Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Wristwatch |
Catalog Number |
96.14 |
Collection |
Watch |
Date |
c. 1980 |
Description |
Brief description: Stainless steel square case solar-powered, sealed (dustproof and waterproof) men's wristwatch, synchronized to year 2100. Solar cells are arranged on the roof-shaped top of the watch; the light-emitting diodes (LED) display was activated by a sliding magnet on the right: pushing backward displays hours and minutes, and pulling forward displays date and weekday; a second sliding magnet on the left was used to set the watch. The dot matrix LED is located between the horn lugs in a recess, allowing the time to be read even in bright sunlight. Producer name: Ragen Semiconductors Incorporated Production date: 1973 Made in: Whippany, New Jersey, USA Dimensions: 30 X 31 X 9 millimeters (case) Markings: Dial: Movement RAGEN SEMICONDUCTORS MFG. USA - PATENTED SYNCHRONAR ™ #1 Case (inside): Curator's comments: Roger Riehl, president of Riehl Electronics Corp. in Troy, Ohio, launched the Synchronar 2100 in 1973, one of the first LED watches with solar cells. The integrated circuit of the CMOS (complimentary oxide silicon) type was supplied by Ragen Semiconductors in Whippany, New Jersey. Two button-type nickel-cadmium batteries were charged by the solar cells whenever the light intensity was sufficient. If time was read 20 times a day, the batteries were allegedly fully charged by just 10 minutes in sunlight. Several display options were available for the four-digit LED; the user could choose whether they preferred hour and minute (in 27-hour mode), day/date, or seconds. The SYNCHRONAR ™ was a highly accurate, multifunction watch designed to be insensitive to extreme temperature variations and was shockproof and waterproof even at great depths (700 feet). The calendar was programmed to 2100 (perpetual calendar). The MKIV could be user adjusted to ±8 seconds per year! Sadly, the watches proved very unreliable with two weak points: the rechargeable batteries corroded and failed, and the solar cells deteriorated over time. The case of the Synchronar was made from Lexan plastic and was 100% sealed, with no opening to change the batteries. To replace the batteries, the case had to be cut open! The design of the case was so unique it was granted a patent. Advertisement from Hamacher Schlemmer, the first company to market the Synchronar in 1974. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Trueb, Ramm & Wenzig, Electrifying the Wristwatch, pages 295 and 296 http://www.juno.dti.ne.jp/~hamahal/synchronar01.html |
Maker |
Ragen Semiconductors Incorporated |
Place of Origin |
Whippany, New Jersey, USA |
Notes |
Donated by Barbara Smith, NAWCC #132943 4 slides in slide cabinet 1 |