50+ Years of Digital Watch History in 15 mins

I’ve spent hundreds of hours investigating and illuminating the detailed history of the main digital watch brands (Casio, Seiko, Citizen, Timex) , as well as more obscure angles on the hobby like Tokyo Flash and the watch offerings of places like India and Germany. This video bakes that all together into one 15 minute digestible chunk - Matrix Style! I hope you enjoy the Video! If you want a bit more detail read on!

In the 70s, digital watches emerged as a high-end luxury item, marking a new era in timekeeping. Different nations would compete to be considered at the vanguard of this new technology . This new trend had connections to the fields of computers and calculators, causing a clash between traditional watch brands and new comers from the tech field. Towards the end of the 70s, two major challenges arose: the need to keep up with Japan's innovative advancements to capture the premium market and the increasing cost efficiency of producing lower-end models in Hong Kong and Japan for mass consumption. As a result, many Western companies were forced out of the game unless they adapted and formed partnerships with these emerging forces.

The 1980s are often remembered as the time when cheap plastic watches, mostly manufactured in Hong Kong, dominated the market. However, premium digital watches still held their ground in four distinct categories. First, there were sports watches that offered water resistance and durability, appealing to aspiring active individuals. Second, there were technological watches that combined timekeeping with emerging technologies such as computers and sensors. Third, there were novelty watches that featured integrated melodies or computer games, adding a playful element to timekeeping. Finally, there were stylish fashion watches that downplayed the digital aspect while retaining practicality, such as Ana-digi models and premium models from Swiss brands.

The 90s is when all the folks experimenting in the market had been flushed out and we were largely left with the promotional Hong Kong made cheap watches acquired at gas stations, or the titans of Casio and a revitalised Timex, as well as some youth oriented models from Seiko and Citizen designed to capture the burgeoning extreme sports craze and the associated youth culture.

The 2000s was when the brands beyond Casio were more targeted in highly specialised niches like the youth market and retro-futuristic fashion in Tokyo.

From the 2010s onwards, we find ourselves at the cusp of the smartwatch era, where digital watches intersect with advanced technologies.

[IlluminatingWatches]

Sorry for the jumps in the audio when it gets to the Gruen teletime. I’ve had it in my head for ages that they were a Swiss brand, but was recently informed that they were founded in the US so had to correct

[danilohenrique]

I love these watches with crazy functions because they are so cool and very stylish

[leepenney]

Recently found this channel and working my way through the videos. I wanted to say these are excellent videos with excellent production quality and information (not to mention the gorgeous watches). It's also nice to see a channel look into a segment that was/is massive yet seems to get little love save the odd Casio reissue.

[marcelovasconcellos]

Great video, thanks! I have now come full circle and am back where I started 45 years ago. LCD digital watches are now the majority in my collection. They just suit my lifestyle better and are what I truly like to wear. My autos had fallen by the wayside a couple years back and recently have culled my quartz analogs drastically. Will keep 3 or 4 should the need or want ever arise, but it’s my digitals that I wear day in day out.

[rwj]

I must say that I'm more highly impressed with all of the classic digital watches in this video by far, more than any modern day smart watch! I currently own some of the casio watches shown in this video such as the Wrist Remote Control model, the Twin Graph model and the Joggers model from the 1980's. I'm a huge fan of Casio watches! 🙌🏾

[lucacadianalbert]

incredible amount of information in only 15 minutes - love it! Digital watches are rad!

[Robin]

I wish Casio would come out with one with the red led lettering. I always liked that

[Daud]

Great video! What really interests me is the fact that the earliest digital watches with their basic functions were seen then as "high tech".

[suratunbegum]

I love digital watches. I wear Casio digital watches. Good video.

[adsagp]

Great video, thanks for putting in all the effort of compiling it, well done! I'm glad my Casio G-Shock Rangrman GW-9400+1 made it to your list!

[carlkim]

Your channel is simply indispensable. This is history gold 🥇

[collectingwatches]

Great video! Thanks for the great videos and detail.

[timtimecollector]

Awesome video, so many interesting brands and cool digitals. It would be a shame if smart watches took over completely. I definitely prefer a watch that is self contained and doesn't need to be plugged into the matrix 😎

[Grdiniz]

I wish you were back to making videos ...

[flemmingsorensen]

Never thought that I would be interrested in quartz/LED watches - but now I am!!! ☺️👍 Damn !!!! For a person that prefers handwound watches, this is a strange development indeed. GREAT video!

[TimeArtPiece]

As always, very detailed and researched! Thank you for the time and effort you put into your videos.

[dunderhay]

Wow! Good work, some of the early models were pretty wacky 😲

[johanvandersandt]

This is very cool! Tech was way out there in the 80's and 90's! Thanks for sharing Gordon! Wish I could have all those Casio "man" watches! They look so cool!

[DandoLaHora]

I really love your channel! Lots of love from Chile; i'm preparing a video to recomend you and others :)

[erikpayne]

Thanks for the uniqueness of your channel.