Three unique and unusual watches for an alternative way to measure time

As a self proclaimed Time Designer, I appreciate alternative designs to keeping track of time. Unusual time designs are the ones that feel like a slap in the face making you realise that are definitely different mental constructs of time that might fit you approach to life better.

The slow time watch

The "attitude" of the watch reminds me of the book you’ll find in any Danish book store, titled “the Art of Making Memories” by Meik Wiking, the founder of the world's first Happiness Research Institute.

The slow watch design is like a chilled-out friend in a busy crowd. It has only one hand that takes a leisurely stroll around the clock in 24 hours, nudging us to slow down and enjoy the simple beauty of time. Instead of stressing about each second, this watch encourages us to appreciate the little moments with easygoing style. In a world that's always rushing, the slow watch design is a reminder to take it easy and enjoy the ride, turning time into a relaxed and simple joy.

slow time watch

The submarine watch

If the Slow Watch displays 24 hours for a philosophy of minimalism and contemplative aesthetic, encouraging a deliberate and unhurried approach to time, the Submarine Watch by Raketa displays the 24 hours for those who value functionality and durability, particularly in active or adventurous settings.

submarine watch by Raketa

Raketa's Sonar watch is renowned for its boldly retro aesthetics, reminiscent of Soviet-era timepieces. Staying true to its specialty, the design embraces the principle of form following function, tailoring every aspect to suit the needs of someone operating in a nuclear-powered submarine. The inclusion of a 24-hour scale, reflecting the continuous nature of life within a submarine where there is no clear distinction between night and day, showcases the watch's practicality. While the design execution might not appeal to everyone, the unmistakable originality of the concept sets it apart.

The internet time watch

Essentially, the Internet Time watch is to watches, what Esperanto is to languages: cool idea, but never really took off.

Brain-child of Swatch, the Swiss watch-maker, the Internet Time watch, also known as Beat Time,was conceived in 1998. The idea behind Swatch Internet Time was to create a universal time system that was not tied to geographical locations and time zones, making it easier for people around the world to communicate and coordinate activities in the digital age.

Swatch internet time

Swatch Internet Time divided a day into 1,000 "beats," eliminating the need for time zones and the complexities associated with converting between them. Each beat was equivalent to 1 minute and 26.4 seconds of traditional time. The new system aimed to simplify timekeeping in the era of global communication and the internet, where people from different parts of the world needed a standardized time reference.

If you can get your hands on one of those watches you'll be lucky. een though, I don't understand why you'd want to anyways.

Despite Swatch's efforts to promote Internet Time, it did not gain widespread adoption, and the concept faded over time. The conventional timekeeping system based on hours, minutes, and seconds continues to be the dominant standard for measuring time globally.