Question about early Hughes model watch

[tonyb]

I just picked up a early Hughes watch which apparently does not display the month only the day of the week can anyone guess its age. Has a very low serial number too. Also, I need a band for a Compu Chron (apparently has a Hughes module also but shows the month-probably newer), is there a new band made that would fit it?

Thanks!

tony.

[redled]

I'm not an expert on dating them but generally if the numbers are made up of little dots instead of lines it's an older module, probably 1972-1974 time frame.

as far as the band, it's hard to tell without a picture but if the watch case isn't an abnormal shape any band that's the correct width will fit. Whether it matches the watch is for you to decide. If you want to see what the original band looked like there's probably a picture on Guy Ball's site.

[tonyb]

Thanks for the reply!

They are little dots on the Huges module. The exact date is not important , I just wanted to know if it was early seventies.

The Compu Chron has a unique shape here is a picture. It uses a Hughes module also.

[retroleds]

tonyb:
That watch is fairly common...if you measure the width of the lug and PM me your address, I'll send you a band. A number of simular COmpu Chrons were made using a smaller 25 mm module, and the band would come off one of those since I feel it's a waste of that 25mm module, putting it into a CompuChron case. Your's has the 29 mm module?

Regarding the day, if that module is functioning correctly, it will show a PM dot next to it. When setting it doesn't indicate AM or PM - the PM dot in date mode lets you know whether or not you need to move it ahead 12 hours or not. Unless you don't mind it turing over to a new day at noon. 8)

[tonyb]

Ok that makes sense on the Hughes watch, I have it set correctly, I guess I would have noticed if the date didn't turn over till afternoon.

The CompuChron is a 29 mm module, I think I can fit it with a band from a modern watch.

Thanks for the help. I guess there is a lot to learn about the different modules and there characteristics. Is there anywhere that lists all the different brands and makers of modules with there specifications? I think that would be interesting read.

tony.

[retroleds]

tonyb: You're welcome!

No really complete guide to setting procedures, but I'm going to set up a database for modules very soon. Some of the setting procedure could lead you to thing a module is brain-dead, so ask here if you are perplexed on one that seems to light up and keep time.

The case: consider that it has a single protruding lug, which mean getting a band will require a lot of luck or a bit of grinding. Offer's still good 8)

Or consider the case a protective container for a good module looking for a better case. Or a really retro pocket watch.

[tonyb]

Thanks for the offer I am willing to compensate you for the band. The only problem is I have a large wrist and lately it even larger than normal because I sprained it really bad ice skating.

The Data Base sounds really interesting, keep use posted.

I am trying to get set up for cutting and grinding custom crystals of both mineral glass and scratch resistant plastic for repair in the near future(hopefully by the beginning of the summer).

tony.

[richard_uk]

I'm 99.9% sure CompuChron did a pendant (on a chain) watch using that case, more than likely they just modified some watch cases, it looked like this...

[digibloke]

No really complete guide to setting procedures, but I'm going to set up a database for modules very soon. Some of the setting procedure could lead you to thing a module is brain-dead, so ask here if you are perplexed on one that seems to light up and keep time.]

Just on the subject of a setting procedures: this book shows up from time to time on ebay and amazon.com. It's got a 90 page appendix at the back with battery replacement and setting instructions (including diagrams). It covers hundreds of digital watches up to 1978 (led, lcd both ladies and mens). It's also got sections on history of digital watches, a brief section on repair (it's not a repair manual) and an in depth description as to how digital watches work. It's readable even for a none techie like me and I'd be lost without my copy.

The Digital Electronic Watch, by Tom Hyltin, published 1978 by Van Nostrand Reinhold Company

(No I'm not on sales commision - it's been out of print for 28 years :D)

[retroleds]

I just received(yesterday) an item I got off ebay: "digital wtch setting guide" - it's about 50-60 pages that I don't think are complete, and appear to have came puched for a three ring binder. It has some great stuff, setting instructions for the Citizen round LCD calc. for example. Even better was a loose sheet at the back which gives addresses and cross references for manufacturers; problem is, it starts at "L" and goes to "Z".
Mido,Oris,Unisales, Vulcain and Dynasty were all made by/for Montrex Co. in New York?
Minicom & Minilit are both Helbros?
Monte Carlo, Mercury and Leisurecraft are all the same company?
Silar is UIT? Spectra is Optel? Microlux,Micronix are Windert?
Timeline was the other line put out by National Semiconductor, in addition to Novus and CompuChron?
Saturn was made by Armitron, which was owned by E. Gluck Corp.?
Who knew?

[fronzelneekburm]

Yeah, i also got that guide. Its quite nasty to just copy a collection of setting guides in my eyes (copyright?), but of course i can see how helpfull that is as none of these were ever printed for public, so its hard to get one in case you didnt have one with your watch.
Came helpfull back then when i had that 1 button bulova and wodered how it is set... :wink:

[retroleds]

Yeah, i also got that guide. Its quite nasty to just copy a collection of setting guides in my eyes (copyright?), but of course i can see how helpfull that is as none of these were ever printed for public, so its hard to get one in case you didnt have one with your watch.
Came helpfull back then when i had that 1 button bulova and wodered how it is set... :wink:

I wasn't thinking of copying....I can certainly draw a simple watch diagram in Photoshop and type up a version of the instructions. Like I did for the Hughes Message module. Speaking of the Bulova one-button: someone here recently said an original instruction says 3 pushes for auto-set but they always had to push 4-5 times - this thing says five pushes(which was always my user experience with those). :?
I wrote the seller and he says he'll look if he has any more of the pages.