Watch

HeartBeat






The HeartBeat doesn't actually measure your heart rate, but its LED graphical display is styled to look like a mini heart monitor. The HeartBeat is available in both black and brushed stainless versions, with a choice of either a green or red LED display.

More than simple watch - Ultimate Gadget

Just think how many things we should take with us everyday - cell phone, watch, mp3-player and etc. Moreover we should always keep in mind what exactly we want to take and even when everything is with us there is a need to be careful not to lose something. Because of this all companies, which produce different devices, try to make "all-in-one" gadgets. As a consequence all modern devices, especially cell phones, are supplied with clock, organizer, mp3-player and so on.

Think Geek Company, trying to combine as many functions as it possible in a single device, designed video-watch with OLED display. Thus, this gadget is able to show time, photos, videos and even eBooks. So instead of "boring" time you can listen to music for example. Built-in microphone allows you to record whatever you want.

Actually this watch has a lot of characteristics that are mentioned below:

* Memory: built-in, 2Gb
* Display's resolution: 128x128 pixels
* Mp3-player
* Slide-show mode
* Built-in microphone
* 3D sound
* Rechargeable battery - via USB
* Dimensions: 4x3,8x1,2cm
* Wristlet's length - 22cm
* As a unit: headphones, CD with a driver for PC, service instruction and USB cable


So, this gadget features quite a significant number of functions that make it enough competitive among modern hi-end devices. Yet, in my opinion it's better to buy a Smartphone, which for sure has more functions and bigger display. But, in case data is true and the price is just about $ 100, demand for this watch will be quite big.

TokyoFlash Geomesh LED Watch – Time But Not As You Know it

We’ve featured many a TokyoFlash watch here on TFTS as we love nothing better than a modern take on wrist watch design – and if it relies on the liberal use of LEDs then that’s all for the better. That said, there is a fine line between form and function and, in that respect, we suggest that perhaps TokyoFlash’s new Geomesh watch takes things just that fraction too far in the name of originality.

Of course it could be argued that, rather than serving as a timepiece, the Geomesh watch instead serves as a modern piece of jewelery whereby the aesthetics of the device wholly outweigh the devices usability – but if that’s indeed the case the item surely ceases to be a watch and so why bill it as such?

Comprising of 27 LEDs available in either multicolour, white or Blue (our preference) placed behind a mirrored grid the GeoFlash apparently relays the time as follows:

‘Hours are indicated by counting the vertical lights & minutes by the horizontal lights. The minute lights can indicate 5 mins each light or 1 minute depending on the configuration - sounds complicated, but not really that difficult.’

Having looked at the examples, (as featured below) we’re not wholly convinced. Is this abstraction merely for the sake or it, or is it a new means of time telling that we’re just too traditional to appreciate?

We’re not by any means against new ways of representing the time – a quick browse through our archives will serve to substantiate this – but we cannot help but think that that when abstraction impacts so heavily on usability it is time (pun intended) to address whether the desire to produce something original is perhaps impacting a little too heavily on the very purpose and functionality of the device.

That said, ease of use aside, the GeoFlash ceartianly floats our boat – just don’t ask us what time it is and why, if we cannot even tell the time, why we’re wearing a watch like this in the first place.

Kyokusen Digital Watch – An Abstraction Too Far?

We have long since been great admirers of all things Tokyo flash as you can always count on them to deliver the goods when it comes to breathtaking, innovative and decidedly modern styling, however, in this week where we find ourselves playing devil’s advocate in just about every post we cannot help but feel that their Kyokusen digital watch is perhaps loosing sight of usability merely for the sake of bold aesthetics.

Or, to put the above paragraph in a rather more succinct fashion, perhaps we just need to ask the following question: when does a digital watch (or any timepiece for that matter) cease being a timepiece per se and become something akin to an item of interactive jewellery that just happens to represent (rather more so than tell) the time?

Certainly it would be true to say that by far the majority of Tokyo Flash’s collection of watches serve to blur the boundaries between telling the time and representing the time (there is a distinct difference between the two) their Kyokusen watch, for us at least, perhaps pushes a little too far into the latter territory.

Yes the Kyokusen is innovative, and its undoubtedly a head turner, and, depending on your personal taste, it’s either as novel or as hopelessly overstated as we have come to expect from Tokyo Flash, but we cannot help but feel is that the level of abstraction offered pushes this watch just that little too far in the form vs function argument for its own good.

Where the Kyokusen watch fails, in our opinion, is that, in a bid to create a watch that is undoubtedly striking its usability has been demoted to the point where the fact that this device offers a representation of time is almost simply a by-product of what is, otherwise, just an animated (some would say especially gaudy) bracelet.

Perhaps the time (pun intended) has come to politely remind Tokyo Flash that, in order for a device to be a billed as being a watch, the level of de-coding required to glean the time needs to be kept within reasonable limits whilst being ever mindful of the very function that one assumes resulted in the device coming to pass in the first place.

We could go further. We could suggest that, in attempt to product another ‘watch’ that is at least as striking, if not more striking, than the other items in their extensive range Tokyo Flash have found themselves offering up a ‘watch’ that verges on parody.

Few would disagree that Tokyo Flash produces some of the coolest watches around.

Unfortunately, in our humble opinion, the Kyokusen - which retails for $120 - just doesn’t happen to be one of them.

I don’t feel attracted too much by the LED digital watch models, but this new one from Tokioflash looks different than what I am used to see among these types of wrist watches. It was inspired by the neon skylines of Shinjuku and was named Kisai Denshoku.

The time displaying mechanism is pretty simple, compared to the other models on the market, which feature too many LEDs of different colors. It requires you to press a single button to enable the three stages of displaying the time. You can read the time by counting the number of lit hour blocks, ten minute blocks and single minute blocks.
There is a total of 12 bars of orange LED lights on the LED digital watch and I could say that this watch matches men style rather than ladies'.

Kisai Denshoku is made of aluminum and stainless steel with a metallic brushed finish.


Other characteristics of the new LED digital watch from Tokyoflash include the energy saving mode, 3ATM water resistance and a weight of 95 grams.
It is available in Black/Orange and Silver/Orange at a price of $247.72.

Honored by visitors for overall excellence for watches designed for an active lifestyle Suunto is honored for overall excellence with its line of outdoor wristops. The sports precision instrument manufacturer took home the Gearzy Award fromOutdoorzy.com.

The award was decided by thousands of website visitors who voted for which brand of watch they thought was the best for an active lifestyle. Voting began in November and ended in January with Suunto beating out many remarkable competitors. Outdoorzy.com is the first social networking website for outdoor enthusiasts around the world. The site offers a place where users can share their common passions and pool information about his or her adventures, gear and outdoor tips. "It's great to be recognized for the hard work and effort that goes into our wristop computers," says Suunto North America Vice President and Business Director Matt Kaplan, "and to be singled out as the best watchmaker by outdoor enthusiasts makes the honor even sweeter."

Suunto offers a wide variety of watches aimed at getting the most out of outdoor adventures. From the latest wristop GPS watch to the altimeter, barometer and compass models to the training line with heart rate monitors, Suunto covers a wide variety of units for outdoor exploration or exercise. This is the first Gearzy Awards put on by Outdoorzy.com, but its success may turn it into an annual event, "Thanks to all the nominees who make such fine gear and to everyone who took a moment to cast a vote for companies they believed are the best," said Jason Heflin of Outdoorzy.com. Suunto is a leading designer and manufacturer of sports instruments for training, diving and outdoor sports. Prized for their design, accuracy and dependability, Suunto wristop computers combine the aesthetics and functionality of watches with sport-specific computers. Headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, Suunto employs more than 500 people worldwide and distributes its products to more than 80 countries. The company is a subsidiary of Helsinki-based Amer Sports Corporation with sister brands Wilson, Atomic, Precor and Salomon. www.suunto.com

Suunto Core - Improving on perfection

If there is one thing we can never accuse Suunto of doing, it is resting on their laurels. As the inventor of ABC (altimeter, barometer, compass) watches and designer of the recognized leader, the Vector, Suunto could easily have sat back and enjoyed a well deserved rest. Instead they devoted years of technological development, field research, user input and design analysis to create a spectacular outdoor tool. The Core series pushes the limits of performance and does it in a style you can be comfortable with on a rock face, in a ski-lodge or enjoying a night on the town.

Incredibly feature laden, the core builds on the Vector's integrated altiimeter, barometer and compass platform with enhanced features found nowhere else. The altimeter/barometer feature has been upgraded to provide you the information you need the most. As you climb the Core will stay in altimeter mode. If your vertical ascent comes to a halt the Core will automatically switch and show barometric pressure to help you decide if storm preparations are required. The barometer will also notify you of danger with a storm-warning alarm, weather trend indicator and weather graph. Additional upgrades include the addition of a Sunrise/Sunset calendar programmable for over 400 locations worldwide, a dual time feature and countdown timer.

Not enough? How about a depth meter for snorkeling? The Core will track your depth down to 30ft and is water resistant down to 100ft/30m. It is programmed for 4 languages, has a serviceable altimeter range of -1,600ft up to 29,500ft and the compass has bearing track/lock as well as declination adjustment.

Fortunately, Suunto was able to pack all of these features in the most handsome package conceivable. The sleek appearance and stylish design looks great right out of the box but also allows you to customize your Core with a selection of replacement straps.

All of the Core watches come with the same functionality. The difference in cost coincides with a difference in case appearance and strap selection.

Where's the military version?? This has become a common question from our customers. Suunto has not released a formal military version of the Core series. If dark and stealthy is what you are after go for the Core Black and orange. Buy a flat black replacement strap and switch it out. Be sure to utilize the black screws from the orange band to keep the shine and sparkle away. If you don't have the tools to make the switch (small screwdriver set) let us know. We can make the switch for you!