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MACY'S led

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CompuChron

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MACY'S led

Post14 Mar 2006, 22:39

Hi,
I brought back to life a nice MACY'S led with touch sensitive button and a really thin module.Showing time, date , dow ,month and sec.
Does anyone of you has ever seen one like this before?
It's not referenced on guy ball'site.
[img][img]http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/3816/macys31bl.th.jpg[/img][/img]
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Led-Time

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Re: MACY'S led

Post15 Mar 2006, 01:29

steinor,

Welcome to the forums, nice watch you have there what did you do to get it working again.

Just curious...
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Re: MACY'S led

Post15 Mar 2006, 02:36

Hi,

Bought it untested on ebay , and guess what , it was true!
Just put 2 fresh batteries , little cleaning of the module/case/band and it looks and work great.
:lol:
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Re: MACY'S led

Post15 Mar 2006, 02:44

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Re: MACY'S led

Post15 Mar 2006, 16:26

Probaly either a Bowmar or a Gila....the Gila often has a olive green module with gold etched pictures of how the batteries go. I've saved a few of those touch modules where the button to module interface was too sloppy(crappy) to get into a consistently working mode. If you lift the module, be careful not to lose the springs that go over the button stems to maintain contact with the module(if you do lose one, pillage a junk,modern LCD,one with a bizzilion features...they are often full of small diameter springs). It screams,"RETRO". Awesome find.
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Re: MACY'S led

Post16 Mar 2006, 08:20

Welcome to the Forum. Besides Macys, similar watches to this one were made under the names Pateau, Bicentennial and probably a couple of others I can't remember right now. Some had the setting button on the side instead of on the face. If my memory serves me right, they used Ballanda modules. I never have managed to get one working correctly. I'm jealous. :mrgreen:
Last edited by notonly1 on 20 Mar 2006, 05:21, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: MACY'S led

Post16 Mar 2006, 09:36

You're right little1up it's a gila, where did you see this modules before?
I'am steinor but I didn't remember my password last time so I used an old one.
But thanks for your welcoming messages :roll:
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Re: MACY'S led

Post16 Mar 2006, 15:49

I feel for ya notonly1 - they are different & difficult to get working. Important issues to getting any touch type module to work. You must have: 100% continuous contact between the buttons and the module; 100% INSULATION between the buttons and the case; the module always has a contact that need to be in 100% contact with the case; your body needs to complete the circuit from the case to the buttons. Dry skin will often make these
"capacitance"/touch modules seem tempermental or fluctuating in their function.....unfortunately, body oil, lotions,cigerette smoke and other things can interfer with their function :o
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Re: MACY'S led

Post18 Mar 2006, 19:13

I've got one of these too; looks identical but signed 'TEXET' on the caseback.

Question, if I may....
How do you set the thing? My collegue managed to set it for me, but his fingers were covered in kebab grease at the time and I'm reluctant to recreate his method.

<Added 10 mins later>
I can put it in set mode using a small wire to short the small recessed 'Set' button to the Case. I then use my (damp) finger to alter the time using the bigger button.
Is that the correct way to do it?
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Re: MACY'S led

Post18 Mar 2006, 21:51

Hi stevehead,
yes you're doing the right thing.But your finger shouldn't have to be damp,maybe "press" a little harder on the button to get it work.
Then to switch on setting mode from time to date and so on you have to make a contact between the two buttons once again and so on...
Good Luck
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Re: MACY'S led

Post18 Mar 2006, 22:12

PULSAR-FRANCE wrote:Hi stevehead,
yes you're doing the right thing.But your finger shouldn't have to be damp,maybe "press" a little harder on the button to get it work.
Have to interject - safer to wet your finger(or put on a little lotion so your hands aren't so dry, if that is the issue, then to press too hard. Unlike many other watch designs, those buttons come all the way in to the module on most designs, they ARE NOT buffered by the small springs I mentioned in my earlier post(the springs only help insure contact). You press too hard, the buttons will float in(or the watch face will flex), and you will crack the module - take it from someone who's learned the hard way. If you suspect the buttons aren't keeping good contact on the inside, a possible solution might be to put a small amount of silver bearing epoxy on the end of each button before you slap it back together(silver bearing grease is not advised on micro-electronics, due to migration problems should the device(watch) be exposed to heat...like if it is left in your car accidentially :o) Fantastic little things!!
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Re: MACY'S led

Post19 Mar 2006, 03:32

Yep, got it thanks guys.
I just got very dry fingers, but just a breath on 1 gets the watch to fire up.
This Texet version has the buttons with the spring/pillar arrangement. I've used a smidge of silver epoxy to assure good contact between spring base and button back.

Gotta confess I don't like this one, mainly due to discovering I'm not conductive enough - must learn to sweat more.
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Re: MACY'S led

Post19 Mar 2006, 14:35

Steve: it'll be a great watch for summer...humid air, a little natural sweat, and that light,airy look. 8)
http://www.retroleds.com - Sales of vintage LED, LCD, analog watches, parts and gadgets - repair tutorials & tips
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: MACY'S led

Post18 Jul 2008, 16:50

I've just picked up a Macy's touch watch off the bay.
The watch displays time, date and seconds ok but I am unable to set it, obviously the sensor at 3 o'clock is for setting but it doesn't appear to do anything when pressed\touched, is there any special method required to get into set mode? :-?
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: MACY'S led

Post18 Jul 2008, 18:11

There needs to be metallic contact between the case and the set button your finger won’t do, I use a fork on mine it works a treat, lightly touch the set button with one of the prongs making sure another is touching a metal part of the case and it’ll go into set mode then carry on from there.

Nice these watches aren’t they... :-D
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: MACY'S led

Post18 Jul 2008, 18:22

Thanks Klippie the watch is now set - easy when you know how :lol:
The command sensor could do with being a little bit more responsive, I keep having to lick my finger to make it function - any tips?
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Post19 Jul 2008, 13:44

It really depends how dry your hand are I've got to lick a finger for mine to work as well. You could try cleaning all the contacts inside but be careful with the tiny spring connections to the touch sensors.

I meant to ask does your watch have a 12hr or 12/24hr module, can you post a picture please so we can see it.
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: MACY'S led

Post23 Jul 2008, 21:17

bucko170, I've had the same problem too. If you put some hand moisturizer on it will solve that. But you'll have to re-apply everytime you wash your hands. Still - no licking of the hands makes it worth it.
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: MACY'S led

Post11 Sep 2008, 17:44

Hi, i've just purchased one of these beautiful watches today! London antiques market. I am interested to find out if there is a way to change the display to 24hrs? When I look inside the case, I do see a small hole that looks like a reset switch or could it be to change the display? Any tips appreciated. I don't want to do anything now by myself incase I damage the circuits.

Thanks

Fluff
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: MACY'S led

Post11 Sep 2008, 18:11

I meant to ask does your watch have a 12hr or 12/24hr module, can you post a picture please so we can see it.


Sorry for the late reply klippie, I went off to have a play with the watch and I have only just noticed your question when viewing 'fluffthecats' new post.

I thought the watch had a 12hr module but having read your post below I am now going to check wether it can be changed to 24hr, I have posted a photo of it in the 'Watch I'm Wearing Gallery' but it looks identical to the one in the photo's on this thread.
Last edited by bucko170 on 11 Sep 2008, 23:14, edited 2 times in total.
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Post11 Sep 2008, 18:42

fluffthecat,

If your watch has a 24hr module its selectable between 12/24hrs, when the watch is in set mode go through the all the functions till you see 12 being displayed touch the contact and it'll change to 24 the watch will now display 24hr time, keep going with the settings until you see all the LED segments lit up in the display this is a brightness setting five levels if I remember correctly.

Hope this helps and welcome to the forum... :-D
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: MACY'S led

Post12 Sep 2008, 11:01

Thanks for the reply and tips to change my watch to 24hr setting, all very interesting! Fine if i can also adjust the brightness levels as well...amazing!
This watch is beautifully made, slim, stylish and a great retro look.
Has anybody got an original instructions manual for download?
Anybody know the current re-sale price of such a rare watch?

Thanks everybody

Alex
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