Seiko's 1984 Wrist Computer: The World's First Watch with Computer Functions
The first watch featuring computer functions
In 1984, Seiko launched the world's first wrist computer system, combining a watch with a separate controller console featuring a built-in printer. Users could input BASIC programming via an optional keyboard to play games, while also accessing memo, telephone directory, address book, and scheduling functions. The unified box-shaped design of the watch, controller, and keyboard featured a two-tone gray base accented with orange buttons, marking a bold fusion of timekeeping and computing technology.
The world's first wrist computer system, released in 1984, consisted of a watch part and a separate controller console with a built-in printer.
- PaulRobinson
This is cool, but do you know what was really cool? 2 years earlier, they made a TV watch: https://by.seiko-design.com/140th/en/topic/51.html
- stefanv
I became interested in Seiko watches after recently buying a Seiko Astron while visiting Japan. It’s amazing how much they shaped the watch industry. With the Astron series they buried a lot of Swiss manufacturers when it was first launched. Also, their “Spring Drive” technology is amazing. It’s basically the perfect hybrid between a mechanical watch movement and a quartz crystal. The movement is mechanical, with the spring releasing energy and powering the quartz crystal (there is no battery), which in turn acts as a “referee”, applying an electromagnetic brake and regulating the mechanical movement.
- stefanv
A bit more info about this watch https://hackaday.com/2024/07/16/seiko-had-a-smartwatch-in-19... or https://www.namokimods.com/en-eu/blogs/namokitimes/seiko-ori...
- bpoyner
Anyone else notice the time in the photo is set to 10:08:59, which is one second before Apple Watch marketing material using 10:09, which itself is 1 minute before the traditional 10:10 used by the watchmaking industry?
- emptybits
Fast forward... all the computer I need is now in my bag or pocket or least within the room.
So what I'd enjoy on my wrist is an entry-level Seiko (or other) quartz with nothing but: 1) analog hands, and 2) a vibrating Bluetooth notification of incoming phone calls or maybe messages.
I know know, the second one is a swamp that Seiko doesn't want to wade into.