So not a diver...

A place to discuss vintage watches.
Post Reply
User avatar
Steve O.
Posts: 3313
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:31 pm
Name: Uh, Steve
Location: Atlanta OTP

So not a diver...

Post by Steve O. » Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:55 pm

When the first Pulsar LED watch hit the market in 1970, it was an instant success despite its high cost and troublesome reliability. As the 1970's progressed, LED technology advanced, and prices came down as more and more manufacturers entered the market. I recall marveling at these futuristic watches as a kid. In fact, this is probably when my obsession with just about all things that keep time began.

Fast forward forty years or so, and I've come full circle. Although I've owned a couple of other LEDs in the past, none have come close to the pure 1970's funkiness of this one - a 1974 Bulova "Big Block". Machined from a single piece of steel, the case measures a whopping 38mm wide, 40mm long, and 12mm thick. From what I understand, this model was the first of many Bulova LED watches to come. The module was manufactured by Hughes Electronics, and is unique in the fact that instead of using pushers to display the time, a traditional crown is used. Apparently Bulova believed that the buying public would be more receptive to this configuration. Pushing the crown once displays the time, and twice, the seconds. Pulling the crown out displays the date.

This watch is a huge departure from the other watches in my collection, but I love it. Now all I need is a wide collar paisley shirt...


Image


Image


Image


Image
"Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things." - George Carlin

User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48115
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: So not a diver...

Post by toxicavenger » Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:56 pm

Damn that is 10 carat also?

User avatar
kfalk
Old Chub
Posts: 11481
Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:50 am
Name: Kelly

Re: So not a diver...

Post by kfalk » Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:04 pm

Sure act like you don't already have a wide collar paisley shirt. :rolleyes:

:grin:

Cool watch. My Dad had a Texas Instruments that amazed me as a kid.
Image

User avatar
CesarG
Mexican
Posts: 11413
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:18 pm
Name: Cesar
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: So not a diver...

Post by CesarG » Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:11 pm

So ugly it's kind of cool.

User avatar
Steve O.
Posts: 3313
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:31 pm
Name: Uh, Steve
Location: Atlanta OTP

Re: So not a diver...

Post by Steve O. » Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:13 pm

toxicavenger wrote:Damn that is 10 carat also?
10kt. plated. Wish it were solid gold. :grin:
"Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things." - George Carlin

User avatar
Steve O.
Posts: 3313
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:31 pm
Name: Uh, Steve
Location: Atlanta OTP

Re: So not a diver...

Post by Steve O. » Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:19 pm

kfalk wrote:Sure act like you don't already have a wide collar paisley shirt. :rolleyes:

:grin:

Cool watch. My Dad had a Texas Instruments that amazed me as a kid.
Nope, not yet. I do have the bell bottom corduroys, and old school zip-up Florsheim boots though... :fro:
"Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things." - George Carlin

User avatar
hoppyjr
HJ
Posts: 39781
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:05 am
Name: Hoppy

Re: So not a diver...

Post by hoppyjr » Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:25 pm

Takes me back :fro:

I had several LED pieces back in the day. I also remember a brand called "Sensor" that was LCD, but used a tritium capsule behind the display so it would constantly glow without pressing a button.

mattwool83
Posts: 138
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:55 am

Re: So not a diver...

Post by mattwool83 » Sat Feb 21, 2015 2:02 pm

Love that bling! I've always been on the cusp of embarking on a full tits LCD/LED collection. These are the only ones in my collection but I'd love to have more in the future.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48115
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: So not a diver...

Post by toxicavenger » Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:25 pm

I had one like this kind of when I was in my early teens
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

User avatar
HapaHapa
Posts: 9865
Joined: Mon May 19, 2014 9:57 pm
Name: Eric
Location: Southern CA

Re: So not a diver...

Post by HapaHapa » Sat Feb 21, 2015 9:06 pm

That Bulova is a manly watch. Needs a NATO with matching hardware.
The Hapa

User avatar
HapaHapa
Posts: 9865
Joined: Mon May 19, 2014 9:57 pm
Name: Eric
Location: Southern CA

Re: So not a diver...

Post by HapaHapa » Sat Feb 21, 2015 9:06 pm

Lug size is a bitch though.
The Hapa

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 69 guests