Cold War Creations Nixie Clock

During the Cold War, both the USA and the Soviet Union were consistently at odds not only to strike fear into the hearts of their rivals, but also to outdo one another technologically. One of the first types of digital displays, Russian-made “nixie tubes” use cold cathode tubes filled with neon gas and a wire mesh anode attached to a set of very intricate cathodes in the shape each of the numerals to be displayed. Used in Russia up through the 1980s, the tubes were eventually replaced by newer technology due to their costly, high voltage requirements and delicate construction. This clock from Cold War Creations, however, puts repurposed nixie tubes to good use by combining the Russian military’s creation with modern electronics inside hand-cut and polished Simax glass cases. The result of this experiment is a surprisingly contemporary-looking timepiece for the home with just a hint of ominous Soviet flair, priced at $245.

Source: Professional Watches