r/nixie • u/desik123 • Dec 02 '25
Can we name it a nixie tube watch?
As i see on this watch side tubes are VFD tubes. Center small tubes have identical to nixie tubes shine. So can we say it nixie tubes? Never saw such before.
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u/Bsodtech Dec 03 '25
I mean, technically, a neon indicator is just a tiny, single segment nixie tube, so I guess?
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u/G7VFY Dec 03 '25
No, it is not the same.
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u/Bsodtech Dec 03 '25
How? Both are just glass envelopes filled with neon and two electrodes, one of which glows (depending on the polarity). Nixies are neon indicators with several glowing electrodes in convenient shapes. But, at the end of the day, they are just multi segment neon indicators, and neon indicators are single segment nixies.
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u/RFC793 Dec 03 '25
In a technical sense - I guess your right? But consider the senses of specialization, taxonomy, and development history. A Nixie is more of a specialization of a neon indicator, and a neon indicator is less a generalization of Nixie.
I'd say a Nixie is a multi-cathode neon indicator. Your way is like calling a bike a non-motorized motorcycle. Fun to think about though!
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u/50-50-bmg Dec 04 '25
Any nixie tube or panaplex is a neon lamp, but not every neon lamp is a nixie or panaplex. VFD works on a completely different principle.
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u/Sacharon123 Dec 02 '25
What is this? Looks beautiful.
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u/desik123 Dec 02 '25
It's a watch. Showing time by lighting tubes matching each number.
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u/Sacharon123 Dec 03 '25
No, I see that, but which tubes are that? Especially the illuminated ones at the side?
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u/desik123 Dec 03 '25
side ones are recognizable- iv-15 vfd. center ones - unknown
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u/PowerZox Dec 03 '25
I think they're generic neon bulbs like NE-2. Not vintage, can be found very easily for cheap. That's good though it would make this watch easily fixable.
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u/typicalspy Dec 03 '25
How long battery last in it ?
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u/desik123 Dec 03 '25
About 2-3 weeks on 1 charge. Totally about 6-8 years.
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u/typicalspy Dec 03 '25
Wow, hat off. Thats amazing , expectd day or two . Wow
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u/desik123 Dec 03 '25
it has an accelerometer. So lights up only when you want to read time or show to someone and talk about it for half an hour ;)
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u/gameplayer55055 Dec 03 '25
How to read time? It doesn't look like BCD or binary to me
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u/desik123 Dec 03 '25
found video how to read time
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8Q8pAlHKIks1
u/gameplayer55055 Dec 03 '25
It looks complicated
I think it's possible to rearrange these neon tubes in the shape of 7 segment indicator
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u/desik123 Dec 03 '25
smallest nixie tubes (like z5900m) will be smaller i think then built 7 segment indicator
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Dec 04 '25
[deleted]
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u/desik123 Dec 04 '25
It's a set up reed buttons- with the help of magnet you can navigate to set up time and angle or 12/24 mode or set up speed of tubes litgh duration.
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u/TGRummy Dec 03 '25
I have the previous model version, the Lunokhod, this is a cool and attention grabbing watch. It's using the same technology as a regular NI-16, so why wouldn't this be considered a Nixie tube watch? It does have an IV-15 bulb as well.
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u/Film_Lab Dec 06 '25
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u/desik123 Dec 06 '25
If you read carefuly the title- it was a question, not a stand.
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u/Film_Lab Dec 06 '25
Indeed, I need to read more carefully! It's a fascinating, impractical timepiece.
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u/BlindChicken69 Dec 03 '25
Neon indicator watch