Digital Watches
Digital Watches Have Come Full Circle
The first digital watches to appear on the market were created by Pulsar in 1972 at an
unbelievable price of $2,100. These new Digital watches needed two hands to use them as you had to push a button on
the side of them to get the LED display to light up and show you the time. While not being very convenient the
concept soon took off and became popular. One thing that held these new watches back from the masses was the cost;
in order for them to be available to everyone the cost had to be brought down to something most people could
afford.
By 1975 the competition had become fierce with over 80 different models of digital watches available which
helped bring the cost down a little, but it was still out of reach for many, with typical ladies digital watches
still costing well over $100. 1976 was to be breakthrough year for digital watches as Texas Instruments created the
Model T of digital watches. These watches came with a plastic case and wristband and could be purchased for as low
as $20; by late 1976 the price was cut in half forcing companies like Pulsar out of business.
The LED display was soon replaced by Liquid Crystal Display or LCD as it used much less power to
activate the display. By using so much less power it made it possible for the display to remain on constantly,
freeing up the extra hand needed to turn on the LED display. With a few slight changes the LCD watch is still in
use today and can be purchased for extremely reasonable prices. Modern LCD timepieces have become so cheap that
many of them are given away as promotional items.
So what happened to all those LED digital watches that were produced in the early 70s? Many of
them have turned up in the hands of companies that deal in vintage digital watches. It is quite possible to once
again own that Casio or Seiko digital watch and revel in the glow of the red LED display when you push the button
on the side of the watch. Not only have the LED watches become popular again so have many of the original LCD
watches from Seiko. These watches are once again selling for a premium price on many web sites dedicated to
collectors.
As with anything in the fashion world the further into the future we move the more fashion tends
to look back at where we have come from. The digital watches are no different as many companies are starting
to produce retro digital watches complete with red LED displays. Created to replicate the classic styles of such
renowned watchmakers as Bulova and Casio these watches are once again gracing the wrists of the young and
fashionable crowd. These retro digital watches use the exact same LED displays that were used in the 70s and are
available in a variety of men's and lady's styles to suit anyone with a taste for old school technology.
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