UWO Z-01 is a compact wearable Nixie tube watch built around the Z5900M miniature Nixie tube, combining vintage display technology with contemporary industrial design.
We stock the boards, sensors and modules this project needs. A full parts list is coming soon — for now, browse our DIY Kits & components or search for Analog / Discrete parts.
This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.
We don't carry yet: Battery (generic / unspecified)
Seven Segment / Nixie / VFD
Enclosure / Box / Case
Crystal / Oscillator
charging system
The UWO Z-01 Nixie tube watch is a wearable timepiece that merges vintage cold-cathode display technology with modern portable electronics. At its core, the system relies on a battery and charging system to power the internal circuitry, which must step up the low battery voltage to the high voltage required to ionize the neon gas inside the RFT Z5900M indicator Nixie tubes. Nixie tubes operate on the principle of the photoelectric effect and glow-discharge physics: when a high voltage is applied between a common anode and a specific cathode shaped like a numeral, the gas around that numeral glows with a characteristic orange-red light. Because these watches are compact and portable, the circuit incorporates specialized power-management and high-voltage DC-DC boost conversion to drive the dual tubes efficiently from a small battery source without draining it prematurely. A custom sapphire crystal protects the display face, while a durable Grade 5 titanium case houses the internal electronics, shielding the sensitive miniature tubes and supporting circuitry from physical impact during everyday wear.
Why Build This
Explore the practical challenges of stepping up low battery voltages to drive high-voltage cold-cathode vintage displays in a wearable format.
Examine the integration of exotic materials like Grade 5 titanium and custom sapphire crystal into custom electronic enclosures.
Develop advanced hardware packaging skills by fitting high-voltage circuitry, miniature Nixie tubes, and power management into a compact wrist-watch form factor.
Real-World Application
Wearable timepieces, retro-futuristic consumer electronics, and novel uses of vintage display components.
Skills You'll Learn
High-voltage DC-DC boost conversion
Cold-cathode tube biasing
Battery power management
Portable electronic enclosure design
Compact PCB packaging
Safety Precautions
Nixie tube circuits require high voltage to operate; proper precautions should be taken when handling high-voltage power supplies.
Technology Tags
NIXIE TUBE
Z5900M
WEARABLE ELECTRONICS
WATCH DESIGN
TITANIUM
SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL
Frequently Asked Questions
Nixie tubes are neon gas-discharge displays that require a high DC voltage (typically around 150V to 180V) to ionize the gas and make the cathodes glow, necessitating an internal step-up boost converter powered by the battery.
No, standard watch coin cells or low-voltage lithium batteries cannot provide the high ignition voltage needed for neon glow discharge, meaning a specialized charging and boost circuit is mandatory.
Yes, Nixie tubes are glass electronic components containing internal metal wire forms and a vacuum seal, which is why this design protects them using a robust Grade 5 titanium case and custom sapphire crystal.
Gallery
This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.
Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.
