TokyoFlash Geomesh LED Watch – Time But Not As You Know it

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We’ve featured many a TokyoFlash watch here on TFTS as we love nothing better than a modern take on wrist watch design – and if it relies on the liberal use of LEDs then that’s all for the better. That said, there is a fine line between form and function and, in that respect, we suggest that perhaps TokyoFlash’s new Geomesh watch takes things just that fraction too far in the name of originality.

Of course it could be argued that, rather than serving as a timepiece, the Geomesh watch instead serves as a modern piece of jewelery whereby the aesthetics of the device wholly outweigh the devices usability – but if that’s indeed the case the item surely ceases to be a watch and so why bill it as such?

Comprising of 27 LEDs available in either multicolour, white or Blue (our preference) placed behind a mirrored grid the GeoFlash apparently relays the time as follows:

‘Hours are indicated by counting the vertical lights & minutes by the horizontal lights. The minute lights can indicate 5 mins each light or 1 minute depending on the configuration – sounds complicated, but not really that difficult.’

Having looked at the examples, (as featured below) we’re not wholly convinced. Is this abstraction merely for the sake or it, or is it a new means of time telling that we’re just too traditional to appreciate?

We’re not by any means against new ways of representing the time – a quick browse through our archives will serve to substantiate this – but we cannot help but think that that when abstraction impacts so heavily on usability it is time (pun intended) to address whether the desire to produce something original is perhaps impacting a little too heavily on the very purpose and functionality of the device.

That said, ease of use aside, the GeoFlash ceartianly floats our boat – just don’t ask us what time it is and why, if we cannot even tell the time, why we’re wearing a watch like this in the first place.