This may look like a pretty average watch, but in actuality it represents years of effort. This is one solid circular LCD (liquid crystal display) screen, something that is very hard to do. It also displays 262,000 colors, unlike the monochromatic watch LCDs that you are used to.
In the past, all LCD panels needed to be square or rectangular. For years, efforts have been made to give LCD screens more organic shapes, but the nature of their construction made this almost impossible. That left us with boring little screens on our Casio watches.
Color LCD panels are nothing new, but there is little to no color LCD penetration on watch displays. This is due to the necessity for backlighting, which would require frequent battery changes or charging. New technologies are changing this, and what you see is a clear representation of what we can come to expect in the upcoming years. On that note, new types of LCD (and of course OLED; organic light emitting diode) require less or no backlighting at all, which increases the battery life. Further, it is worth noting that because there are TFT (Trans reflective) displays, they have a sharp yet wide viewing angle.
Some of you might be turned off at the thought of having to charge a watch. Think of it this way, how much more work is it to charge a watch than it is to wind a manual watch, or put an automatic watch on a winder when not worn. To an extent, an exciting watch can sometimes have a temporal cost of ownership.
This screen was made by LG, but you can look forward to other companies jumping on board soon. Currently the costs are probably pretty high. But as the laws of technological innovation go, as production increases, costs will go down. If you think of the possibilities they are really vast. The artistic and function flexibility when it comes to designing a watch on a totally circular, color LCD is vast. Watches can take just about any form, either digital or analog, and can obviously change via user command. I even foresee user modifiable DIY watch kits. Think about it. You get the watch and interchangeable straps along with software that allows you to create any type of watch or wrist instrument you want. Now that is a very cool idea.
Look out for more interest technological achievements sure to benefit your love of watches. Read more about LG circular LCD technology here.
See LG electronics on eBay here.
See LG products on Amazon here.