by Guy Ball, copyright 1999. All rights reserved. Contact for permission to reprint.
5 August 1999 - Update
In a few days (when I get them back from the processor), I will be adding some new photos of the outside case of the watch, as well as some close-ups of the watch module. Meanwhile go to the bottom of the article to read some updated information on the watch.
Uranus calculator watch photos:
The Uranus calculator watch is one of the great mysteries of the calculator and LED watch world -- at this time anyway. Too little is known about the watch and, until recently, only one was known to be in a collector's hands. A second one recently turned up on ebay and was purchased for about $340 -- far cheaper than the typical $1,000 that the HP-01 demands or the $500 or so a new Pulsar calculator watch sells for. Considering the rarity of its existence, to see it sell for under $500 is a shock.
My purpose in writing this article is to talk about what was known and what is now known, based on viewing this second watch. Some of the observations will be "educated" opinion and open to change should new facts arise in the future.
What little we know about the watch comes from early issues of Popular Mechanics (June 1976) and Popular Science (December 1976). The articles only briefly mention the watch and one photo shows the watch with a unique recharging unit that looks like a workman's "C-Clamp" -- apparently connecting to the sides of the watch and recharging some rechargeable battery within. Beyond that, the articles do not give us much more information.
As you can see by the picture of the front of the watch, the watch has twelve round "keys" (or buttons) around the front circumference of the watch's red display cover. Ten of the keys are for entering the numbers 1 through 0, one key is for a decimal point, and the last is a function key.
The keys are shaped like mushrooms a bit -- with a larger surface area that slims down as it goes into the case. This was definitely a nice feature allowing for a larger "touch" area than many other calculator watches. Oddly, the keys themselves rotate freely 360 degrees, allowing the numbers on the key heads to turn so that a "6" could quickly look like a "9." The numbers are engraved or punched into the keyhead -- not silk-screened on.
The function key deals with the various calculator functions. You would press that key and then press a second key with a certain function. These functions are located below certain number keys. Below the "3" key is a "CE" for a clear entry function. Below the "4" is a "+" for addition. Below the "5" is a "-" for subtraction. Below the 6 is a "x" for multiplication. Below the "7" is a division sign for division. Below the "8" is an "=" sign for equals or totaling.
There are four buttons on the sides of the watch -- two on each side. Their function are not yet known -- this watch is not yet working properly. However the button on the right lower side (which you can hardly see in the photo) is probably for setting features like the time.
There are also 2 indented metal contacts on the sides of the watch -- one each at the "9" and "3" location. This is probably for the recharging unit (which did not come with the watch I am describing). However, the two batteries found in the watch were disposable -- one was a "S76" and the other a "357." Whether they are the correct batteries is unknown.
The band is well made -- but not of a "fine grade." The watch case and band are gold colored. The watch back is silver-toned. The watch case does not refer to any metal type.
The front red display of the watch has URANUS stamped - and not silkscreened - into the plastic. The back cover has stamped MADE IN U.S.A. and also the serial number (87123 on this watch).
The inside module has a five digit LED display. You can see many of the electrical contacts on the face of the module circuit board which make electrical contact with the keys when the keys are depressed. There appears to be a jumper wire of sorts at the bottom of the module. This may have been a circuit design change after the module circuit boards were already made up. Or it could have been a repair to a watch. Rather than replace the original module, they could have just fixed the bad circuit trace. There are four small black items in the module picture, spaced near the 12, 5, 7, and 8 "o-clock" positions. These are simply a black spacer material which keeps the module away from the watch case.
Along the side of the watch module, small gold-plated springs are used to make contact with the four side buttons and two metal "charger" contacts. In other LED watch modules you see just a small metal plate. Here they used springs set on their side which would connect with the side buttons when depressed.
The back of the module has the crystal and space for two button batteries. You may not be able to make it out in the picture, but stamped on the module is URANUS, LED, and USA. Also there is a "+" and a "-" to help you place the batteries in properly. The battery holders have spring contacts.
The watch case back screws onto the watch.
The watch is nicely made. The gold finish is not "smooth" but that does not detract from the watch itself. By the way, the first reported watch was silver-toned.
Right now, that's all I can relate to you. I will be happy to add more information when I get some -- especially if we get the watch working. If you have any additional information on the Uranus calculator watch, please contact me at mrcalc@usa.net!
Thanks!
A few more observations:
Hit the "back" button on your browser to return you to the previous page or click to go to the The reference section of www.TheDigitalWatch.com">LED Watches home page.
For information about this site contact Guy Ball at mrcalc@usa.net
