Christmas Retrofuturism - Nixie Tube Clocks and Watches
There are several techniques for lighting up a watch: luminescent paint can be applied to the hands and markers, or a side button can be added that illuminates the dial, in a style reminiscent of the 1980s. However, clocks and watches fitted with Nixie tubes stand out above all others for the truly enigmatic and captivating light they emit. Let us discover their light on this Christmas Day.
In the world of watchmaking, it is common to find innovation and tradition converging, resulting in pieces that not only measure time but also tell stories. In this context, Nixie tube clocks and watches stand out as a captivating fusion of retro technology and contemporary design.
NIXIE TUBES
In the world of watchmaking, it is common to find innovation and tradition converging, resulting in pieces that not only measure time but also tell stories. In this context, Nixie tube clocks and watches stand out as a captivating fusion of retro technology and contemporary design.
First created in the 1950s, Nixie tubes are electronic devices that display numbers or characters by means of incandescent filaments inside a gas-filled glass tube. The name "Nixie" derives from "NIX I", an abbreviation of "Numeric Indicator eXperimental No. 1". Initially, these tubes were widely used in calculators, counters and, of course, clocks, until they were replaced by more efficient digital technologies.
How Do Nixie Tubes Work?
Each Nixie tube contains a cathode with a specific shape, representing numbers or symbols, and a mesh-shaped anode. The tube is filled with low-pressure neon gas. When a voltage is applied to the cathode, the gas around it ionises, emitting a reddish-orange light and displaying the corresponding number or symbol. This phenomenon, known as gas discharge, is similar to the way a neon lamp works.
The Design and Appeal of Nixie Tubes
Nixie tubes are prized for their warm glow and retro aesthetic. In clocks and watches, they offer a unique way of displaying the time, combining the nostalgia of old technology with the precision of contemporary engineering. This fusion creates a distinctive visual appeal, turning Nixie tube timepieces into objects coveted by collectors and watch enthusiasts.
The History of Nixie Tubes
Nixie tubes reached the peak of their popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, before being gradually replaced by more efficient LED and LCD displays. Recently, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in Nixie tubes, especially in the context of watchmaking. This revival is driven both by nostalgia and by an appreciation of vintage engineering and design.
A window to the past on your wrist
Although the era of Nixie tubes as the predominant display technology has passed, their unique charm and aesthetic continue to shine in contemporary timepieces. Nixie tube watches are not mere time-measuring instruments; they are witnesses to the history of technology and a reminder of how the innovation of the past still finds its place in the modern world. For watch lovers, a Nixie watch is more than an accessory; it is a piece of living history on the wrist.
Nixie tube wristwatches
There are several wristwatch models built with Nixie tubes. Naturally, they are all of considerable size. These are not discreet watches.
Gelfman IN-16 Nixie
The watch, called the IN-16 Nixie, uses two vintage Nixie tubes made in the 1980s. The design combines avant-garde, retro-futuristic, cyberpunk and post-apocalyptic motifs, while the stainless steel case is machined and finished to high watchmaking standards. The IN-16 Nixie was designed and built as a high-quality collector's watch that combines digital vacuum tube technology, originally developed in the 1950s, with cutting-edge connected technology in a computer application offering many features, some of which are unique to this watch.
Gelfman In-16 calendar
Production of the IN-16 Nixie is limited to 999 pieces. In 2022, the Gelfman IN-16 Nixie watch was nominated in the “Petite Aiguille” category of the GPHG Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, the most prestigious award in the global watch industry.
Price: € 7,433
More info: https://www.gelfman.ch
Nixoid
Nixoid Store, an innovative Ukrainian watch company, has been gaining prominence in the Nixie watch market with its unique approach. Founded by a team of Ukrainian engineers, Nixoid focuses on developing watches that are more than mere fashion accessories: they are sophisticated, functional tools for everyday life.
Since its creation, Nixoid has worked tirelessly for more than two years, combining modern design with practical functionality. This combination has resulted in products that catch the eye not only for their aesthetics but also for their robustness and reliability.
The company has already run several successful campaigns on crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo and CampFire in Japan, demonstrating a positive public reception of its innovations.
Price: 420€
Nixie watches on Etsy
Etsy is possibly the place where you can find the widest variety of Nixie tube wristwatches. Some of today's brands started out selling their models on Etsy and later moved to selling exclusively on their official website. Here is a link to a search for Nixie watches: https://www.etsy.com/market/nixie_watch
MB&F Nixie tube desk clocks
There are several desk clocks with Nixie tubes, and it is even possible to build your own clock using kits such as those from PV Electronics. However, we cannot fail to highlight two MB&F models, especially for their impeccable design.
TIME MACHINE I - FRANK BUCHWALD
Time Machine I is the latest evolution in Frank Buchwald's work. Every detail was made by hand: from the design, construction and detailed finishing of the clock to the six Nixie tubes made by Dalibor Farny. Time Machine I consolidates Frank Buchwald's principles of design and structure into a futuristic work of art whose dynamic emphasis is dominated by the machine-like character of the design: the form is compact and vigorous and the proportions are perfectly executed.
Price: 29‘000 CHF
NIXIE TIME ZONE CLOCK V2
Time Machine I is the latest evolution in Frank Buchwald's work. Every detail was made by hand: from the design, construction and detailed finishing of the clock to the six Nixie tubes made by Dalibor Farny. Time Machine I consolidates Frank Buchwald's principles of design and structure into a futuristic work of art whose dynamic emphasis is dominated by the machine-like character of the design: the form is compact and vigorous and the proportions are perfectly executed.
The Nixie Time Zone Clock V2 is made from the highest-quality materials and machining technology. Practically every component is processed more than once, on the same machine, to achieve an incredible level of detail. Many of the components are finished by hand, such as the brushed and polished finishes and the orange enamelled engravings.
Most of the components are PVD-treated (Physical Vapour Deposition) in three colours: light grey, dark grey and blue. PVD is a high-quality coating used in luxury watch components, medical tools and aerospace technology. The body, milled from a solid aluminium cylinder, is anodised in a unique bronze-grey colour, specially formulated by Adatte Design for this clock alone.
Price: 9‘500 CHF
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