Though this topic is far beyond my own expertise, I can say off the bat that they’ve scored on the aesthetic front.
The LMW-V1 employs a pro-grade silicone photodiode sensor for quick and accurate readings.Increment Labs
Both inspired by classic camera design and resembling an old-school Casio, the watch features a waterproof aluminum case, a bisected LCD screen and, with the Limited Edition: Black LMW-V1 upgrade, a textured leather strap with vintage camera leatherette grip vibes.
Leaning into the analog nature of classic cameras, the almost handmade-looking case features engraved depth of field lines, while the read button mimics a shutter release.
While the base model has a silver bead blasted aluminum casing and a rubber strap, for $32 more, you can score the Limited Edition: Black LMW-V1, featuring a black anodized casing and a black pebbled saffiano leather strap.Increment Labs
Concerning its functional bona fides, the LMW-V1 is the product of two years of R&D, feedback from hundreds of photographers with issues like co-designer Rich Soler’s own: struggling to translate manual metering into aperture and shutter speed settings.
The idea is that toting a light meter on your wrist helps you train your eye on aperture and speed anytime you like, even when you don’t have your camera, an exercise that will essentially train you to become a much better natural judge of light.
If this GIF is to be believed, the watch’s headline feature is exceptionally easy to use. Increment Labs
According to the team, the watch can serve everyone from beginners to pros looking to streamline their camera kit, though I suspect there will be much more interest from the former than the latter.
Increment Labs also makes the case that the LMW-V1 is superior to smartphone apps that are dependent on the phone’s potentially imprecise capabilities and more reliable than bulky, incidental light meters that work better indoors.
The LMW-V1’s advantage lies in accurate and consistent readings gleaned from a silicone photodiode sensor angled at 45 degrees that employs the same tech used in pro-level exposure meters and industrial optical instruments.
Yes, it tells the time too. Increment Labs
One rather gimmicky but nonetheless cool bonus feature is a “golden hour alarm” calibrated to longitude and latitude, giving you an alert for the best window to capitalize on glorious sunsets and sunrises.
Oh, and just like a traditional tool watch, it also has the most fundamental feature on lock: a 32,000Hz quartz crystal tracks the time and date like a champ.
Availability and pricing
The Increment Labs LMW-V1 is available now on Kickstarter, starting at $162. Estimated delivery is March 2027.
Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.
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