United Colors of Benetton Square Bracelet Watch

It's been a while since I wore a really unusual looking watch, so today I've decided on one which is pretty unique (especially as I'm going to an art gallery opening tonight too).

The watch is another in the range by United Colors of Benetton, but not in the Benetton by Bulova range. I've featured many watches from Benetton so far, and this is the most unusual of the lot. More info about the brand can be found in my other posts.

The first thing you notice about the watch is that it is square - not that the face is square, but the whole watch including the strap is a square bracelet design (with a round hole for your wrist). It is made from semi transparent blue non-flexible plastic, which is hinged at one side for opening so you can get it on. The other opening side has a metal hook which when pressed releases the two halves.

The face of the watch is mirrored with a window for the LCD display. The LCD is a long thin dot matrix array of around 35x7 which shows a scrolling message (United Colors of Benetton) as well as the time. To excentuate the difference between message and time, the message is in normal LCD display while the time is shown in inverse. There is a mode button on the side of the watch which allows you to bring up the time instantly or to show the date. The other button on the side is for time setting mode, which works after you use the mode button to select time or date. Also in the setting mode is the option to change the language for the date to one of a variety of European languages, including English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Next to the display is a small United Colors of Benetton logo in white and green.

The back of the watch part is fastened with screws, and just has the basic info (brand name, stainless steel back, 3atm water resistant, and registered design).

I've not seen this online, so have no formal confirmation of the date of the watch, but the LCD module date starts at 2005, so my assumption is that the watch was released around this date. I do have the original price label, so I know it was sold with an rrp of €50.

Hidden Display LCD Bracelet Watch

A quick post today of a watch I know little about.

This watch is not meant to be seen as a watch, but more of a bracelet. When worn, all you normally see is a grey sparkly plastic band with a red stripe and a couple of press studs, two on one side, and one on the other side.

The side with the double press studs is the size adjuster which allows the size to be changed by about 1cm.

Opening up the other reveals the hidden LCD display. It is a basic 4 digit display with two buttons on the back (one to shift between time, date, and seconds, and one for time setting).

There is no makers mark or other identifying features, but inside, the circuit board has the number WF103B. The watch takes a LR621 battery, but there is no other info.

Hog Wild Bracelet Watch

I was sorting out boxes today, and found this watch. It's in a bad state, and probably beyond repair, but it's been with me through a lot.

I got it in the early 2000s, at the time I was playing a lot of touch rugby. As there was the potential for contact, I couldn't wear a normal watch, so bought this to wear while playing. So this must be one of my most worn watches, as I used it twice a week for 3-4 years.

The watch is copyright of Hog Wild, LLC. Hog Wild was formed in 1996, and sell innovative novelty products for older kids and into adults. The company is based in Portland, Oregon (or Porkland as they call it), but the watch is made in China.

It has a stretchy rubber strap which fastens onto the ends of the plastic watch head. The head houses the watch module, which displays time on it's 4 digit LCD display. There are inset buttons in the back, one for changing the display (time, date, or seconds), and one for setting the watch.

According to the back of the watch, it was made in 2003. Due to it's age and exposure to the elements, the rubber in the strap has now perished, and is quite fragile.