REVOLUTION_International_Vol 54

A NEW
PULSE
Hamilton revives a memorable icon 50 years later.
The PSR flawlessly combines retro-futuristic style
and modern technology.
WORDS KEVIN CUREAU
The 1970s were an era of great positive change for the US and
around the world. Countries were still experiencing high
and sustained growth from the post-World War II economic
expansion, activism for women and minorities continued from the
previous decade, environmental issues became more important, and
rock and disco music dominated the charts.
Entering the ’70s, it was clear that the United States had won the
coveted “Space Race” with the success of the Apollo 11 mission which
landed humans on the Moon in July of 1969. Only 10 months after that
historical achievement, in May of 1970, another American company
would make an announcement and reveal a ground-breaking product
unlike anything that had been seen before: the Hamilton Pulsar, the
very first digital wristwatch.
Named after the pulsating neutron stars that emit beams
of radiation at ultra-precise frequencies, this “solid state wrist
computer” seemed like an object straight out of science fiction and
perfectly in sync in terms of design with the Space Age period that
the world was experiencing. The Pulsar was developed by Hamilton
in its hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and would change
the way we tell time. With no moving parts, no ticking sound and
unmatchable durability and accuracy, this was something no one
had ever seen before. At the push of a button, red LED numerals
would light up the dark screen displaying the time. Holding the
button for longer revealed the passing seconds. Setting the time
was done using a magnet bar stored in a hatch inside the bracelet’s
deployant clasp. Placing the magnet on two grooves found on the
watch’s caseback allowed it to cycle through the hours and minutes.
The public received its first glimpse of the Hamilton Pulsar prototype
on one of the most popular US TV programs, The Tonight Show,
when host Johnny Carson demonstrated its unique functionality.
What followed was an undeniable Pulsar fever. It took two
more years for Hamilton to release a consumer-ready version of
the Pulsar, the Hamilton Pulsar P1 with an avant-garde cushion
case and bracelet in 18ct yellow gold, but the product just flew off
the shelves. Even with a price tag of US$2,100 at the time (the cost
of a family car), the initial 400 watches prepared for the launch all