Solid State Watch

*** PLEASE NOTE ***

This is an experimental art project. Each piece is handmade in-house. We usually do a drop every few weeks and it takes some time to make each one (around 1-2 weeks).

If you order a SSW, you assume responsibility for inputting your desired UTC time and wrist size.

Please make sure you read this whole page before placing your order and are game with all the hooha. To be notified upon batch releases, scroll to the bottom to sign up for our newsletter and/or follow us on Instagram.

Solid State Watch is a Casio F-91W movement permanently cast into a transparent resin case. It's in there forever. No buttons, no functions, no light, fully waterproof and no changing that 10 year battery.

It just tells time.

This project begins as a celebration of the Casio F-91W wristwatch. Initially released and unchanged since 1989, this affordable, reliable and accurate timepiece is a beautiful feat of engineering. You seriously can't find another piece of technology that's so ubiquitous and does what it is supposed to for as long as it does without any intervention. It's amazing.

Individually cast into a transparent resin case, each Solid State Watch comes with its own unique imperfections.

Your desired time

When you place your order, input your desired time in UTC format. Once your watch is fabricated, the time cannot be adjusted. time.is/UTC is a helpful site to figure out your time in UTC format.

No buttons

The electronics of the Solid State Watch are completely sealed, so you can't push any buttons to switch modes or adjust the time. Your watch ships set to whatever timezone you'd like. Eventually your watch will drift. Worst case scenario, it may drift up to ±1 second/day. But in practice, it will likely be far less than that. If you want to nerd out on its accuracy, check out this youtube video analyzing 100+ F-91Ws that have been running for 13 years.

No battery changes

The Casio F-91W is optimized to last on its 3V CR-2016 battery for 7 years assuming you use the light for 1 second and the 20 second alarm everyday. Since we won’t be using the alarm or light, it should last 10+ years.

No light

Yea, we'll miss that cutie LED. Since the buttons are sealed off, you won't be able to access the light. But really... you don't need it and let's save that battery power.

100% waterproof

Watches are usually rated for water pressure resistance because gaskets and other waterproofing mechanisms all eventually fail under pressure. Solid State Watch is completely solid and waterproof.

Fun bonus : The display of Solid State Watch is visible from all angles underwater. Most watches have air inside them which causes the watch crystal to act like a mirror underwater (unless your viewpoint is near perpendicular to the display).  Since there’s no air inside Solid State Watch you’ll be able to read the display from all angles underwater.

What's that orange dot?

Solid State Watch has a circular fluorescent orange dot placed over the date on the movement. The F-91W movement doesn’t account for leap years, so the date will be incorrect after a Leap Year. The fluorescent orange dot simultaneously masks and draws attention to this imperfection.

What about daylight saving time?

We’re hoping DST goes away soon. Until then, many countries still use it. Since you can’t adjust the time on a Solid State Watch, you can remember to adjust for DST in your head for part of the year or.... get 2 watches ;)

Making your Solid State Watch

We’re casting each and every Solid State Watches in our Brooklyn Studio. The process involves a series of steps, beginning with a 3D print of the main body printed on a Form 3 printer. Then we cast, heat, vacuum and UV cure a movement set to your timezone into the body. This casting process is done in multiple steps to achieve our desired finish. All of these steps are done by hand, and we embrace the slight imperfections of the process that make each watch unique.

Custom Hook Strap© Elastic Watch Band by Nick Mankey Designs

Solid State Watch ships with a Lunar Grey custom printed Hook Strap© Elastic Watch Band with brushed metal hardware, handmade in California by Nick Mankey Designs.

Known for their comfort, quality materials + hardware and ability to absorb strain on your watch’s spring bars, these bands come perfectly sized for your wrist (down to the 1/4”), and have the ability to micro-adjust to the perfect tightness. These are absolutely the most comfortable watch bands you'll ever experience.

Specifications

• Size : 32mm x 38.4mm x 10mm
• Weight : 19g
• Lug width : 18mm
• Estimated battery life : 10+ years
• Movement : Casio F-91W
• Battery : 3V CR-2016