© 2024 New Atlas
Around The Home

Twelve24 ClockONE tells the time with E-Ink

By Dave Parrack
June 18, 2014
Twelve24 ClockONE tells the time with E-Ink
The Twelve24 ClockONE is the world's first E-Ink wall clock, which gives it several advantages over traditional designs
The Twelve24 ClockONE is the world's first E-Ink wall clock, which gives it several advantages over traditional designs
View 5 Images
The Twelve24 ClockONE is the world's first E-Ink wall clock, which gives it several advantages over traditional designs
1/5
The Twelve24 ClockONE is the world's first E-Ink wall clock, which gives it several advantages over traditional designs
The ClockONE hangs on the wall using a magnetic mounting system
2/5
The ClockONE hangs on the wall using a magnetic mounting system
The ClockONE is available in a variety of colors
3/5
The ClockONE is available in a variety of colors
The ClockONE is large enough to be a centerpiece in any room, but runs on a single button battery for a whole year
4/5
The ClockONE is large enough to be a centerpiece in any room, but runs on a single button battery for a whole year
Despite its huge span, the ClockONE is ultrathin and extremely light
5/5
Despite its huge span, the ClockONE is ultrathin and extremely light
View gallery - 5 images

The Twelve24 ClockONE is the world's first E-Ink wall clock. E-Ink is normally used in eBook readers such as the Kindle, but Twelve24 has used it as the basis for the ClockONE ... and with good reason, as E-Ink offers some advantages over more traditional displays.

The ClockONE features a simple, elegant design comprising four large digits reminiscent of a digital wristwatch. It's a whopping one meter wide (39 inches) and 35 cm tall (14 inches) but only 4 mm thick, which is about the same as a piece of laminated paper. It also only weighs 3.3 lb (1.5 kg), despite its size.

A magnetic wall-mounting system means the ClockONE is easy to fit and can be adjusted simply by tilting, with no spirit level required. It can also be mounted on top of a bookcase or wall unit, though with this price tag you won't want to risk it falling over and getting damaged.

Despite its huge span, the ClockONE is ultrathin and extremely light
Despite its huge span, the ClockONE is ultrathin and extremely light

The E-Ink display, which can be set to show 12- or 24-hour clocks, requires very little power. This means that despite its size, the Twelve24 ClockONE can reportedly run on a single CR2450 button battery for a whole year. The whole thing is made from milled aluminum with beveled edges, giving it the look and feel of a MacBook Air.

The Twelve24 ClockONE is expected to go on sale in September, with an RRP of US$499. Interested parties can sign up to be informed when the presale launches, with an "exclusive discount" offered as a sweetener.

The video below shows the Twelve24 team talking about the ClockONE, as well as showing how it hangs on the wall.

Source: Twelve24 via NOTcot
Twelve24 ClockONE Story

View gallery - 5 images

Tags

Around The HomeClockAluminumE-InkMagnetic
6 comments
Dave Parrack
Dave is a technology journalist with a ravenous appetite for gadgets, gizmos, and gubbins. He's based in the UK, and from his center of operations writes about all facets of modern and future technology. He has learned more in his five years writing for the Web than he did in 11 years at school, and with none of the boring subjects thrown in to the mix.

Most Viewed

Load More
6 comments
The Skud
Looks quite decorative, but a fair bit too pricy for me. A plastic framed version for about $75 would go closer for the 'mass market'.
Mel Tisdale
For the price it needs to be radio linked to an atomic clock somewhere.
If I had one, I would most like it in the bedroom, on a wall that I can see from my sleeping position and mains illuminated with battery back up for power cuts.
If E-ink displays are easy to make, why not have one that is simply a big, blank rectangle with provision for a usb memory stick, Wi-Fi, or whatever, so that in addition to the time, it can display important reminders for each new day downloaded from ones computer/smart phone etc?
windykites
I get the feeling that they have got a bit too carried away with the design.They must have spent hundreds of hours designing this. There is nothing wrong with an old analogue clock face, which is always easier to read.
It is ridiculously expensive. I think it would probably be better suited for public spaces, because of its large size. I personally would prefer a colour changing RGB LED display.
BigGoofyGuy
Mel Tisdale, I think your idea is an excellent one. Having a square one instead of the outline of the numbers could - IMO - make it way more affordable.
I think using an E-INK screen is a good idea since it only uses power when it changes the number. I think a smaller rectangular E-INK screen would make it less expensive and more appealling(?).
ljaques
OK, this looks like a nice size for industrial use. Think warehouse. For a house, it's far too large to be sane. 3" high letters with backlighting for nightime use would be the ideal for bedrooms, and you'd sell tons to seniors who wake up and don't have their glasses on. I don't see a backlit model option, so I hope they (or Chiwan) offer one.
The magnetic mount is far too fragile for the price of the clock. One good shake and you're out FIVE Benjys. Egad!
Where on Saturn do these guys get their pricing models? Yeah, nice clock, but a price even approaching $100 would be overboard. Five hundred bucks? You have to be chitting me! I'll wait for the smaller, backlit, $21 Chiwanese knockoff next year, thanks.
I applaud the design and raspberry the pricing, sizing, mounting, and lack of backlighting for the time being. I hope these guys wake up and realize that their "one world" clock is -way- out of reach for 96% of us working humans.
pmshah
@ Mel Tisdale
Linking to the a clock radio linked to an Atomic clock is no big deal. Casio has had them in their wrist watches for decades. Addition of this feature certainly would not justify the price.
@ Dave Parrack - "but only 4 mm thick, which is about the same as a piece of laminated paper." Really ? I would certainly like to see it. Forget the paper even laminated boards would be thinner !
BTW has anyone tried to handle a 4 mm thick plate of glass this size? I don't care how you lift it it would be very susceptible to breaking at the slightest jerk unless made out of Gorilla Glass ! Basic "Strength of Materials" formula would fail this design out of hand.