Hughes OEM LED Calculator watch - Battlestar Galactica prop?

[dport]

Greetings vintage LED watch fans!

Recently I acquired what I believe is a Hughes OEM LED Calculator watch (which apparently is the non-comercial version of the CompuCron). I'm wondering if this might have been one used as a prop on the original Battlestar Galactica series:

http://www.ledwatches.net/photo-pages/h ... lestar.htm

As seen in the picture, there are NO IDENTIFYING markings on the case anywhere (including the back), the case is slightly different than the CompuChron version, and the inside module looks exactly as pictured below (different watch though).

It was acquired from an older fellow in Los Angeles so it could have easily slipped out of the television studio props department at some point. I don't know if it works yet because I haven't the four batteries it takes, but the watch is in excellent condition so I would be surprised if it didn't work!

** HELP PLEASE **

Are my speculations correct?
Does anyone have any further history on this watch?
Does anyone know what batteries are compatible?


P.S. I would be interested in trading this watch for a cool non-calculator vintage LED watch.

[bruce wegmann]

Yes, you've got it all pretty much correct. I have it on the authority of one of the biggest prop collectors in LA that they used both versions [the Hughes and CompuChron] on the show. However, only Adama wore the gold one, the Warriors wore the same watch in stainless steel. Not a super rare watch, but every time one comes up on eBay, the BG fans bid these up into the stratosphere.
Like the Pulsars, this uses a 357-size cell.

[dport]

Hey thanks for the confirmation and the additional information!

[retroleds]

I'd agree with Bruce that it is not super rare in that unmarked case. They were sold to Hughes employees in the company stores(at their plant facilities in various parts of the world). The CompuCHron marked one is more desired by those who are not BattleStar fans, as the screw type battery hatches means no opening up of the entire back - that complete opening often results in the spring clips for the buttons being lost, as there is nothing holding the module in the case but shear tension of those clips. And those clips are as hard to find as "hen's teeth".

http://www.verticalthought.org/issues/vt17/teeth.htm