All posts by Eric

Seiko Nihon University Graduation Watch 7N21-8A00

Seiko 7N21-8A00
Seiko 7N21-8A00

Enjoy every moment in your game of life, with your favorite timepieces.

The graduation watch of The Nihon University, College of Law (日本大學法學部).  This one is made for the graduates of their law school of 1998 (平成10年).

Pulsar Calculator Watch Y739-5019

Pulsar Y739-5019
Pulsar Y739-5019

Digital Saturday, woohoo!!

A proud owner of this gorgeous Seiko Pulsar calculator, from 1979. Fully functional, perfect keyboard response, with the signature stylus-in-the-clasp, thanks to the previous owner in keeping it nice. All I have done was some careful cleaning of the keyboard and vents under of a watchmaker loupe, plus a light polish to get rid of most fine lines, ultrasonic-cleaned the bracelet and light brushing to restore its finish the best I can. Man, I love it, it's my first Pulsar too.

Special thanks to Seth, for helping me in acquiring it. It is finally on my wrist, you're the man!

【電子跳字星期六】自近年智能電話的興起,附帶計數機功能的手錶,可稱再沒有任何生存空間或銷售賣點。但於40多年前,它的面世,既有實用價值,也是潮流指標。Pulsar,是精工於1978年從美國手錶製造商Hamilton購下的一個旗下牌子,用於在北美市場推出中價及年青腕錶,和於同年成立於日本,主力在亞洲國家傾銷的ALBA雅柏,在不同區份,走相同市場路線。

相中手錶,便是精工於當年,在掌管Pulsar後首款推出的計數機手錶。同款也有掛著ALBA牌頭,在日本和其他亞洲國家銷售。為配合不同市場,各自推出不同配色,迎合市場口味。礙於按掣細小,一般用家會難於用手指操作。與過往計數錶型號有別,隨錶附送的不再是一支筆形輸入棒,而是一支可穩妥收藏於鋼帶扣內的板型輸入桿,用家可垂手拿出使用,不用再分別攜帶,方便非常。此錶與別的精工型號也有著另一大分別,是沒有任何側面按鈕,所有功能,均須在面板按鈕操作。也因為這個原因,能活至今天的,很多都有著鍵盤問題,或早於當年已被用家扔掉。現時這問題倒不大,只要花點功夫和技巧,用上合適的工具,絕對可以把問題完全修復。

此錶製於1979年,39年錶齡,所有硬件和功能,均運作正常,外觀於妥善處理後大致完美。幸得友人Seth從美洲代為安排,才能讓它順利歸隊,實屬萬幸,在此再三向他道謝。

Seiko Titanium Diver 7C43-6A00

Seiko 7C43-6A00
Seiko 7C43-6A00

New member to the vintage midsize diver collection, the JDM titanium 7C43 from 1987. A lighter body comparing with typical stainless steel body, that makes wearing a diver even more comfortable.  With a champagne sun-burst dial of its own and a different bezel design, and the uncoated finish of the titanium alloy body, it stands out among the rest of my divers in terms of appearance.  Is a joy to wear this early 7C43-powered Seiko diver.

Seiko Super Runners S670-00A0

Seiko S670-00A0
Seiko S670-00A0
Seiko S670-00A0

Super Runners, Tokyo Marathon 2012 Special Edition.

The perfect watch for the perfect race at the perfect place.

Seiko Majesta 9063-6000

Seiko 9063-6000
Seiko 9063-6000

Among my collection, this is definitely the gold-est one I have. The Twin Mode Quartz Majesta SGP, with 9063A movement. By cutting down the Quartz oscillator used from two to one, and have the single Quartz doing two functions at the same time, time and thermalcompensation, they managed to have slimmer watch comparing to the discontinued Twin Quartz lines. This belongs to the first batch of the line, launched as 1984 model, manufactured 1983 April.

Since it came with the original ultra slim bracelet, it looks marvelous in the sense of collecting, not wanting to take them apart.

Seiko Automatic Diver SKX009

Seiko SKX009
Seiko SKX009

A watch that every Seikoholic should have, the SKX007/009/011.

Seiko Diver 5H25-7A19

Seiko 5H26-7A19
Seiko 5H26-7A19

Divers N' Roses

I didn't make the bezel like this purposely. It came the way it was, with a really scratched up crystal, which I had to get it changed cause I could hardly tell the time with the original super scratched up crystal. It looks like it had experienced extensive sea actions, as when I took it apart, I could find traces of sand and seaweed stuck under the bezel.  Apart from that, the movement inside was sparkling clean, and the dial is spotless!

Seiko Talking Watch A860-4001

Seiko Talking Watch A860-4001
Seiko Talking Watch A860-4001

Digital Saturday, on voice!

Designed specifically for the visually impaired, the A860 was one popular choice in Japan for those who need a watch which can announce the time by voice, by simply pressing one big button in front. Also equipped with a alarm and voice-chronograph, which is practical and easy to use. However, I believe the A860 is only available in Japan, and can only speak Japanese. Where the A965/966 can speak other languages to serve other countries.

【數碼跳字星期六】自60年代初,精工已推出第一代為視障人士設計的手錶。是一枚手動上鏈,靠用者的手指觸摸時針及分針位置,來得知時間。隨著科技發展,往後在石英時代,在不需用者重新適應的前題下,在相同外形及錶面設計,換上石英機芯,省卻了上鏈的須要。

直至80年代中期,跳字錶科技成熟,廠方重新設計,以石英跳字機芯為發展核心,配備額外語音晶片及內置揚聲器,推出第一代為視障人士服務的電子跳字錶。到90年代中旬,推出第二代價格相對親民的型號,相片中的A860。

此錶操作簡單,用者只需按下設在錶面的特大突起按鍵,手錶便會用預錄人聲透過錶面上半部的內置特大揚聲器,音量恰當地準確報出時分。也設有響鬧功能,利用電子鈴聲透過相同揚聲器,提醒用者。新增功能,是會發聲的計時碼錶,開始及停止均會聲音響示,按停後會報讀出停下時間。在設定模式內,所有調校均有語音指示,閉眼也能完成操作。

語音方面,此錶只支援日語,供日本本土發售。直至今天,在沒有半點設計改動下,仍然在日本市場低價發售,服務有需要之人士。

Seiko PC Datagraph RC-4000

Seiko PC Datagraph RC-4000
Seiko PC Datagraph RC-4000

It's Digital Saturday again!

Getting nerdier week after week, with the RC-4000 PC Datagraph, the world's smallest computer terminal in 1985. To complete the kit, hope one day I could find the rest of the package, the adapting cable set to hook it up with the PC, and the software for data transfer. It's going to be super fun. 🙂

【數碼星期六】精工電腦腕錶於80年代盛極一時,短短三數年間,隨著科技迅速發展,推出多款型號。大致分為UC及RC兩個系列。整體功能相若,但配置方面截然不同。雖然兩者均能在手錶本體上輸入資料,但因體積細小及按鍵數量,在文字輸入倒有點兒吃力。前者UC系列,可配置小型鍵盤以便輸入,不需再額外連接額外的外置硬件。而今天介紹的,是屬於後者RC系列。這系列自最初於1984推出第一代時,已設計用於連接當時同樣在市場迅速發展的個人微型電腦,在電腦上透過專用電腦程式,輸入及編輯資料,再經傳輸線上傳至手錶。過程更快捷、輸入更便利、技術更前衛。

照片中的便是RC-4000 PC Datagraph,屬於第三代RC系列的其中一款,生產於1985年。首次內置2K記憶體供資料儲存,可接駁Apple II、IBM PC及Commodore 64。隨錶附送RS-232介面傳輸線,及載於5-1/4"磁碟內的電腦專用程式。手錶可儲存3個共2K儲存體積的獨立Memo,及2個日程響鬧提示。更可以用連接線,把兩只RC-4000連接一起,互相即時傳送資料。和UC系列不同的,是不支援MS-BASIC程式編寫及運行,更沒有編程和打印功能的特設配置。

UC較著重「電腦玩味」,而RC則配合「職場用戶」,各有著不同的目標客戶群,迎合不同類型的客戶需要。而當年的劃時代產品,33年後的今天已成鐘錶歷史收藏,一個會報時故事。

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