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THE WATCHISMO TIMES WATCH BLOG A reliquary of obscure timepieces from bygone eras as well as the cutting-edge watch designs of today.

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New Zodiac Sea Dragon Automatic Watches - Flawless Vintage Reissue

seadragon

Limited Vintage Reissue

New Zodiac Sea Dragon Swiss Automatic

We love vintage! It's the root of Watchismo's existence. It's so rare to find a vintage reissue that isn't just 'inspired' by the past, but rather dedicated to replicating it. And we've seen some pretty convincing vintage reissues by other brands - but Zodiac hit the nail on the head with this new Sea Dragon Automatic collection. It's perfect and carries all the undefinable distinctions a vintage watch possesses - whether it's an unusual color combination, unique brushing of steel or a sculptural flair to the case that watchmakers just don't execute these days...
Summed up, this watch has it all and there are very few to go around...
Limited supply will be available,
Order your Zodiac Sea Dragon Automatic Here
Zodiac ZO9902front
Admired as one of the most legendary collections in the ZODIAC portfolio, the Sea Dragon represents the heroic spirit of the brand’s beginning. This fresh interpretation of the original features a classic retro case of proportion and simplicity, with colored dial options and a Swiss Made automatic movement. Available with either a genuine leather strap, Sea Dragon stands as the spirit of ZODIAC’s past and the ambassador for its future.
Zodiac ZO9902caseback
Zodiac ZO9905front
Limited edition - Individually numbered and only 75 pieces will be made!
Zodiac ZO9903front
Zodiac ZO9904hero
Zodiac ZO9900front
Zodiac ZO9901front
Zodiac ZO9904side
Zodiac ZO9901hero
Zodiac logo swissmade1882

TX Introduces New Classic 610 Fly-Back Chronograph, 310 Perpetual Calendar and 810 Linear Chronograph

TX Introduces New Classic 610 Fly-Back Chronograph, 310 Perpetual Calendar and 810 Linear ChronographIN STYLES FROM WAY OUT!
Vintage Inspired, Complicated & AFFORDABLE!


Lovin the new classic models just introduced by TX at Baselworld. They'll be available in Fall 2010 but here are the very first looks! A perfect blend of antiquity and modernity...

TX Introduces New Classic 610 Fly-Back Chronograph, 310 Perpetual Calendar and 810 Linear Chronograph
The TX 610 Flyback Chronograph collection with retrograde registers.

TX Introduces New Classic 610 Fly-Back Chronograph, 310 Perpetual Calendar and 810 Linear Chronograph
The TX 310 Perpetual Calendar collection with retrograde month and day of week.

TX Introduces New Classic 610 Fly-Back Chronograph, 310 Perpetual Calendar and 810 Linear Chronograph
TX Introduces New Classic 610 Fly-Back Chronograph, 310 Perpetual Calendar and 810 Linear Chronograph
TX Introduces New Classic 610 Fly-Back Chronograph, 310 Perpetual Calendar and 810 Linear Chronograph
The TX 810 Linear Chronograph collection with retrograde linear functions.

TX Introduces New Classic 610 Fly-Back Chronograph, 310 Perpetual Calendar and 810 Linear Chronograph

TX Introduces New Classic 610 Fly-Back Chronograph, 310 Perpetual Calendar and 810 Linear Chronograph

Product pages:

http://www.watchismo.com/tx-classic-flyback-chronograph-610-series-watch.aspx



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Tag Heuer Silverstone Reissue - A Very Faithful Reintroduction of the Stunning 1974 Chronograph

Tag Heuer Silverstone Reissue - A Very Faithful Reintroduction of the Stunning 1974 ChronographThe original vintage 1970s Heuer silverstone

Two and a half years ago, I issued a "Reissue Wish" from Tag Heuer (as seen here), having no idea if I had any influence on them, the reintroduction of the Heuer Silverstone Calibre 11 Chronograph has just been announced. And here they are...

Tag Heuer Silverstone Reissue - A Very Faithful Reintroduction of the Stunning 1974 ChronographAlthough it appears that I was correct when stating that the original dial color (shown at very top) has not exactly been replicated. It kills me that I sold all my Silverstone collection years ago, the new models are going to cost around $6500 each.

Tag Heuer Silverstone Reissue - A Very Faithful Reintroduction of the Stunning 1974 Chronograph
Tag Heuer Silverstone Reissue - A Very Faithful Reintroduction of the Stunning 1974 Chronograph
Tag Heuer Silverstone Reissue - A Very Faithful Reintroduction of the Stunning 1974 Chronograph
Tag Heuer Silverstone Reissue - A Very Faithful Reintroduction of the Stunning 1974 Chronograph
Tag Heuer Silverstone Reissue - A Very Faithful Reintroduction of the Stunning 1974 ChronographFrom one of the original seventies Heuer catalogs

Thanks to the super cool watch blog Perpetuelle for taking note of my long lost post!
For more detailed information about this release, visit Calibre 11


Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk Watches

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesIn the past, I've written about high end masterpieces like Vianney Halter's Antiqua (starting at $50,000 and up) and the artistic horology concept watches of Haruo Suekichi, but it was only a matter of time before affordable Jules Vernesque timepieces were made for those who want to actually own a high quality Steampunk wristwatch. Yes, the term has worn out its welcome but the look is timeless nevertheless -- and how can a riveted porthole watch not be cool?

The brand is Retrowerk of Germany and below, I photographed their off-the-wall collection wristwatches with elements of brass and steel pistons, portholes, rivets, compasses, revolving jump hour discs, screwcap crown covers, chains, automatic rotor mechanisms, and of course, many cogs and gears. The prices range from $429 to $1098 USD.

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesThe first is the Compass Jump Hour, an extreme multi-leveled timepiece with a partial dial with three discs for hours, minutes and seconds. Protruding up like a periscope is the compass under thick "coke bottle" type glass, almost as if there is a submarine cruising inside your wrist. The automatic winding version utilizes a Swiss ETA 2824 mechanical movement.

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesProtrusions are a reoccuring theme with Retrowerk - the Piston (above), with namesake piston mechanism-screwcap crown cover and riveted watch case. As I attempt to showcase in my photos far below, each angle of the watch is mechanically sculptural and borders on satisfyingly absurd. Automatic version also features a Swiss ETA 2824 movement.

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesSide-view of Retrowerk Compass Watch

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesFull-frontal view

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesJump Hour display and raised compass

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesSideways

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesScrew-cap detatched exposing crown

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesExtreme view

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesThe Retrowerk Piston

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesPiston Crown Cap

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesRiveted Piston Case

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesPiston mechanism

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesAdditional views of the Piston

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesRivets Rivets Rivets!

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk Watches
A third model features a retrograde display for 24 hour GMT time zone.

Retrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk Watches
Product Page--> LINK

All Watchismo Times Steampunk Posts--> Link
Japanese Watchmaker Haruo Suekichi--> Link
The Horology of Vianney Halter--> Link


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Look at Legendary LEDs of Lloyd's Large Collection


Video-->Link

With the recent release of the $350,000 Opus 8 ->(link) and the de Grisogono Meccanico dG ->(link) with their mechanically mimicked LED digits, I wanted to also share this video and photos from the collection of UK LED collector, Lloyd "Theledwatch". He was recently featured on Antiques Roadshow (see video above) where he shared some of the best examples of early 1970s digital light emitting diode watches like the Pulsar Hamilton P1, Girard Perregaux Casquette, Omega Time Computer and my one-of-a-kind favorites by the Royal designer Andrew Grima.

Some highlights of Lloyd's collection including the rarest and most valuable vintage digital LED watches of the seventies; (text also from theledwatch.com)

The Hewlett Packard HP-01 LED Watch calculator was a marvel of miniaturization and intelligent design. It was HP's first watch and their first small algebraic calculator but it was more than just a wristwatch and a calculator in the same package.

It combined them to do things that neither could do alone. Its user interface combined the best of both worlds. For example, to change time zones, the user displayed the time, added or subtracted the appropriate amount and stored the result.

Three styles of the Hewlett Packard HP-01 Calculator Watches

In the late 1960's and throughout the 1970's, Andrew Grima was commissioned by various members of the British and Scandinavian Royal family including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, to make various items of jewelry.

Mr. Grima's work is very highly sought after and collectors pay many thousands of pounds for his rare and beautiful pieces.. During the 70's his work was sold in an exclusive gallery in Knightsbridge (LONDON) and would range form many thousands to a million pounds plus.

Another one-of-a-kind Grima LED!

The rarest calculator watch by Uranus


Girard Perregaux's perfectly designed sideview "Casquette"

GP Casquette in Macrolon (also avail in gold)

The first solar powered watch by Synchronar
Invented by Roger Riehl in the late sixties
(Read previous post about history of Solar watches-->Link)
Rare Synchronar Ad for Women

Roger Tallon's original 1975 asymmetric LIP Mach 2000 models
(above and below)


The first electronic digital watches on the market by Hamilton-Pulsar

1973 Pulsar P2 for Tiffany & Co.

The ultra-rare Pulsar P1 in solid 18k
Only a few dozen in circulation valued at around $20k

Pulsar Calculator watches in steel and solid gold
The original 18k models sold for $3950.00 in 1975

Original Pulsar Advertising

Before going under in 1978, Pulsar introduced their very rare "Greenie"

1973 Omega TC-1 in solid 18k gold


1975 Longines LED

1976 Breitling Navitimer
(only produced one year before the LCD version)

Very rare Benrus "Pop-Up" LED Sideview
(case physically pops up when button is pressed and time is displayed)



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Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto - The Vintage Tin Robot Inspired "Mr. Roboto" Prototype from Azimuth

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto - The Vintage Tin Robot Inspired I doubt Styx will be performing their nightmarishly bad 80s classic "Mr. Roboto" in Basel for the unveiling of the Azimuth's new timepiece but I'm sure they could use a gig...

Mr Roboto - Azimuth’s Hallmark Creation from the Mecha–1 BMF Collection

The Revival of the Tin Robot Generation

Fans of the vintage tin robot era can now embrace their fantasy of robotic warrior literally and get their first chance to see Azimuth’s Mr Roboto, prototype watch of the World’s First tin robot concept of the 1950s.


Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto - The Vintage Tin Robot Inspired Vintage 50s Lantern Tin Robots

Decades after World War II saw a proliferation of battery-operated tin robots. Originated from Japan, these whimsical creations demonstrate notions of human behavior. Their flying sparks and mechanical gestures captured the imagination of not just children but adults around the globe. Almost half a century later, original and replica tin robot toys have become a collector’s item.

The design of Mr Roboto was inspired by the Lantern Robot of the 1950s. Azimuth’s designers show that a timepiece’s practical functionality does not have to take a back seat to aesthetic visual designs. Witness the perfect marriage of ingenious design and user-friendly functions, this good-looker is set to be a head-turner at this year’s Basel show. A unique timepiece that transcends time, Mr Roboto aims to revive the passion of the tin robot generation of enthusiasts and enduring science fiction lovers.

Mr Roboto’s visual appeal embodies the full-flavor revival of vintage tin robotic spaceman. The placements lend for easy reading and a radical tin robot visual appearance. The left ‘eye’ is the hour register, right ‘eye’ comes with GMT indication, the nose region joint with the mouth region are the seconds and retrograde minutes placements respectively. Mr Roboto is powered by a modified ETA 2836-2 movement. The robust case is forged out of hardy steel blocks with a warm touch of bevelled edges at the sides of the tonneau shaped timepiece.

True to the name Azimuth, which means route taken by a traveller, Mr Roboto adds to the Azimuth’s Mecha-1 BMF collection of watches which is a synergy of avant-garde design and industrial machismo.

Listed international retail price for the iconic Mr Roboto watch is approximately 4,800.00 Swiss Francs ($4,800). Mr Roboto is available from September 2008.

Specifications:
Movement: ETA 2836-2 Modified Automatic Winding; 25 Jewels
Functions: GMT function; Hours register, Retrograde Minutes, Seconds

Case: 316L stainless steel with Torx drive cheese head tamper resistant screws, Bevelled edges at the sides of the tonneau shaped watch. Magnified hours and GMT functions in the form of convex ‘eyes’,

Dimension 43mm x 50mm with 24mm lugs. Water resistant to 50 meters.

via Timezone

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto - The Vintage Tin Robot Inspired Mr. Roboto CAD renderings

Azimuth watches of previous years (below)

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto - The Vintage Tin Robot Inspired 2007 Azimuth Chrono Gauge Mecha-1 BMF

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto - The Vintage Tin Robot Inspired 2006 Azimuth Gauge Mecha

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto - The Vintage Tin Robot Inspired 20007 Azimuth Round 1 Bi-Retrograde


Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto - The Vintage Tin Robot Inspired 2007 Azimuth SP-1 Mechanique concept watch.


Related posts;
Telechron Robot Clock
Azimuth Chrono Gauge Mecha-1 BMF
Azimuth Gauge Mecha Concept
1980s Transformers Watch Commercials
Insect Lab Studio
Watch Part Motorcycles
All New 2008 Watch Posts-->Link


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Vintage Watching - A Bumper Crop of New Old Watches

Vintage Watching - A Bumper Crop of New Old WatchesJust compiled a collection of oddities and obscurities from the forties through the seventies! So fresh to the site that not all the descriptions have even been written!

Visit the new collection here-->LINK


Vintage Watching - A Bumper Crop of New Old WatchesAll kinds of rare oddball stuff!

Some highlights; 1960s Omega Dynamic, 1950s White Gold LeCoultre, 1970s Wittnauer Futurama Retrograde.

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1980s Japanese Transformers Watch Commercial


Video-->Link

1980s Japanese commercial for
Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, and Superion Transformer toy watches.



1981 Kronoforms Robot Watch Commercial
Video-->Link

Some (non-watch-related) toy robot commercials from 1961


The Robot Commando is here to help you! (1961)

Video-->Link



The Great Garloo! (1961)

Video-->Link

See Also;
Japanese Steampunk Watchmaker
1964 Gilbert James Bond Toy Gadget Watch
Vintage Kids Watches


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Clockwise - Tik Tak Clock

Clockwise - Tik Tak Clock
Designed by Niels van Eijk and Miriam van der Lubbe, the Tik Tak clock explodes with every single minute represented on random lengths of powdered steel rods. The sizes of the 60 digits correspond with varying shades of stee for additional depth.

Available for £89.00 (appx. $177 USD) at Habitat UK-->Link

Clockwise - Tik Tak ClockThe original sketch for the Tik Tak Clock



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LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New York

LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New YorkLIP watches are having their US retail debut this week at one of the most exclusive & influential stores in the world, the grand opening of Barneys New York in Las Vegas. Part of the Palazzo Hotel & Casino's Shoppes at The Palazzo, the flagship Barneys is located on the Grand Canal between the Venetian Hotel and the Palazzo. LIP Mach 2000 & Revival Seventies collections will be introduced on the main floor before they make their way across the country to other Barneys locations in New York City, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, and Boston in February-March. LIP are also available online here-->Link

(Pictured above - LIP "Mythic" Watch by Prisca Briquet)

The French brand LIP has been around 150 years but were unavailable in the United States until now. The company is reintroducing some of their most important models from a modern collection that remains as visionary today as when first unveiled 35 years ago. Most are faithful recreations while others have been updated with new designer visions. Best of all, the quality of the watchmaking is top notch and priced incredibly well ranging from $180-$520.

The Mach 2000 and Revival Seventies collections were the brainchild of a revolutionary collective of French industrial designers, architects, interior decorators, and graphic designers. In the 1960s and 1970s, LIP enlisted a handful of these creatives to bring their truly original ideas of timekeeping to life in a series of watches. Among them was the prolific Roger Tallon who designed everything from high-speed French TGV trains to the 1964 Helicoid Staircase (part of the MoMa Design Collection). Tallon’s LIP designs include the iconic Mach 2000 series.

See more about LIP here-->Link

The LIP Product Pages-->Link

LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New York
LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New YorkBarneys Las Vegas (along the indoor canals of the Venetian Hotel & Casino)
What do you want? It's Vegas!

LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New YorkStaircase to the main floor LIP department in Vegas

LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New YorkBig Fat LIPs!

LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New YorkLIP Mach 2000 Chronograph->Link
Roger Tallon Design - 1974

LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New YorkLIP Mach 2000 Watch "Mafia" ->Link
Roger Tallon Design - 1974

LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New YorkLIP Revival Seventies "Big TV"
Roger Tallon Design->Link

LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New YorkLIP Revival "TV" ->Link
Roger Tallon Design - 1975

LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New YorkLIP Revival Seventies "Fridge"
Roger Tallon Design - 1975 ->Link

LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New YorkLIP Revival Seventies "Diode" LED Digital Watch
Roger Tallon Design - 1975 ->Link
(and soon to be featured in GQ Magazine!)


LIP Watch Debut at Barneys New YorkLIP Revival Seventies "Baschmakoff" Jump Hour
Prince Francois de Baschmakoff Design - 1970 ->Link

See more about LIP here-->Link

The LIP Product Pages-->Link

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TX Introduces New Classic 610 Fly-Back Chronograph, 310 Perpetual Calendar and 810 Linear ChronographTag Heuer Silverstone Reissue - A Very Faithful Reintroduction of the Stunning 1974 ChronographRetrowerk Watches Riveted Piston Pumping Portholed Multi-Level Jump Hour Retrograde Watches of Germany - Affordable and High Quality Steampunk WatchesLook at Legendary LEDs of Lloyd's Large CollectionDomo arigato, Mr. Roboto - The Vintage Tin Robot Inspired "Mr. Roboto" Prototype from AzimuthVintage Watching - A Bumper Crop of New Old WatchesClockwise - Tik Tak ClockLIP Watch Debut at Barneys New York

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