I just added some glow in the dark stuff under the LCD and on the bezel itself. Looks sick IMO. No back light on or anything. View attachment 10655850

This is awesome!!! How did you do it?

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You need to put a glow in the dark tape or vinyl between the LCD and the backlight panel for the display to glow. The letters on the bezel can be done by stealthing them off, then refilling them with a glow in the dark paint of your choice. I found glowon works best lol. It's all trial and error but you have to be comfortable with messing with the watch.

 

That's sweet!

 

That looks absolutely killer! Nicely done. I'd love to see pics of the progress if you have any.

 

Wow. That's awesome. Nice job.

 

Cool!!!

 

That is exactly what G-Shocks need! Is that a positive display model? Because if so, I guess it gets enough ambient light to charge it up. I would not have expected a positive display in the dark, but glad to see it is. Kudos, Sir, and Applause!

 

I actually made it a negative display. I feared that the display wouldn't get enough sunlight but that isn't the case. I also feared the backlight wouldn't function but it functions normally through the glow strip. I would imagine that with a positive display the glow might be even brighter. Someone should give it a shot I will post progress pics later.

 

Nice to try this. Thanks for sharing.

 

I just added some glow in the dark stuff under the LCD and on the bezel itself. Looks sick IMO. No back light on or anything. View attachment 10655850

It would be great to see a step by step pics.

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I'll try to get that done soon thanks!

 

Very strong glow from the Casio F-108. The interesting thing about this is that a model with an LED backlight has enough space behind the LCD for the Glow Tape. I expected a positive display LCD to let in more light for the Glow Tape, since this is why they are more easily readable than negative displays in low ambient light situations. But seeing it is still a revelation.

Are you aware that some LCDs (many Timexes) are positive display with ambient light, and yet negative display when lit. Backlit, that is. I wonder how they would display with your tape idea. I suspect that they would allow all the light IN to charge up the LCD, but it might be difficult to read the numbers, as it would all come out, too. Unless you wore polarized glasses? Or maybe the numbers would be brighter. Or, best case: they would look like your negative display, only brighter.

Also, OP, what kind of Glow Tape did you use, and where did you get it? Thanks again for bringing something new to the fore.

 

There are so many variations that could be possible, but I don't have any clue about the different types of LCD's. The type of vinyl tape I use is this one -----> Docooler Glow in the Dark Tape Premium Luminous Green Sheet Sticker Film for Warning Labels 3"*8" ¡. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PRKB9EE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_vvvsN9tgWZ643

The glow on this thing is ridiculous and lasts a while.

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Thanks for the information. Looking forward to trying out your mod. For a while I have been favouring analogue watches, because they could be read under very low light situations without performing any action, ie. pressing a button. But your mod enables this advantage to pertain to digitals as well. And of course, for light discipline situations, one could always cover up the watch.

 

OK, tried it on a W96H, a positive display lcd, with big digits. Success! If charged up with a light, it is very readable. Here's a quick shot. Note: I cut the edge off a bit. So there is an uneven border on the left side. Very curious to try it next with a positive display with a negative backlight. I think it will light up the whole surface, and the numbers even brighter. Or, it will be an unreadable wash out. Bets?

The led backlight is still usable, and bonus: you can set the alarms in the dark!

 

This is cool, will add it to the list of mod ideas. Would be nice for a free pics of how you applied it and where exactly, maybe a pic of the module removed?

 

There's 6 clips. There is a piece of reflective paper behind the lcd. I removed it, and cut out a piece of GITD tape to replace it. The main thing is to remember the orientation of everything, and to be careful not to lose the alarm spring.

 

I'll have to take a junker apart and experiment. Good idea.

 

Update: Do not try this with a F91-W, as its lcd is mirrored at the back, and no glow from the tape will penetrate.

Do not try this with a G-7900, as there is no space available, especially if you still wish to have backlight functionality. Also, the lcd is housed in a thin plastic module, which looks hard to open. And even if you did, there would be no clearance.

I do have hopes for the W-800, as it seems to be very similar to the W96. I believe the modules are the same. We'll see if the interior architecture is the same.

edit: apologies for the almost useless pics. When I am in the midst of a by-your-pants-winging-it mod, I never remember to take pics. In the case of the F91-W, there is a clear hard plastic sheet behind the lcd mirror. Not sure what its purpose is, as the green led is on the side.

 

edit. Just noticed: this is my 500th post! Thanks for the entertainment, you mad Wusers! Nau, back to business...

OK, as suspected, a watch that has a negative display backlight works best for this mod. And update on the positive display mod: while the watch does glow all night, after about an hour, the numbers can no longer be read. I think that the negative mods should fare better.

So today I thought I'd try an Armitron, which has a positive display, but when backlit, is negative, ie, only the numbers are lit.

Too late to show it now, but the backlight was pretty cool, the time showing blue, and the date, red. Yes, I had to sacrifice the backlight, because there did not seem to be enough space for both the tape and the backlight panel. Even worse, since the battery is on its last legs, it is quite apparent that pressing the EL button causes a power drain, without producing any light.

But: the glow tape produces a very readable display. Likely all of the ambient light penetrates to the glow tape, and because of the lcd's polarization, only the digits allow any to escape. Perfect!

So that's how they got the original backlight colours.

Here's a pic of the final result in a room in the pale cloudy, but bright, Vancouver weather. Looks OK.

Here are two comparison shots of yesterday's W96H, the Armitron, and my preternaturally accurate SKX779 Black Monster, whose lume has a certain reputation.

Note: these are pics with NO backlight on. As a matter of fact, the Armitron has no backlight, only the glowtape. The backlight on the W96-H is still functional, but the glowtape casts a much more even glow, and is brighter besides.

Next up: Timex Ironman Shock, Casio W-800H.

 

I know this is resurrecting an old post but I'm working on similar mods and I wanted to ask, do you know why/how your Armitron appears to be a negative display with glowing, but its a positive display in the day?

The other watch next to it, the W800H, is also a positive display but the GITD tape shows a "positive" glow display. It's like you're getting the best of both worlds: Positive readability benefits in the daytime, and tactical cool negative display during glow time.

 

OK, the full scale assault on the Timex will have to wait. Took it apart, popped the 4 clips, but I think this thing is glued together. Darn it.

But the W-800H was fairly easy, as expected. Even the backlight panel used the same masking paper. The only hassle was that, unlike the W96H, there were two tabs on the sides of the inside case, which had to be held aside when re-inserting the module. And after putting it back together, there was a huge piece of dust inside. Given the hassle of dealing with the clips, and the fact that the crystal is scratched up anyway, I considered just leaving it. But in the end, I couldn't leave it, and so, had to deal with those darn clips after all. But it was easier the second time.

So, here's the result. L > R, W800H, Armitron 408095SIL, Seiko SKX779 (super accurate, as always). Best results: Choose a positive display, with a negative backlight, and big digits.

edit: no backlights were used in the production of these photos.

 

OK, I debated whether I should do this one at all. It's a WS-200H, and it's pretty much perfect as it is. Solar powered, so no guilt about using the backlight. And despite being solar powered, it has 5 LOUD alarms, including the all important travel must, the SNOOZE alarm. It has an excellent two stage countdown timer, customizable, yet easy to program. And I have it on a custom made velcro'd nato, and it's a pita to remove. All good reasons to leave it well enough alone. So I did it anyway.

Here is the miscreant in question.

Always take a picture before removing a module.

And of course, more of those pita springy tabs which gave me so much trouble with the W800H. Only now there are four of them. Quel drag!

More pics of the module.

And see that tiny spring? I saw that, and my heart sank. I had no idea where that came from. My guess was that it fell out when removing the circuit board from the internal framework. But I couldn't see where it fitted.

But looking at the module pic, it looked like it was that hollow tube-like thing just above the "A" in CASIO. Always take pics!

So, after some cutting, here is the result. And bonus: the backlight is still usable.
But thank Finagle: there was a piece of dust inside! I was going to leave it, but... I couldn't. So despite those horrible tabs, I took it apart, and when I screwed it back together, there was no alarm. That spring just sort of flops about, and needs to be vertical to contact the piezo disc. So after few attempts, the alarm worked again. But. Now there were several dust particles inside. Muttering several bad words, I took it apart once more, removed the dust, applied the back plate about 3000 times, and finally it was done.

There it is, in the middle, surrounded by other patients, and the reference SKX779 Black Monster, accurate as usual.

 

Wow, just wow! Great work, man! :-!

View attachment 11309954

 

Nice work. Looks like fun. Could this technique be used to "boost" the brightness of a negative display?

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...Could this technique be used to "boost" the brightness of a negative display?

I have no idea. I only have one negative display watch, a DW-5600bb1, which I have never worn. I just can't abide the illegibility, so, have decided to keep it pristine, and sell it... eventually. But it looks so great! But I don't wear it. But it looks so great! But...

Oh, I have a modded GD-100 which USED to be negative display, but now has a mirrored positive display. Won't be modding that one any more, as I am pretty sure the mirror prevents light from getting to the back of the display.

The best results, so far, come from positive displays with negative backlights. Guessing that the ProTrek-like models have some potential.

Teh most visible negative displays seem to have really large digits, with a wide font, allowing light to get to the back, and back out the front, like the GD-350. Or, they have a coloured background, and mirrored digits. Some of the JDM gdm-5600s, I think the green one may be like that.

Here's a Globe LE which may be like that.'

(pic "borrowed" from internet)
Theory: teh coloured backround allows more light to get to the back.

If anyone wants to try this with a negative display, I'd love to see it. Come to think of it, heyheyheyhey, the OP, STARTED this thread with one, and it looked excellent!

 

I really wanted to give this one the Lume Tape mod. Big, clear positive display digits, with negative illumination, that should be the ticket. With the three loud alarms (each with its own tone) with Tmx's version of a snooze backup, this would be another great travel watch. But, it was not to be. I can't figure out a way to open the module. Guessing it's glued together.

Or maybe it's a press fit. Will have to try this after making some sort of a jig, to allow greater force to be brought to bear on the subject. Timex: you WILL BE CONQUERED!!! Perhaps. But not today.

So, I was looking at one of the modded watches that I have changed to positive mirror displays. Not super popular among our community, with various complaints about how hard they are to read, ironic, when you see all the kudos that negative display models seem to get. All you have to do is angle the watch properly, and voila! Even easier to read than your garden variety positive displays. In fact, here's a shot taken at twilight in my decrepit garage with a mirrored DW-6900PL-1.

It was DARK in there, and no way could a conventional positive LCD be read, let alone a negative display. But a mirrored display, no problem, if there is anything that is giving off any light you can see.

But the cool thing is, that the backlight of these watches is NEGATIVE.

So, FF to today. Or rather yesterday evening. I have a GD-100, which was modded to a mirror display, my first mod ever, in fact. And I noticed that when the backlight is activated, that not only is it negative, but the background also lights up bluish, albeit dimly. But, what that means is that some light gets through to the back, so the Lume Tape mod should work.

Here's teh watch.

- good view of the scratch I put on the lcd, between the seconds. Problem with a mirror: it doubles the scratch, oh well.

Let's open the watch and take a few pics of the module. Doing this has saved my butt several times.

Notice the alarm spring: It's upside down, such that the little flat section is visible. It should be inverted, so that the flat section keeps the spring from falling out. I made this mistake when doing the mirror mod, but since it did not affect the watch's function, I couldn't be bothered changing it. Also, at that time, I did not take the precaution of photographing anything, so I had a heck of a time figuring how to put the thing back together, and when I did finally do it, I couldn't bear taking it apart again. Of course, I will correct the spring orientation error today.

More pics of the module:

OK, since the GD-100 uses an LED light, the surface you see merely functions as a reflector, and the rectangular dark shapes are merely stand-offs which protect the pcb.

So I cut out a piece of glow tape in the same shape, and since the glow tape has a sticky back, it was easy to transfer the foam rectangles to the back. I tried gluing the glow tape to the white backing paper, but then the rubber lcd contact ribbon did not connect the pcb with the lcd. So I discarded the white backing paper, and just used the tape.

The shape does not have to be exact, as it is not going to be visible.

Oops, wrong way. Don't do this.

This is the right way. But wait, what is THAT? Yes, as is traditional in all of my lume mods, you MUST put it in with a speck of dust. Do not skip this step. I never have, and see, it works for me. Well, at least I hadn't completely assembled it yet.

The backlight of the GD-100 still works, but because the glow tape is sort of floppy, it is now a bit splotchy. But given the outcome, it is acceptable. We Casiophiles envy Timex for their nite-mode, but with the glow tape mod, we have that, and ours is even better! Plus, it doesn't wear out the battery.

Anyway, here it is, with a few of the usual suspects. L > R, W800H, Armitron 408095SIL, GD-100, and the supernaturally accurate SKX779 Black Monster.

Seriously, that MECHANICAL watch is more accurate than several of my QUARTZ watches. It's unreal. but of course, the alarms are super faint. Heh.

 

I'm loving these mods man, what a great idea!

Quick off topic question. The modded mirror display on the GD-100, was that a LCD swap with the mirrored GD-100BW, or did you use some kind of material yourself to make it mirrored? I have a mirrored display mod in mind and I'm hoping to unlock the mystery (to me) of how to make it.

 

No, as my first mod, I used a mirrored LCD obtained from Pacparts (the Golden Era), using the GD-100-1B. I hated its low contrast display in real life. And the mirrored GD-100 had that super shiny dial. In retrospect, I should have bought that one anyway,and just swapped the dial. Much easier than swapping the lcd. But it was a learning experience. And the blacked out lettering of the stealthy 1B decided me on the route I took. There have been some threads on how to create a mirrored LCD display from scratch (heh), but they weren't clear to me exactly how to go about it. Still a mystery to me too. I'd like to turn all my watches into mirror displays with glow tape backgrounds!

 

Excellent job!!

 

I love this particular glow in the dark mod. I wish that there was a YouTube video on exactly how to do this. I'm confused as to exactly what to take apart and how to take apart everything to do this mod on one of my cheaper Casio LCD watches.

 

Teh W-736. Looks a bit like a G, but unlike most Gs, it actually has a loud alarm (but only one, unfortunately), and a very high contrast lcd. I can't praise the lcd enough. Its digits are much smaller than Timex's vibration alarm watches, but in low light conditions, its super reflective silver background makes up for the fact that the digits are smaller. Bravo, Casio. Of course, Timex has that amazing Nite-Mode, which, when activated, causes the negative display Indiglo to illuminate.

But. I have yet to dismantle a Timex module. Don't know if they are glued, or just press fit assembled, but they have, so far, resisted my attempts to open them up.

And it's a sweetheart, the W-736. If you use the audible alarm, it's actually quite loud, but most of us will use the vibrator, which is quite strong, about as strong as the Timexes. And unlike the Timexes, you can set the hourly alarm to vibrate, a surprisingly useful feature. If it only had a snooze feature. And the combo alert the Timexes have, where they vibrate for about 10 seconds, and then beep (loudly) for another 10. Ah well, the perfect watch - there is currently an embargo among the manufacturers not to produce it. I would produce evidence of this, but it's stored in my crawl space on an air-gapped Osborne computer wrapped in aluminum foil underneath 17 pallets of Tofu MREs.

Also, the W-736 is the ideal candidate for the Glow-Tape mod: the LED backlight pretty much ensures that there will be a reflective sheet behind the LCD, so there's room to work. The display is positive, but when lit up, it is negative. Much easier to read the numbers as the glow slowly fades.

The other thing I never mentioned, and it really only applies to negative displays that are LED backlit, is that when your eyes are dark adapted, if the display is slightly too faint to be easily read, using the backlight for a few seconds, with your eyes closed, will charge up the glow tape enough to read the display. So, there is some UV emitted by the LED. But imagine if Casio had used the UV LEDs it has started to employ in some of its Analog models!

Anyway, on to the pics. Sorry for the poor quality. There's an art to it, and I just don't seem to have it. But it should give you an idea. IRL, the human eye has no problem reading these in darkness.

Always take shots of the module.

Lots of tangs to release, holding the layers of the module together securely. That can't be the cheapest way to construct a module, but it sure makes mods easier. Looking at you, Timex.

Group shot of several of the usual suspects, L-R, T-B: GD-100, Seiko SKX013 (nothing really beats analog lumibrite, and man, I sure have luck with 7S26 accuracy!), Armitron 408095SIL, W-736.

 

Totally cool!