In the beginning, there was the sundial; next came mechanical clocks, then quartz movement and digital electronics. Then, on the 0111th day, there came binary. German-based TimeTechnology is claiming to be the first company to use binary code in a range of wristwatches. Binary is a numbering system using just two digits, usually 0 and 1, compared with our conventional 10-based system that uses digits 0 to 9. It's most common use is in computer coding, and that's how it is used in the binary watch.
Don't worry: despite the marketing tagline 'Chronometry for Intelligent Minds', you don't have to be Stephen Hawking to own one. Basic maths is all you need. The watches, which come in six models with many variations, use a double-line LED display to tell the time. The first line - featuring the numbers 1, 2, 4 and 8 - shows the hours, while the second line - 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 - shows the minutes. To tell the time, wearers simply add up the illuminated numbers. For instance, a light against the 4 and 1 on the first line, and 32, 4, 2 and 1 on the second line, indicates it is 5.39. Some models have a PM indicator and date function. There is even a Swarovski model for those who want some bling with their binary.