It is currently 29 Mar 2024, 06:56


Espa-Optel DSM

Owners of VINTAGE DSM and LCD watches post their topics over here
  • Author
  • Message
Offline
User avatar

hueur

Nerd

Nerd

  • Posts: 26
  • Joined: 20 Apr 2006, 10:18
  • Location: Paris, France

Espa-Optel DSM

Post07 Jul 2006, 16:54

Hello everybody,

Can someone tell me where Espa-Optel watch can de found ?
And is there a website dedicated to them ?

(I am a pulsar integrist but thanks to dwf I discover everydays fantastic lcd and led watches!)

Thanks

H
Offline

LiquidLed

Techie

Techie

  • Posts: 100
  • Joined: 10 Jan 2006, 23:51
  • Location: North West, UK

Re: Espa-Optel DSM

Post07 Jul 2006, 17:45

"Can someone tell me where Espa-Optel watch can de found ?"

To buy, Mine came from (yup you guessed it) eBay

if you wish to see a couple of pics... I'v just posted a couple here http://dwf.nu/viewtopic.php?t=1470

The Espa-Optel (like rewolfs) was taken with an old camera, sorry for the naf quality.

Edited to add: Found this one from Heggie might still be availiable http://dwf.nu/viewtopic.php?t=1446
It is here! It is now!
Offline
User avatar

rewolf

Guru

Guru

  • Posts: 1863
  • Joined: 11 Jul 2004, 15:32
  • Location: Ravensburg, Southern Germany

Re: Espa-Optel DSM

Post07 Jul 2006, 19:31

They are extremely rare.
Last year, Greg Zanoni (son of Louis Zanoni, one of the engineers envolved in DSM development) sold a few on ebay, it's where I got mine from.
It's the early version with flashing display (1Hz, to conserve battery power, they say). The flashing "feature" is a bit annoying, chances are 50:50 that is't off at the moment you look at the display. Another 50:50 that it reflects something dark so you can't read it either (at least with me wearing mostly black). I like to wear my watches (with great care of course), but I gave it up on this one :(.

I'm only keeping it because it's so beautiful, but if somebody offered me for example a very early Seiko in mint condition (like LiquidLed's, but preferably with yellow LCD), or a National Semiconductor/Novus calculator watch, I might consider trading it :wink:.

(Edit: image links removed)
Last edited by rewolf on 11 Jul 2006, 21:06, edited 1 time in total.
Offline
User avatar

hueur

Nerd

Nerd

  • Posts: 26
  • Joined: 20 Apr 2006, 10:18
  • Location: Paris, France

Re: Espa-Optel DSM

Post07 Jul 2006, 19:48

If I find one on ebay one day, what is a good price for this watch according to you ?
Offline
User avatar

rewolf

Guru

Guru

  • Posts: 1863
  • Joined: 11 Jul 2004, 15:32
  • Location: Ravensburg, Southern Germany

Re: Espa-Optel DSM

Post07 Jul 2006, 20:31

Hard to say, DSM version in mint (like new) condition $400+
When ztv99 sold a bunch of watches in early 2005, the price decayed from $800 to $400 (of course I bought mine too early and paid too much :x :wink: ).
Offline
User avatar

hueur

Nerd

Nerd

  • Posts: 26
  • Joined: 20 Apr 2006, 10:18
  • Location: Paris, France

Re: Espa-Optel DSM

Post11 Jul 2006, 20:05

Rewolf,
Thank you for the nice pics !
H
Offline
User avatar

rewolf

Guru

Guru

  • Posts: 1863
  • Joined: 11 Jul 2004, 15:32
  • Location: Ravensburg, Southern Germany

Re: Espa-Optel DSM

Post11 Jul 2006, 21:06

Errr, well, to be honest, I didn't take these pics :oops:
They show my watch, but the seller made them. It occurred to me after I posted them here that this might not be quite ok, so I edited the posting and removed the links. I hope you saved them :wink:
Offline
User avatar

hueur

Nerd

Nerd

  • Posts: 26
  • Joined: 20 Apr 2006, 10:18
  • Location: Paris, France

Re: Espa-Optel DSM

Post12 Jul 2006, 09:11

Of course Idid !
But now I want the watch !
Thanks
H
Offline
User avatar

Seer Taak

Techno Mage

Techno Mage

  • Posts: 596
  • Joined: 23 Dec 2004, 00:04
  • Location: UK

Re: Espa-Optel DSM

Post20 Jul 2006, 19:23

I'm still after a dynamic scattering LCD like these grest examples, but I do have a field effects version in the same style, by Jules Jurgenson. I can definately recommend buying one, as from my experience, they are very reliable, and keep time brilliantly, not to mention the far longer battety life for LCD's than LED's :)
Offline
User avatar

www.digitalwatches.de

Member

Member

  • Posts: 17
  • Joined: 12 Mar 2006, 19:37

Re: Espa-Optel DSM

Post16 Aug 2006, 21:10

Hello,

to all who are interested in dynamic scattering LCDs: Optel was not the only producer of this kind of watches. Other companies developped DSM LCDs in the early 70ies, like Microma, Ness (known for selling the Ragen Synchronar for a period of time), Arctos, Westclox/Seth Thomas and Longines/ESA.

Some of these rare watches are shown at the following site:

www.digitalwatches.de/DEUTSCH_LCD_UHREN.htm

Greetings

digitalwatches

Return to Vintage DSM and LCD Watches

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 48 guests

cron