Pierre Junod Eris Planetary Sphere Watch [Have a Ball With This Timepiece]

If you are up on your geek trivia, you know that back in 2005 scientists discovered the largest known dwarf planet in our solar system, later named Eris. According to Wikipedia, it’s the ninth largest direct solar-orbiting body; it’s approximately 2,500 km (1553-mi) in diameter and 27% more massive than Pluto. So it seems only fitting that designers would be inspired to create a watch that is shaped like a sphere in honor of the discovery of Eris, right? The students at l’Ecole d’Arts Appliques Geneva thought so, too. The result is the Eris Planetary Sphere Watch.

Manufactured by Swiss watchmakers, Pierre Junod, the Eris Planetary Sphere Watch is truly a unique timepiece. It can be worn as a pocket watch, pendant or used as a small desk clock. And at just over an inch in diameter, could do some serious damage in a sling-shot. The unit reports the time with a white hour hand and orange minute hand. The case is constructed of anthracite-anodized aluminum and features laser-engraved figures, mineral glass, and Swiss quartz movement. It also comes complete with a rubber strap just in case you want to wear it around your neck to impress the ladies.

• Diameter: 33.2-mm (1.3-in)
• Weight: 36-g (0.08-lb)
• Battery Ref: Renata Swiss-made 364

The two pointers report the correct time as they float around the equator of this mini-planet with the minutes in the northern hemisphere and the hours in the southern. It actually looks pretty sleek, but I don’t think I’d be confident enough to actually wear it around my neck. The Eris Planetary Sphere Watch will be available for sale late July 2009. You can pre-order yours at www.watchismo.com for $450.