To complete a ´set´

[Huertecilla]

I have several digital quartz watches but two stand out enough for my non horologic understanding wife to recognises as such:



I would like to acquire an LED model that fits in with these two.

A good module in stainless steel on a bracelet in an iconic design not jarring with the above.

A Bulova driver? Elektronika1, a ´flat screen´ Novus or one of the very many well made less known watches?

[charger105]

A SS Bulova Big Block wouldn't look out of place along-side these two !

[charger105]

Something like this would also be a worthy addition to your 'set':



Rgds.

[Huertecilla]

Something like this would also be a worthy addition to your 'set':

It sure is a beauty and complete with box quite a find!

However, that Zodiac shares the exact same EPSA case and Optel module. The only difference is the DSM versus TNFE.

Although that would make a neat collection criterium on its own, I do not want all LCD technology variants as that would mean a handfull of LCD screen watches;
Dynamic scattering mode, twisted nematic field effect in both high voltage and low voltage, dichroic field effect and electrochromic.
My choice for the diamond shaped seperator high voltage TNFE was deliberate.

The big block Bulova is an option yes. Thanks for suggesting.

[rewolf]

DSM is the worst readable of all LCD technologies. So with the Optel DSM + Seiko EPD you have the full bandwidth and need no other

Back to OP: I'd recommend a GP casquette SS as "companion". Only problem is to find a nice one for less than 1000€. I was VERY lucky with an off-ebay deal a year ago

[retroleds]

I would like to acquire an LED model that fits in with these two.
?

The "hex" Novus matches the Seiko's styling - maybe too closely.
http://www.ledwatches.net/photo-pages/novus9.htm

The square Novus is slightly transitional(IMO) - the broadly rectangular case of the Optel, the angularity of the Seiko. http://www.ledwatches.net/photo-pages/novus7.htm

This is aback toward the "hex" of the Seiko, I think http://www.ledwatches.net/photo-pages/novus11.htm

Ah, here it is....the perfect marriage of those two pieces, with an LED screen...just took a little searching.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Huertecilla]

Ah, here it is....the perfect marriage of those two pieces, with an LED screen...

The one I liked best indeed.

The ´Bog block´ is véry attractive too because it is one of the very few with a crown.

Another one I was thinking of it the Pulsar Sport or -Big Time.

[retroleds]

Another one I was thinking of it the Pulsar Sport or -Big Time.

The Big TIme is maybe not a good choice for you my friend....the mineral glass(not synthetic sapphire) screen is so vulnerable to damage since there is little bezel to protect it. Even making sausage might be hazardous to it's health. But the "flick-wrist" feature would come in handy then. Except the splatter you would make on the walls with every flick.

[Huertecilla]

....the mineral glass(not synthetic sapphire) screen is so vulnerable to damage since there is little bezel to protect it.

No bezel at all in fact, made worse by the cristal sitting ón top.

The Time Computer module however is better quality than the Hughes one in the Big Lúmp and also the crown-button of the latter is a bit iffy as you know.

The Big Time is simply better made than the Big Block which makes the higher price for the latter a bit

For now the Big Block is on top of the leaderboard with a personal fault chalked up on grounds of prices.

[LEDluvr]

I think the Big Block is a great choice Huertecilla..
But as far as Pulsar's go, I would think the classic P2 would be a better choice than the Big Time or or Sport. The size of the P2 is closer to those two 'big mommas' you have on your wrist.

[holly35]

And this is my one,the best made novus model by far :

Uploaded with ImageShack.us-D

[Huertecilla]

And this is my one,the best made novus model by far

Thanks for sharing.

[Huertecilla]

Ooopsie
Forgot that Bulova did not actually máke anything themselves with the LED watches...
That gives Pulsar definite plus points so I have the 3502 Sports (with case logo) and the Bulova big one on top.
The search is on...

[Huertecilla]

Since life itself is selforganisng on the edge of chaos, things turned out differently, al least as good.

Just bought the multi angular Novus with a very bright dot matrix display and original solid bracelet for.... 53 Euros here in Andalucía.

[LEDluvr]

Sounds like a nice catch Huertecilla. Please share some pictures when you have a moment.

[retroleds]

The Time Computer module however is better quality than the Hughes one in the Big Lúmp and also the crown-button of the latter is a bit iffy as you know.

Agreed on the "iffy" button with the Big Block. That is one of the beauties of the "reload" of the Big Block I show in this thread
http://www.dwf.nu/viewtopic.php?t=3287 It eliminates 2 of the 3 electrical connections that must be able to occur at the stem area(on the original), and leave you with one contact that is simple to adjust if needed, for flawless, repeat performance. And it opens up the possibility of using any 29mm Hughes module made. Message, DOW, whatever. I mention this thread as you may not have seen it.

Good catch(depending on condition), for your angular Novus.

[Huertecilla]

The condition is reasonable; surprising for its age.
It only has superfical signs of being worn but quite a lot of those.
It is working ok and has a sharp display. Again rather surprising for its age.
I know Í did not not that smart nor functioned that well at that age. I had already titanium replacement parts fitted!

I am not sure what I will do. In general I am not a fan of ´restoring´ away patina and on this one there are a lot of edges that need be kept sharp, but it just looks scrúffy.
If there is a watch case design that is better dressed up with a dry stone than with a buffing wheel or rotating brush, it is this one.

First thing is to take it apart and give a good clean.

Ed, how tricky is getting the window out on this one?

[richard_uk]

I use these a lot for re-finishing, not sure about the finish on that model though, it's a large grain iirc? If so these might not be suitable.

[retroleds]

I am not sure what I will do. In general I am not a fan of ´restoring´ away patina and on this one there are a lot of edges that need be kept sharp, but it just looks scrúffy.
If there is a watch case design that is better dressed up with a dry stone than with a buffing wheel or rotating brush, it is this one.

First thing is to take it apart and give a good clean.

Ed, how tricky is getting the window out on this one?

I'd agree that the finish needs to be done on a stone or the right sandpaper*, so you can give it nice straight strokes in one direction on each facet of the case.

I went and looked at that case & glass(I keep all cases stored by buttons pattern, modules size and color) - the screen was glass on all three, so I am assuming your's is too. Put in oven at 175c/365f. for 10 minutes, grab with a rag and push glass out, from the inside. Obviously with the movement out I found something unusual - I have three of those cases, 2 were the 2/4 button/setter combination, the last one had the third contact at 7 oclock for the dual time zone NS module. Only one was logoed Novus on the case, but all three are marked on caseback and clasp. And all three have slightly different angles and finishes -one has a factory polished face, the rest are brushed.

*I've been using #216U sandpaper made by 3M lately for some of my stainless re-finishing. It is actually made specifically for roughing-in the curvature on string instrument fingerboards but has an odd texture that seems to work good - and it is self-adhesive on the back. It is a 216 grain sandpaper(odd size) that was then painted over, so the grains can not be too aggressive, yet they are large, sharp grains that don't break lose from the paper and surprise you with a big gouge.

[Huertecilla]

Thanks for the suggestion Richard.

The grain is fairly course and very noticeably directional.
The foam blocks are still a bit tricky with sharp edges.
I was thinking of a dry stone I use for dressing the edges of our knives.
That is a good reason to get a new one too. The other hasworn definitely un-flat.

[Huertecilla]

Thanks for the extensive answer Ed.

My new adquisition has the buttons on 2 and 4, no logo on the front, full monty on the screw back.
The finish is that typical seventies machined billet look all over.

I am rather surprised by the build quality actually.
Probably because it was not an established watch brand, I was not aware of Novus / NS being a notch up product.
Silly ofcourse because they made pretty good modules and a case was simply ordered to spec in Switserland.

The seller said it had a seconds mode but that has ecaped me sofar. Maybe he was confusing the thing with another watch.

Do you by any chance have an instruction manual or a pdf file of it somewhere?

[retroleds]

You are welcome. Novus' are funny - some were really nice build, some other models were absolute trash - and I'm not just talking the plastic screens. There were so many different varieties of those NS modules I wouldn't want to try to cover all the setting possibilities. And yes, some of the real early ones didn't even have seconds. There are only two common ways seconds would come up, if at all: press and hold for time, it switches to seconds, or, press three times and it displays seconds for 3 seconds. Myself, I would get a [later] DOW module.

Setting:
Early style:
-press and hold setting button to advance hour
-press and hold setting button and time button to advance minutes
-press time command twice to get date, then quickly press and hold setting button to advance date(awkward at times )
Late style:
- just press the setting button and move through like any other digital watch.