Nov 23, 2015 | By Kira
Yesterday was Halloween, tomorrow will be Thanksgiving, and Christmas is the day after that…at least, that’s how it feels sometimes, the way the hours seem to rush by in our busy lives. Even just weekends are never as long as we want them to be, and before you know it, it’s time for another 3Ders Monday Warm-Up (which is a good thing, right?)
This week, we’re rounded up twelve 3D printed watches and clocks, one for every hour in the day. While they may not exactly help you regain control of your schedule or become a more punctual person, they will at the very least make excellent conversation starters, whether displayed in your office, home, or on your very wrist—especially if you’re in the middle of explaining why you’re late.
And for the DIYers amongst us, if you’re looking for a new project to while away the time, the timepieces below range electronic smartwatches to gear-heavy mechanical clocks, all you have to do is decide which model makes you tick.
Top Six 3D printed Clocks
1. Hand in Hand Skeleton 3D Printed Clock
The first clock in the selection is an update on the ultra-minimalist Hand in Hand Clock we featured earlier this year. Created by Dutch designer Yvo de Haas, the mechanical design incorporates the minute hand right on top of the hour hand, so that the two move in perfect, symbiotic harmony.
While the original may be perfect for the avant-garde homeowner, de Haas was never in love with it himself. “I am an engineer, I don’t want a slick minimalist clock, I want to see gears,” he explained. So, rather than hiding what makes the clock tick, he decided to show off every single mechanism and gear in his black and gold, steampunk-esque design, the Hand in Hand Skeleton Clock. All parts are 3D printable on a small-format desktop 3D printer except the electronics, which consist of a 5V trinket powering a small-geared DC motor.
2. 3D Printed Mechanical Clock with Anchor Escapement
The next clock also gives us a wide-open glimpse into the intricate mechanics of clock gears. Uploaded by Swiss Thingiverse user Christoph Laimer, this 3D printed wall clock has an anchor escapement and a balance wheel with a spiral spring. Going above minutes and hours, it even has an accurate hand that goes right down to the second, proving that the Swiss are indeed master timekeepers.
Two other great examples of 3D printed mechanical clocks we’ve seen are super simple Holo Clock, and this weighted clock made entirely on a Makerbot.
3. Rainbowduino Word Clock
As cool as they are, gears just don’t speak to everyone. This Rainbowduino Word Clock, on the other hand, would be a great addition to a modern office or home library. Rather than a classic numbered face, it uses a grid of colorful letters to spell out the time. Thingiverse user Russ Hughes was inspired by Andy Doro’s Neomatrix 8x8 word clock, but adapted his design so that the faceplate could be 3D printed rather than laser cut. He also used a Rainbowduino board and 8x8 RGB matrix display to reduce the cost by almost half.
We’ve previously covered a non-rainbowed (but still very cool) 3D printed Word Clock, as well as this unique 3D printed rotary clock that spells out the time and teaches you how to create 3D printed assemblies.
4. Matrix Clock with 3D Printed Frame
This is definitely one of the cooler and more advanced 3D printed clocks on this list, and to understand why, you really have to watch the video to see it in action. Rather than just displaying a static number, the Matrix Clock by Carbon Frog actually displays the time in a rain-like, green and black animation, just like all those cool code shots in The Matrix movies.
Be warned that if you do want to tackle this project, you’ll need more than basic 3D printing skills. Although the frame is 3D printed, the inner electronics include a 16x8 Maxtrix display, a TLC5920 LED driver, an ATMEGA32U4 microcontroller, an Aruidno board that uses a DS1307 TRC, and, optionally a piezo speaker for added musical or sound effects.
5. 3D Printed Chained Sundial
Back in the days before mechanical gears or LED displays, our ancestors read the time by tracking the sun. This 3D Printed Chained Sundial pays tribute to the classic equinoctial sundial at St Katharine Docks in London, but with a modern manufacturing twist. Available for purchase on Shapeways, the Chained Sundial shows the time using the shadows of the numbers of the central cylinder, instead of the shadow of a central bar, like more traditional sundials we’ve seen. It would make a decidedly lovely and functional addition to a backyard patio—just as long as the sun is shining.
For another, even more modern update on the ancient sundial, check out this 3D printed sundial that actually reads digital time.
6. 3D Printed Plotclock/Doodle Clock/Time-Plotting Robot
Whatever you call it, this 3D printed time-plotting robot clock has become something of an internet phenomenon—and for good reason. Combining 3D printing, robotics, and an adorable method for timekeeping, the endearing robot uses a dry erase marker to write out the time on a small white board, before erasing it and starting all over again, every minute on the minute.
We’ve seen several iterations, including an almost entirely 3D printed Whiteboard Clock that writes out the time every five minutes, the ‘Plotclock for Dummies’ guide for DIYers, and this magnetic Doodle Clock by Ekaggrat Singh Kalsi that solves the problem of dry erase markers drying up after just a few hours of use.
Top Six 3D Printed Watches
1. Functional Woodfill Wrist Watch by Fracktal Works
For many, a watch is a deeply personal item. Whether it’s a family heirloom, anniversary gift, or simply a trend, wristwatches are more than about keeping time; they are symbols of style and status.
For those seeking to show off both, this gorgeous 3D printed Functional WoodFill Wrist Watch will certainly fit the bill. And while some designer watches actually cost more than a Ferrari, this one can be almost entirely 3D printed (including the watch body and links) in just a few hours with affordable colorfabb woodFill filament, while the mechanical analog components can be appropriated from a cheap, $2 watch.
The WoodFill Watch was designed in Solidworks by Indian 3D printing startup Fracktal Works, and printed on their Julia v2 desktop 3D printer.
Another company that successfully worked with wood-like filament is Polish studio Jelwek, which launched their functional Jelwek 3D printed watch collection last year.
2. Recyclable Monicker Watch
This partially 3D printed watch has made the list for a very important reason: not only does it have the stylish, luxury elements we seek in a wristwatch; it also stands for the environmental awareness we need.
Designed by Frederic Pieck and Rob Hendrickx, the Recyclable Monicker Watch features a 3D printed watch section made from alumide, a metal composite that is completely regindable and can be used again and again. The leather strap comes from a biofarm and is produced with rain water and solar power, and all other parts except for the clockwork, are completely biodegradable. “Because every part of a Monicker is replaceable and all its materials are either fully reusable or completely recyclable, it never truly dies,” said the Belgian designers. The clock is ticking for Planet Earth, and the Recyclable Monicker Watch represents an elegant yet functional reminder for consumers.
Yet another project that focuses on recycling materials that are perfectly good is the American Artisan Series by Vortic LLC, that uses 3D printing technology to give new life to classic American pocket watches from the late 1800s and early 1900s. It’s an inspiring project that pays tribute to the marvels of classic manufacturing and craftsmanship by relying on the latest 3D printing technologies.
3. Paul Kweton 3D Printed Erstarrt Watch
Austrian Architect Paul Kweton has certainly made a name for himself in the niche market of high-end 3D printed concept watches. His gallery is truly a showcase of what is possible, and though these certainly aren’t your classic Rolex, they are somehow very wearable.
His latest limited edition 3D printed wristwatch is called ‘Erstarrt’, the german word for ‘sclerotic’, ‘solidified’, ‘frozen’. According to his website, “the watch case design represents a fraction/section of a morphing process between two dissimilar geometric shapes. The initial shape of both geometries is randomly generated, the selected fraction/moment in time is controlled and chosen sensibly.”
Though I’m not totally sure what that means, I do know that it was 3D printed in polished ABS, includes a nylon strap, quartz movement, and is absolutely a statement maker.
4. Rolex Submariner Watch 3D Printed Three Times its Size
A classic amongst classics, the Rolex Submariner is perhaps the definitive divers’ watch, and, according to the company, ‘probably the only divers’ watch you can wear with a tuxedo.’ 3D print enthusiast Franc Falco is certainly a fan—so much so that he decided to make an exact 3D printed Submariner replica at 300% scale.
After hours of careful measurement, planning, and several iterations, Falco managed to 3D print every single part except the clock mechanism and Perspex ‘face glass’—that’s roughly 131 individual 3D printed parts, all done with his Ultimaker 2. Yet the final result paid off: The massive display piece is exceptionally crafted and resembles the original in almost every way. Not only does the ratcheting uni-directional rotating bezel system work, but the bracelet has a functional deployant clasp—meaning that if you actually wanted to wear a three times size increased watch, you could.
And while the retail price for an actual Rolex is upwards of $7,000, this one cost Falco just under $100 USD to manufacture. Big watch, bigger savings.
5. Open Source 3D Printed OSWatch
We couldn’t possibly do a list of watches without including an intelligent electronic option—after all, it is the first official year of the Apple Watch, which has been making tech-junkie hearts go pitter-patter (but don’t worry, there’s an app for monitoring that). But for those who aren’t willing to shell out hundreds of dollars for Apple’s notoriously closed-source technology, there’s an impressive open-source option that takes full advantage of 3D printing technology.
Jonathan Cook’s OSWatch was built from the ground up with a 3D printed watch face, back, logic frame, connection port and strap brace. In addition to time and date functionality, the OSWatch also includes email, Facebook notification, and even twitter updates, and is powered by three small boards, a microduino core +, Bluegig ble112 chip and voltage regulator.
It’s a time consuming project for sure that requires extensive soldering experience…but the next time somebody waves their fancy shmancy Apple watch in your face, wouldn’t it feel so good to wave right back with a personalized model you made yourself?
6. 3D Printed Weather Watch
Ok, so this watch won’t tell you the time, but it will let you keep track of something just as practical: the weather. Controlled by Adafruit’s FLORA electronics platform via a 3D printed faceplate, the Weather Watch monitors air pressure and temperature in order to do a short-term weather forecast. Pretty hand, especially in open air festivals, camping, or any other situation where you might be outdoors for a long time, and out of range from any wireless signals.
Believe it or not, this is designer Johnny Lorang’s first wearable. A mechatronics student from Europe, Lorang may not be a weather expert, but he implemented a few weather-forecasting rules of thumb, which can be modified to your region or personal knowledge. “It is obvious that the device cannot obtain the accuracy of established weather forecast services, but what it lacks in precision, it makes up for in style,” he said. “Even if you don’t rely on it for weather predictions, you can use it when you are going for a walk at night to be seen by cars and other road users. This is how you make it your own.”
The full Instructable can be found here, with the downloadable files available on Thingiverse. Although this design might not be the most practical, or the most functional, it’s one of my favourites because it takes something as classic as a wristwatch, and completely turns it on its head thanks to creativity, electronics, and 3D printing technology.
There are countless other 3D printed watches and clocks on the market that could easily have made the list, including the gigantic 3D printed dome clock, the O-Watch kit, a 3D printed smartwatch designed by an 8-year-old, and of course, 14-year-old Ahmed Mohammed’s infamous ‘hoax bomb,’ a homemade clock the student had created for show-and-tell, that ‘blew up’ a nationwide discussion about discrimination, and earned him a free Cube 3D printer as well as personal words of encouragement from Barack Obama himself.
Speaking of time, however, I believe I’ve run out. If there are any other 3D printed timekeepers you would add to the list, be sure to let us know in the comments, or on Facebook or Twitter.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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I'm busy with an interesting clock as well. See my progress here:http://www.soliforum.com/topic/12722/steam-punkish-nixie-clock/
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