Storm Navigator

Today's watch is one that I've been wanting since I'd first started collecting watches, but I'd not been able to afford it then while I was a student, and then it wasn't for sale anymore.

The watch is by the London based brand Storm and is called the Navigator.

The Storm brand began at the end of the 80s and have been producing many different interesting designs of watches.

The Storm Navigator was released in the mid 90s, and was one of the most high tech watches they produced at the time. The watch is large and pretty thick and the face shows 4 circular windows. It seems that the design was reissued, starting in 2009, and is currently for sale on the Storm website.

The Navigator has quite a few functions, and includes both analogue and digital time display with a 2 hand dial and a small LCD display with two rows of two digits (placed at the diagonals). It also has windows for an analogue thermometer, and a small compass. On the bottom section of the watch is an orange torch which lights for a few seconds after pressing the button.

Inside, all of the parts are in separate modules. Opening the back first reveals the torch module, and that needs to be removed to get to the rest of the modules. The thermometer and compass are small independent removable modules, and the two watch modules are also in separate slots. The analogue module is a standard Japanese quartz module, and the LCD module is a tiny unit, less than 1cm x 1cm and around 5mm thick.

Casio Protrek PRT-40 Bird Life International

I decided on today's watch as it is Easter Sunday, and that is a day I go hiking up a hill to watch the sun rise.

The watch I chose is one of my more extreme outdoor watches, and was also a milestone when it came out.

The watch in question is part of the Casio Protrek range and is called the PRT-40. It came out in Japan in 1996 and was the third of the Protrek Triple Sensor watches. On the European Casio site, the PRT-40 is shown as one of the watches in their milestone list with a 1998 release date, so I think it was just late coming out of Japan. As this was a Japanese release, and the module date starts in 1995, i think this was an early PTR-40 model.

The Protrek range started in 1994 as an outdoor watch range for hikers. They started with a triple sensor watch which evolved very little design wise to the PRT-40, but this model was the first with an automatic el-backlight.

This particular version is the PRT-40BLJ, and is a model that as released in partnership with BirdLife International. The BirdLife International organisation is a global collaboration between different conservation organisations. It was started in 1922 as the International Committee for Bird Protection, but changed its name in 1993. The organisation is in charge of the official Red List of birds requiring protection.

The PRT-40 is a typical triple sensor model with thermometer, compass, and barometer/altimeter. It has a large and robust design with a round LCD display in the centre. The LCD display is made up of three rows and a display round the edge of 60 markers for seconds or as a part of the compass. The other parts of the LCD are the time at the bottom, date or temperature /height in the middle, and a small dot matrix at the top (for day or mode).

Inside is a 1471 module which is powered by 2 batteries. Modes on the watch include altitude /temperature (with altitude graph on the dot matrix), data recall (for heights and temperatures), alarm (x5), and stopwatch. The compass is not accessed through the mode button, but the bearing button. Pressing this shows the current bearing, but it is not a live compass, so doesn't change automatically when you turn.

The strap is a fabric, leather, and cord design, fastened to the case through Protrek branded plastic connection, which also has the BirdLife International name printed on it. The first part of the strap is the black leather section, imprinted with the Protrek logo, which is sewn to the velcro fabric strap. It also connects to the secondary cord fastening with a Protrek branded hook, which makes sure that the watch can't accidently fall off.

The back contains the usual information, and has a BirdLife International logo dominating the back plate.

Alba Twin Sensor W750

After a few newer watches, I'm taking it back to the 90s with today's watch.

The watch is one of the Twin Sensor range of watches by the Seiko brand Alba. The watches were released in the 90s to be high tech watches for outdoor use, with sensors designed to help with your outdoor activities.

This model is the W750 and comes from 1995. It is a smaller design than some of the Twin Sensor designs, but still has a barometer /altimeter, and a thermometer.

The LCD display is quite packed with 3 lines of information. Along the top is the altitude and barometric pressure display and the bottom line covers the time. The middle line has a dot matrix array and additional digits which normally shows the date and day. The dot matrix can also show a graph of your altitude over time as well as some text. As well as these, there is a set to do markers down the right side of the watch which show the trend of air pressure, and uses that to predict the weather.

The modes I'm this model are aimed at climbing and hiking. As well as the altimeter and barometer and temperature sensor, the watch has a memory recall (for altitude), alarm, and an Alti-Chr. The Alti-Chr is like a stopwatch, but it also measures your altitude and rate of climb, and is controlled by the front button. As needed for an outdoor watch, it is also 10 bar water resistant. The time adjust is unusual on this model in that you pull out the mode button to activate.

The full model number is W750-4A00. It has an Alba strap with the part number FA89FE 20. The catalogue number was ADQB003, and it originally sold  ¥14,000.

Citizen Ana-Digi Temp 8988 angled design

I'm blogging another from my Ana-Digi Temp collection today, and this one has a different look than the normal design.

The Ana-Digi Temp range by Citizen started in 1982 and were the first range of electronic temperature measuring watches. I have am Ana-Digi Temp overview page where I go through more of the details (link to the top right on the web version and from the drop down menu at the top on the mobile version of the site).

This Ana-Digi Temp has an unusual design compared to the rounded rectangular design that the majority have. The case has a tapered shape and is wider at the top than the bottom. The temperature sensor area is also more angular and follows the shape as the watch tapers down to the matching strap.  The glass in this model is also shaped to have 3 different faces, raising to the highest point where they meet in the middle of the watch. Strangely, it doesn't have the Ana-Digi Temp name on the watch, and just says Alarm Chronograph. Based on the serial number, this design is from 2003.

This version uses the 8988 module which is one of the standard inside for an Ana-digi Temp. It has the 2 electronic dials at the top of the face with 3 LCD windows below. The watch has dual time, alarm, stopwatch, and of course temperature modes, and my overview page explains how those are displayed between the different dials and LCD panels.

The full model number is 8988-Q02047 and I think this had a catalogue number of JG2040-54A. There is also a small number at the bottom of the face which reads S04-M530. I've seen from one online site that it had a price of ¥13,450.

Citizen Trans Continents Ana-Digi Temp 8989

As you'll probably have noticed, I'm a fan of the Citizen Ana-Digi Temp watches. Citizen first released these in 1982, and have been releasing models in many of their different ranges.

Today's model is from a range I've blogged much about before as well. This is the Trans Continents version, and uses the 8989 module which has been used in most of the more modern models. Full details on the Ana-Digi Temp range can be found in my summary page.

The Trans Continents range are a set of watches by Citizen that were released for the Japanese clothing brand Trans Continents and don't appear in the regular Citizen catalogues.

The layout of the face is the standard arrangement for an 8989 module watch, but this has the Trans Continents name below the A1 dial, and the details of the button functions are all along the right side of the face. The case shape is different for this model, being more square than most others, and without the normal panel in the bottom left where the temperature sensor lies. It is a light watch with the case being made from Aluminium.

It has 2 dials and several LCD display windows, and the details about what shows where is all in my summary page.

For the modes, it has dual time, alarm, chronograph, and of course temperature readings.

The full model number is 8989-S010781, and it comes from 1993 or 2003 (and i would guess 2003 is more likely).

Aquatech Ana-Digi watch with Compass and Thermometer

I've always had a liking for watches with temperature sensors, but this one is a little different than the normal.

This watch is by Aquatech, who are a slightly mysterious company who seem to have made all manner of different designs of LCD watches.

This model is an Ana-digi design with a 3 hand dial and 3 small round LCD, windows. The watch also has a compass and a thermometer but these are strange as they are mounted on the strap. The thermometer is a dial type with readings in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. The compass has a floating magnet in its housing.

At the moment, the LCD display doesn't work. Looking at the buttons, it has at last a stopwatch mode, and there is a buzzer so I'd assume there is an alarm. There is also a light button.

It may just be a flat battery as the back states there is an SR626SW(AG4) and a CR2016, but I only found the AG4 and an AG3, but no sign of the CR2016 when I took the watch apart.

The only other information I have is that it is 50m water resistant and made in China.

Nike ACG Ambient Refresh WA0003

Another from my expanding collection of blogged Nike watches today.

This model is another of the Nike ACG line which covers the more extreme and outdoor end of sports. It is also another from the Alti-Gear range (which are all sensor watches) and a Thermal Gauge model too.

I have blogged one of the Frozen Ambient models, but this is called the Ambient Refresh, so I guess that it wad a later model. This has a model number of WA0003-06 (which covers the model, and the colour variation too). Like the earlier model, it has a temperature sensor which shows on the digital part of the Ana-Digi display (and also has a temperature alarm feature). Other modes are chronograph, timer, alarm, and counter.

The man difference between the Ambient Refresh, and the Frozen Ambient, is that this model has a fabric and velcro strap rather than the original silicone strap.

Nike ACG Alti-Gear Ambient Frozen WA0001 Ana-Digi watch

After careful consideration, I admit I am now a collector of the Nike watches too - they are interesting looking, and often quite high tech, so it seems reasonable...

Today's one is one of the high tech models, and falls under the Nike ACG line of products. The ACG line is the one that covers the more outdoor all-terrain sports, and are usually more rugged than the other sports models.

Various watches were released under the ACG name, and many are sensor watches (like this model).

This particular model comes under the ACG Alti-Gear line where there is a mix of styles of sensor watch. This one is an Ambient Frozen Regular series watch with a model number of WA0001. The colour variant appears to be the WA0001-002 but may be -005 (although this has a green ACG symbol not aquamarine).

I bought this one because I saw it had a temperature sensor, and I have a good few of those due to my Citizen Ana-Digi Temp collection. This  watch is not from that line, but does have an analogue and digital display too! The analogue display is a 3 hand dial with crown for adjusting.

The digital display is a 4 digit LCD panel and shows the rest of the functions (and text when you switch to the function). The display modes are time, date, temperature (in °F by default, but will show °C with a button press), temperature alarm, counter, timer, and normal alarm.

I don't have any date information as the back just has material, location of manufacture (China), and water resistance (50m).

Citizen Vagary Ana-digi Temp - 8989 module

I'm wearing another of my temperature sensing watches again today, but this time it's back to the Ana-Digi Temp models.

The Ana-Digi Temp watches were released by Citizen and started in 1982. The watches have been released in many guises and are still being produced. This one is a more modern example, hailing from 2009, and is part of the Citizen Vagary line. The Vagary watches are one of Citizen's lines for fashion watches, and feature many interesting designs. It seems that the Vagary Ana-digi Temp is one of the least common out there, as I've rarely seen them online.

Generally, the watch follows the standard Ana-Digi Temp design with 2 electronic dials and 3 small windows with LCD displays. The full details of the watches display options can be found in my Ana-Digi Temp overview page (link). There are however a couple of differences with this Vagary model compared to the standard design. The watch doesn't actually say on the case that this is an Ana-digi (Temp) watch, which is unusual, and the normally prominent temperature sensor on the front is hidden!

This model uses the 8989 module, and has dual time, alarm, and stopwatch (down to 1/1000 of a second), as well as the temperature measurement, and it has a bulb based light.

The design features inlaid black perspex panels on the face, and it has a black leather strap (with the Vagary 'V' logo on the buckle and the number 25 imprinted into the back).

The full model number is 8989-S062250, and I think the catalogue number may be VN2-011-50. It also seems the original sale price was 19,950 yen.

Casio Temperature Sensor TS-150

We've been having unseasonably warm temperatures here this weekend, so i found a nice retro thermometer watch for today's post.

The watch in question is the Casio TS-150 from the mid/late 80s (the module date setting starts at 1985, but some sources state a 1989 release). The TS-150 was the Japanese version of the TS-100 watch and only shows temperature in Celsius). You can plainly see the metal sensor under the display, and there is a bar across the top of the LCD that shows the temperature reading. The watch is quite collectable, and relatively hard to find, especially if you want one with the lettering still in place on the front.

It uses an 851 module and has a few other tricks up it's sleeve than just temperature measurement. It has world time, along with temperatures for the cities, alarm (x5), timer (up to 24hr in 1 second increments), and stopwatch functions. To show the world functions, there is a map in the top left with an LCD overlay showing the time zone being used. Next to the map is a small 2 line LCD area which has the day and date, and the top line can also show the temperature and shows which mode you are in (-that line is also an array of dots). The main time is shown on a standard 6 digit LCD display.

Timex HJJKS (or HOOKS) Fishing Watch

Sometimes, companies repurpose watches for different functions. With this design from Timex, I've seen the module used for Skiing (the Skiathlom), for surfing (the Surf Timer), and now for fishing.

This watch has the same temperature monitoring module as in the ski and surf models, but in a round case with some extra features. Around the display is a rotating bezel marked High Tide so you can easily see the tide timing, and on the strap is a small compass. The LCD display shows he regular features (time, date, and temperature graph), and the module also has alarm, chronograph, and timer features.

As with the others it's 50m water resistant and has the number 707 (module number?) on the back.

The name of the watch is HOOKS, but the text on the strap is stylized so the Os look like fishing hooks (or Js). It's original sale price was 16,500 yen.

Citizen Ana-Digi Temp Retro 8982 module

Another watch I've chosen based on weather today! It's the coldest day of the year today, so I thought I'd mark the occasion with a temperature sensor watch.

Actually, it's another of my Ana-Digi Temp watches. These watches were released by Citizen, starting in 1982, and were the first ever electronic temperature measuring watches. I have a whole page about this range including history and the models, and the link can be found at the top right of the page.

This model appears to be one of the earlier models released in the range. From the serial number, I'd guess this was made in 1989. It features an 8982 module (-the range had models starting at 8980 through to 8989). This is the same module as the earlier posted Citizen ProMaster Ana-Digi Temp, but the watch is a very different shape.

The full model number is 8982-089618, and the strap part number is 25185.

As with most Ana-Digi Temp watches, it has two electronic dials, and 3 windows with LCD displays. The LCD display and right hand dial show different things depending on the mode (and full details are in the overview page). The watch modes are dual time, alarm, stopwatch, and of course temperature, and there is a small bulb based light for the LCD.

Timex Skiathlom - Blue with resin strap.

Very early on in my blogging, I posted about an unusual watch called the Timex Skiathlom (although it's often misquoted as Skiathlon). In that post I mentioned that there was another colour scheme, and there was a resin strap option.

I have now got one of those resin strap, alternative colour versions, and that is what I'm posting today.

The Skiathlom came out around 1987 (the trademark was registered in 1986), and had finished by 1993 (as the trademark was ended then). It was aimed at skiers, with large buttons that can be operated with gloves, and an external temperature sensor. A surf version called K-28 Surf was also released and had only cosmetic differences.

The watch has a two line LCD display (6 digits per line), with day month and date on top and time below. Temperature is displayed along a bar at the top (approximately 3C per block, but the scale isn't quite even), or can be shown as digits replacing the date display. It also has alarm, timer, and chronograph functions.

The watch was made in Korea, and uses a 2016FA (CR2016) cell

Timex K-28 Surf - Chill Factor

When my blog was very young, I posted about an unusual watch called the Timex Skiathlom (often auto corrected to Skiathlon). It was released as a watch for use on the ski slopes but didn't seem to be very common.

What I now know is that Timex also produced a (maybe even rarer) surfing version, and that is what I'm wearing today.

It is called the Timex K-28 Surf, and is nearly identical to the Skiathlom. The Skiathlom watches seem to have come out in 1987 based on some info I found on a forum, but the K-28 Surf trademark request wasn't filed until 1988, so I guess this came out in 1988 or 1989 (when the trademark was granted). The watch is sometimes it is referred to as Chill Factor as this is written along the top of the watch. It is 50m water resistant, but because of the surfing theme, it calls it "50 meters wipeout resistant".

The watch has a 2 line LCD display showing day, month, and date (top line ) and time (6-digits, bottom line). It also has chronograph, timer, and alarm functions.

As with the Skiathlom, the watch has a temperature sensor, with the temperature shown in a bar along the top of the LCD display. Pressing the top front button also shows the temperature in numbers (Celsius or Fahrenheit).

With this watch there was also an attachment for the strap called Zebug. This is a small orange plastic container shaped like a beetle (with the name Zebug on the back). This was included as a place to store your sunscreen or lipbalm while in the water.

It uses the same back panel as the Skiathlom (even saying Timex Skiathlom). There is also the number 70 along with the battery type (CR2016) etched on the back.


For more on the Timex Skiathlom, see my page here