Early Optel

[Adam]

This was a recent find. I think some of you guys might like some shots. It has no name, but, I think it may be the lcd version of the Mathey Tissot DSM on Peter Magic digitals site and a Walchron DSM I have seen recently.
Although it has some similarities to the Optel watches there are some differences to the case, both front bezel and battery hatch on the back.

Anyway easier to show you some photos, unfortunately missing the crystal.

DSC_5525.jpg

DSC_5520.jpg

DSC_5522.jpg

[simone]

Congrats Adam...it's a real dinosaurus lcd and still alive...
Maybe i wrong,but i see on the board the number 10 72,could be the manufactered date? too early?
Keep us updated about the missing segments!

[richard_uk]

Is that a field effect LCD? Used to be a lot of those around on eBay, I've had a few pass through my hands over the years.

[Adam]

It is a field effect. Its different to the Optels. Im not sure the module is but the case certainly is. Rounded sides smaller glass and protruding battery hatch. The link below to Peters MagicDigitals is the DSM I think it evolved from.

Well done Simone I hadn't noticed that. I thought 73. Always makes a difference when you have more eyes.


http://www.digitalwatches.de/index.htm? ... UHREN1.htm

[bruce wegmann]

Yes, I would guess the circuit board was made in November of 1972, but, the chip was manufactured in June of 1973, so the watch could not have been completed and sold before then. Clearly, the LED watch had competition almost from the start...

[Kasper]

Just yell if you need glass

[Adam]

Yell!

[Adam]

Any ideas anyone? Its pulsing, I can change the time although I am missing some digits but the time wont increment.



Adam

[charger105]

Hi Adam.
The watch is probably in pause mode......used for accurately setting the time.
Either you need to take it out of pause-mode, or the crown used to take it out of pause-mode is playing up.
See here (sorry about crap image):

Optel_instruct.jpg

Rgds.

[Adam]

Thanks Charger. I did look at the crown mechanism, its not a great design. I'll see if I can clean it up carefully and get some proper contact back.

Adam

[coconutman351]

Aloha Adam, any updates to this project? Where you able to clean the crown mechanism an get it working again?

regards,
Robert

[Adam]

Its on my to do list. Running digital-watch.com seem to take a lot of my spare time. I did miss another on Ebay recently. I think the lcd panel had gone but it was definitely the same model.

[coconutman351]

Well good luck, that watch looks one of a kind. I hope you can get it fully operational again. For my Optel DSM watch I negotiated the sellers price down from $499.00 to $300.00 and just closed on the deal. Looking at this ebay seller history he appears to have a large stock of Optel DSM LCD watches! He may have been connected to the Optel Corporation before they closed and perhaps scooped up a lot of unsold stock. I'm hoping the watch case has not been altered and is in its original form as I still can't find anything like it on the web. Do you know how many variations of Optel models are out there?

[Adam]

My feeling(and it's just that) is that its an early case design. We'll probably never know. It would be interesting if its the original module inside or he's fitted a new one. Once you have it some photos would be nice for the digital-watch site if you have time.


regards

Adam

[coconutman351]

Adam here's a reference to your Tissot Watch:
https://watchismo.blogspot.com/2007/06/ ... es_26.html

[coconutman351]

Absolutely, I'll reference the crazywatches.pl website to dismantle the watch carefully and document some photos of the watch movement and case. You may used any posted photo for your website. Thank you for keeping the digital watch owners community informed!