It cranks, it spins, and it requires a glove just to wear.
Steampunk: the combination of futuristic and retro, where gears and gas mix with lasers and LEDs for one of the most badass aesthetics imaginable.
We’ve seen some cool steampunk contraptions before with water guns getting metallic makeovers and purposefully-malfunctioning ramen cup holders, but it’s the steampunk watch recently created by Japanese Twitter user @obura61 that has taken the steam-powered cake.
Watch a video of him showing off his awesome invention here:
https://twitter.com/obura61/status/794778167663677440Oh heck yes! I don’t know about you, but as soon as that spinning-fan-hologram clock lit up, my steam and gear-loving heart melted.
The whole watch weighs in at a whopping 10 kilograms (22 pounds), and requires cranking every few minutes to work, so it’s utterly impractical as an actual timepiece. But as a conversation piece, it’s worth its weight in iron.
Here’s how Japanese netizens reacted:
“Absolutely genius.”
“It’s like you’re constantly lifting a dumbbell when you wear it.”
“At first I was like where’s the clock? Then I was like ohhh yesss.”
“The perfect halfway point between garbage and greatness.”
“This is what lives inside the hearts of men.”
…or at least the hearts of men who want appreciate a good steampunk cosplay! And if you’re one of them, be sure to check out some photos from Steam Garden, Tokyo’s premier steampunk event. The watch would be right at home there among top hat and leather-belt friends.
Source: Twitter/@obura61 via Hamusoku
Featured image: Twitter/@obura61

Japanese Twitter user wows Internet with hologram wristwatch, cat tank, and steampunk creations
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
New 7-Eleven sandwich goes viral in Japan, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Foreign man arrested for walking on Shinkansen tracks, claims he was on the run from yakuza
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Japanese manhole lid raises eyebrows with fertility god symbol that looks like… well, you know
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Manga is More than Just Reading, It’s a Cultural Experience – Expo 2025 with The Seven Deadly Sins
Japanese Twitter user stumbles across legendary deep-sea fish, cooks and eats it four different ways
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says