propeller watch?

[John Rehwinkel]

Granted, it's not nixie, but this propeller watch is an interesting idea.

http://www.tokyoflash.com/en/watches/kisai/blade/

- John

[threeneurons]

Boy, that brings back an old cliche about the Japanese miniaturizing everything ! That's taking the old "hard drive" analog clock idea, and sticking it on your wrist:

http://technabob.com/blog/2008/08/03/led-hard-drive-clock-lights-night/

On the general idea of spinning something, and having LEDs, there are also the old propeller clocks. Close to 15 years ago, I made my first "Propeller Santa" Xmas display. A little time later, I saw one about the size of mine (4' diameter), at a trade show. I spoke to the lady running the booth, and asked if she had problems with people poking their fingers in it, too. She probably thought, I was blowing smoke up her skirt. Now you can pick on up at Target for five bucks:

http://www.target.com/p/tg-programmable-led-message-fan-white-black-72-cp278/-/A-14062509#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=14062509

I bought a similar one, not to long ago at the local TRW swapmeet, for the same price:

http://www.sign-in-china.com/products/2413/USB_LED_Message_Fan_with_ON_OFF_Switch_158_11.html

In bulk. 500 minimum, you can get that $3.21 price. I tried it at higher volumes, to get a bigger discount, but that $3.21 price wouldn't budge. That's really a slim margin, for committing to that many units. Especially, since you're now competing with Target. May have to sell it for under $5. Maybe $4. 

[greg...@hotmail.com]

Although the watch itself isn't nixie, it does provide inspiration. Looks similar to my big clock I finished a few months ago, which is all neon( hands are NE-2 bulbs, numerals are B-6091 nixies, and the center is an A101 dekatron). Hopefully the picture attached correctly this time...

Yeah, it took awhile to solder all 306 neon bulbs....and the 14" x 14" PC board took me almost 1 year to layout. But it was definitely worth it !!!