Unusual ways to enjoy time: 5 unusual clocks that display the hours and minutes

No matter how complicated a watch is, how many mechanisms it has, or how unique its design, when it comes to the basic form of displaying the hours and minutes, most of them use two analog hands. Here, we will look at watches that break away from conventional wisdom and have unique time display methods.

MB&F "HM3 Frog X"

Maximilian Büsser and his friends have made a name for themselves with bold, unconventional watchmaking. Among their uniquely designed Horological Machines, the 2010 HM3 Frog is one of the most memorable. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the HM3 Frog, the HM3 FrogX was released in 20. The HM3 FrogX retains the traditional two-eye display for the hours and minutes. The frog-shaped case is crafted from sapphire crystal, allowing the Jean-Marc Wiederrecht-designed movement to be admired from every angle. The sapphire crystal case also allows the colored gasket, which ensures the watch's 3 ATM water resistance, to be seen from the side. The HM3 FrogX is available in three versions, each limited to 10 pieces. The MB&F signature battle-axe-shaped rotor is color-coded to match the gasket.

Urwerk "UR100-V T-Rex"

Urwerk uses orbiting hour satellites to dynamically display time. The latest evolution of this unusual and technically complex system is the UR100-V "T-Rex." Its name comes from the 49.7mm x 41mm case, reminiscent of the scaly skin of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Inside the "Dinosaur" watch is the automatic caliber UR12.01, which powers the three orbiting hour satellites. Each satellite features a red 60-minute pointer that indicates the minutes as it passes over a scale at 6 o'clock. The movement incorporates a planetary gear to prevent overwinding and excessive winding of the rotor. In addition to the hours and minutes, the movement also displays the Earth's orbit and rotation distance on a 20-minute scale.

Ludovic Balluer "Upside Down"

The 2015 "Upside Down" gets its name from its unusual dial featuring upside-down Arabic numerals. Every 60 minutes, the leaf-style minute hand completes one revolution around the dial, and the hour marker rotates 180 degrees to display the next hour. The hour marker that displayed the previous hour then returns to its upside-down state. From 2:1 to 2:59, the "2" marker is displayed facing upright, while the other markers are flipped 180 degrees. At the moment it hits 3:1, the "2" marker disc flips, and the "3" marker rotates to reveal its upright position. To quickly identify the current time, the upright marker disc features a dot.

Konstantin Chaykin "The Joker"

Russian watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin is known for his creations related to calendar complications, but his 2017 Joker is particularly noteworthy. While the dial retains the clown-like appearance, it actually features a regulator-style time display. The hours and minutes are indicated by two rotating "eye" subdials. The wide, grinning mouth houses an unusual moon phase display, with the moon painted red like a tongue. The outer edge of the bezel features the symbols of spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs. The 42mm steel case houses Chaykin's automatic movement, the K07-0, based on the ETA 2824-2 and incorporating a module developed in Chaykin's Moscow atelier. The photo shows the 2017 limited edition.

Volt "V1+"

Volt is a relatively new Swiss brand. Its lineup includes the V1, available in stainless steel or titanium with a 46.7mm x 39mm case, and the V1+, a rose gold V1. The V1 and V1+ utilize a unique roller bearing system that allows the movement's time display to rotate 360 ​​degrees. While the minutes are displayed by a classic center-mounted minute hand, the time is read by combining this rotating display with a sapphire crystal disc mounted on a gear on the dial. The sapphire crystal disc is mostly smoked, and as the minute hand moves, it moves at a slower speed than the time disc. The overlapping numbers on the transparent sapphire crystal and the time disc indicate the current hour. The V01 automatic caliber powering this ambitious and innovative V1 boasts a power reserve of approximately 50 hours and beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour.