My favorite model of all time is this digital sundial: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1068443 It's generated using code that knows the shapes of numbers and "punches them out" of a template object at different angles corresponding to angles of the sun/time relationships.
It would be impractical to make in any method than additive printing.
I'm a fan of this too, I think it's a very clever design. But I also think it'd be pretty trivial to make in a six axis CNC. Maybe even a 4 axis if you're clever with your mounting.