QLOCKTWO W is the word clock for the wrist. Turn your hand and the letter matrix lights up to say IT IS HALF PAST SEVEN; let it drop and the face goes quiet again, a plain steel square with nothing to read until you ask. QLOCKTWO introduced the first W35 in 2012 and the larger W39 in 2017, then let the watch go out of production for several years. The 2026 W is re-engineered rather than reissued, with a rechargeable battery, moon phase, and FLASHSETTER app, which sets the time with a flash of light from your phone. The series has twice won a Red Dot Award, in 2018 and again in 2026. Designed by Marco Biegert and Andreas Funk and made by hand in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany; see QLOCKTWO for the whole family.
HOW QLOCKTWO W WORKS
Nothing on the face moves. The time is spelled out in five-minute steps across a grid of letters, and four dots in the corners account for the minutes between phrases: HALF PAST SEVEN plus two dots is 7:32. A gyro sensor inside the case notices the turn of your wrist and lights the words; the side button does the same if you’d rather press than turn. A light sensor adjusts brightness automatically, so the words remain readable indoors and in daylight. The letters are cut from metal by a photochemical process and finished by hand, which is why they have depth when lit rather than sitting flat under the glass. A press of the button shows the moon phase, a longer press the battery. QLOCKTWO developed the quartz movement in-house in Germany, with a rechargeable battery good for up to ten days. The charger is a small case milled from a single block of aluminum; the watch sits in it face up, charges fully in about two and a half hours, and five minutes on the charger buys a day of wear. Time and settings reach the watch by light, through the FLASHSETTER app, or by hand with the button. The case is 38 mm square and 8.6 mm thin at the edge, stainless steel under hardened mineral glass, water resistant to 5 ATM.
CHOOSING YOUR QLOCKTWO WATCH
Two cases: Fine Steel, brushed and silver, or Black Steel, the same case under a black DLC coating. The black face has more contrast when lit; the brushed steel shows the letter matrix in the metal even when the display is off, which makes it read as a watch rather than a screen. The bracelet is QLOCKTWO’s own Milanese mesh with a double folding clasp, in black or silver and two lengths; Normal fits most wrists, while Small is better below about 6¾ inches. English faces ship from our stock; German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and Arabic are made to order — contact us for lead times. The Arabic face shows the time only, without the moon phase. We can engrave the case back; allow one to two weeks. A USB-C cable and charging case are included; a power adapter is not, and we can add one to your order.
DEALER’S NOTES
People are usually surprised, then pleased, when the face lights and tells the time in words and nothing else. Until you turn your wrist or touch the side button, it stays dark and visually quiet. That takes a little getting used to if you are accustomed to glancing at an always-on watch, but it quickly becomes part of the appeal.
Charging is easy: a few minutes in the aluminum case while you make coffee buys useful time, and a longer charge now and then brings it back to full. Both men and women wear the W. We can engrave the case back for personal and corporate gifts or special events.
QLOCKTWO’s Milanese bracelet is the one the watch was designed with, and our clients have liked it. We also know mesh isn’t for everyone, and we’d rather that not stand between you and the watch, or leave you to swap a strap on your own. As a Clock Forward service, we can have a strap made to order by one of two independent leather makers whose work we trust and fit it here before your watch ships.
The battery is not user-replaceable, and because this generation is new, nobody yet knows its eventual working life. QLOCKTWO can replace it in the US, and we will handle the arrangements when the time comes.
Aside from QLOCKTWO itself, we are the only authorized retailer currently selling the W in North and South America, and we have carried the brand since 2018. One of us wears a W on special occasions.
Quick Help & Manual
Download manufacturer manual
Switching on
We recommend fully charging QLOCKTWO W before using it for the first time (see Charging the battery, below).
If a short press of the button on the right-hand side of the case does not activate the watch, press and hold the button for about 20 seconds. The matrix lights up. The same button does everything else on the watch: a short press, a medium press (about 2 seconds), or a long press (about 5 seconds).
Reading the time in words
The time is shown in words, in hours and five-minute steps. Each lit dot in a corner adds one minute: HALF PAST SEVEN with two dots is 7:32.
The display lights when you turn your wrist (see Gyroscope sensor) or with a short press of the button, then fades on its own.
Setting the time and date
There are two ways to set QLOCKTWO W: the FLASHSETTER app, which sends the time, date, and settings to the watch as flashes of light, or the button on the case.
Option 1: FLASHSETTER app (recommended)
- Install FLASHSETTER: Android (Google Play) | iOS (App Store)
- Open the app, choose QLOCKTWO W, and follow its steps. The app flashes the time, date, and other settings (including Northern or Southern Hemisphere for the moon phase) to the watch. Hold the bottom of the watch over the flashing screen until the watch confirms.
- Tip: put the watch into seconds mode first (four short presses) so the display stays on longer while the app is flashing.
Option 2: the button
A long press opens settings mode. A short press advances the value being set. A medium press confirms it and moves to the next step (or the watch confirms on its own after eight seconds). A final long press saves everything and exits; the matrix shows OK.
1. Long press to open settings mode.
2. Hour: short presses advance the hour. Medium press to confirm.
3. Five-minute steps: short presses advance the phrase. Medium press to confirm.
4. Single minutes: short presses add corner dots. Each press resets the seconds to zero, so you can set the watch to the second. Medium press to confirm.
5. AM / PM: AM is 12:01 am to 12:00 noon; PM is 12:01 pm to midnight. Medium press to confirm.
6. Month. Medium press to confirm.
7. Day. Medium press to confirm.
8. Year: tens digit first, then the units digit. Medium press to confirm each.
9. Save: long press (or wait eight seconds). OK appears and the watch returns to the time.
Gyroscope sensor (wrist activation)
A gyroscope sensor inside the case detects the turn of your wrist and lights the time. It is on by default. If you would rather the watch light only when you press the button, you can switch the sensor off.
- Press and hold the button for about 8 seconds until the gyroscope symbol appears.
- A short press switches the sensor on or off.
- Confirm with a medium press, or wait about five seconds and the setting is saved on its own.
With the sensor off, the time is shown only when the button is pressed.
Moon phase, date, and seconds
Short presses of the button cycle through the displays: time → calendar day → moon phase → seconds. Each display fades back to the time on its own.
The moon phase is schematic: new moon, waxing, full, and waning, with the lit area showing roughly how much of the moon is illuminated. It is drawn as seen from the Northern Hemisphere by default; the FLASHSETTER app can switch it to the Southern Hemisphere.
The seconds display runs for 60 seconds and then fades. A short press returns to the time at any point.
Automatic brightness control
QLOCKTWO W has an automatic brightness sensor, preset at the factory, that adjusts the display to the surrounding light, from a dim room to daylight outdoors.
Charging the battery
QLOCKTWO W has an integrated lithium-ion polymer battery and charges on the supplied aluminum charging case. A full charge lasts up to ten days; a few minutes on the charger adds about a day.
- 1. Connect the charger to the USB-C cable, and the cable to a USB-C power adapter (5 V DC). The adapter is not included; we can add one to your order.
- 2. Place QLOCKTWO W centrally on the charger with the matrix facing up, making sure the charging contacts on the cradle and on the back of the watch line up. Charging starts on its own.
- 3. A full charge from empty takes about three hours. A briefly lit, fully filled battery symbol means the battery is full.
While charging, a short press shows the charge level; another short press brings back the time and the other displays.
Not charging? Check that the watch is lying flat on the charger and touching the contact pins, that the contacts on the case back are clean and dry, and that the cable and power adapter are undamaged and rated 5 V DC.
Storage for 30 days or more
If you will not wear the watch for a while, store it in a dry place and charge it at least every 30 days to prevent a deep discharge. If it has sat unused long enough to run flat, charge it for at least ten minutes and then reset it (press and hold the button for 20 seconds) or set it again with FLASHSETTER.
Checking the charge level
Briefly press the button, then immediately press and hold it for two seconds. The charge level appears as a battery symbol; how much of it is lit tells you how much charge remains.
After about five seconds the watch returns to the time, or a short press returns it straight away. An empty battery symbol means charge soon; when the charge is critical, the symbol appears after every fifth time display.
Adjusting and closing the Milanese bracelet
Adjusting the length. You will need a small flat-head screwdriver or something similar.
- 1. Position the tool under the clasp lever and carefully lever downward. The clasp opens.
- 2. Slide the clasp to a notch that fits your wrist.
- 3. Press the clasp closed until you hear it click.
This short video shows the same adjustment on a Milanese bracelet: How to adjust a Milanese bracelet (YouTube).
Closing the bracelet. Make sure the clasp clicks audibly into place each time; that is the only way to know it is securely fastened.
Finding the serial number
The serial number is engraved on the back of the case. You will need it for any service enquiry, so it is worth noting down when the watch arrives.
Switching off and resetting
Switching off: short press, then a medium press so the charge level shows, then press and hold for ten seconds.
Reset: if the watch does not respond or cannot be set, charge it for at least ten minutes, then press and hold the button for 20 seconds. Set the time again with FLASHSETTER or the button. If the problem continues, contact us.
Care and cleaning
Wipe dirt, sweat, and water from the case and glass with a soft, slightly damp cotton cloth. Do not use polishing cloths, microfibre cloths with abrasive fibres, solvents, or alcohol-based cleaners. Keep the watch out of the bathroom and sauna; it is water resistant to 5 ATM, but it should not be charged in a damp place.
Safety precautions
- External magnetic fields may affect the function of QLOCKTWO W. Keep it away from strong magnets (speakers, induction hobs, magnetic mounts).
- Only use the supplied charger. Other chargers may cause malfunctions or damage.
- Only use a suitable USB-C power adapter (5 V DC with temperature control).
- Do not charge QLOCKTWO W in a damp environment. Use the charger in dry indoor areas only.
- Avoid extreme temperatures, strong impacts, and chemical cleaning agents. These can damage the case, glass, seals, or bracelet. Operating range is 41–95 °F (5–35 °C).
Warranty & repairs
QLOCKTWO’s manufacturer warranty runs two years from delivery, and Clock Forward adds two more, for four years in all. It covers defects in the watch’s components, bracelet or strap, and charger; it does not cover normal wear, or damage from not following the manual or from modifying, opening, or altering the watch.
Battery replacement, seal replacement, maintenance, and repairs may only be carried out by QLOCKTWO or a service centre it has authorised; never attempt to open or repair QLOCKTWO W yourself. Have the serial number from the case back to hand and contact us; we will arrange the service with QLOCKTWO.
QLOCKTWO Updates
Recommended:
Get an email reminder during spring and fall time changes on how to set your QLOCKTWO.
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