Time is one of the most difficult intangibles. It can feel both fleeting and endless. astutely connected to specific places and conditions, but also completely disconnected from context. With the advent of industrialization nearly four centuries ago—electric light “allowed” us to operate beyond the constraints of natural, seasonal rhythms—the very perception of time sped up.
The best we have done as humans to formalize and understand this unstoppable force is the invention of the clock. This ubiquitous, endlessly reinterpreted instrument was modeled after ancient sundials and, before that, the intrinsic patterns of Earth’s rotation. Like a compass that helps us navigate longitude and latitude, the conventional mechanism clearly demarcates the circular measures that time passes through floating hands that move in radial dashes or uniformly depicted numbers. Until now, this mostly visual convention has remained, for the most part, unchallenged.
With an innovative brand of technology of BALMOUDA which was recently released The Clockthis is changing. The small, portable yet mighty device – cleverly carved from a single piece of aluminum and reflecting the form and feel of an old pocket watch – champions the new Light Hour system. With cascading backlit dashes in gentle gradients, there’s no need for an additional device or the aesthetically overloaded layer of hands. Rather than being somewhat ominous, anxiety inducing, The Clock signals the passage of time through gentle sounds and ambient soundscapes.
With a growing desire to push beyond the increasing pressures introduced by industrialization, rather than simply back away from them, this new paradigm better supports real human rhythms. It is designed to facilitate the needs of today’s more health conscious consumer. Through meticulously timed light and sound, The Clock offers wake-up, focus and relaxation functions. The first gradually fades. The second introduces white noise to reduce distraction. The third emits rainfall, cathedral bells and sounds of firewood crashing to imbue its surroundings with tranquility.
“As an adult, sleeping takes effort, and recently I found myself relying on the sounds of rain played from a tablet to help me relax before bed,” says Gen Terao. “However, using a connected device in the bedroom never felt right. This led to a simple idea: to create a dedicated watch designed to support better sleep through sound and light. The watch was developed as a focused, distraction-free tool to improve the way you rest.”
With its lightweight, compact form factor, the device is inherently portable and able to do its thing almost anywhere, without connecting to the environment.
To explore The Clock and other products from the brand, visit balmuda.com.
Photo by BALMUDA.
