Time to Geek Out Over This Binary Watch!
APTechnologies' ATmega328-based, LED-lit binary watch is both stylish and functional.
There are many ways to tell time, and one of the more interesting methods that has found its way into the “hack-o-sphere” is using not a dial or decimal numbers, but via binary dots. After finding out about these timepieces, “APTechnologies” decided he wanted one for himself. Unfortunately — or perhaps fortunately — he wasn’t able to locate an existing design that he found both functional and stylish, so he decided to create his own from scratch.
His new wearable features an array of 16 APA102 RGB LEDs, allowing it to show the time in binary-coded decimal (BCD) where each column represents a digit in the “HH:MM” format. Although that seems like it’d be difficult at first, it’s reportedly “pretty easy once you get used to it.” It would also be great practice for rapid binary interpretation.
Different LED colors are used to indicate watch functions. Aside from being capable of displaying both time and date, it can act as an alarm and a stopwatch as well.
The geeky device is powered by a small LiPo battery, with an ATmega328P-AU chip for processing and an M41T62 RTC module implemented to keep accurate time. Electronics are laid out on a double-sided PCB, which is recessed slightly in the 3D-printed open watch face for protection. The custom face is compatible with standard straps and 18mm spring bars, giving it a ton of attachment options.