Casio TM-100 Transmitter Watch

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In 1987, Casio released the TM-100, a most unusual digital watch. On the surface, it appears to be a normal time-telling model but deep inside Casio embedded circuitry to transmit audio signals. Flip the little lever above the display, raise the telescopic antenna and speak or play music into the little microphone and the TM-100 will broadcast the audio to nearby radios! A tiny tuning knob allows you to calibrate the preferred frequency on the FM band (specifically, the Japanese FM band which is 76-90MHz and a portion of the US FM band, 87.5-108MHz). The case is all plastic and it requires two batteries, one for the timekeeping feature and one for the transmitter.

To us, the TM-100 is partially shrouded in mystery. We have never seen it advertised and it is a relatively uncommon watch. The transmitter feature was never included in any other model. We know of a few gadgets sold in Japan (the birthplace of karaoke!) included a transmitter but no wristwatch. Does anyone have any information?

Make: Casio
Year of Manufacture: 1987
Model Number: TM-100
Module Number: 661

Our friend akitaishi posted a couple of very cool videos of his Casio TM-100 in action! Witness a most interesting marriage of technologies: the source is an iPod with digital audio files, playing into the Casio TM-100 and broadcast over FM into a classic ’80s boombox.

1980s Citizen World Time and Alarm Clock Card

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After cleaning out my closet recently, I re-discovered this little Citizen credit-card sized LCD clock and became amazed all over again. I’ve had this little thing for at least 20 years, it was one of the earliest things I’d purchased in one of my weekend jaunts to NYC. If I had to guess on the year of manufacture, I would say 1984. I presume this little gadget was marketed to the businessman who at the time could not rely on email, online chat or video conferencing to get his job done. Meetings of international business were always face-to-face and required time-consuming and expensive travel. So, “world time” was a popular feature in clocks and wristwatches.

Not much larger than a stack of credit cards, this little plastic device is controlled by pressure-sensitive membrane buttons to control its LCD readout. Up top, we see a world map delineated with key time zones. Beneath is our digital readout which consists of two windows, surrounded by key cities and respective time zones. If you check the world cities, you’ll note the clock shows its age with the reference of “Peking”. The primary LCD displays a time zone with respective time. The lower window displays New York Time, London Time and Home Time (set to your preference). Why New York and London? Perhaps this clock was marketed to businessmen in these regions or perhaps the majority of business travel at the time consisted of these two destinations.

Using & Setting the Clock: By tapping the “+” and “-” buttons, one can span the globe from Anchorage to Tokyo, displaying each time zone’s local time. Hold the “select” button down to enter set mode; tap the “read/set” button to change the time, day and date. Tapping the “mode” button displays the alarm time. I can then tap the “read/set” button to turn the alarm on or hold the “select” button to set the alarm. Tapping the “mode” and “read/set” buttons simultaneously will change my home time to whatever zone I’m in.

The back of the clock has a stamped “Made in Japan / Fabrique au Japon” and the battery compartment. This clock runs on a CR2016 lithium battery. The accompanying vinyl protective case should insure this gadget will hold up for another 20 years.

1980 Casio GM-10 Game Watch

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In the early 1980s, we couldn’t get enough video games. We played them at the arcade, in restaurants, shopping malls and grocery stores, at home on the computer or on the TV, in handheld form and yes, even on a wristwatch. The game watch like this Casio Game-10 was the bane of every school teacher. But for students, this small, hidden pleasure made a dull lecture almost bearable.

The GM-10 was Casio’s earliest animated game watch. Using the two pushers on the right, you maneuver your ship and fire missiles to fend an alien attack. The Game-10 also features a chronograph and alarm. This model is usually black, the beige version offered here is an unusual color variation. Beautiful condition and a genuine “old stock” Casio band has been fitted to make this look perfect.

Make: Casio
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Model Number: GM-10 (“Game-10”)
Module Number: 165

$499 USD plus shipping. Payment accepted via Google Checkout or credit card. In person pickup available if you’re near Atlanta. Contact us for more information.

Casper’s Beach Boombox

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As you brace for a cold winter in the next couple of months, think back to a warm sunny Saturday afternoon beachside with sand, surf, friends and your favorite tunes playing.

Casper Yardely shared some shots of one of his stereos (he has several) on the beach. He says, “The Aiko ATPR-9000 is the regular one that goes, thought one week I brought the Marantz CRS-4000… nervously. A JVC RC-656 makes its way up from time to time, and a Realistic SCR-8 once in a while goes along for the ride. The Aiko is the “beach goer”, and Its ridiculous how many people comment on it as we are walking there and even while we are there. Others have their cheesy iPod docking stations which sound horrible with exaggerated treble and crappy bass, where as the units I bring have the “throw” of mid-range and realistic treble and bass. All the same, I have yet to once see any body else… not one… have a traditional beach boom box up there…” By the way, Casper has a shop in the Chicago area and he can help restore your favorite radio if you need it. Look him up and give him a shout!

Thanks Casper!

1983 Casio CD-40, The First Data Bank Calculator Watch

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Rewind to 1983 and you could have purchased this gem in your local department store.  The marvelous CD-40, a 24-button multi-function watch, the first of its kind.  What does it do…calculator?  Check.  Alarm? Yep.  Stopwatch.  Hourly chime.  And Casio’s Data Bank feature.  Think of it as a note pad on your wrist.  Not so high tech today, but this watch is almost thirty years old!  Plastic case, genuine signed resin strap.  Works perfectly.

Make: Casio
Year of Manufacture: 1983
Model Number: CD-40
Module Number: 246

$169 USD plus shipping. Payment accepted via Google Checkout or credit card. In person pickup available if you’re near Atlanta. Contact us for more information.

Thrift Store Sightings

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I was tasked with discarding an old (1999) Zenith CRT television this week. The set worked perfectly but it’s bulky and gets no use today. Our primary TV is a Sony KD-34XBR970. It’s also a CRT but a Hi-Def model, and supposedly the last CRT manufactured by Sony. I love the picture quality on this and have not yet seen an LCD or plasma that can compare to it.

I delivered the TV to the local GoodWill store and they refused to take it. “We’ll only take in TVs that were manufactured after the year 2000.” So, I travelled to another thrift store and, thank goodness, they willingly loaded the Zenith onto an old shopping cart and rolled it into the shop. Hope it finds a home!

Thrift stores are terrific for finding interesting, old electronic stuff and “Value Village” was no exception. I spotted a Sharp GX-CD10 boombox in decent shape and 100% operational. Take a look at the back of the radio–apparently by 1990, Sharp had already moved at least some of their manufacturing out of Japan and into Malaysia.

Up front and behind the main counter is where the store keeps its big-ticket stuff like artwork, jewelry, and apparently antique video game systems like the Sears-branded Intellivision, called the Super Video Arcade. I didn’t know Sears had sold a re-branded Mattel’s Intellivision, I knew they had done the same with the Atari 2600. This particular model looks different than Mattel’s system: note the white and dark brown color combination (as opposed to the gold and brown Intellivison) and the controller placement is different too. Did Sears actually redesign the console? The one I spotted is still in its original box. In 1982, this home game console cost just north of $200. Fifteen or so years ago, we were tripping over Atari 2600s, Odyssey IIs and the like in the general merchandise area of thrift shops, usually priced around five or ten bucks. Times have changed because the Value Village Super Video Arcade is priced at $99.99!

1980 Pulsar Calculator Watch

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We discovered a two-tone all-metal, made in Japan calculator wristwatch on the shelf in a midtown Manhattan electronics store recently, literally gathering dust. As iPhone and digital camera accessories moved briskly from adjacent shelves and into shoppers’ hands, we realized the public had dismissed yesterday’s technological marvels like this one.

Fortunately, with new batteries this Pulsar (made by Seiko) is running like new. All functions work perfectly: alarm, stopwatch, calculator and the display that illuminates by a tiny bulb. Selectively pushing The tiny buttons poses a challenge for the average finger, but Seiko planned for that: a small stylus ejects from the bracelet clasp, perfectly designed for the tiny controls.

Make: Pulsar (movement by Seiko)
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Model Number: Y739-5019

1978 Digital LCD Citizen Scientific Calculator Watch 49-9421 cal. 9140A

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1978 Citizen Scientific Calculator Watch from Japan with Box

Behold, we present to the Citizen scientific calculator watch, the master of “nerd watches”. The two-row display shows time, date up top and an eight-digit display for calculating below. Forty buttons surround the dial, many serving two functions. The display can be illuminated with the push of a button too. Includes signed Citizen display box. To those who prefer silvertone/stainless steel, sadly this model was only offered in goldtone.

Make: Citizen
Year of Manufacture: 1978
Model Number: 49-9421
Caliber Number: 9140A

New In Box 1979 Seiko C359 Calculator Watch

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Dead Stock Seiko C359 Calculator Watch Complete with Stylus, Instructions & Box

Seiko’s second calculator watch, a beautiful stainless steel model from 1979. Check out the tiny keypad beneath the display. You’ll need stylus, pen/pencil or very tiny fingers to use it. The grille to the left is for the alarm. The LCD shows time, day of week and date. A light illuminates the display for calculating in stealth during night missions or during blackouts. Made in Japan, this one includes the original box, hang tag, signed stylus and instruction manual. Brand new battery, all functions are working (calculator, light, alarm and time functions). The display is perfect, no discoloration or fading.