Buzz
Recently, I came across a vintage-style calculator watch created by artist Nathan Bird from the fantastic website HahaBird. I can't quite explain why I’m so drawn to this watch. It doesn’t even display the time, and I have no idea how to operate an abacus. Plus, I’m not usually fond of wearing accessories on my wrist. Yet, there’s something about its nerdy charm that makes me want to strap it on and proudly show it off to anyone who’s ever been part of a math team (confession: I was on the math team). Nathan provides a detailed guide on his site here if you’re interested in crafting your own abacus watch. Since discovering his post, I’ve been eager to dig deeper into the history of calculator watches. Here’s what I’ve uncovered:
1. Calculators Were Initially Met with Skepticism
Retrocalcuator
Today, it might sound odd, but digital calculators had to prove their reliability to the public. When the initial Japanese pocket calculators made a grand entrance, people were so doubtful about their precision that Sharp Electronics attached an abacus to the devices, allowing users to verify their calculations. The website Retrocalculators displays four distinct models manufactured until 1985.
2. The First Calculator Watches Were Available at Tiffany…
Crazy Watches
The inaugural Pulsar calculator watches launched in 1975. Crafted from solid gold, they were priced at $3950 (equivalent to nearly $18,000 today; Harvard tuition at the time was $3740 per year). However, these watches weren’t something you could simply grab at a local Radio Shack. As reported by the New York Times, only 100 limited-edition pieces were sold exclusively at Tiffany, Nieman-Marcus, and Marshall Field.
3. … and Each Watch Included a Complimentary Pen!
Pocket Watch Show
Similar to an early stylus, the initial versions included a pocket pen to assist those with less dexterous fingers in using the keypad. These pens also served the purpose of jotting down results, as the early calculators lacked memory functions and could only display six digits at a time.
4. The Circuit Boards Were Stunning
Crazy Watches
The team at Crazy Watches opened up the Pulsar 901 to uncover its intricate and beautiful circuitry (credit to Medium). The watch embodies the Steve Jobs philosophy of ensuring that even the hidden components are visually appealing.
5. Math for Everyone
The company quickly introduced a more affordable version. For $400 (equivalent to $2000 today), you could purchase a steel version of the same calculator. By the early 1980s, competition had reduced the prices of budget models to less than $20.
6. A Watch for Secret Nerds
Casio Ad, 1985
Casio soon mastered the art of enhancing the basic calculator watch with additional features. For those who preferred not to appear as if they needed a calculator on their wrist at all times, Casio launched an “invisible” feature in 1985. This allowed users to swipe numbers and symbols across the watch face with their fingers, with answers appearing discreetly in a band above the standard watch display. For those who embraced their inner Atari enthusiast, the company also included a “Space Invader Game” alongside calendar and alarm functions.
7. The One Thing Sting and Michael J. Fox Had in Common
It’s unclear what other shared interests they might have had, but in the 1980s, both icons proudly wore calculator watches, showcasing their love for this nerdy accessory.
8. This Could Be the Ultimate Choice
Pocket Watch Show
Featuring 41 buttons around the watch face and equipped with trigonometric functions (including sin and cos buttons!), this Citizen Quartz watch stands out as my top pick among vintage calculator watches. Well, aside from the abacus watch mentioned earlier.
To dive deeper into the fascinating history and development of calculator watches, don’t miss this excellent Medium article. Additionally, for an impressive collection of Nerd Watches, explore the galleries at Pocket Calculator Show and Crazy Watches.
