mondo-watch

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Men's Model with Identical Module to the PulsarJapanese manufacturer Ricoh, which collaborated on technology with Hamilton, released another LED watch using a men's dress model module from Pulsar. While the small stainless case design is similar to the Pulsar ladies' model, the red display is cut and stones are used for the top and bottom buttons. These and other details gave it a distinctive look...

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A Shot at the Watch Market with Electronics TechnologyThis LED watch was released by Commodore, a mid-sized maker of desktop calculators and related IC chips, using their own technology. The CBM in the product name is an abbreviation for Commodore Business Machines. It was recommended for use in business situations. While several models had rectangular case designs, the company also released low-p...

Unique Modern Design with a Transformed Case This design is a variation on Junghans' previous black LED watch. Its silver-toned, asymmetrical hexagon-shaped case featured a large, long push button that matched the length of the upper right portion. This both provided better operability and represented a rational and uniquely German style of design. Above the display, rows of dots gave a graphical ...

An Originally-Developed ModuleWhile most manufacturers sold products using all-purpose modules supplied by other makers, Girard Perregaux developed its own. With module 396 installed, this model displayed day of the week in addition to date and 12-hour time display, while module 397 provided a 24-hour time display in exchange for day of the week....

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A Huge Array of Colors and ShapesThese Texas Instruments LED watches feature distinctive plastic cases. The models use the same module but feature a wide variety of case designs and color variations. To provide them at as low a price as possible, the company used plastic and other cost-saving materials for the exterior cases. To eliminate processing such as using screws to hold the modules, the co...

The early Pulsar models used a magnet to set the time. By placing the included magnet in the back cover slots engraved with “HR.” and “MIN.”, the user could fast-forward the hour and minute, respectively. The magnet could be stored inside the metal portion of the bracelet clasp....

Original Model from a Module MakerThis is an original LED watch from Fairchild, a company that supplied LED modules to several other manufacturers. Its unique design features an octagon-shaped case and connected bracelet. The watch sparkles with a pear skin texture throughout. Fairchild released numerous dress watches with small modules, and there was even an OEM model for Tiffany's, the American ...

Stylish Design Using a Swiss-made CaseThis fashion watch features a National Semiconductor-produced module in its Swiss-made metal case. The urethane band's design continues into the front face of the case and appears to pass through the back of the horseshoe-shaped bezel, producing a distinctive case design that resembles a belt buckle. The early-period dot LEDs displayed month and date in additi...

A Leader of Design WatchesThis is an LED watch from French maker Lip. It uses a module made by National Semiconductor. Its futuristic look was created by Roger Tallon, a product designer who was also involved with the interior design of the French TGV railway. The black case is made not of plastic but of coated aluminum....

A Thick Side-View ModelThis watch features the Swiss-produced ESA 9290 side-view module developed by Ebauche. It accents the wearer's wrist with its large, thick and heavy case design. Several case design variations exist and the watch was very popular. French manufacturer Jaz also used this module in some of its products....

Horizontally Linear DesignWhile they retained the futuristic styling of the Pulsar, Hamilton LED watches had a more processed look than the Pulsar's curved surfaces. Perhaps this was to distinguish them from the Pulsar brand. Many of the models sold under the Hamilton name used designs made of horizontally linear parts, and the bangle-like styling of this model is a prime example....

Women's Bangle Style Watch Made of Solid SilverThis women's LED watch is from legendary U.S. watchmaker Gruen. It displays only date in addition to hour, minute and second. Its C-shaped bangle form is tucked onto the wrist through the opening. The main body is made of solid silver. The jewelry-style design and gold and silver combination give it a dressy look....

Calculator Watch with a Massive Case This calculator watch is thought to have been manufactured by Hughes Aircraft, the largest maker of LED modules provided to other manufacturers. The eight-digit, four-function calculator features large keys that can be operated with a finger and without a stylus, but its case is much larger than other models. A different case design for the Compu Chron brand al...

According to its catalog, the Synchronar 2100 was the world’s first watch accurate to +/- 1 second per month, featured internal parts sealed in a gel-like material called Lexan so it passes very stringent shock and water tests, and was programmed to display the correct month and day until 2100, making it a revolutionary model that brought together all of the top technologies of its time. However, ...

World's First Solar-Powered WatchThis was the world's first watch powered by solar energy. Its power was generated by a solar panel on the upper face and stored in a rechargeable battery inside. The LED time display is a side-view style, shown on the front side of the case. The design, a result of both freedom in mechanical design due to the electronics used and the positioning of the solar panel,...

A Smaller Module for a Women's WatchThis women's model was achieved by reducing the size of the module. The bottom button is used to display hour-minute-second, while the top displays month-date. In addition to stainless, 14 karat gold filled and solid 14 karat gold models, a special model was produced with diamonds around the screen. It used a module identical in size to the Men's Dress model but...

A Women's Model with Sporty StylingWith a design similar to the Big Time model, this late model was dubbed “Mini Big Time.” Its rectangular case and 3-link bracelet style make it a favorite among the many dress watches for women. It features a touch sensor that allows display of the time and date with just a light touch. As it was one of the last Pulsar models, few made their way to the market, ma...

Touch Sensor Enhances Ease of UseThis model featured a touch sensor that displayed the time with a light touch. The bottom button displayed hour-minute-second, the top button month-date. A 14 karat gold filled model was available in addition to the stainless model, but the lack of a solid 14 karat gold model suggests that this was a lower-priced model for women. Several case variations, including ...

New Styling with a Curved SurfaceOne of Pulsar's most famous models, this third generation model was often called P-3. In addition to the hour-minute-second display activated by the right button, it also displayed month and date with the left button. Date and time could be adjusted using the magnet enclosed in the clasp of the bracelet. Its integrated case and bracelet look fresh even today....

During the Time of Wavering between LED and LCDThis LED watch features a unique square case. It displayed hour-minute and month-date-day of week. At the time of its release, Citizen had already released LCD digital watches, but since LCD was still unknown in terms of price and durability, the company released several products that used all-purpose LED modules. However, the times were shifting towa...

Case Design with Cute CurvesThis Zodiac LED watch features a stainless case with styling similar to Pulsar, but with a cute roundness with curved corners. The naming, with its space-age feel, is also brilliant. It features a Hughes Aircraft module, with hour, minute, second as well as month and date displayed using just the upper right button....

The First Wristwatch with a CalculatorThis was the world’s first watch to feature a six-digit, four-function calculator. With its solid 18 karat gold case and bracelet, this limited edition luxury item was sold for $3,950. It is believed to have sold about 400 units, with slight variations in bracelet design and engraving. Later, stainless steel and 14 karat gold filled models were sold in stores....

A New Calculator Watch with Slight AdjustmentsIn addition to changes in placement of several calculator keys from the first model, the second calculator watch included the Auto Command feature that displayed the time with a flick of the wrist. LED watches could not constantly display the time due to their high battery consumption, and the use of the calculator consumed even more power. Thus, this ...

A Large, Distinctive Red ScreenThe Auto Command function, which displayed the time with a flick of the wrist, was offered in response to complaints from users that they had to push a button to see the time. The face was covered entirely with red crystal, with a large 3-link bracelet in a design only found in this model. Offered only in stainless steel, it was sold in two variations, one that could...

Dual Display for Bright and Dark AreasA disadvantage of LED was that it could not continuously display the time due to its high power consumption. That is why LCD spread quickly after it emerged as an alternative display device. However, LCD also had its disadvantages. Its visibility in dark places couldn’t come close to that of LED, which emits its own light. Thus, this dual display model was bor...

A Side-view with a Distinguishing DesignMany companies that were supplied with general-purpose modules from other manufacturers tried to distinguish their products from rivals' through case designs. Among these, side-view style models were attractive with their distinctive looks, but there were few general-purpose modules for them. Thus, models such as this one imitated the side-view style by sign...

Two Displays: LCD and LEDThe unique module in this model was developed by Hughes Aircraft. It showed the time on two displays, one LCD and the other LED. The LCD display is constantly on to continuously notify the user of the time, but for viewing in dark places a push of the button could illuminate the LED display. This experimental model emerged during the transition period until LCD displays we...