single-use, long scale launch clock by CW&T is designed to outlive you

‘time since launch’ is a timepiece built to count for 2,738 years, offering users a unique way to commemorate a special moment. created by art and design practice CW&T, the clock begins counting once a stainless steel pin is pulled out of a borosilicate glass tube, transforming an arbitrary moment into the beginning of one’s personal epoch.

the single-use, long-scale launch clock was originally conceived at the MIT media lab by CW&T co-founder che-wei wang as one of his several devices designed to give people power over their time. ‘time since launch’ is off the grid, both in terms of power and its ability to keep accurate time and unlike most devices, it doesn’t rely on a surprisingly fragile external multi-billion dollar timing and power infrastructure.

the new york-based studio designed the clock only using essential electrical components to mitigate potential failure points. the body of the timepiece is made from machined aluminum, a borosilicate glass (Pyrex) tube, and a stainless steel launch pin. suspended within the tube is a matte black printed circuit board (PCB) with gold plated traces. it has two chips, a few passive electronic components (resistors, diodes and capacitors), two LCD displays and batteries.

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: sofia lekka angelopoulou | designboom