Benrus LED watch modules

[xevious]

Did Benrus make their own modules or did they outsource from another maker? And what has been the general reliability of those modules? Do they hold up well, relative to other LED watch modules?

I'm a little premature with my inquiry, but I'm brimming with curiosity. I FINALLY managed to find my old Benrus LED watch that I owned back in the 1970's. And, as it turns out, I was smart about storing it as the batteries were removed. Thus, no leakage worries. However, I don't have replacement batteries on hand (Eveready #357). I'll have to order some and give it a try. Anyway, the watch was tucked away deep in a box, but stored up in the attic of my parent's house. In the middle of summer, it could get quite hot up there. So... although there wasn't danger of battery leakage, I'm a little worried that the heat could have affected the module. No telling as to whether it caused any failures until I try a new battery. But it will be a while before I have them in hand to test. Meanwhile, I'm very curious to know what my chances are of having a working module. Any guess on the odds? 9 out of 10?

In any case, the watch model most closely resembles http://www.ledwatches.net/photo-pages/benrus4.htm in the image gallery. Mine differs in several ways. First, there is no branding imprinted anywhere (face or back). Second, the LED red crystal does not extend totally flush to the edges (just a millimeter shy). Third, the chrome side accent runs the full length of the watch (looks better to me than the version depicted), and finally, the watch band has thicker wristband segments. Speaking of segments, I had sized the watch to fit my wrist back in my teens, but thankfully tucked the extra link in the box. It was still there and installing it made the bracelet large enough to fit my wrist comfortably. I've not been able to find a photo of my exact model anywhere. I spent quite some time searching, too. I'm curious as to whether or not I have an uncommon model. I'll have to take some photos soon and upload.

Anyway... until then, if anybody can attest to Benrus module reliability/durability, I'd be keen to hear it. Thanks!

[xevious]

I took some of photos of the watch and module.

Also, forgot to mention that the case back has no battery hatches. You pry off the whole back cover to get to the module and batteries.











I haven't even cleaned it up yet. There are some very small nicks on some of the metal band segments that could probably be buffed out. The crystal has some tiny scratches, but nothing major--looks like it could be buffed clean. I don't know if it is glass or plastic. The toothpaste polish test should help me determine that.


Funny... after having the watch in my possession again, I started recalling the time when I bought it. The store was Caldor's, in Yonkers NY on Central Avenue. I remember looking at so many different models. Very few of them appealed to me. I didn't want gold, as it looked too "bling" for me--brushed silver would be the color. I also didn't like the round LED dials. This particular model by Benrus appealed to me the most, looking futuristic and minimalistic. The long chrome accents along the outside of the case was another thing I really liked about it. The watch was a bit big on my 17 year old wrist, but that didn't matter--I loved this watch. The batteries lasted exactly one year. And by then, LCD watches were picking up momentum. I ended up buying a Casio LCD watch with thin metal casing, and battery life claimed to be 3 years. But I didn't like it all that much... finally, I felt Casio redeemed itself by creating more rugged styled watches, including ones with solar panels that would extend the life of the battery to 7 years. That sold me. I had a G-Shock DW-5200 and a Solar DW-2000 for quite some years to come. I've no idea what happened to the DW-5200, but I still have the DW-2000 and trying to find a replacement module for it.

[SASM]

This is the Frontier module which has been used in quite a lot of watches. If anybody is willing to send a case or a complete watch then I would like to bulid replacements. I´ve quite a lot of non-workers and I would like to have a test case. Best would be at least one working module to see how it works.

Hanno

[xevious]

Thanks for letting me know, Hanno. It's good to know this is a commonly used Frontier module, but a little discouraging to hear of your finding a high number of non-workers. I guess my odds are more like 50/50 of it working, perhaps less. I'm hoping that good fortune will spare me the despair.

[retroleds]

Probably the more discouraging [at least to me] aspect of the Frontier modules, is the ones used in the Hamilton and Omega cases have a slightly large diameter and button contacts that are set at a much shallower depth than the regular Frontier modules. You can easily swap the circuit boards, but there is seemingly a shortage of the plastic hub/contact sets for the Hamiltons and Omegas. I think a lot of the Frontier modules [all types] suffer from misdiagnosis because of the weaknesses in the final connection points - the button contacts are either by virtue of conductive rubber that has now shrunk or by small springs{Hamilton/Omega style] that can easily lose contact. And [understandably]many people are flummoxed* at how to maintian the three power source connections AND screw around with accessing the contacts, and keeping the display face up so they can see what they are doing. A clear plastic stand about 2 inches(4-5 cm) over a mirror is a nice way to see the display, while the module is "arse up". : Granted all is reversed. mrgreen:

*
flum·mox (flmks)
tr.v. flum·moxed, flum·mox·ing, flum·mox·es Informal
To confuse; perplex.
[Probably of English dialectal origin.]

[xevious]

I'm glad to learn that it's possible to disassemble a Frontier module and do some repairs. What are the more common problems with Frontier modules and which ones are feasible to fix? Also, is a replacement working module possible to obtain at "reasonable" cost? Or is it generally better to wait for a beat up LED watch with working module to cannibalize?

Also, is there a detail posting anywhere on Frontier module variations? I've searched a bit but haven't found anything yet. It looks to me like there's two major categories: LED dots and LED bars. The other variation is in the number of functions. What is the most common number?

Btw, great tip about using the mirror--makes troubleshooting quite a bit easier.

Cheers,
Gary

[xevious]

Sorry it has been a while since I posted. I got rather side tracked... long story.

I inserted the new 357 battery cells into the module, loaded it up and...

WORKS!!

I am very glad to see this old watch from my past coming back to life. I set the time and did an accuracy test. It is gaining about a minute every two days, which means ~15 seconds / month accuracy. Seems to be within specification. I take it there's no way to make any adjustments to these old modules, or if it's advisable?

Anyway, I'll have to take some photos when I get a chance.

[retroleds]

I am very glad to see this old watch from my past coming back to life. I set the time and did an accuracy test. It is gaining about a minute every two days, which means ~15 seconds / month accuracy. Seems to be within specification. I take it there's no way to make any adjustments to these old modules, or if it's advisable?

Directly below the round hole in the battery clip, there should be an adjustment trimmer. Clockwise is faster. Understand it only has a total useful adjustment range of approx. 165-170 degrees before it is repeating it's range, starting at the slowest speed. I'd suggest you take a fine tip marker and mark the screw's position. Just nudge the screw a few degrees and then recheck.. And look carefully at the assembly - sometimes they throw someone and they are torquing on the wrong part of the assembly,ripping it from the board . A 2x magnifier is always good until you familiar with a part.

In your original post you asked what modules were in the Benrus' - they used many manufacturers. Different manufacturers positioned the buttons/contacts differently, so you might find almost any Benrus case with buttons in a substantially different position. Yours are at 1 o'clock and 3(setting), I have that same case here that was set up for 2 & 4(National Semiconductor). Good news for your watch - there are all sorts of other modules, from other companies, that will fit your watch with minimal effort. 1/3 positioning was the most common layout .

[xevious]

Thanks for all that great info, RetroLEDs. Very good to hear that many other modules may be available for this watch, in case the day comes when this module fails. I will try to get one to have in reserve, just in case. Are there some references on dwf.nu that address them specifically? Or is it something where you just have to browse through eBay auctions to find ones with the 1/3 control positioning?

I was inspired and took some photos of the watch working:



Also, I am a little embarrassed... when I was checking for accuracy, I had completely forgotten about the seconds display. I was pressing the time display around the approximate time I expected the time to change. It wasn't a reliable measurement. The watch is only 4 seconds off after 8 days, which really isn't bad. I think I will forgo any time adjustments for now, but it's good to know how to do it. Thanks again!


One other thing... it's quite obvious that certain brands and models command significant attention. Pulsar is definitely one of them. And then there are all of those "lesser" models that had obscure brand names that didn't last and some without any name at all. I saw one example of the watch I have where the seller indicated the module inside had "Hughes Aircraft Company" stamped on it. I didn't realize they made LED modules. Anyway, it's not going to be as cheap as I thought about getting a spare module, despite the Frontier module not being used in any of the coveted models. There appear to be "bottom feeder bidders"... many of the vintage LED watch auctions I've checked out have many of the same bidders jumping in time after time.


In any case... my watch was sold as "Benrus" but was not stamped with the brand on it anywhere. Another model of similar design had it on the red crystal only. I'm pretty convinced that Benrus had little to do with this watch, other than just selling it under their name. I doubt they made the casing and definitely not the module.