Category Archives for Calculator

Seiko Calculator Watch C153-5011

Seiko Calculator C153-5011

Calculator On The Wrist

Digital ➕➖✖️➗ Saturday!

In the mid seventies, pocket sized calculators had hit the market for just a few years and gained some popularity.  Brands like Casio, Texas Instruments, Sharp, Panasonic etc. were selling those calcs like hotcakes.  In a different category, Pulsar (before being acquired by Seiko) and HP also had their own inventions, have a calculator built inside a watch, with an LED display.  However, they were very very pricey.

Then in 1976, Seiko came out their first calculator watch, C153, with the use of LCD as the display. The chunky and robust watch case is a signature of their early digital watches, mounted with a 22mm wide solid link bracelet, this legendary calculator watch is no featherweight. It's history, a must have for any vintage digital lover. Mine is from 1977 and came with the original Z-clasp version for the bracelet, an important member of my 'Seiko's First' collection.

Seiko C153 advertisement 1
Seiko Calculator C153-5011

【數碼計算星期六】

1977年,精工推出他們第一隻內置計算機功能的跳字表。當時價值昂貴,非當時一般人會選購。隨後十幾年也有後數款續型號推出,至九十年代初,計算機手錶已消失於產品目錄。大有可能是此類手錶已被另一大牌子卡西歐以低廉價錢及一樣可靠的品質,奪去市場。41年前尖端科技,已成今天歷史收藏及發展見證。此乃77年10月,產於日本。

Seiko C153 advertisement 2
Seiko C153 Advertisement 3

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。