newbie question about LED modules

[Claven2]

Hi all, sorry for the newbie question. I've had only one LED watch before, an Eagle USA I bought maybe 5 years ago that died within a few months of my owning it. I still have parts lying about from when I took it awaprt to see if anything was visibly wrong, and my wife probaby tossed most of it at some point. In any event, I was thoroughly unimpressed with it's durability and the not very rich crystal color.

I'm told this was a "vintage-style" LED display watch. Having read around the site a little, I see there are "vintage-type" modules, true vintage models and modern modules like is found in watches like hte Majestyk. (I know there are also hybrids made up to repair original modules from the 70's.)

What I don't get is the difference between them all. Granted, I've not seen many "in-hand" to compare.

What are the pros and cons of the various types?

[retroleds]

Hi all, sorry for the newbie question. [quote redacted for clarity].

I'm told this was a "vintage-style" LED display watch.

What I don't get is the difference between them all. Granted, I've not seen many "in-hand" to compare.

What are the pros and cons of the various types?

No need to apologize - we all started as newbs.
Just my thoughts, different people will classify the differences high/lower in importance.
Differences.
1.Display - dots or segments. Dots were first, and generally bigger, so they are really nice for us old(I turn 50 this weekend) people.
2.Functions: time(duh!), plus any or none of the following - seconds,date, day-of-week(alpha characters), stopwatch,alarm,solar power assisted, Vulcan mind-meld capablility(joke).
3.Rarity
4.History
5.Construction quality(or lack of, which is sometimes charming).
6. Materials.
7.Resale value
8.Style or lack therof, which some apparently enjoy greatly.

Pros/Cons are very subjective and personal. Some people enjoy a very common,cranky, erratic timepiece, others want something that works flawlessly, keeps virtually perfect time, is constructed of exotic materials and optimally is the only surviving example.

Different social situations, your age, occupation and sense of style are other factors. Myself, I like to wear a very light, cheap watch for daily use, and often just shove it in my pocket rather than strap on my wrist. However, if going to a social event, I will probably strap on something extremely nice, since someone invariably asks, "so, what do you do for a living?"

[Claven2]

Thanks for the great reply!

Since posting, I grabbed what looked like a pretty good deal on a clearance Majestyk M1 (in red, of course... blue is too 21st century for me) off the 'bay and am hoping it will last a good bit longer than the Eagle I had mentioned above.

From what I can gather, these are looked upon as one of the better modern choices out there compared to much of the craptacular stuff on "that auction site". The only thing that makes me wonder about it being potential crap was that it was only $30!?!?!

How does a watch like this stack up to original watches? I'm a huge fan of all stanless cases and if a metal band is present, I like it to be stainless too. I'm not a fan of base metal bezels or gold tone watches (solid gold is OK though).

In terms of things I like, if that helps, the only battery powered watches I own (so far) that get worn are cal 214 accutrons (I wear a nice Astronaut a lot). Typically I've been more of an Omega guy with a few modern Seamasters and a nifty 1970's-chic Speedmater MarkIII in the rotation.

The vintages that have caught my eye, probably predictably, are mostly Pulsars and I have a nagging fascination with driver-cases, though I understand they are all base metal bezelled which seems irritating. Nothing is worse than brassing on a watch you like.

Is an original Pulsar a feasible watch for regular wear? Or a Bulova driver? Or will that kill it in short order and I ought to only look at modern watches if I want to wear something and not kill it (remember that ill-fated Eagle...)?

In reality, I'm on about a 6 watch rotation cycle, so "every day wearer" is perhaps a bit of a stretch. Mostly I work in an office and when doing anything un-friendly to watches I wear a Seiko diving watch as a beater.

[rewolf]

....Is an original Pulsar a feasible watch for regular wear? Or a Bulova driver?....

If you want a good driver watch, consider the Girard Perregaux Casquette in stainless steel (no brassing, granted) - the most beautiful driver-style LED watch ever (IMVHO) .
http://www.70s-watches.com/n_to_z/aagp.html (a bit overpriced)
http://ledwatch.de/gp.htm
http://www.led-forever.com/html/girard_perregaux_led_watch.html

[Claven2]

....Is an original Pulsar a feasible watch for regular wear? Or a Bulova driver?....

If you want a good driver watch, consider the Girard Perregaux Casquette in stainless steel (no brassing, granted) - the most beautiful driver-style LED watch ever (IMVHO) .
http://www.70s-watches.com/n_to_z/aagp.html (a bit overpriced)
http://ledwatch.de/gp.htm
http://www.led-forever.com/html/girard_perregaux_led_watch.html

That IS nice, but I don't know about £3000 nice though...???

[bucko170]

Try Ed's site, some really nice watches with a price range to suit all budgets!

www.retroleds.com

[rewolf]

That IS nice, but I don't know about £3000 nice though...???

That price isn't realistic - US$3000 maybe ... or wait until the £ drops even more

[Claven2]

I hear ya, but even if the price drops to par, $3000 is a lot of dough to pay for a watch style that is highly a niche item that I don;t even know if I'll like!

I've never worn a driver's watch, though I think they look vaguely cool in a techno-nerd kind of way (I'm an engineer, 'nuff said).

I'm kinda thinking now I should maybe buy an old Bulova driver or modern Adidas facsimile to see if I even like it before shelling out on a GP.

Are there any low-cost places (apart from e-bay) I can pick up a decent Bulova driver without breaking the bank? Heck, if I like it, maybe I settle for just that.

If I get a Bulova, should I get a silver tone or gold tone? Which hold up better to actually wearing it?

[rewolf]

Hm, if you first want to find out whether you actually an LED watch or not, then maybe you'd want get an Adidas HDS602 - it is very close to the Bulova, easier to get, and less problems to be expected.
However, the Adidas' display is a modern one with bold segments, not the sharp and crisp 70's style - that makes a big difference IMHO.

[Claven2]

Hm, if you first want to find out whether you actually an LED watch or not, then maybe you'd want get an Adidas HDS602 - it is very close to the Bulova, easier to get, and less problems to be expected.
However, the Adidas' display is a modern one with bold segments, not the sharp and crisp 70's style - that makes a big difference IMHO.

Oh, I like LED watches well enough :) I loved the display on my eagle before it quit, I'm told it's display was identical to a 1970's LED module, though obviously not from the '70's.

I already have the Majestyk M1 on the way (next week arrival I'm hoping) so I can try out the modern LED thing.

I know the Adidas is stainless, but I'm not liking the idea of the modern segmented module on a second modern watch, as you point out.

That's why I'm leaning toward maybe a Bulova. It's vintage with a nice display, but I'd have to live with the base metal bezel, which I would maybe replace later with something like a GP.

I did some searching and found some not very complimentary posts about the silver-tone case and peeling problems - is this a concern? Should I lean toward a gold-tone? And where best to buy?

[rewolf]

Ok, it seems you have take a quite reasonabl approach to LED watches and already know what you want.
I can only answer your last question - where to buy (a vintage) one:
Apart from "the famous auction site" there is also this seller who has a very good reputation, and about six sideview Bulovas for sale: http://www.retroleds.com/
http://www.retroleds.com/LED1.htm
http://www.retroleds.com/LED2.htm
http://www.retroleds.com/LED3.htm

[Claven2]

Well, while surfing the bay for a driver, I ran into this one and dropped a low bid ($34.89) in and won. Granted, it's not a driver, but it IS stainless cased and looks like maybe it has potential.

I'll post more when it arrives. What has me thinking it's a bit of a gamble is the display is showing 36:07 - is that a possible normal display for this Computron?

[charger105]

For what it's worth, non-base metal drivers I know of:

Synchronar, which is also solar powered !
Mido Swissonic, which is solid brass (as far as I can tell).

BTW, does the Bulova you've shown have a segment missing on the second digit ? If so, that'll be near impossible to fix. However, the 36:07 doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem. When new batteries are installed, any crazy numbers will pop up, but normal operation will generally be achieved after setting.

Rgds,
Andrew.

[Claven2]

BTW, does the Bulova you've shown have a segment missing on the second digit ? If so, that'll be near impossible to fix. However, the 36:07 doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem. When new batteries are installed, any crazy numbers will pop up, but normal operation will generally be achieved after setting.

I don't know if it's missing a segment or not. The photo isn't good and the watch isn;t here yet.

[james_stan]

I was watching that Bulova too - but was put-off by the
dodgy looking numbering. Still, worst case you still have a stainless bezel right ? That should be a fairly straightforward polish.

Let us know how it turns out.

Cheers

James

[Claven2]

I was watching that Bulova too - but was put-off by the
dodgy looking numbering. Still, worst case you still have a stainless bezel right ? That should be a fairly straightforward polish.

Let us know how it turns out.

Cheers

James

I thihnk I'll e-mail the seller and ask about it. The descrition says it works 100%, so if it's dead it'll be returned (paid for by credit card).

[Claven2]

Well, I went back and looked again. The seller says it works in the description and accepts returns. over 4000 sales and 100% positive feedback.

I wrote and asked if there are any burnt segments and why the display was 36:07, we'll see what he says, but worst case, if it's a dud, I'm only out return shipping.

[rewolf]

... why the display was 36:07 ...

Stopwatch maybe?

[Claven2]

Does the Computron come equipped with a stopwatch? I had thought it did not?

[bucko170]

Could the display be minutes and seconds, I have a few that use the same format.

Most watches with the stopwatch function have 3 command buttons, although I noticed Ed has a Wittnauer for sale with the original 'Hughes' module replaced with a 'Exonix' 2 button stopwatch module.

[Claven2]

I guess we'll see. I paid for the watch and the seller hasn't returned my e-mail yet? Hopefully it all works as advertised since it looks like a decent watch.

[retroleds]

I'm with those that are thinking the odd display is just a matter of not being set after being reloaded. And that has a fairly durable module made by Chicago Telephone Corp. for Bulova. CTC also made the first generation Bulova driver modules. A nice sturdy piece with a real glass crystal - great first buy on a vintage!