Tokyoflash Kisai OTO Watch: A VU Meter on Your Wrist

While everyone is going a bit nutty speculating about Apple’s potential iOS smartwatch, Japanese watchmakers are pumping out their own interesting watches. This one includes a sound sensor making it work like the bar graphs on a digital VU meter.

kisai oto watch 1

Based on a design concept by Sam Jerichow, the Tokyoflash Kisai OTO Watch allows you to read the time vertically across two centrally-located lines. The four digits on the left represent hours stacked on top of minutes, while the two digits on the right display the seconds.

kisai oto watch 2a

Above and below the numeric displays, you’ll find the bars, which actually move based on ambient sounds. The bar graphs can be switched off if it’s too distracting, or you can also just switch off the time and just show the VU meter.

kisai oto watch 3

The watch comes in blue, green, red or amber LCD versions, with matching color LED  illumination. Each one is then set into a sleek black anodized aluminum case. Power is provided by a built-in USB-rechargeable battery.

kisai oto watch 2

The Kisai OTO watch is available for an introductory price of $99(USD) through Thursday 2/14 at 4pm Japan time, after which time, the price will increase.

The Shire Springs Up in Suburbia

The Stone House looks totally out of place amidst conventional homes in Hanoi. This building is what it would look like if a hobbit woke up one morning and suddenly the Shire had become suburbia and rows of houses had popped up around him. More »

Ventura Sparc Sigma MGS Watch Looks Better than the Original, But You Still Can’t Afford It

This watch looks interesting, but I wasn’t surprised to learn that it was quite expensive. Apparently, fans of the Sparc MGS watch hounded Ventura to produced a newer and improved model, which is where the Sparc Sigma MGS watch comes in.

ventura sparc sigma mgs

Compared to the original, the Sparc Sigma MGS watch has got a more curvy and organic design, which was created by Paolo Fancelli. The watch is still powered by a micro-generator system housed in a sapphire crystal case, and has a 12-digit LCD. There’s LED backlighting and Ventura’s iconic scroll wheel controller. It’s also got dual time zones, alarm, chronograph, timer, and a 100-year perpetual calendar which will surely outlive you.

ventura sparc sigma mgs alone

Limited editions of the Ventura Sparc Sigma MGS Watch will be available this March, while the production models will be available for $5,400 to $5,550(USD) in April.

[via Uncrate]

Would You Want to Fly Underwater in This Winged Wetsuit?

There can be no denying that designer Guillaume Binard’s “Oceanwings” look slightly ridiculous. But with the promise of letting you fly underwater, they’re a strangely tempting prospect, too. More »

Hide Your Moonshine Operation in Plain Sight with This Prohibition Kit

In the 80 years since prohibition ended in America, home-brewed beer and wines have flourished. Homemade spirits on the other hand have generally remained illegal and illicit (mostly because taxes). Luckily, this gorgeous copper distilling kit breaks down into four innocuous kitchen gadgets when the fuzz comes knocking. More »

Launch Rally Alarm Clock: Ready, Set, Rise!

Here’s an alarm clock that just might make you wake up early just so you can listen to its alarm. Made by Stage One Technology, the Launch alarm clock is modeled after the company’s rally start lights. To complete the theme, the clock emits the sound of a rally car priming its engine. It doesn’t smell like dirt and grass though.

launch alarm clock

Like a typical rally clock, the Launch has six lights that turn on one by one, starting at 30 seconds before the alarm time. At that point the clock will also emit a rally car’s crunchy engine rumble. Aside from the visual and aural likeness, Stage One Technology claims that you’ll be able to set an alarm down to the milliseconds.

You liked that didn’t you? Here’s another video of the prototype in action:

So hoon on over to Kickstarter and pledge at least £119 (~$187 USD) to reserve your own Launch alarm clock now.

[via HomeChunk via Materialicious]

Remind Yourself That Nature Still Exists With a Terrarium Work Desk

If your 9 to 5 has you yearning for a little more nature while you sit behind a computer screen all day, consider trading up your jungle desktop wallpaper for Daniel Zeller’s custom Terrarium Desk. Tucked away inside is a miniature jungle lit with soft LEDs that’s visible through a plexiglass window on top. More »

Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ Sneaker: Your Grandma Didn’t Knit ‘Em, A Robot Did

I was really impressed when I first saw the Nike Flyknit Trainer, with its completely woven upper that is virtually seamless. It looks like Nike is planning on taking the technology to a new level, by integrating it with even better soles.

nike flyknit lunar one plus trainer shoe

Flyknit technology was launched about a year ago, and it’s definitely something interesting to wear, due to its lightness, fit and performance. The Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ is all-purpose runner, and it’s been combined with Nike’s well-performing Lunarlon bottom. While it’s not a Air Max 360 bubble sole, it’s still pretty comfortable and extremely lightweight.

The shoe is also Nike+ enabled so you can track your run with your smartphone or iPod.

nike flyknit lunar one plus trainer shoe knitting

nike flyknit lunar one plus trainer shoe close

nike flyknit lunar one plus trainer shoe pink

The Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ will be available on February 14th, 2013 in many different colorways for about $179 (USD).

[via Nike]

Adorable Toilet Paper Tree Lets You Proudly Display Your Extra Rolls

Why hide your toilet paper stock in a cabinet that guests will just have to hunt through when they run out? This stylish laquered steel tree can be mounted to the wall near your loo where it will store up to 14 extra rolls in plain sight, without looking like an eyesore. More »

You’ll Wish Your PC Was Half As Stylish As This Fanless Mahogany Beauty

Talk about the post-PC area all you like, but some good old-fashion stationary PCs can be pretty damn cool in their own right. This slick, fanless HTPC put together by Jeffrey Stephenson is a perfect example. More »