Category: Watches

It might have shifted from the height of hi-tech to slightly ironic over the last 20 years, but for anyone of a certain age, the Casio calculator watch will always have a place in our hearts. And you can still buy an 80s-style model in the shape of the Casio CA53W-1 digital calculator watch.

So if you need to complete any basic calculations on the move, just press the tiny buttons on your wrist and you’re away. In addition to that, there’s the time, date, a stopwatch, countdown, alarm and backlight, not to mention a hefty dose of 80s cool.

I had one with a space invaders game on as well – pure joy in double geography. Sadly that’s not been reissued, but you can get the CA53W-1 for £22.

Find out more at the Balcony Shirts website

The number of interesting watches produced in the 1970s seems endless. Just when you think you’ve seen them all, another head-turner comes along. And the latest for me is the Buler Jump Hour clear  watch.

Dating from the early 70s, it has an almost psychedelic pink/purple face with scrolling wheels showing the time as digits – as long as you remember to wind it up. Even better, the surround and strap are clear, so the watch is almost floating on your wrist.

Not a common timepiece, but you can pick one up at The Retro World watch site, priced at a very reasonable £50.

Find out more at The Retro World website

I’m very much liking the 70s vibe of this Paul Smith ‘Half Dial’ PS20 watch.

Yes, this Swiss-made watch is just like the space age-style watches of the 1970s, with a chunky bracelet, brushed stainless steel and a quirky face design, not to mention a quartz movement, water resistance and an etched back.

It’s also limited edition (although we don’t know to how many) and available in three colour schemes, retailing for £275.

Find out more at the Paul Smith website

No idea about the brand, but this 70s-style wood effect bracelet watch is certainly cheap.

Looks the part too, with two dials (hour and minute) on a wood base with a brushed steel backing and bracelet. And fastening is with a single lock clasp.

If you want one, it retails for a very affordable £40.

Find out more at the ASOS website

The problem with buying vintage is the almost impossible task of finding your dream item in mint condition. Well, Watchismo has the next best thing – a vintage classic made from all new parts.

That classic is the LIP Diode watch, designed back in 1975 by Roger Tallon. This 7-segment LED watch is now back in production, but looking identical to the original.

There’s a range of styles available, as well as the option of a green or orange display on top of the red pictured here. Check out the Watchismo site for more details, then take your pick for $289 (around £145).

Find out more at the Watchismo website

Via Technabob

The TAG Heuer Monaco isn’t the company’s only updated classic on the market, you can also pick up the latest version of the TAG Heuer Grand Carrera, a watch first introduced in 1964.

This 60s timepiece was inspired by GT racing, but has been consistently popular as a smart watch with a very readable display. This latest version uses twin discs to replace the usual hands on the chronograph dials to make it even more readable, as well as having discs finished with Cotes de Geneve decoration and polished bevelling.

Not cheap as you might expect, with prices starting at £1,995.

Find out more at the TAG Heuer website