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The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Create and participate in challenges related to the watch hobby.
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by watchpalooza »

For this leap year challenge, I went with a theme of finding watches that are “Innovations in time”. Since leap year is an every 4-year event, I set out to find 4 watches. And I wanted only watches that were manufactured in a leap year. I chose the period 1996-2000. Working with a budget of $29, I found 4 unique “funky” watches that represent innovations in either timekeeping technology, fashion, or both. Here they are:


1996: Casio releases its first radio-controlled watch

The first Casio watch with radio-controlled timekeeping was 1995’s FKT-100 model. Watches using this technology receive signals from towers that transmit time-calibration radio signals calculated by atomic clocks. There are six of these towers worldwide: two in Europe (Mainflingen, Germany and An- thorn, England); three in Asia (Shangqiu, China; Fukushima, Japan; and Kyushu, Japan) and one in the United States (Fort Collins, Colorado). These account for the number “6” in “Multiband 6,” the term Casio uses for the technology that enables watches equipped with it to receive signals from all six stations using tiny, highly sensitive antennas built into the movement. The result is a watch that always shows the precise time, whether its display is analog, digital, or a combination, and never needs manual resetting, even if you’re changing time zones: the push of a button will indicate the new zone and move the hands automatically.

A standard quartz watch can lose several seconds every month; but a radio-controlled watch might lose one second in 100,000 years. Casio is the market leader in radio-controlled watches, with 3 million units sold this year. The FKT-100 was their first radio-controlled model, released in 1996. I paid $2.49 for this one.
28465D45-E806-4D4A-9A4D-9562BDBBFCE7.JPEG
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https://world.casio.com/media/company/f ... -24_en.pdf


1996 - Sinobi Vortex produced by Guangdong Yonghong Watch & Clock Co Ltd.

This watch was produced in 1996 in the Guangdong Yonghong Watch & Clock Co’s first year of production. The following year saw a crash in Chinese watch production (30-40% drop, depending on area), yet this company survived through innovative designs and differentiating on quality. The company stood out among Chinese producers by innovating early-on to produce modern designs, use imported Japanese movements, and focus on differentiating on quality (e.g., 3ATM water resistance, IP plating). Today it is a leading Chinese watch producer and the chair of the watchmaking association in the Guangdong Province.

This watch is “handless”, relying on two rotating disks with colored rings to display the time. The outer ring indicates hour, and the inner one displays minutes. The case is blasted aluminum alloy, an it come on a stainless steel milanese bracelet with safety clasp. The design is slick and modern, marking a rise in fashion-conscious watch design... and it represents several strides in innovation for Chinese watchmaking during this period. I paid $10.99 for this watch.
DC14E617-D4E6-4178-9D3B-A83508598041.JPEG
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1998 - Swatch Invents “Internet Time”

On October 23, 1998, Swatch announced a new way of telling time called “Internet Time” that they had co-developed with a researcher at MIT. The idea was to modernize timekeeping from localization to a universal time in support of increasingly real-time interaction over the internet. Instead of hours and minutes, the mean solar day is divided into 1000 parts called ".beats". Each .beat is equal to one decimal minute in the French Revolutionary decimal time system and lasts 1 minute and 26.4 seconds (86.4 seconds) in standard time. Times are notated as a 3-digit number out of 1000 after midnight. So, for example @248 would indicate a time 248 .beats after midnight representing 248/1000 of a day, just over 5 hours and 57 minutes.

In 1999, Swatch began producing series of “Beat” watches which told Internet Time as well as standard time. The new standard was adopted by CNN.com, ICQ Messenger and the role-playing game Phantasy Star Online to facilitate cross-continent gameplay. It was also included as an option on Ericsson mobile phones, and adopted by a scattering of other websites and services. Several app developers began adding Internet Time to their apps and tools. The new watches were an absolute sensation and repeatedly sold out. The revolution, it appeared, had begun.

By 2004 the ferver had died down and it was clear that the world was not ready for this change. “Beat Time” as they called it, was confusing to a lot of people. Even Swatch itself released a commercial poking fun at the situation. Swatch ceased production of the Beat lines of watches, but to this day still displays the current Beat Time on their website banner.

Even though the watches are becoming rare, the concept lives on. There are still many apps which translate to Internet Time for iphone, android, PC and Mac desktops. Discussions of daylight savings and challenges with cross-continent scheduling result in periodic callbacks to the bold marketing move by Swatch, some with serious attempts to develop the concept further and truly challenge accepted timekeeping. Someday, who knows...

Without further ado, I give you...the Swatch Beat Aluminum from year 2000. The body and band are 100% aluminum, the band crafted in Italy. This one came with the original box and manual. I paid $9.50 for this watch.
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Here showing "internet time" or "beat time" as it was called:
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0.






2000 - Giuliano Hard Tech De Longe

Not much information available about this one, except that it was part of a range of unusual “Hard Tech De Longe” watches released by Giulano in the late 90’s as part of the Y2K-fueled ”technology in fashion” craze.

The build quality on these models is very good, and the dials, bracelets and cases are custom formed. This watch has a recessed dial with a display for the coil, a custom forged case and two decorative springs framing the dial. The crown is also somewhat unique, and the case is grooved all the way around. The stainless steel bracelet is equally unique, with two plates engraved with a circuit board motif and a two-position locking clasp. Inside is an early 1 jewel “Miyota Co” movement.

I paid $6 for this watch
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by pdsf »

Oh wow, [mention]watchpalooza[/mention] Amazing entry/entries!! A fascinating and educational write-up. I love your approach.
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by Sporkboy »

@watchpalooza
We had exchanged pictures privately as February went on, so I knew what you were up to and I am still blown away by your entry. The leap year tie-in is cool, unexpected and adds an extra degree of difficulty here. Apparently the original challenge provided you with too many options. You still crushed this challenge.

The Swatch is otherworldly. I want one, but I am not sure why. Who knew about internet time-crazy. That the databank syncs the analog hands and can jump time zones is amazing. The features packed into that watch don’t come cheaply. I had seen the Sinobi before, but I didn’t know that the design dated back to 1996 nor did I know that the company even went back that far. The design is still made today. The final entry is unique, but doesn’t strike me as being as innovative as the others- still it is unique for sure.

If ever there needed to be a mic drop in this thread, this is where it is needed. Your eBay prowess is far beyond that of mere mortals like myself as your deals were unbelievably amazing. The knowledge and research that went into your entry is amazing and deeply impressive. I think that Swatch alone would have put you in the running here.

You have shared some of your techniques with us, but there is clearly more that you know. Teach us oh Master of Vintage and Obscure Watches. We are eager and wish to learn.
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by TheJohnP »

The Swatch alone would be hard to beat, but then add three more to the mix and you have made this more of a challenge, [mention]watchpalooza[/mention]!!
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by watchpalooza »

Thanks [mention]Sporkboy[/mention] and [mention]TheJohnP[/mention]. I have been enjoying wearing these now for a few weeks, but was hard not to post pictures. This challenge was the most fun I have had in awhile. Kudos to [mention]Animal Mother[/mention]!!!

Sporkboy wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2020 5:47 am The final entry is unique, but doesn’t strike me as being as innovative as the others- still it is unique for sure.
To explain my last entry a bit more fully: I view watches as equal parts timekeeping technology and fashion. If you see above, I was looking for innovations in either / both. The Swatch and Casio are clear technology innovations. The Sinobi and De Longe represent fashion innovations. The magic of the De Longe is that it showcases the blending of the two in fashion that was a significant trend in the late 90's driven by the Y2K craze. Here, from Wikipedia:

“When the 2000s kicked off, the fashion was profoundly influenced by technology. In the years 1997–2000, there was a monochromatic futuristic approach to fashion, with metallics, shiny blacks, heavy use of gray, straps, and buckles becoming commonplace. This was called "Y2K fashion". The apparel was made to be as dark, reflective, technological, and as sexy as possible. When the original iPod was introduced in 2001, the earbuds, as well as the gadget itself, became something of an accessory for early adopters."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000s_in_ ... 2K_fashion
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by MoT »

My entry is based on the "leap" theme.

Presenting the TImex Q Jump Minute.

In the late 1970s Timex was looking to create a movement that would capitalize on the quartz craze, but at the same time be inexpensive, robust and provide a long battery life.

What they came up with was the M43 movement. Instead of a more familiar stepper motor that provides the common 1 tick per second beat most of us identify with quartz watches, the M43 uses a "rocker" motor. It pulls, with no movement of the hands, for 59 seconds, and on the 60th releases with a dramatic audible (and often tactile) "Click!", leaping the minute hand to the next position.

Timex met all their goals with this watch: It was inexpensive to produce, small enough to be used even in ladies' watches, had extraordinary battery life and had an added benefit of impressive accuracy. I received the below example, on the original-almost-completely-faded gold-tone bracelet on February 5th. Since then it has lost 4 seconds.

Without further rambling, let's jump to the pics and a video.



Image

Image

Image

Wearing the jumper while fueling another "leap" in technology, my PHEV.

Image
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by Boourns »

Behold my participation-trophy-earning entry:

Image

From the renown brand Oulm, this quartz watch features not a measly 1 or 2 dials, but 4 rad dials to fulfill your steampunk dreams. Two are dedicated to time, so be sure to set one for your home time zone and the other for wherever one of your undoubtedly many, many girlfriends live. The third dial is a functioning thermometer, in Celsius, the coolest scale. And the fourth is a compass that definitely spins, but must be EXACTLY level to be accurate. But who needs an accurate compass? Because when you wear this watch, every direction is North by Kickass.

This wrist beast measures a manly 55mm across and 58 lug-to-lug. That's right, the guy who thinks every watch should be 38 mm bought one that is a whole ladies' watch bigger than that. Thickness wise, this thing is actually not bad at 11 mm including caseback and crystal. And if you think lightness = quality, this is the watch for you, as it weighs about half of what you think it should before you pick it up.

Image

Here it is next to my Alpinist for a comparison:

Image

This particular watch has seen better days, as the second time zone (plastic) crystal is cracked, and there is some pitting on the surely quality case:

Image

Unlike most of you, I did nothing to restore, clean, or improve the watch in any way. Fortunately, it came with functioning batteries for both watch dials, which can replaced by popping off each caseback. Unfortunately I forgot to take a pic of the movements. But I am confident they are of the highest quality.

Image

Because of the condition, I got a pretty good discount, though it still set me back some serious coin, which is expected with a watch of superior quality. Including tax I paid 789 pennies. To get a new one you have to shell out more than 1300.

Since it's futile to try to describe a watch this awesome in mere words, I will wrap up. I will say that this was really fun, but next time I have a lot more work to do. Good luck to all!
I wish that watch were 38mm?
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by pdsf »

I wow'ed at [mention]ManOnTime[/mention]'s and [mention]Boourns[/mention]' entries for entirely different reasons. Well done, gentlemen!!!
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by Sporkboy »

Boourns wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2020 1:06 pm Because when you wear this watch, every direction is North by Kickass.
That quote right there makes you a winner in my book.
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by watchpalooza »

Boourns wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2020 1:06 pm Behold my participation-trophy-earning entry:

Image

From the renown brand Oulm, this quartz watch features not a measly 1 or 2 dials, but 4 rad dials to fulfill your steampunk dreams. Two are dedicated to time, so be sure to set one for your home time zone and the other for wherever one of your undoubtedly many, many girlfriends live. The third dial is a functioning thermometer, in Celsius, the coolest scale. And the fourth is a compass that definitely spins, but must be EXACTLY level to be accurate. But who needs an accurate compass? Because when you wear this watch, every direction is North by Kickass.

This wrist beast measures a manly 55mm across and 58 lug-to-lug. That's right, the guy who thinks every watch should be 38 mm bought one that is a whole ladies' watch bigger than that. Thickness wise, this thing is actually not bad at 11 mm including caseback and crystal. And if you think lightness = quality, this is the watch for you, as it weighs about half of what you think it should before you pick it up.

Image

Here it is next to my Alpinist for a comparison:

Image

This particular watch has seen better days, as the second time zone (plastic) crystal is cracked, and there is some pitting on the surely quality case:

Image

Unlike most of you, I did nothing to restore, clean, or improve the watch in any way. Fortunately, it came with functioning batteries for both watch dials, which can replaced by popping off each caseback. Unfortunately I forgot to take a pic of the movements. But I am confident they are of the highest quality.

Image

Because of the condition, I got a pretty good discount, though it still set me back some serious coin, which is expected with a watch of superior quality. Including tax I paid 789 pennies. To get a new one you have to shell out more than 1300.

Since it's futile to try to describe a watch this awesome in mere words, I will wrap up. I will say that this was really fun, but next time I have a lot more work to do. Good luck to all!
I was gonna vote for MoT, but now I have to vote for you. What a fantastic watch..and as you said “when you wear this watch, every direction is North by Kickass.“
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by MoT »

watchpalooza wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2020 2:39 pm I was gonna vote for MoT

I was gonna get two votes! :lol:
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by watchpalooza »

ManOnTime wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2020 2:53 pm
watchpalooza wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2020 2:39 pm I was gonna vote for MoT

I was gonna get two votes! :lol:
Dude...that click was sick!
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by Boourns »

I am going to have a REALLY hard time voting. Each entry has something going for it, and there are quite a few of these (more than I thought) that I would absolutely wear.
I wish that watch were 38mm?
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The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by Sporkboy »

ManOnTime wrote:My entry is based on the "leap" theme.

Presenting the TImex Q Jump Minute.

In the late 1970s Timex was looking to create a movement that would capitalize on the quartz craze, but at the same time be inexpensive, robust and provide a long battery life.

What they came up with was the M43 movement. Instead of a more familiar stepper motor that provides the common 1 tick per second beat most of us identify with quartz watches, the M43 uses a "rocker" motor. It pulls, with no movement of the hands, for 59 seconds, and on the 60th releases with a dramatic audible (and often tactile) "Click!", leaping the minute hand to the next position.

Timex met all their goals with this watch: It was inexpensive to produce, small enough to be used even in ladies' watches, had extraordinary battery life and had an added benefit of impressive accuracy. I received the below example, on the original-almost-completely-faded gold-tone bracelet on February 5th. Since then it has lost 4 seconds.

Without further rambling, let's jump to the pics and a video.



Image

Image

Image

Wearing the jumper while fueling another "leap" in technology, my PHEV.

Image
I love the innovation behind the movement here, and it seems like a great way to differentiate and squeeze out more battery life. The click is still loud, but at once per minute, it might be OK. Then again, it might be worse if trying to sleep next to it since your Brain would be looking out for the next tick?

EDIT: I should have noted that Wolfsatz is a know to have quite an affinity for Timex, so you may end up snagging his vote.

There are so many little quirky watch innovations that have have really made this an interesting contest.
Last edited by Sporkboy on Tue Mar 03, 2020 4:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The Leap Year Watch Challenge

Post by Wolfsatz »

Hey guys... I could not find the thread over the weekend and then got caught up doing something else....

So .. first... after loosing some good prospects and then finding better ones but over budget.... My entry for this contest is something that has a very nice Retro Look.... a little bit over a month ago... I wanted to get a nice decent square digital casio type after finding the T80 sold out at timex ... and kept searching for something nice .... the ones I wanted usually went over 3 digits... So cut to the chase..

I present you... Timex Reef Gear.. with the old school green ditital phase... and the temp gauge still works solidly. It has a nice dome crystal which is very well protected by the bezel. Love the retro looks and have already worn it many times. I was surprised about the temp gauge actually working very well.

ImageReef Gesr by Wolfsatz, on Flickr

ImageReef Gear by Wolfsatz, on Flickr

ImageReef Gear by Wolfsatz, on Flickr
:arrow:... What time is it? :mrgreen:
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