Original Vintage Pulsar Wristwatch Illustrated Papers / Instructions / Grantee in English, circa 1972

Format: Triptych (3 Panels) Recto-Verso

Dimensions: 24.5 cm x 15.5 cm Opened 

Language: English

In 1972, Hamilton produced the first watch with a digital display.

But, already in 1968, Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey, Hamilton had provided a brief glimpse into the future when the company provided the futuristic digital clock that featured in the film. John Bergey, then head of Hamilton's Pulsar division, said that this had inspired his team with the vision for their new timepiece, already in development at the time.

Again in 1970, Hamilton hinted that they had an important breakthrough in the pipeline; but ultimately it took them 2 more years to iron out the final technical problems, before launching their 18K gold Pulsar with a price tag of $2,100.

By pressing a button on the side, the time was displayed on a red numeric display, illuminated by light emitting diodes (LED). These LED were created by passing an electric charge through inorganic materials. Seven electronic switches went into making each of the numerals on the display. The original red light was generated by "exciting" aluminium gallium arsenide (AlGaAs); however Pulsar later produced a green LED using gallium nitride (GaN).

Many other watch manufacturere felt that the new quartz analogue watches were a passing fad and that it wasn't worth jumping onto the bandwagon, a point of view reflected in the writings of Douglas Adams and other contemporary writers at the end of the 1970s and start of the 1980s.

Still, by 1975, there were over 80 types of digital movements available.

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