $139, but Tokyoflash Japan is having an introductory price of $99.  The introductory price ends at February 23rd at 11:30am (Japan time).  The above watches show 06:57 (left), 02:04 (middle), and 05:44 (right).

Memento Makes Pocket Watches Fashionable Again

I love pocket watches. I used to carry one back before cellphones were a common pocket item. Although I haven't carried a pocket watch or worn a wrist watch in years, I still like to look at them. The Memento Pocket Watch caught my eye because the case is made of wood. You can choose from sandal wood or maple. Each shell will be different due to the unique grain in the wood. These watches are made in Hong Kong and can be ordered for $125 each.

Tudor Pelagos Dive Watch

Dive watches become more than just attractive timepieces that people wear, they also have a more functional feature that divers actually need when going underwater. And it is for these features that such watches really get their value. One of the newest ones to come out, the Tudor Pelagos Dive Watch, even self-adjusts its strap for divers that may experience some compression when going underwater. The Tudor Pelagos Dive Watch is built for divers and designed for the tough conditions deep underwater. It also comes with a special mechanism on its clasp that allows it to tighten the deeper a diver goes underwater. This is to ensure that the dive watch still comfortably fits into the diver's wrist even after the body goes through forces deep underwater that causes the body to compress. The Tudor Dive Watch has a touch casing and clasp that is made entirely of titanium. It also comes equipped with a helium valve that helps the watch to absorb variations of pressure. It also can withstand water pressure for up to 500 meters or 1640 feet. The titanium clad Tudor Pelagos is obviously not for any casual wrist watch wearer as it costs US$4,400 to own.

Amplicom TCL 200 Digital Alarm Clock with Wireless Vibrating Pad Review

Once upon a time, a locomotive train ran through my son's bedroom and he didn't wake up.  Well, maybe not.  But if a train ever did run through his room he wouldn't wake up.  Perhaps you have a family member who would fall into that category because they sleep so hard.  We have tried a dozen different types of clocks, including those that speak to you to wake you up, in hopes of finding a clock that would actually wake him up every morning.  Nothing has worked. He simply doesn't hear them, yet it wakes the whole house up.  So it was with great anticipation that I agreed to review the TCL 200 Digital Alarm Clock with Wireless Vibrating Pad from Amplicom because of a few key features that might, just might, be able to wake the sleeping giant.  Did the Amplicom work?  Did my son finally make it to school on time?  Let's find out! Features and Hardware Before I tell you the results of our tests, let me go over the features of the clock and show you some pictures.  The clock comes with a power charger, a phone cord, a user guide (yes, can you believe it?), a wireless vibration pad (more on that soon) and a cable that connects from the vibration pad to the clock for charging. The clock also runs on batteries (door on the bottom of the clock) in the event that the power goes out. It has a bunch of buttons on the front and even more on the back, and I honestly had to read the user guide to figure out some of the functions.  I guess you could consider that a pro or a con, but it's a pro for me because I like User Guides.  For this clock you need to hold onto the manual because in 6 months when you need to figure out how to do something, you are gonna need it. On the back is where most of the action is, so let's talk about some of these buttons. At the bottom is where you plug in the power cord, the charging wire for the wireless vibration pad, and the phone cord.  If you connect the clock to a phone jack in the wall then when the phone rings in the house the clock will act as an amplifier. This could be good, I suppose, for a person who was hard of hearing and needed to know when the phone was ringing.  On the back you also get to adjust the dimmer setting, the snooze duration, the volume of the alarm, the pitch of the alarm, and which signal (out of 5) that you want for your alarm.  The alarm signals range from just a constant beep to a series of beeps, to longer tones, etc.  It really is a personal preference as to which one you choose.  You also get to choose if you want the alarm to make a sound, just vibrate, or both.  With one of the switches on the back you also get to decide if you want the display on the clock face to flash when the alarm goes off, to add to the probability that the person will get  up.  And a nice touch is that you can set 2 different alarms and each one can be set to go off every day of the week, just on the weekend, or just M-F. On top is the snooze button and on the right side is a really big knob that turns the alarm off and on.  One of my biggest gripes with alarm clocks in general is that the on-off buttons are small, and on most clocks the labels on the buttons are hard to read.  Not so on this clock.  That on-off knob on the side is not only clearly labeled, it is probably the biggest on-off switch I have ever seen. On the front are indicator lights to tell you which of the 2 alarms are active and if the M-F setting is active.  On the front you will also find the buttons for setting the time on the clock and setting the alarm settings that you prefer.  Also, an interesting feature of the clock is that you can set the time to be announced in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. The 2 main reasons why I wanted to try this clock were the sound level and the vibration pad.  The alarm volume on this clock can be adjusted up to 90 dB.  How loud is that? Loud.  I have read online that 90 dB is the equivalent of a police whistle, a lawnmower, a power drill, or a circular saw. Needless to say, this clock is loud.  The vibration pad is round and semi-flat with a non-slip grip on top and bottom. The on-off switch is on the front and the battery indicator light is located right above the switch.  It has an 800 mAh battery that is supposed to give you up to 80 hours of charge, and it charges by plugging it up to the back of the clock.  The best way to use it is to slip it inside the pillow cover so that it doesn't fall off the bed.  If you have the clock set to include vibration in the alarm and you have the vibration pad turned on, then when the alarm goes off the vibration pad will start vibrating. The vibration is similar to the vibration on your cellphone, only much stronger. Final Results So did my son make it to school on time?  Oh yes. We had hoped that the vibration pad would do the trick to cause him to wake up. But the truth is that he didn't need the pad to wake him up. This clock is so loud that it wakes him up without needing the vibration pad.  We finally found a clock loud enough to rouse him from his slumber.  Thank you Amplicom.  And even though I consider the price of this clock to be a little high for an alarm clock, it is a no brainer. If you need to get someone up in the morning, look no further than the Amplicom TCL 200.

The Suunto Ambit

Suunto has recently released a new high end outdoor/exploring/training watch….The Ambit. Similar in many ways to the Suunto Elementum Terra All-Black I reviewed last year. But with much more functionality for 50-60% the cost…. The Suunto Ambit Black (HR) package includes Suunto Ambit Black (available in white as well), Suunto ANT Comfort Belt, USB power cable, and Quick Guide. SPECIALIZED OUTDOOR FUNCTIONS Full-featured GPS with Waypoint navigation Unique 3D compass Accurate barometric altitude Barometer Temperature ADVANCED TRAINING FUNCTIONS Highly responsive pace and speed (FusedSpeed™) with accelerometer integrated GPS Accurate vertical speed with barometric altimeter Advanced heart rate monitoring with Peak Training Effect and Recovery Time Online sports diary with planning & analysis tools in Movescount.com Compatible with Suunto Bike and Cadence PODs MOUNTAIN & EVERYDAY EXPLORATION Robust BuiltToLast -casing Enhanced battery lifetime 100 m / 328 ft water resistant (ISO 2281) Upgradeable with new functionalities through Movescount.com

Seiko Astron, the World's First Solar GPS Watch

In 1969, Seiko introduced the first quartz watch, and now they are introducing the world's first solar GPS watch.  Using their own, patented, low-energy-consumption GPS receiver, the Astron is able to recognize all 39 time zones around the world to identify time zone and set the time and date data using the global network of GPS satellites.  The Astron receives the time signal once a day, and it can connect to at least four GPS satellites on command to determine the time zone and the exact time.  There are five models in the Astron line: three in “high-intensity titanium, which is stronger than stainless steel but has only 60% of its weight, and two in stainless steel. All have ceramic bezels, the same functions and high specifications, including a dual time sub-dial, in-flight mode indicator and sapphire crystal with Super-Clear Coating.”  All have ceramic faces and all have the same functions, and they're solar-powered so you don't need to worry with batteries.  The Astron will be available in Autumn 2012; no price information is available yet.

Jedi Training Ball Alarm Clock – Use the Force Luke

Mmmm young Padawans,  shoot sparks to wake you up in the morning this Wesco Star Wars Jedi Training Ball Alarm Clock will not. But Force push umm…. throw it you must for the alarm to turn off. Available for preorder (expected delivery April/May) from Frontline Hobbies Australia for $29.99AU (approx $32US ).

Track and Analyze Your Run with the runtastic GPS Watch

The GPS Watch from runtastic records important parameters from your run: pace, laps, calories, distance, target HR zones, speed, duration, time, elevation and heart rate.  After the run, connect the watch to your computer with the included USB cable to transfer your data to your profile at runtastic's website to analyze your metrics.  The watch display is customizable, and it has a compass and navigation function.  The battery lasts about 14 hours on a charge with GPS.  The runtastic GPS Watch costs €149.99; unfortunately, runtastic seems to ship only in Europe.

SleepTracker Elite Review

SleepTracker Elite is the wear-at-night wristwatch that can monitor your sleep movements and help you ascertain how well or poorly you're sleeping at night.  Time Magazine calls it the Invention of the Year.  I call it an interesting way to figure out why I'm such a grouch in the morning.  Simply put, it's a wrist watch that monitors your sleep patterns and sleep movements and then analyzes those patterns in a software program that shows you your progress.  I was selected to give one a try when SleepTracker offered a review unit to The Gadgeteer. When you sleep, your body goes through various sleep cycles during the night with the average human typically going through four or five. SleepTracker's theory is that if you are woken up during a “light stage” of sleep as opposed to another, deeper stage of sleep, you will wake up more refreshed and feel better.  Instead of waking up when your alarm clocks says you should wake up, the SleepTracker, when worn as a wristwatch at night, will wake you up when you are in a lighter stage of sleep. You can set the time you go to bed, you set the time you want to wake up and set the time to tell the watch when the lightest sleep stage is in accordance to your alarm time to then go off and wake you up. This watch has two alarms, a beep and a vibrate and they can be used together.  The beeping alarm woke me up.  The vibrate did not. SleepTracker also monitors the number of sleep interruptions you experience each night, even if you are unaware of those interruptions.   Those interruptions could be from anything.  If you sleep with your dog or your cat (or both in my case), any movement from the animal will cause you to move from one stage of sleep to another and will register as a sleep interruption.  For instance, the first night I used Sleeptracker, I had 21 (!) instances of sleep interruption. Using an accelerometer, SleepTracker monitors and tracks the slightest physical signs from your body, and tracks that progress to determine your deepest sleep moments and your lightest.   Your lightest moments are when you really want to wake up because you'll wake up feeling better and easier. Using the data that the watch collects, you download it to the SleepTracker software on your computer, and it analyzes your night's sleep and then gives you the number of interruptions, how long they lasted, as well as your total sleep time and a score that places your sleep progress. Setting the watch for your sleep times, alarm times and the actual time and date is extremely easy.  And if you happen to go past your “To Bed” time, it's simple to change it.  Trust me, I'm clumsy in the “Set the Watch” department and I can set SleepTracker. Until SleepTracker, I thought I was doing OK in the sleep department.  My favorite hobby is sleeping with weekend daytime naps something I work hard at.  I always seem to wake up more refreshed and less grumpy from a nap than overnight sleep.  I have three animals and a husband with sleep apnea, so I was pretty interested in seeing what kind of sleep I was getting with the SleepTracker. My first SleepTracker score was 95, which is pretty awesome.  But for the next two days, it went steadily downward. I am prone to migraines so I took Advil PM the next night thinking….ok, it will take care of my headache and I'll be down for the count all night.   I was down for the count, but the next morning I woke up groggy and grumpy.  The upshot was that I had no headache, but my SleepTracker data on Day 3  read that I'd gone from a 95 to an 82.  Being unconscious doesn't necessarily mean you're getting the sleep you need.  In some cases, it just means you're unconscious. The data also records your uninterrupted sleep moments, and you can go back and view the data to determine when those moments occurred.  Some I remembered, such as when the dog decided to jump off the bed and go bark at something unseen in the dark… most likely dust.  Or when my cat jumped on me for reasons I still have yet to determine.  (My cat likes to sleep ON me.  Not near me, ON me.  Usually on my hip as I'm a side sleeper and makes a nice comfy nest out of the blankets in the curve of my hip.  Like I'm a log in the woods.  Or a piece of driftwood.  Or a living room chair. Only warmer.) I used to be a “Sleep With the Televison On” kind of person.  I like something playing in the background when I'm working, and even when napping during the day.  Napping during football (my husband stays awake for this) in the autumn and lacrosse during the spring has never been an issue, but television at night has become a problem, and it's showing in the SleepTracker data as well which I found interesting. This is what the data graph will look like for your SleepTracker data. My husband, who uses a C-PAP at night, does not experience the things I do at night.  He hears basically nothing because of the machine, and the animals don't go near him on the bed. They've learned the painful consequences.  It's me they bug because they know I'm a great big pushover.  Our youngest cat starts annoying me around 5:00 am because that's when she wants to be fed.  She should know she has to wait until 7 am because that's when I feed both cats and our dog.  She knows this but that doesn't stop her from her shenanigans until I get so fed up, I get up and feed them all just to shut them up and let me sleep.  Surprisingly, it's all showing up in the SleepTracker data. Our Pembroke Welsh Corgi loves to sleep snuggled between my husband and me, but anyone who knows anything about Corgis knows they're heavy shedders because they have a thick undercoat.  So while Gipper likes the whole “Snuggle with my Humans” thing, he gets overheated and starts this annoying raspy panting…usually in my ear and usually when I'm just drifting off to sleep.  Is it in the SleepTracker data?  Oh yeah. For further testing, I let my husband wear the device.  Day 1 he got a 100 score.  That's a perfect score.  That means he's getting the sleep he needs to get. As for comfort, I'm the wrong person to ask. I didn't like wearing SleepTracker.  I found it to be bulky, I didn't like the plastic against my skin, I knocked it against things (not that it hurt it, it's even waterproof!) and ended up latching it to my belt loop which I can't do at night or (of course) it will not record data. But I am not a watch wearer.  I don't wear wrist watches of any kind.  I haven't worn one in years.  Even as a teen, I never wore a watch, I've always worn a antique pendant watch pinned to my blouse or something. I also wear very little jewelry on my wrist or hands save for my wedding ring so again, the comfort of SleepTracker is probably more of a “me” thing. People who wear watches probably won't have a problem with it. Cool watch...I just didn't like wearing it. Turning off the alarm when it went off in the morning proved problematic at least for me.  I kept pressing every button but the one that shut it off.  Again, I think that is a “me” thing.  I'm not used to being woken by a watch on my wrist with an alarm going off.  The watch does feature a very nice glow light for reading it in the dark. For beginners, it's a cool watch.  It's got an alarm and keeps time, date and alarm info.  Second, we don't always sleep as well as we should or could.  We have all had instances in our lives when getting a good night's sleep was imperative, and SleepTracker will help you wake up during your best cycle so you can be at your best.  For travelers, it's even better.  I've got three co-workers who travel to Europe frequently and are interested in what it can do. The price isn't bad either. And Another Thing: SleepTracker's Customer Service rocks.  By and large, I hate reporting glitches to a product's Customer Service department because they pretty much don't care.  Not so here.  When I had questions and issues with the product, I got an weekend email from Lee Loree, the owner of SleepTracker!   This is a company that believes in their product, believes in their customers, and if their customers are going to pay for their product, they're going to make sure everyone gets what they need.  I can dig it. It's an open door policy at SleepTracker and these days, they're the exception to the rule when they should be the rule.

Bulgari crafts sophisticated Octo Maserati watch

There's no lack of choices in timepieces for automotive enthusiasts, but unfortunately most of them come down to simply slapping an automaker's name or logo (or that of a racing series or driver) on an existing timepiece and calling it a day. That, however, is not the route Maserati has gone with its new timepiece. In fact, you'd have to turn this watch over to see the Trident logo on the casebook. Instead, Bulgari has opted to let the design and the mechanical precision it encases speak to the same themes it shares with its new automotive partner. The Octo Maserati watch is built around the highly sophisticated Calibre GG7800 automatic chronograph movement which Bulgari crafts itself at the Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Bulgari in Le Sentier, Switzerland. Rather than displaying its time through the ordinary combination of hands sweeping around the dial, the Octo watch places a jumping hour window at the 12 o'clock position and retrograde displays for the minutes, date and chronograph counters. The 45-jewel movement is backed by a 38-hour power reserve and encased in a 45-millimeter brushed steel case with scratch-resistant, anti-glare sapphire crystal front and back. The blue-lacquered dial is designed to recall a Maserati's grille, and the piece is affixed to the wrist by a blue calfskin strap with butterfly clasp. We dare not ask what a timepiece like this will sell for, but trust that it will be sufficiently Maserati-like in its sticker.

Ferrari contracts Movado for new line of watches

Having trouble keeping track of which watchmaker is producing timepieces for Ferrari these days? It can get a little confusing. Girard-Perregaux held the license for many years, after which a lackluster partnership was formed with Panerai. Then Cabestan was contracted to make one very fancy-looking watch for the Prancing Horse marque, before Hublot got the nod. And that's not including the more affordable watches marketed less to Ferrari owners than to the Scuderia's tifosi. Now, Maranello has formed another partnership with a different watchmaker. That watchmaker is Movado, the Swiss firm best know for creating elegant and simply styled timepieces that look just as much at home in a museum showcase as they do on a wearer's wrist. Movado also makes watches under the Ebel, Concord, ESQ, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Juicy Couture and Lacoste labels, and will now be adding Ferrari to its roster of brands. The collection is set to draw its inspiration from Ferrari's road and racing cars, and is set to be launched next year at the Watch & Jewelry Fair in Basel, Switzerland, after which they will go on sale at Ferrari stores around the world and online with prices peaking at 1,500 euros (around $2,000).

Garmin Approach S3 Golf Watch

If you think the game of golf could not get any techie-er, Garmin introduces a GPS-enabled wristwatch for golfers. The Garmin Approach S3, an upgrade to its Approach S1, now comes with a touch screen and provides assistance to over 27,000 golf courses all over the world. Sure, it will not help improve your swing, but this watch provides you with important knowledge on certain courses such as layup distances, green overviews, and precise yardage. This waterproof device runs effortlessly for eight hours until its battery juice drains out. The Garmin Approach S3 golf watch is available this month on authorized retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $350. It will be available in white with red trim and black with gray trim.

Google Android Watch Set

Just released on the Google Store, the Android Watch Set has been designed with Modify Watch so the watches are mixable and matchable.  Each set comes with two custom straps and a you get a choice of large watch face or small watch face.  Made of stainless steel with a polycarbonate casing they're also water-resistant to 3ATM. I must admit when I first saw this I was hoping that it was actually an Android Watch Extension for your Android device The small is 9.5″ and the large is 10″ both sets being priced at $59.95 from the Google Store.

Good Morning, Sir is Waking You Up, Classy-Style

To many people, even the worst of news can sound better when said with a British accent.  And what worse news can you have every morning than a blaring alarm at 5am to wake you up and get  you started on your day?  Wouldn't the gentle prodding of, say, Stephen Fry help to better ease you into your work day?  ThinkGeek has answered this wish with the Good Morning, Sir (or Madam) Alarm Clock. There are over 120 sounds recorded by Stephen Fry as his character “Jeeves”, and just to give you a taste of this British wit, a sample wake up call is “It appears to be morning.  Very inconvenient, I agree.  I believe it is the rotation of the Earth that is to blame, Sir.”  The clock will still set off an alarm to ensure you get yourself up, but you'll look forward to a confirmation by Jeeves once you shut it off, such as “Madam has a firm touch.  But very fair.” The clock base is made of wood, not plastic, with the clock face similar to the above shot for the “Sir” version, and having little pink flowers on it for “Madam”.  It's implied on the ThinkGeek description of “Sir” that you may be able to toggle between the Sir and Madam recordings if frilly pink flowers aren't your style.  Both models run on 4AA batteries. Good Morning, Sir can be purchased through ThinkGeek for $69.99.

Manifold Clock: Telling time in 3D

This is another Kickstarter project.  The Manifold Clock is a wall-mounted clock with a 30″ sweep.  The hour and minute hands are joined with a flexible sheet that forms a changing 3-D shape.  This “combination of simple mechanics and modern design is based on the mathematical notion of Riemann surfaces, derived from the log(z) function.”  Pledge at least $45 to receive a Manifold Clock.  Funding has already been exceeded, but there is still time to pledge and receive a clock.  The funding period ends February 23 at 5:00 pm EST.

Kisai Optical Illusion Touchscreen Watch from Tokyoflash Japan

Here's another of those arty watches from Tokyoflash Japan.  The Kisai Optical Illusion Watch has a touchscreen for accessing the four main functions.  Like those optical illusion posters from years ago, the time display is buried in a pattern of high-resolution digital lines.  Once you've trained your eyes, you'll be able to see the time.  Until you've trained them, or perhaps if you never do,  there's a button that clears up the background lines when touched.  The Optical Illusion is a limited-edition watch with a mineral crystal lens with either a natural or green face and a stainless band and clasp available in silver or black.  The watch is $199, but it's available for $179 with free shipping until Friday January 27th, 2012 at 11:30 am (Japan time).

Google Android Wristwatch

Google offers in its online store an “Android” wristwatch. Well, do not be fooled by the name. As much as you wish for an Android-powered wristwatch that could make you shoot a bunch of angry birds, this watch only features Android logos on its face. Despite that letdown, this working timepiece costs a fraction of an actual Android-powered wristwatch. These watches are made by Modify, known for letting users swap the actual clock into different wristbands. This mix-and-match feature also goes to Google's Android watch. These Google-branded wristwatches are available for $59.95, but you better hurry because only nine small ones (measuring 9.5 inches tip to tip) remain in stock as of this writing.

Pop open a cold one with your watch

Filed under kooky but useful, the Happy Hour wrist watch not only tells time, but also allows you to pop open a beer with the strap buckle. Priced from $69.95 – $99.95, these watches feature a leather strap with a patented stainless steel bottle-opening buckle. I'm sure the college crowd would love this watch, but would you wear one?

Oregon Scientific's Touch Advanced Weather Station

Some weather stations have a confusing array of buttons that toggle between modes, but Oregon Scientific is announcing a new touchscreen weather station at CES that will simplify determining what you should wear in the mornings.  The Touch Advanced Weather Station gives you full weather forecasts, accurate time & date, temperature, humidity and air pressure readings with a touch of your finger.  The Touch Advanced station shows 12-hour weather forecast with 24-hour historical barometer and barograph, indoor/outdoor temperature and humidity with up to 3 channels, and a daily max and min temperature and humidity record.  It also has an atomic clock and calendar with crescendo alarm and 8-minute snooze.  The MSRP is $49.99.

Suunto Elementum Terra All Black Watch Review

The All Black is ‘just…' a new color scheme in the existing Sunnto Elementum Terra line. The all-black casing and negative display make for a stealthy (Stargate ) look, while retaining all the functionality of the Terra clan. I have always been tempted by Suunto's luxury line of Elementum Terra watches but to be honest the original three styles, while very nice, never talked to me enough to do the deed. But the Terra All Black pushed me over the edge…. The Terra All Black is well sized and weighted and even better looking in person, featuring: time, date, alarm, 3D compass, altimeter, barometer, and chronograph. Here it is next to my old Suunto t6 running/workout (right) and Movado (left) watches I wear regularly.  As you can see, the Terra All Black is very nice looking. I have used my t6 for YEARS, having definitely gotten what I paid for. It continues to keep ticking…a new battery every couple of years and has yet to fail me. My hope and expectation is that the Terra will do the same; withstand the same rugged lifestyle that my t6 has. The Terra's professional appearance not only enables it to be worn anywhere (aka business setting), but also be used while running/outdoor adventuring. While nicely weighted and sized, the Elementum series of watches is relatively thick, but not painfully so. The overall dimensions of the watch are 1.8 (44mm) x 1.8 (44mm) x 0.5 (13.5mm) inches and weighs 95 g (200 g for Steel). Contents: Suunto Elementum Terra All Black Wrist Computer Cleaning Cloth Customer Support Card Quick Reference Guide Features: Time, Date, Alarm Backlight Altimeter Barometric pressure & trend 3D compass Chronograph Cumulative ascent / descent Log: last 8 ascent / descent, max. altitude Suunto's Elementum Terra has a simple design, manufactured with high quality materials and intelligent/well-thought out navigation. As you would expect from Suunto, its luxury line of watches is extremely well made: corrosion-resistant AISI 316L stainless steel case and buttons; sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating; intelligent knob positioning for easy scrolling; high-quality LCD display with metallic display graphics; water resistance to 100 m (and according to the manual, the buttons can be pushed underwater). The Suunto Elementum has two sensors: pressure and electronic compass. The pressure sensor has a dual purpose of monitoring the barometric pressure and altitude data. The main screen of the watch shows the time, date, altitude, and barometric pressure trend and reading continuously. The compass function can be accessed by pushing the bottom button. The 3-Axis (3-D) compass does not need to be level to operate accurately. The barometric pressure scale (outside ring display) turns into a pointer for North, and the watch dial reads out the degrees you are facing. The compass and barometric sensors need to be initially calibrated and aligned. Having majored in atmospheric science back in college, I find the barometric pressure gauge and trend indicator interesting and a lot of fun. So far, it has done an excellent job of letting me know what the weather is going to be like. The pressure was high and it was clear and cold but once it took a nosedive, the rains were here a few hours later. While this feature has limited benefits surviving in the urban canyons, it could definitely come in handy while out camping, fishing, hunting and the like. The watch also features an alarm and simple chronograph. The chronograph measures 1x100 of a second for a minute after which it measures up to 99 minutes. While the Terra can time your runs/hikes/rides, track your altitude gains/losses, and help you navigate your routes, it does not work with Suunto's foot pod, bike pod, GPS pod or heart rate monitor; making it not an ideal choice for hardcore training. The watch has a very bright backlight. It can be activated by pushing the middle button for a couple of seconds. The entire screen is illuminated with a blue/green glow. The backlight is impressively bright and stays on for approximately 3-4 seconds. In addition to the new Terra All Black, there are also three other styles in the line; Black Rubber, Black Leather, and Steel. Along with the Terra, the high end Elementum line also includes a Aqua (left) and Ventus (right). The Elementum Aqua is for ‘urban and underwater use' and the Elementum Ventus is for the ‘on-board and on-shore lifestyle'. The Elementum line of watches is made in Finland, where the brand started/is from. The Suunto Elementum Terra line ranges in price from $899 to $1199. While not as costly as Rolex or Breitling, a thousand dollars is nothing to scoff at either. Its lack of training and/or expedition features makes other less costly Suunto watches, like the t6d or Core, a more logical choice for the hardcore athlete or outdoor explorer. The Terra All Black is more for the professional who exercises during lunch or hunts/hikes on the weekend. Having said that, even though I workout pretty hard a majority of the time and do many outdoor activities, I have zero buyers regret on my 2011 Holiday gift/splurge (to myself )….without a doubt, I love the Terra All Black's look, feel, form and function.

This watch lets you make cardless MasterCard payments

In the past year, NFC/RFID technology advancements have allowed shoppers to make quick and easy payments using programs such as MasterCard's PayPass and Visa's PayWire. Without ever having to remove a credit card from your wallet or purse, RFID technology allows you to make a credit card payment by simply placing your enabled device next to a sensor. Although typical NFC devices come in the form of modern smartphones equipped with applications such as Google Wallet, watch manufacturer LAKS has partnered up with MasterCard to create another method for easy payments using RFID technology. Dubbed Watch2Pay, the device is a wristwatch equipped with a SIM card that can be linked directly to your MasterCard PayPass account. With the Watch2Pay watch, you'll be able to make quick payments by simply placing the watch next to a compatible MasterCard PayPass scanner. Since there won't be PayPass scanner everywhere you go, the device also comes with a traditional prepaid card to use. The watch comes in a wide variety of colors and can be purchased for the price of 99 Euros here.

Hydromechanical watch concept pumps away the hours for horologists

Vincent Perriard and crew have apparently gone from overseeing the Concord C1 QuantumGravity watch and its fluorescent liquid battery gauge to designing another high end watch that combines mechanical action and fluid measurement with the HYT H1. This hand-wound timepiece has a 65 hour power reserve and displays the time via pumping bellows that push bright green fluorescine past the time markers. A rendered video embedded after the break does more to explain how the watch works, but it may not help you figure out its rumored $45k price tag.

Modify Watches Review

I still wear a wristwatch, but I'm part of a dying breed.  News articles suggest that the current generation has turned its back on the wearable timepiece in favor  of checking the time on a cellphone.  Modify Watches is offering wristwatches that are more a fashion statement than for the telling of time.  With multiple faces and straps, you can configure your watch to express yourself.  Their packaging states the watches are ” Fashionable, Flexible, Modifiable and Dope”.  I have no idea what the last term means. The watches come in two sizes, big and bigger, they're water-resistant to 3 ATM and made of stainless steel and plastic. For the review I received 2 watch bands and one watch face which were packaged as above. On their website they show 13 watch bands, or straps as they call them and 12 watch faces.  They run the spectrum from subdued to rather eccentric and vary in price.  I tend to be conservative, so I opted not to get the polka dot face.  I went with black and blue straps and a silver face. Here's a closer look at the face.  This is battery operated, so it came with a wedge in the stem to keep it from operating until needed. On the backside are the screws that need to be removed when replacing the battery.  There's no indication on the web site how long the battery will last. The box the watch components were shipped in had the instructions for assembling the watches.  It's really not that difficult. To give some perspective, on the left is my daily use watch and the Modify watch. If you're someone with a small wrist, the watch may seem a little clunky, but that may be the look you're going for. The timepiece is very basic.  There's no day or date indicator, although there is a second hand.  Even though it is battery driven, you can still hear the second hand “tick”.  This fascinates my 3-year-old grandsons, so I'll count that as a positive. Changing straps is simple and if you have a large enough collection of straps and faces, you can have a different daily look on your wrist for a long time.  I've found the watches to be very comfortable to wear.  The soft plastic of the straps is “stretchy” and conforms to your wrist. It appears to me that Modify Watches is attempting to recreate the Swatch craze.  More power to them if they do.  If you're into vibrant colors and wear a watch as a fashion accessory, these are the way to go.  The least expensive combination of face and strap will cost you $40 plus shipping.  Just for comparison, you can buy 4 complete watches at most discount stores for the same amount.

CVRI-I90 High Definition Spy Camera Clock

Here comes another fashionable spy gadget from Chinavasion, the CVRI-I90 High Definition Spy Camera Clock. This fully functional table clock is able to capture both 1280 x 960 HD video at 30fps as well as up to 1280 x 960 digital still images. What's more, it also comes with a microSD card slot (4GB included), motion detection video recording function, a built-in microphone, a USB port and an integrated 250mAh rechargeable battery. The CVRI-I90 High Definition Spy Camera Clock will set you back $40.48.

HD Spy Camera Desktop Clock

Checking up on your things while you're away can only be possible if you have technology on your side. Spy cameras, for example can be used to help you check out your things at home or in the office without anyone knowing. You can try out this unique HD Spy Camera Clock to watch over your things for you while you are away. The HD Spy Camera Clock is a desktop accessory that can be quite common for other people to suspect as a camera. It is able to capture video as well as images secretly in high definition. It also features a motion detector that will capture and record anything that it detects moving in front of it. You can simply leave it in your desk at home or at the office and check it out the next day to see what it captures while you are away. The HD Spy Camera Desktop Clock is available at Chinavasion for US$41.

Watches Shop Relaunches as Watches 2U

Watches Shop the UK's fastest growing internet retailer for designer watches has relaunched and has a brand new domain name and is now available at Watches 2U.com. This will not affect any Watches Shop customers and is nothing more than a domain name change. Customers of Watches Shop can still use their VIP points and any discount coupons previously released will still be valid for use on the new site and they can still use the customer services for inquiries about previous orders or returns as normal. As well as the rebranding, Watches 2U have also added many new designer brand watches to their growing range. This includeds up and coming brands like Firetrap, a great new brand of watches designed in Britain by some of the best British designers, Fly53, the streetwise and rock ‘n' roll style watch and Boccia, which are made from 100% pure titanium. They also have new in stock, some up and coming brands which are Bulova, the well know and almost vintage brand which is now designing more modern watches and TechnoMarine, a great range of colourful designer divers watches. Firetrap, Mens Rebel Watch Also in the pipeline they will soon be stocking Hot Diamonds and Maurice Laxcrois watches. Watches 2U aims to bring its customers the lowest possible prices on the internet on all designer watches in the UK and now have 62 brands.

WeWood Watches

WeWood is a company based out of Los Angeles with an idea originally stemming from Italy–to create an organic, completely natural watch inspired by the rooted but reaching power of a tree.  The resulting product, judging from their catalog, is just as much art as functional watch.  They currently offer two basic types of watch face– standard analogue and chronograph, each weighing in at only about 1.5 ounces.  No stains or other toxins are used to alter the natural color and grain of the wood, so they are hypoallergenic– but only splash resistant, not water proof.  The wood used comes from flooring scraps and include the colors/trees:  beige (Maple), black (Ebony), brown (Red Wing Celtis), and army green (Guaiaco).  WeWood is also partnered with American Forests and for every watch sold, a tree is planted as part of the Global ReLeaf effort.   The watches are available through the WeWood website with prices ranging from $119 for the analogue varieties to $139 for the chronograph.

The Tread 1 is What Every Watch Wants to Be

We love watches and rocking design and every once in a while we have the pleasure of reviewing something that blows our minds. Futuristic watches are all the rage these days, and the Tread 1 is undoubtedly one of the pinnacles of modern design. Don't be fooled by the seemingly delicate complex design, the folks at Devon claim this watch is bulletproof. Tread 1 is by Devon, the same company that brought us the Devon GTX Super Car. The brains behind Devon is no other than conceptual artist Scott Devon. The Tread 1 is no ordinary watch by any measure. According to Devon, it's a reinvention of the humble watch with a patented system of what they call Interwoven Time Belts, the very belts that lend the device its singularity. The belts are powered by compact microstep motors providing power and accuracy, the latter being of particular importance to watches. Counting 86,400 seconds per day is no easy task after all. The watch is powered by a lithium polymer battery and one charge will last you a couple of weeks. I don't know how practical that is since traditionally watches have had extended battery times, but that's the whole beauty of this watch. It's nothing like the watches we've known and depended on for time. How can something with such intricate design be bulletproof you ask? Well it's quite simple really. The display is crystal made from a scratch-resistant and anti-reflective polycarbonate which renders it bulletproof. I'd like to see one of these babies take a bullet at close range to see if it really is, but with a whopping price tag of $15,000, don't expect to see anyone pulling such a stunt on Youtube just yet. It seems to me that quite a few manufacturers are using the bulletproof label to emphasize the durability of their products these days.

KOKO MUO Concept Watch is the watch for petrol head

Now this is the watch that's made for me, something that looks like a digital gauge meter of the Honda S2000. Well, nearly there anyway. Designed by Loyto Esineiden, the KOKO MUO concept watch only uses the upper half of the watch's face and a couple of bars to indicate the current time, something that we're keen to see in computer racing games. The timepiece is easy to read, obviously. The minutes are indicated at the upper bar, while the hour is indicated in the lower bar, with the color being a good contrast of the backgroud. The KOKO MUO is available in either all silver or black and silver.

The Television Remote Control Wristwatch

Universal remote controls have become quite popular lately, especially with certain brands finally able to troubleshoot incompatibilities while also being able to control a wide variety of electronics from your TV to your DVR to your Playstation 3. Hammacher Schlemmer has raised the bar by introducing the Television Remote Control Wristwatch. This very ‘gadgety'/'techie' looking watch not only does the essentials like telling the time and date, but also serves as the ultimate universal remote. The six buttons sticking out on the bezel control volume, power on/off, channel up/down, as well as play, rewind, and fast-forward for movies and possibly DVRs. Like any other universal remote, you just need to know the three-digit code for the device you wish to assume control of, enter it in, and the power is in your hands (or, rather, on your wrist). If you're tired of juggling multiple remotes, this is certainly a good way to consolidate them into one device. Practical and stylish, this watch also has some very fun uses. If you live with your family or others, this watch makes you Supreme Ruler of your television, able to change channels at your whim no matter if the remote is in the hands of someone else or simply out of reach. Furthermore, since you'd presumably wear the watch most of the day, you'd also be able to control devices in other locations. Whether you're at a bar/restaurant, the gym, or even just a friend's house, you can slyly operate televisions from a distance while looking as if you're doing nothing more than checking the time or setting your watch's alarm. If you think you can handle this amount of sheer power, you can purchase this watch for $99.95. If, however, you prefer your universal remote controls to be more standard rather than worn on your wrist, you might prefer the awesomely-named Infinity Remote or Cyclops Remote.

Strange Solaris Watch Will Have You Puzzled

Looking more like a game of Tetris had a quick and serene love affair with the Star Trek Enterprise than an actual watch someone might wear, the joy of owning Olivier Demangel's Solaris timepiece would be in deciphering the current time, every time. Its face is hollowed out and open, and a deep gash separates the metallic bracelet in two. Blue LEDs adorn the edge and light up to show the hour, shining purple to indicate every five minute interval. Would you understand its little puzzle of dots and colors in anything less than a few heartbeats? I doubt it, and in this day and age - a few heartbeats is a lot. And what does the middle hologram-looking rectangle stand for? Just another mystery, unless someone tells you it's a solar panel. You could see it as kind of a trip back to a more innocent time, back when you were a child and had to learn the ropes of which hand tells the hour. That's how Wired.com sees it. But wouldn't there be a sort of mystical geometry effect to it - after having to read the futuristic face of the Solaris one too many times, would you start seeing time in a different way? If that's your kind of thing, you can vote Demangel's Solaris over at the Tokyo Flash blog. Enough votes means it goes into production, and stores. Cool watches abound, so look at the Tread 1, and the Romaine Jerome Steampunk Watch.

Haoshi's Merry-Go-Round Clock

I like unusual clocks, but I still like to be able to tell time with a quick glance – even if it means I have to learn a pattern of lights or something.  The Haoshi's Merry-Go-Round Carousel Clock from A+R Store certainly is described by “unusual”, but I'm not sure that I'd ever be able to tell time with a quick glance.  The columns around the outside mark the hour positions for the clock.  Three disks inside act as the clock hands.  The inner disk has a boy mounted on a horse; this disk turns quickly to indicate seconds.  The middle disk, with a woman on a horse, marks the minutes.  The outer disk has a man on a horse; he moves slowly around the carousel to mark the hours.  I'm afraid the tent on top would block your view of the “hands” enough to make this “clock art” instead of just a “clock”.  The Haoshi's Merry-Go-Round Carousel Clock is 6″ in circumference and 6.5″ tall and is made of hand-finished resin.  The clock sells for $140.00.