Pseudonymous maker “Modular” is again with one other Espressif ESP32-powered gadget, and this time it is a wearable: the MicroPython-powered PixelTime chunky wrist watch.

“I actually like some digital watches from the early years and wish to make one for my very own use,” Modular explains, in translation from the unique Chinese language, of the undertaking’s origins. “It’s primarily used as a timing instrument and helps computerized Wi-Fi time adjustment. It additionally helps ultra-low energy consumption to make sure standby time.”

The gadget itself is powered by an Espressif ESP32-C3 microcontroller, a low-power single-core half with a 32-bit RISC-V core operating at as much as 160MHz. Reasonably than a standard show, although, the PixelTime opts for one thing just a little extra eye-catching: a 15×8 matrix of 120 surface-mount RGB LEDs.

Just like the notorious Sinclair Black Watch, launched in 1975 as one of many first inexpensive wristwatches to make use of LEDs as a show, the PixelTime saves energy by protecting the show lit solely whenever you want it. “As a result of giant variety of colourful LEDs,” Modular admits, “a considerable amount of warmth will probably be generated, so long-term operation isn’t really useful. [It] robotically enters standby mode if no operation is carried out for 5 seconds.”

Different options of the watch embody an total thickness of simply 8.3mm (round 0.33″) when utilizing a 200mAh 302530 lithium battery, assist for 20mm watch straps, and a four-pole magnetic charging system to maintain the battery topped up. “No want for classy capabilities,” Modular says of the software program, “only a pure timing instrument.”

Design recordsdata and supply code for the watch can be found on Modular’s GitHub repository underneath the Inventive Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Worldwide license; further data is on the market on OSHW Hub.