The OPT100 NeoFilm 100 by Opt! brings back vintage film rolls by making the rear part into miniature and functional digital cameras. Sized at 35mm, the cartridge device can fit into a pocket or small bag or even hang as an accessory. Colorways such as Yellow and Black, Multi, and White and Orange reinforce the retro reference, and these combinations are also seen in the graphic language of analog packaging. The film roll digital camera may be miniature, but it can still capture images at 3760 x 2128 resolution and record a full HD video at 1920 x 1080 (30fps). It stores the files on a microSDHC card of up to 32GB, which users can connect to a reader to transfer files.

all images courtesy of Opt!, via Rakuten and Sincere Store

silicone-looking barrel as the device’s case

Over time, designs from the past catch their second wind, as the current generation stumbles upon them and tries to bring them back. It’s the same case for the OPT100 NeoFilm 100, which steers away from holding bulky smartphones in hands. The device fits two fingers, and the small display at the back already reflects the retro filters that apps and social media platforms offer. The lens is positioned at the center of the film roll digital camera, and near it is the sensor, almost invisible with its size.

Just above the sensor lies the tiny flash. Wrapped around the film roll digital camera is the retro design of the skin, and from the images, users may be able to peel them off. The shutter button is on the side of the canister, and to protect the device, the brand even includes the silicone-looking barrel, similar to the ones that film rolls had. The miniature digital camera is rechargeable, and users can continuously use it for around an hour. It weighs just around 25 grams, and its proportions are 47 by 25 by 25 millimeters. Looking at it, the film roll digital camera is a familiar reminder of the past, coming back to playfully let users capture images and videos the retro way.

the OPT100 NeoFilm 100 by Opt! brings back vintage film rolls as miniature digital cameras

there’s a flash just above the sensor

a small display at the back

even the skin’s designs are retro styled

the cartridge device can fit into a pocket, small bag, or even hang as an accessory

the gadget can still capture images at 3760 x 2128 resolution

project info:

name: OPT100 NeoFilm 100

brand: Opt!

marketplace: Rakuten, Sincere Store

The post vintage film roll flips into miniature and functional digital camera appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Meet Tinytron, a portable tiny TV that can play movies using an SD card and stream videos from computers connected to WiFi. Built with a 3D printed case, the miniature device runs on a rechargeable battery and has only one control button. Its main heart lies in the use of the ESP32-S3 chip, which chip handles the display output, WiFi features, and file access. The screen is a 1.69-inch panel fixed directly to the development board, and the device can read MJPEG video files from a microSD card. When it’s not present, it streams video from a computer through WiFi using a web interface, which means the user only needs a browser to set it up (no need to install extra software).

The designer, named Tom, wants to use as few hardware parts as possible for his portable tiny TV called Tinytron, hence the use of only three main materials, namely the ESP32 board, an SD card reader, and a battery. The device uses one physical button for all commands. A short press pauses or resumes playback. A double press plays the next file. A long press turns the device on or off. The system also monitors the battery voltage and shows the value on the screen and in the web interface. When the portable tiny TV Tinytrone starts, it switches to SD Card Mode and looks for MJPEG .avi files stored on the card. When files are found, the device plays them in alphabetical order.

all images courtesy of Tom via Youtube and Github

How to make your own miniature television

For those who want to build the miniature device, the designer documents the process in his post, including the many design influences he draws from to create his gadget. The assembly begins with the SD card breakout board. A six-pin header is soldered to the board, and the pins on the underside are trimmed. This step creates the main connection point for the microSD card system. The next task is the preparation of the SPI cable that comes with the ESP32 development board. The cable contains several wires, but not all of them are needed for this project (the instructions detailed in the post list which wires stay and which ones must be cut). The remaining wires link power, ground, and data lines between the ESP32 board and the microSD reader. Electrical tape is wrapped around the male pins to form a simple connector that can be removed when needed. 

The instructions warn that reversing the connector would swap power and ground, which would damage the hardware. After the wiring step, the bezel is glued to the front case piece. The method uses tape as a hinge to keep the alignment steady before the glue sets. The rest of the case connects with snap-fit parts, so it does not require tools. The display is inserted first, with attention to the position of the push button and the USB-C port. The SPI cable must be plugged into the SD board with the blue wire on the left. When closing the back case, care is needed to avoid pressing the battery, which could be unsafe if damaged. Then, the case can be reopened through a small side notch with a flat tool. So far, the maker has only uploaded the video of assembling the portably tiny TV Tinytron, and he has long commented on his plans to make a demo video to show how the device works.

USB port at the top of the portable tiny TV, Tinytron

the case connects with snap-fit parts

the cable contains several wires, but not all of them are needed for this project

side view of the portable tiny TV, Tinytron

the miniature device can play videos using the SD card

the shell of the device is 3D printed

project info:

name: Tinytron

design: Tom

instructions: here

The post make your own portable tiny TV that plays movies and streams videos from computers appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Jelly Key releases a series of handmade, transparent keycaps shaped like retro TVs, taking design cues from the 1984 Apple Macintosh 128K. Dubbed the Art Toy x32 and x77, the collection is made of resin and all crafted by hand, from the smallest detail to pouring and casting. Inside each keycap, there are miniature parts that look like the components of an old computer or a small TV, including circuit boards, power units, capacitors, bulbs, and small wires. Each part is made separately using colored resin, and the wires and circuits are thin, with only 0.3 millimeters thick. After each layer is cast, the resin needs about 23 hours to cure completely, and once the base is ready, the outer TV shell is added, which takes another 24 hours to finish.

The result is a series of artisan-made transparent keycaps that revive the days of retro TV. The front of the piece has small design elements such as a floppy disk slot and a circular power switch, which are not functional but serve as recognizable visual cues from older computers. The screen area is tilted at a 65-degree angle, which makes it easier to see when it is placed on a keyboard or display surface. The back panel of the keycap is translucent so the user can see all the internal parts, especially when the keyboard glows. The transparent resin is polished by hand, and the design uses a harder type of resin to create clearer or more visible pieces per cap.

all images courtesy of Jelly Key

Finishes in crystal clear and frosted translucent

The outer case of the transparent keycaps shaped like a retro TV comes in five finishes: crystal clear, frosted translucent, tinted transparent, colored frosted, and vintage-toned. Each case can be combined with different screen designs, resulting in twelve possible versions. The design of the TV case is inspired by early personal computers, especially the Macintosh 128K from 1984, as the designer of the Art Toy series wanted to capture the feeling of early computer design and translate it into a miniature art object. The screen content of each keycap shows small digital scenes or messages. Some designs are carried over from earlier collections, such as ‘How Are You,’ ‘I Am Great,’ ‘Milky Way Greetings,’ and ‘From the Other Side.’ New designs include ‘Space Odyssey,’ ‘HAL Eye,’ ‘Galactic Intro,’ and ‘First Lander.’ Each one represents a small visual story related to space or technology.

To make the screen, the process starts with casting the picture tube bulb. Then, the tiny characters and elements are placed inside the bulb before a layer of clear resin is poured to make the curved screen surface. Once the resin is hardened, the surface is sanded and polished before being assembled into the case. The entire process is repeated for each individual piece. The assembly process combines all parts together. The screen is attached to the front of the case, and the miniature circuit and internal components are placed behind it. Wires connect the screen to the base, and every connection must be exact since all pieces must fit without gaps. The transparent back panel is fixed last, sealing the TV completely. Before it is closed, each part is cleaned to remove dust since any small particle can be seen through the clear resin, making the retro TV-shaped transparent keycaps a record of craftsmanship.

Jelly Key releases a series of handmade, transparent keycaps shaped like retro TVs

the design takes design cues from the 1984 Apple Macintosh 128K

the collection is made of resin and all crafted by hand

inside each keycap, there are miniature parts that look like the components of an old computer or a small TV

each part is made separately using colored resin

the screen area is tilted at a 65-degree angle

the transparent resin is polished by hand

the back panel of the keycap is translucent so the user can see all the internal parts

there are five finishes available for the series

project info:

name: Retro TV series: First Frame artisan keycaps

company: Jelly Key | @jelly.key

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Casio continues its series of functional watch rings with the release of the downsized G-SHOCK Nano made of bio-based resin. A miniature model of the DW-5600 digital watch, it reproduces the shape and functions of the full-size G-SHOCK at about one-tenth of its scale. It is designed to fit on a finger like a ring, just like the first functional watch ring of Casio following its toy version.

Every part of the Nano version, including the buttons, buckle, and LCD display, is replicated using stainless steel and resin components, similar to the materials used in the full-size watch. The strap includes multiple holes to adjust the fit for different finger sizes, ranging from about 48 to 82 millimeters in circumference. The case and bezel are produced from bio-based resin, a material derived partly from renewable organic sources, and this material still makes the model robust while reducing environmental impact compared to conventional petroleum-based resin.

all images courtesy of Casio

Functional LCD display with calendar and dual time

The inner structure of the Casio G-SHOCK Nano watch ring follows the same construction principles that define the series’ identity. A miniature case made of glass fiber-reinforced resin provides the core strength, and around this, a urethane bezel completely covers the case to absorb shocks from external impacts. Tight sealing is achieved with internal gaskets and a reinforced backplate, allowing the Nano to achieve 20 bar water resistance. It is a digital watch after all, so even if the LCD display is miniaturized, it is still functional and shows hours, minutes, and seconds, along with secondary information such as a calendar, dual time, and stopwatch. The display uses a 6-digit format, identical to that found on the DW-5600. Although the digits are smaller, contrast and clarity are maintained through adjustments in the segment layout and reflective layer. 

Three functional side buttons are integrated into the miniature body, and each performs specific tasks such as changing display modes, activating the stopwatch, or turning on the light. The light function is achieved through a miniature LED system that emits a soft, flashing glow, and it can be scheduled to activate at a chosen time. The frame keeps the classic shape of the DW-5600 series, with its square case, recessed screen, and segmented strap structure. Each Nano is produced with accurate reproduction of the bezel edges, strap texture, and buckle details. Even the buckle is made of stainless steel, consistent with the metal used in the full-size version. Casio offers the G-SHOCK Nano watch ring in three color versions: black, yellow, and red. These colors are among the most recognized from the DW-5600 line and connect the miniature watch to the brand’s long history.

Casio continues its series of functional watch rings with the release of the downsized G-SHOCK Nano

it is a miniature model of the DW-5600 digital watch

detailed view of the model

every part of the Nano version is replicated using stainless steel and resin components

project info:

name: G-SHOCK Nano

company: Casio | @casiowatches_official, @gshock_casio_official

The post nano version of G-SHOCK continues the series of fully functional watch rings by casio appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Kodak revives the retro point-and-shoot photography and vintage filters with the miniature keychain digital Charmera. A modern twist on the brand’s first signature single-use camera, the KODAK Fling, the device brings back the throwaway cameras from the 1980s, now able to save and transfer photos and videos using a USB-C cable and without using any film rolls. The compact and portable device functions as both a digital camera and a collectible item. It is so small that four of these can fit in the user’s hand.

The Kodak digital Charmera with a keychain includes seven different retro-style filters replicating the nostalgic film and vintage photography aesthetics. Alongside these, there are four different Kodak-branded frames that add decorative borders to images and the return of classic photography elements like film sprocket holes or vintage camera branding. A date stamp feature allows users to mark their photos with shooting dates, which is a common feature from film cameras of earlier decades.

all images courtesy of Kodak

Retro Device model with transparent shell 

Inside the compact case sits a digital image sensor that captures both still photographs and video recordings. The camera processes images through built-in software that applies vintage-style filters and frames automatically. There’s no need for them to develop any film; it is all digital. The Kodak digital Charmera with a keychain also connects to external devices through a USB-C port for file transfers without needing WiFi connections. The device requires a micro SD card to store the images and videos, another feature that now seems unusual in personal gadgets.

Kodak offers its digital Charmera with a keychain in seven designs, and one of them comes with a transparent shell so users can partly see the components inside. When they flip the device, a small screen allows them to see the pictures and videos they’ve taken. Another stunt that the brand pulls is the ‘blind box’ selling, meaning users don’t know what kind of design they’re getting until they open the box. Retro photography appeals to the new(er) generation, and Kodak hopes to contribute to the trend through its digital Charmera with a keychain.

Kodak revives the retro point-and-shoot photography and vintage filters with the miniature keychain digital Charmera

view of the device with keychain

it is so small that four of these can fit in the user’s hand

Kodak offers its digital Charmera with a keychain in several designs

one of the designs comes with a transparent shell so users can partly see the components inside

users don’t know what kind of design they’re getting until they open the box

the device also connects to external devices through a USB-C port for file transfers

project info:

name: Charmera

brand: Kodak | @kodakfilm.reto

The post kodak’s miniature keychain digital ‘charmera’ brings back retro point-and-shoot photography appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Miniature and portable record Tiny Vinyl can play a four-minute song on each side of the four-inch disc using any standard turntable. Each record holds up to four minutes of music per side, which is ideal for singles or special releases, and the record measures just four inches across, compared to the standard 12-inch LP format. Tiny Vinyl uses traditional record pressing techniques adapted for smaller formats. The manufacturing process, which uses bio-attributed vinyl, creates authentic grooves that hold audio information just like full-size records.

Each pressing run receives sequential numbering with TV numbers printed on both the packaging and the disc itself for authentication and collectibility tracking. In total, the miniature record Tiny Vinyl weighs only 15 grams, lighter than a standard LP’s 140 grams, and its compact size allows it to fit in pockets. Despite its small size, it maintains the classic vinyl record appearance with grooves, center labels, and the familiar black disc format. Artists can also customize vinyl colors and packaging design just like the traditional 12-inch LP jackets and discs.

all images courtesy of Tiny Vinyl

Vinyl made from renewable plant materials

The miniature record Tiny Vinyl uses 100 percent bio-attributed vinyl, a significant departure from traditional petroleum-based vinyl production. It derives from renewable plant materials instead of fossil fuels, and the manufacturing process creates vinyl that remains chemically identical to traditional vinyl. This material choice reduces the carbon footprint while maintaining audio fidelity. Tiny Vinyl records play at 33 RPM on most manual turntables without requiring special equipment. 

The records work with standard turntable needles and cartridges, but the turntables with automatic features like auto-stop or auto-return may struggle because their tonearms cannot reach the record’s center while maintaining contact. Users must disable these automatic features or make sure that their tonearm can reach the platter center during playback. Each side of the miniature record Tiny Vinyl holds exactly four minutes of audio content. It may be considered a limitation, but it also makes the format ideal for singles, promotional tracks, or special versions. 

miniature and portable record Tiny Vinyl can play a four-minute song on each side of the four-inch disc

the disc still plays using any standard turntable

each record holds up to four minutes of music per side

Tiny Vinyl uses traditional record pressing techniques adapted for smaller formats

the disc weighs only 15 grams, lighter than a standard LP’s 140 grams

artists can also customize vinyl colors and packaging design

project info:

name: Tiny Vinyl | @tinyvinylrecords

The post tiny vinyl makes four-inch portable records that play a song on each side using any turntable appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Physicists at Loughborough University use nanotechnology to create the world’s smallest violin, so tiny it can fit inside human hair. The miniature musical instrument is a test subject for the researchers to try out the capabilities of the university’s new nanolithography system, which can allow them to build and study structures at the nanoscale. While the physicists are able to create the world’s smallest violin, they add that it’s a microscopic image of it rather than a playable musical instrument. In fact, this thinner-than-hair photo sits on top of a small chip. The making of the world’s smallest violin: first, the physicists use a clean chip.

They put the chip into a glove box, and inside, they coat the chip with a thin layer of polymer. Next, they place the chip under the NanoFrazor, which is a nano-sculpting machine from Heidelberg Instruments. They load a violin pattern into the NanoFrazor’s software and set the machine’s parameters. The NanoFrazor’s hot tip then ‘writes’ the violin pattern onto the polymer. After this, they dissolve the polymer, and this process leaves a hole in the shape of a violin. They then move the chip to a deposition chamber and add a layer of platinum. Lastly, they take the chip out of the system and put it in acetone. As soon as the acetone removes all the remaining polymer, a platinum violin comes through, displaying the microscopic image of the instrument.

all images courtesy of Loughborough University

Thinner than a human hair and no larger than dust

The making the world’s smallest violin can be comparable to screen or silk printing, just on a much smaller scale. The physicists at Loughborough University say that the musical instrument’s image measures 13 micrometers across and 35 micrometers tall. For comparison, an average human hair measures between 15 and 120 micrometers wide. In this case, the violin is smaller than a human hair, even no larger than a speck of dust. For the researchers, nanotechnology results like this can help produce small parts for devices, such as smartphone and laptop components.

In return, it can result in making them thinner. Having smaller parts can also mean more components can fit inside a single device. Building the world’s smallest violin builds on knowledge for future research since few NanoFrazor systems exist in the UK at the present time. Tools like such help researchers design experiments to study different materials in various ways, including light, magnetism, or electricity, and to observe how the materials respond. So far, there are already two Loughborough University research projects that are underway using the nanolithography system. One is exploring alternatives to magnetic data storage, and another is investigating how heat can be used for faster and more energy-efficient data storage and processing.

viewers can see the violin through a microscope

view of the human hair strand

image of the violin in the middle compared to the strand of hair next to it

the miniature instrument is a subject to test the university’s new nanolithography system

the making the world’s smallest violin then can be comparable to screen or silk printing

after this, two projects are underway at the university using nanotechnology

project info:

name: World’s smallest violin

institution: Loughborough University | @lborouniversity

physicists: Dr. Naëmi Leo, Professor Kelly Morrison, Dr. Fasil Dejene

machinery: Heidelberg Instruments

The post world’s smallest violin is so tiny it can fit inside human hair appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

There’s a functional miniature Mac in town, and it’s the replica of the original 1984 Apple computer. The mastermind behind it is Nick Gillard. He’s inspired by the project of Matt Evans named pico-mac. He describes his version, then, as pico-mac-nano. It is 62 mm high, around the size of a matchbox, and has USB keyboard and mouse support. Since it is open-source, users can buy the parts and build their own functional miniature Apple Mac.

While the creator bases his design off of Matt Evan’s project, he downsizes it further and still makes it work without needing to plug it into an external monitor. He challenges himself to build the smallest possible Maci replica, using affordable and modern parts, including an LCD screen, all powered by a tiny Raspberry Pi Pico chip. The result, so far, gives him a functional miniature Apple Mac that users can carry in their pockets and use anywhere.

all images courtesy of Nick Gillard (1-Bit Rainbow)

Components fit inside the tiny 3D printed case

Nick Gillard wants the original 1984 Apple Mac display for his functional miniature replica. To do it, he needs a screen with at least 512 pixels across, because that’s how wide the classic Macintosh screen was (512×342 pixels). He has found a 2-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 640×480 pixels and changed the Mac firmware to output a 480×342 image instead of 512×342. In this way, the screen keeps its native resolution with no pixel suffering. Now that the LCD issue has been solved, the creator readies the case of his functional miniature Apple Mac.

The case should be exact because he needs to fit all the other components in a tiny box, not just the screen and the chip. Luckily, he has found a smaller version of the Raspberry Pi Pico Board, made by WaveShare. This helps insert all the parts into his 3D printed, custom Mac case based still on the original 1984 Apple computer. He also positions the USB-C port in the same spot as the ports in the original computer to fully follow its design. Then, he manages to squeeze in a micro-SD card and slot for storage. He even engraves a 1-bit rainbow Apple-style logo inside the back panel of the 3D printed case where the real Mac had the signatures of the original team.

it is 62 mm high, around the size of a matchbox, and has USB keyboard and mouse support

Nick Gillard recreates the Picasso box of the original computer

The front panel of the functional miniature Apple Mac has a cut-out for the LCD screen and a bracket to hold the internal parts, just like the original Macintosh. For the reset and boot-select buttons on the Pico, the creator makes a click-in piece to press them without needing to open the case. He also carefully shapes the inside of the case to reduce the amount of support material needed when printing, saving time and use of plastic. The functional miniature Apple Mac looks finished, but Nick Gillard isn’t yet. The creator wants to go the extra mile.

He does so by recreating even the miniature version of the 1984 Apple computer’s ‘Picasso’ box. He has found a box manufacturer in India who can produce a white, full-color printed box made from corrugated cardboard, just like the real one but only scaled down. There’s even 3D printed polystyrene casing the functional miniature Apple Mac to protect it from scratches. This is the pico-mac-nano’s collector’s edition, the one that’s complete with a custom box, inserts, and accessories. Handy users can make them on their own, and Apple fans who want to bring back the original Mac and carry it anywhere now have the chance to own a scaled-down version of it.

since it is open-source, users can buy the parts and build their own functional miniature Apple Mac

the 1984 Apple Macintosh next to the replica

tiny Raspberry Pi Pico chip powering the unit

the creator also recreates the miniature version of the ‘Picasso’ box

the full-color printed box comes from corrugated cardboard

as seen, view of the replica and its 3D printed case

project info:

name: pico-mac-nano

design: Nick Gillard 

project: pico-mac by Matt Evans

files: here

parts: here

The post miniature mac is a functional replica of the original 1984 apple computer appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The dubbed first-ever house on the moon, named The Moonhouse, expects to land on June 5th, 2025, at 9:24pm CET time. It’s a tiny red house designed as a traditional Swedish cottage, and the project of the artist Mikael Genberg. It launched around January 2025, attached to the lunar rover TENACIOUS. After roaming around the space for over four months aboard the Japanese lunar lander RESILIENCE, the artwork is about to do a soft landing in Mare Frigoris, or the Sea of Cold. It’s not the first time that the team sent a tiny red house to the moon.

Back in 2023, the Japanese exploration company ispace conducted a similar mission with the same sculptural artwork by the Swedish artist. It didn’t touch down successfully. This time around, the artist, who has worked with a team of engineers for the project, hopes that it lands safely on the Moon. Once the lander touches down, the rover is to be deployed so it can scout the moon’s surface for an ideal site to leave the tiny red house. Antoine Bocquier, rover pilot and senior space system engineer at ispace, says that the maneuvering is remotely controlled from Earth. ‘I will operate the rover to identify a location that is both stable and symbolically meaningful,’ he says.

The Moonhouse and TENACIOUS | images courtesy of the European Astronaut Center (Cologne) of the European Space Agency (ESA), unless stated otherwise

The moonhouse by mikael genberg is decades in the making

The Moonhouse may claim the dubbed first-ever tiny red house on the moon only when it has landed and been positioned safely on the surface on June 5th, 2025. The artist Mikael Genberg has always had the dream of having his artwork be on the moon. It started in 1999 when he imagined planting a simple red house on its surface. Two and a half decades later, it is set to come true, backed by a team of engineers who help him realize the dream. The red cottage is an homage to the traditional homes in Sweden. For the artist, building a miniature version of it that might land on the moon means reminding himself, and the viewers, of one’s roots, the origins.

There’s more of a poetic undertone to it. It’s not about politics or pure science (although there needs to be engineering involved to make it happen). The wait has now begun on the fate of the tiny red house setting up a temporary home on the moon. Mikael Genberg’s house has also traveled around the world. It has been up in trees, underwater, and on top of the Globe arena. It has also visited the Great Wall of China and the International Space Station. It even flew 400 kilometers above Earth as a companion to Sweden’s first astronaut, Christer Fuglesang. Its next stop, then, is the moon, hoping to touch down safely this time after its 2023 attempt.

the dubbed first-ever house on the moon, named The Moonhouse, expects to land on June 5th, 2025

it’s a tiny red house designed as a traditional Swedish cottage | from here, all images courtesy of The Moonhouse

the miniature has roamed around the space for over four months aboard the Japanese lunar lander RESILIENCE

back in 2023, ispace conducted a similar mission with the same sculptural artwork

once the lander touches down, the rover is to be deployed so it can scout the moon’s surface for an ideal site

the landing should be at 9:24pm CET time

project info:

name: The Moonhouse | @the_moonhouse

artist: Mikael Genberg 

company: ispace | @ispace_inc

The post first house on the moon set to land soon appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Hautlence reveals Retrovision ‘85 at Watches and Wonders 2025, a watch that flips into a miniature robot around the wrist. It pays homage to a design from a ‘well-known Japanese toy manufacturer,’ as the brand describes it. The Hautlence miniature-robot watch features a self-winding movement from the Vagabonde Tourbillon collection. Its design even evokes retrofuturism. Once the user transforms the Hautlence watch into a miniature robot, they see the display clearly, featuring a central-minute disc with three-hour satellites rotating around it.

There’s a button that the wearer clicks to unfold the timepiece design. The robot shows its form then. Its head unfurls, and its arms and legs stretch out. At the center, time-telling is unconventional than the typical watches. There aren’t any watch hands. Instead, the minutes are at the top of the central disc. Then, the numbers written on the minute markers are the seconds for the timer. Their starting point is at the bottom rather than at the top.

all images courtesy of Hautlence

Hautlence retro-designed watch encased in a miniature robot

The hours of the timepiece appear as the three-hour rotating satellites on the dial, which orbit around the central disc. When the users unfold the timepiece, the three purple discs rotate as if they were dancing. The design team places sapphire crystal at the rear of the Hautlence watch that turns into a miniature robot. Through this, the wearer can see the mechanism operate from the outside. For the case, bezel, and crown, the design team uses 3D printing and titanium for them all, with partial copper-colored PVD coating. The base dial also emerges from titanium with a frosted finish. As for the intermediate dial, it features rhodium-plated brass with blue and purple PVD.

The minute discs come with sapphire as well and applied numerals and Globolight rings. The straps are black rubber with a steel pin buckle. There are a total of 217 components and 39 jewels for the timepiece model. The Hautlence Retrovision ‘85 watch encased in a miniature robot pays tribute to the early days of cartoon and anime shows. It’s the period pixelated graphics in video games and the boom of skateboarding culture. The design team describes their creation as ‘a robot watch inspired by the iconic design of the original, but with a mechanical movement equipped with a flying tourbillon.’ So far, the timepiece design is limited to only eight units in total.

the Hautlence miniature-robot watch features a self-winding movement from the Vagabonde Tourbillon series

the minutes are at the top of the central disc

view of the miniature robot once the wearer unfolds the timepiece

transparent glass at the rear to see the inside mechanism

detailed view of the rear

so far, the timepiece design is limited to only eight units in total

project info:

name: Retrovision ‘85

brand: Hautlence | @hautlence

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