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The 2008 geek gadget gift guide: Nixie Watch

28.11.2008
Why you must have it: If you remember the 1960s, you'll recall those bulky neon display tubes once used in calculators. The Nixie Watch from Cathode Corner uses those quaint tubes to display the time on a large, not-so-stylish but certainly retro-geeky wristwatch. That's right -- a device for telling the current time that doesn't also make calls, receive messages, or play music. The Nixie Watch is a fashion statement that puts you squarely in the era of the original Star Trek series and the groundbreaking film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Your chances of having the first one on the block: High. Although the watch has been around since 2005, it's custom-made and not exactly cool in the sense of minimalist, futuristic James Bond, Apple, or Ideo gadget designs. It's definitely retro.

What you must know: by an engineer who spent four years figuring out how to make it work will appeal to any true geek. Oh, and it's open source -- of course! Just be sure that when you wear it, you're cautious of your surroundings, since its large size is somewhat like wearing a mini satellite dish on your wrist, notes InfoWorld CTO Council member Rob Lux of GMAC.

What you need: The watches cost $405 each and must be .