Most of the watch concepts that I run across are cool in some way. Most of the concepts look cool for instance and offer a strange way to tell time, but this latest concept watch over at Yanko Design is ugly.
I can see the strange kids running around the local high school wearing pants large enough for three teens and festooned with zippers liking this thing though. The watch is a bracelet that has four zippers on it. Each of the zipper pull tabs is a LED that shows a number.
How It Works
The top two zippers show hours and the bottom zipper pulls show the minutes. The watch only shows the time when a silver button is pressed to activate it. When not activated, it just looks like an ugly piece of punk rocker jewelry. The concept is intriguing in its own right, as it merges fashion with functionality in a way that is rarely seen. The use of zippers as a medium to display time is certainly unique, but it raises questions about practicality and readability.
Fashion Statement or Functional Gadget?
While the design might appeal to a niche audience, particularly those who are into punk or alternative fashion, it is hard to see this concept gaining mainstream acceptance. The watch’s aesthetic is polarizing; it could be seen as a bold fashion statement or just an eyesore, depending on one’s taste. The idea of integrating everyday objects like zippers into wearable technology is innovative, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. For instance, how durable are these zipper LEDs? Would they withstand daily wear and tear, or would they require frequent maintenance?
Moreover, the practicality of reading time from zippers is questionable. Traditional watches and even digital displays offer a quick and easy way to tell time. In contrast, this zipper watch requires the user to press a button and then interpret the LED numbers, which might not be as convenient, especially in situations where quick time-checks are necessary.
Another point to consider is the watch’s power source. LED displays consume battery power, and if the watch is to be used frequently, it would need a reliable and long-lasting battery. This adds another layer of complexity to the design, making it less appealing for everyday use.
Thankfully, this is only a concept and hopefully it will stay that way. However, it does open up a broader discussion about the future of wearable technology and how far designers are willing to go to merge fashion with functionality. Concepts like these push the boundaries of traditional design and encourage innovation, even if they don’t always result in practical products.
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