Sinclair Black Watch

[rewolf]

I couldn't find a thread dedicated to this famous watch, so I opened this one to post what I think might be an interesting find (I bet most of you know it, but I just discovered it, and it's the first time I see the complete kit on a photo):
www.scienceandsociety.co.uk (don't miss the "related photo").

Just for completeness some more links:
Planet Sinclair: the story, and some hires scans in the Photo Gallery.
(The same article is on www.ledwatches.net, but not all the scans.)

Very nice metal version on www.iainsinclair.com. Never released, but a beautiful piece of design. IIRC, we discussed it some time ago in the forum (thread lost). Especially the description beneath the photo: "The world's first digital watch used LED display technology and small hearing aid batteries combined with special circuitry." This is true, but obviously not referring to the Black Watch (we all know which was the first LED watch )

[digibloke]

That metal version is stunning - I really wish they'd produced it. I guess they ended up going with black or grey plastic to save money and fit in with the rest of their product line.

I remember reading somewhere that these things were so unreliable that they took a huge loss, gave up on them and then used the left-over modules in led travel clocks. Anyone know if theres any truth in this?

Mmmmmm that metal one though...

[rewolf]

...I remember reading somewhere that these things were so unreliable that they took a huge loss, gave up on them and then used the left-over modules in led travel clocks. Anyone know if theres any truth in this?...

Never heard of the travel clocks, but could be possible. The unreliability is legendary...

[digibloke]

Found it. It wasn't a travel clock it was a car clock. Shouldn't imagine that there are too many of these around...

http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/other/microquartz.htm

The artical on the black watch which is linked on this page is great

[rewolf]

The Microquartz (...) proved a success and sold very well, although it didn't make much difference to the company's cash flow problem.

...
Planet Sinclair is a very interesting site, incredible how many innovative products Sinclair devolped (and sad how many of them ended in financial disaster).

[clockace]

i have one of those black watches i bought as a kit in the 1970's it still works, as a matter of fact i am wearing it today. it has been put away for many years, but i thought it would be a kick to see if i still worked. i put in two 386 batts, it lit up, i set it, put a strap on it, and viola, a working kit. i too had heard that this watch nearly bankrupted sinclair with all of its problems and resulting warranty repairs. peter

[f.e.a.r]

I bought a "Microquartz" from a "car boot" sale a few years ago, only paid £1 for it, fired it up and it was working, unfortunately one segment didnt light up so I put it on Ebay, it sold for £65. Those were the days!

[clockace]

[img][img]http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/9951/maui2007132ch4.th.jpg[/img]


some photos of my black watch. i built this from a kit in the late 1970's. as you can see, it still works. peter
[/img]

[rewolf]

Interesting "inside" pics, thanks for sharing