Profound saturday afternoon question

[hecube]

I noticed in this forum that the emphasis seems to be on restore AND use.

If you had a HP-01 in your collection, would you wear it? Everyday?

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

I have one in unused condition and I never wore it. Too delicate and expensive to risk scratching or damaging it. And who knows, if it still watertight after 30 years?

But I also have a well worn one that is currently not working. If I ever get it to run again, I might wear it occasionally. To be honest: As a watch it is impractical (so big and heavy that you _will_ bang it against something sooner or later, plus you need both hands to get a time reading and the display is tiny) and as a calculator it is even more impractical, because you need a tool to operate it.

Greetings, Max

[Geoff Quickfall]

Hello Max,

I use mine as the functions I need are at my finger tips. I especially like the ability to use a count down timer which continuously displays until selected off.

I have a few of the pens with the nibs and these accompany so I usually input the flight time into the stop watch, then multiply that with the average fuel flow and then swap between the displays. Also the time zone changing function is so easy to implement!

Of course the need for the watch has changed since my early flying days to the 777 cockpit today. Still, the ability to see the watch in the darkness of the cockpit is excellent.

Besides, that and my nixie watch always get comments that my others never do.

Cheers, Geoff

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hi Geoff,

those subtle differences between intercontinental passenger flights and inter-european executive flying :-)

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I especially like the ability to use a count down timer which continuously displays until selected off.

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We have two of those (luminous!) built into the instrument panel (one each side) plus a timer function in each primary flight display. Never used any any of them though...

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... so I usually input the flight time into the stop watch, then multiply that with the average fuel flow and then swap between the displays.

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Our tyical sector length is less than an hour with constant level and speed changes, so there's nothing like an average fuel flow. I would have to guess that, but then I could guess the total fuel amount as well without using a calulator.

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Also the time zone changing function is so easy to implement!

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We rarely cross time zones (and if so, the difference seldom exceeds one hour) - so again no excuse why I have to take my capital investment to work.

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Still, the ability to see the watch in the darkness of the cockpit is excellent.

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I bought one of those miraculous (analogue) watches with GTLS (gaseous tritium light sources) hands recently. This thing really glows in the dark! And without the need to press a button. Very pracical beside the bed in the hotel room, when I wake up in the middle of the night.

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Besides, that and my nixie watch always get comments that my others never do.

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I believe that for sure! If I would start playing with gadgetry at work, my passengers (who can look over my shoulder all the time) would start complaining instantly because they want their breakfast served instead (also part of my job)!

BTW: Have you ever tried to get that nixie watch through a security check in the United Kingdom?

Greetings, Max

[Geoff Quickfall]

I restore vintage watches also. I have over 200 with 130 restored vintage complicated movements.

Included in this are the following three:

1  One New Old Stock HP-01 in box with all accessories.

2  One completely restored pre prototype with no serial number in

   mint condition

3  One restored example which I wear to work.

I have 3 modules including one which will work and comes complete with a New Old Stock strap (gold case). The other two supply parts including the LED block.

Enjoy the pictures:

I have repaired and restored 4 others for other users, one in England, and three in the US. All 4 are being used.

So YES, I wear it and use the functions. In fact other than my HP 41CX it is the second most used HP object I have.

Cheers, Geoff

Creating two new plexi glass lens for restoration purposes:

New old stock version:

New magnifying lense installed:

Restored example for client in London:

Prepping a case for the new gloss and brushed finishes:

Prototype top view:

Prototype bottom view with lack of serial number:

Before and After:

All three:

Edited: 22 Aug 2009, 6:11 p.m.

[hecube]

Awesome.

[Geoff Quickfall]

Here is a shot of the watch at work 2 years ago!

And a rather dark shot on the same flight of the HP-01 and the HP-67 both operating and being used:

Edited: 22 Aug 2009, 8:09 p.m.

[Mark Edmonds]

If I had one, I wouldn't wear it. Main reason not being its expense/antique status/delicate nature or whatever, just simply that I think it is as ugly as hell!!

To be honest, I am not that wild about getting one either and I don't quite understand why people are prepared to spend such large sums on it. Yes, it was a one-off and utilised some clever techniques (as I understand it) but as a calculator or a watch, it doesn't excite me and I don't really understand the fuss over it.

On the other hand, spending the same sort of money (or maybe less) could secure an early desktop with real ye-olde-worlde peripherals like a paper tape reader and getting something like that working would be enormous fun! :)

And as part of the original question, my philosophy on collecting is that the collection is to be used, not stored. Collecting items and leaving them stored in the original packaging and never touching them or switching them on etc is just a waste. What's the point in doing that? Where is the fun and enjoyment? Maybe someone who does collect that way can explain why they do that?

Mark

[Geoff Quickfall]

;-)

"And as part of the original question, my philosophy on collecting is that the collection is to be used, not stored. Collecting items and leaving them stored in the original packaging and never touching them or switching them on etc is just a waste. What's the point in doing that? Where is the fun and enjoyment? Maybe someone who does collect that way can explain why they do that?"

Fully agree with the above, as far at the rest of it... 8-)

[pre]
- It is Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!(but that is purely subjective).

- The dynamic function has not been reproduced on any other
calculator watch and I find it very useful.

- don't pay so much, I have yet to spend more then 200.00 for
my examples. (lucky on the boxed one, lucky that the others
could be fixed).
- Money and expense, well, dealing with collectables and etc, we
all know how fical this crowd is, besides, collecting is again
extremely subjective.

- Some one just paid 600 USd for a clear back HP 67, so there is
no accounting for objectivity in collecting.

Cheers Mark,

Wearing one and LOVING it (yeah makes no sense)

[Martin Pinckney]

As a watch, I would agree with Mark, its ugly!

But considered as pure form in and of itself, I would have to agree with Geoff, it is gorgeous.

[Bart (UK)]

I agree with Geoff, I think they're awesome. I hope to be able to get one sometime :)


edited to fix spelling

Edited: 25 Aug 2009, 6:08 a.m.

[Keith Midson]

Quote: [Some one just paid 600 USd for a clear back HP 67, so there is no accounting for objectivity in collecting.]


Haha - that someone was me!

[Mike Morrow]

I thought the HP-01 was less than practical when it was introduced. It never intrigued me at all. Its collector's appeal is without question, but I'd rather have a red-dot HP-35, if I didn't already have one.

Twenty-five years ago I found the 1983 Casio scientific calculator watch CFX-200 to be valuable in daily use. No tools are needed to operate it, and it is a full-featured scientific calculator. I've still got it, but I don't use it. These once inexpensive models have become pricey collector's items. Here's a picture of the improved 1985
Casio CFX-400. I wouldn't mind having one of them today for actual use. I did not count on Casio discontinuing such products after the CFX-400.

Edited: 24 Aug 2009, 6:44 p.m.

[hecube]

Gotta get one of those...