Matrix M6001 watch uses bars, not hands

Yeah, we've seen wristwatches that did their duty with nary a hand in sight, but few have looked as striking (or peculiar, we can't decide) as this one. Truthfully, the Matrix M6001 is arriving to the oversized watch face party a tick too late, but we're almost willing to forgive the tardiness thanks to its clever method of telling time. Atop the face sits the hours, while minutes (in increments of five and a single 1-4 slot) are listed beneath; put simply, bars on the LCD are lit above the corresponding number(s) as the day whisks away, leaving those freaked out by perpetually moving sticks with nothing to fear. 'Course, you won't find this thing for sale on US soil just yet, but it can be had in South Korea for ?69,000 ($74). Now, if only it played Pong...

[Via UberReview]

[mushrooshi @ Jan 18th 2008 8:36AM]

What? No love for binary watches?

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jan 18th 2008 9:34AM]

It's kinda got that retro, art deco, "Bioshock "look . . .

[JohnTitor @ Jan 18th 2008 9:48AM]

it's not binary and it's not "bioshock"

[Joe Maki @ Jan 18th 2008 8:47AM]

Looks like the first bar on the lower row indicates the minute (1-4).

[computer.dude.28 @ Jan 18th 2008 8:51AM]

I think you're right.. Good catch!

[Wayne @ Jan 18th 2008 8:49AM]

That has to be the least creative non-traditional watch I've ever seen.

[Andre @ Jan 18th 2008 8:57AM]

I like the concept !

[lambmj @ Jan 18th 2008 9:17AM]

Very clever! Hopefully thinkgeek will have it in stock soon. But what about one for those of us who prefer a 24 hour clock?

[Rocketboy @ Jan 18th 2008 9:16AM]

I hate to be the 'that's not news' guy, but come on. How long has TokyoFlash been in business?

[c1906w @ Jan 18th 2008 10:14AM]

i was going to say the very same thing, anyone impressed by this watch should check tokyoflash

[Christopher @ Jan 18th 2008 9:23AM]

No, it's 10:37 in the picture. See the big bar on the ten? That's the hour. Then the little bars fill up to 35, and there are two triangles in the first slot, so that's two more minutes, for a total of 37. Hence, 10:37.

[doubleu606 @ Jan 18th 2008 9:47AM]

so what time is it on that watch? 10:37?

[Brett @ Jan 18th 2008 9:37AM]

actually this concept isnt new... over a year ago i bought a watch at a Dakota Watch Co. in the mall that is this exact same design. only mine is vertical and black, not pink. it looks sharp, but its not convenient for glancing at your watch to figure out the time. i did get a lot of compliments though!

[michas_pi @ Jan 18th 2008 9:41AM]

@Christopher:

Add three more hours to that and I'll lol.

[sorensilk @ Jan 18th 2008 10:13AM]

Um, you can buy this exact watch on the Dakota Watch Co. site. $79.95

https://dakota.webfeatsecurity.com/chosenwatch.aspx?ProdID=410

[Itchy Pajamas @ Jan 18th 2008 10:27AM]

Blechhh!

But I'm such snob... If Patek Philippe announced such a product, I'd be all over it!

[Ally @ Jan 18th 2008 10:41AM]

A watch should be easy to read though, this isnt very easy at a quick glance.

[marko @ Jan 18th 2008 11:24AM]

Seems odd (a big UI design inconsistency) that the 0-9 bars on the top row aren't lit up to indicate 10 o'clock. I guess they thought it looked better this way.

[Kyle Treece @ Jan 18th 2008 12:06PM]

Check out Nooka watches... They are cooler but same concept

www.nooka.com

[DjSnafu @ Jan 18th 2008 11:57AM]

This design has been around for atleast a year at Dakota Watch Co.

[OneLove @ Jan 18th 2008 12:11PM]

Geez, haven't you guys ever heard of http://www.tokyoflash.com/en/

[Jason @ Jan 18th 2008 12:21PM]

I'm liking this one. Hopefully they're available stateside soon.

[Mike C @ Jan 18th 2008 1:44PM]

Shame they couldn't think to have 4 smaller pieces over each increment of 5 and eliminate the need for you to go all the way back to the left to add up the minutes. Nice concept, not followed through enough to warrant a purchase though.

I second Nooka watches over this thing.

[Down @ Jan 18th 2008 1:50PM]

That design (4 smaller pieces over each increment of 5) might not look as good as this though. Especially the because lines the go through it, so having a box is simpler and looks better.

[nathan.wong @ Jan 18th 2008 3:15PM]

Whatever works, I guess. If you're going to use that thing, though, you might as well save your money and use a cellphone to tell time since that watch tells time in 5 minute intervals.

[bolgposts_taf @ Jan 18th 2008 7:54PM]

Tokyoflash has been selling the LED version of this watch for a number of years.

[silverblackvoid @ Jan 20th 2008 12:22PM]

looks awesome! now if only the strap weren't pink...

[unkiebeats @ Jan 21st 2008 7:26AM]

i agree with the tokyoflash fans...this really pales in comparison, also looks really cheap in production aspects...weak chrome that looks like it may be chromed plastic