There are two time modes programmed into Xtal Wood. The first is regular mode and displays time in a row of four stylized hexagonal LED digits. The second mode is cryptic mode - to outsiders these LED shapes look like alien code - but is in fact the same digital numbers with the middle line removed. The 8 is an exception but it's easy to learn. Xtal Wood is easy to read when you know how but creates a sense of mystery for onlookers.