Nixie tubes!
http://photos-460.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v115/221/24/506936460/n506936460_214413_7432.jpg

I tried to get the blue halo around the number, but it doesn't really show up.
http://photos-460.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v115/221/24/506936460/n506936460_214415_8061.jpg

Next stop: my desk
http://photos-460.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v115/221/24/506936460/n506936460_214416_8378.jpg

IN12's used an upside-down-backwards 2 for the number 5 to save $$. It's a russian nixie, these were used mostly for T&M equipment and computers, as they were cost-prohibitive to use for novelties like clocks at the time...
http://photos-460.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v115/221/24/506936460/n506936460_214417_8693.jpg

And my lunch a few days ago... yes, that's chicken fried rice with fried rice.
http://photos-460.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v115/221/24/506936460/n506936460_214412_7097.jpg

sorry about the food but the clock is outstanding.

build me one, bitch

Whats the life span? Cool stuff.

what are other colors, if any?

build me one, bitch
$150 and I'll do it

Whats the life span? Cool stuff.
Expecting about 5-6yrs out of 'em. There's resistors in there that limit current through the tube. 163V DC in, 2x33kΩ = 2.5mA. The lower the current, the more life you'll get out of the tube. But if you get too little the element won't light up all the way. Fortunately they're relatively easy to come by on ebay.

what are other colors, if any?
You get orange (neon), or orange with a tinge of purple (neon+mercury/argon).

So how does it all work?

So how does it all work?
It's similar to a neon light. Metal screen on the front has about 160VDC over it, and when a # is grounded the gas ionizes around that element and illuminates.

Each pin on the nixie is driven from an HV driver, fed by a PIC chip powered by a zener and clocked by the AC line. Two buttons on the back will advance the hours and minutes, pressing both will switch 12/24hr time. It's really not a difficult design and most of the logic is taken care of in the PIC code.

It's similar to a neon light. Metal screen on the front has about 160VDC over it, and when a # is grounded the gas ionizes around that element and illuminates.

Each pin on the nixie is driven from an HV driver, fed by a PIC chip powered by a zener and clocked by the AC line. Two buttons on the back will advance the hours and minutes, pressing both will switch 12/24hr time. It's really not a difficult design and most of the logic is taken care of in the PIC code.

how much would it cost me to make? are there kits?

there are kits!1 OOOH!
http://tubeclock.com/images/IN14_Clear_Front2.jpg

I like that one

Awhh sweet, tubes. They'll look awesome next to a few tube amps.

Awhh sweet, tubes. They'll look awesome next to a few tube amps.

Exactly what I was thinking.