Earlier on this forum i learned that these early modules were produced by NEC (Nippon Electric Company)
I can say, from my personal expirience with this and another early Casio that these modules run extremely perfect on time and are very reliable.
@ Seiko&Casio Lcd's : This one is not part of the NOS versions that are for sale on Ebay (i think you mean the watches in their original package in a row of 6 in a cardboard box?). You might consider buying one of these excamples as they are NOS with original bracelet, but a bit high priced with their leaking batteries. The fact that the silver backplate is corroded suggests heavy damage due to the battery leakage; you will probably have to look for another r17 module. But every once in a while they come by. On the other hand, you might take your chance and try repairing.
@ dutchsiberia : When you start with this watch without backup information you probably wont figure out how to set it. Once you know how, its easy.
I found this website :
http://watches.gafortiby.com/watch/Casi ... R_17_X_1R/Heres a manual the owner of the website fabricated himself, it works with most NEC modules (the basics):
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BEGIN INSTRUCTIONS!
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Let's say that the following shows the watch's button layout. There are two on the right and one recessed button on the left.
A
B C
In this guide:
{A} means press A
-{A}- means hold A
**So the way this watch works is like this: You can switch between regular timekeeping mode and ONE special mode with {A}.
The watch can only be set to use ONE of FOUR special modes at a time. It cannot use all four special modes at the same time!
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SETTING THE WATCH
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Setting current time and/or date:
*When in time/date set mode, the selected digit will automatically advance by one every 2 seconds.
*When in time/date set mode, pressing B will abort time set mode.
set time:
When the [5] (50 second marker) is flashing, {B}.
Wait until the hour digit shows the current hour. (Remember, PM is indicated by a [+] on the top right corner.)
{C} to move to the tens minutes digit:
Wait until the first minutes digit shows the current time.
{C} to move to the singles minutes digit:
Wait until the first minutes digit shows the current time.
{C} to finish setting the time.
Set Date:
While -{C}- {B}. This can be done at any second.
Wait until the month digit shows the current month.
{C} to move to the tens days digit:
Wait until the first minutes digit shows the current date.
{C} to move to the singles days digit:
Wait until the first minutes digit shows the current date.
{C} to finish setting the date.
To quickly compensate for 30 second errors in time:
{B} when [0]~[4] is lit flashing -> entire display will start flashing.
To adjust for watch being too fast, {A} when seconds is [0] [1] or [2]. This will round down the seconds to zero.
To adjust for watch being too slow, {A} when seconds is [3] [4] or [5]. This will round up the seconds to zero, advancing to the next minute.
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USING THE WATCH: BASICS
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To see day/date, -{C}- while in regular timekeeping mode.
To select your special mode:
while -{A}-, {B}
The digits will disappear and only the seconds will show.
Stop watch: {C} when [0] is flashing.
Counter: {C} when [1] is flashing.
World Time: {C} when [2] is flashing.
Time Memory: {C} when [3], [4] or [5] is flashing.
**All settings are erased if you switch to a different special mode.
**Once you select your special mode, it will be in indicated by a solidly lit (not flashing) seconds number. For example, if the [3] is solidly lit in regular timekeeping mode, the selected secondary function is World Time.
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USING THE SECONDARY FUNCTIONS
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How to use special modes (secondary functions):
For all of these, {A} to enter special mode, {A} to return to regular timekeeping mode.
The following assumes you have selected the correct mode and have already entered the mode.
Stopwatch:
{C} to start stopwatch.
{C} to end stopwatch.
{C} to reset stopwatch.
Counter:
{C} to advance count.
-{C}- to reset.
World Time:
{C} to select the next city.
**To set the correct time zone/ time difference:
Select a city which time you already know.
{B}
Wait until the hour digit shows the current hour at that city. (Remember, PM is indicated by a [+] on the top right corner.)
{C} to move to the tens minutes digit:
Wait until the first minutes digit shows the current time at that city.
{C} to move to the singles minutes digit:
Wait until the first minutes digit shows the current time at that city.
{C} to finish setting the time.
The times at all other cities will be automatically calculated.
**All Cities are set to the same minute & seconds.
Time Memory:
{B}.
Wait until the hour digit shows whatever time you want to remember. (Remember, PM is indicated by a [+] on the top right corner.)
{C} to move to the tens minutes digit:
Wait until the first minutes digit shows whatever time you want to remember.
{C} to move to the singles minutes digit:
Wait until the first minutes digit shows whatever time you want to remember.
{C} to finish setting the time memory.