Watchismo Times: novelty

Showing posts with label novelty. Show all posts

Friday, December 7, 2007

Time To F#%K - Vintage 1970 Erotic Mystery Message Watches

Two vintage mystery dial watches from the late sixties/early seventies with secret dials revealing a not-so-subtle message from a pair of scantily clad tarts. Each of these mechanical erotic novelty watches had a unique feature of discs that obscure the dial most of the time but slowly unveil the other dastardly dirty time of day.

One for those with highly overactive libidos (hourly display) and the other with a more respectable twelve hour time frame. Although anyone who actually wore these was likely not getting any anyway.

This model featuring the twice daily message

Classy stuff!

One with a transparent disc with floating seconds arrow.

Around the same time, a digital version existed with the same message electronically requested in LED display. If anyone has seen the movie Autofocus about Bob Crane, Willem Dafoe shows his off at a bar to an unsuspecting lady. The filmmakers of Autofocus actually contacted me at the time of production seeking this watch but I could only provide some traditional vintage LED from Hamilton and Compuchron. They did use it for the scene but had to edit the message in.

See also;
1890 Naked Lady Pocket Watch
Debbie Does Switzerland - Antique Erotic Automaton

Thursday, November 29, 2007

1947 Wrist Lighter from Mechanix Illustrated

In addition to the knife watch from Sicura, strangulation watch from James Bond and the self-Defenseband, this antique novelty lighter watch is the perfect gift for that murderous paranoid arsonist in your family!

"Wrist Lighter is the latest novelty for the smoker. Strapped on the wrist, and outwardly resembling a watch, it lights when the cover is flicked back, as demonstrated above. It is being marketed by Samuel Jones, Ltd., London."

via Modern Mechanix

1947 Issue of Mechanix Illustrated

Monday, November 5, 2007

Secret Compartment Scroll Watch - 1920s Favre Leuba "Notora"

I've featured many antique and vintage spy timepieces in the past (spy cameras, microphones, etc.) but never one quite like the Favre Leuba "Notora" of the 20's. This somewhat indistinguishable wristwatch has a very special feature, the hidden compartment containing a scroll on rollers under the dial and movement. By pushing a little release button at the bottom of the case, the watch opens up to reveal the notepaper rolls which can be adjusted by two roller knobs.

Related Posts;
All Spy-related Watches-->Link

After release, the watch opens up

Watch release button

Watch crown and two roller knobs

Case fully open

Identical Scroll Watch by Seiko (circa 1920)

Monday, October 22, 2007

Primo 4 - Mermod Frères Mechanical Musical Wristwatch

Out of business since the stock market crash of 1929, Mermod Freres is a horological zombie rising from the dead with the newly introduced, "Primo 4", its first ever mechanical wristwatch with four disc musical function. Using the old fashioned steel comb, the watch plays four tunes. Since it costs an arm and a leg, of course they'll put any tune you want on it but the standard pre-selected songs include; Mungo Jerry, "In The Summertime" and Queen, "We Will Rock You". If I ever find an audio example of the watch, believe me, I'll will share it with you!

So, combining your grandmother's music box collection and a macho sized 45mm watch this is sure to appeal to, er, umm... Well, I'm not really sure...but he's out there!

I'll consider buying it if they include The Ramones, "I Wanna Be Sedated"