More Retro Analog Watch Goodness

First, I told you about the very modern Bluetooth watch from Fossil, then the ultra-cool-retro Moonbase Commander watch.

Continuing on the theme of cool and potentially useless but geek-chic in watches, now Maywa Denki brings you a retro watch that goes above and beyond, it has an old style telephone rotary dial on the face of the watch that you must dial in order to find the time.

In Japan, to know the time you can dial 117 and the voice on the other end will tell you the time in hours, minutes and seconds. This incredible watch from inventors Maywa Denki will do the same by using the dial on the face of the watch. Just dial 117 and a woman’s voice will tell you the current time in Japanese! This cool gadget can also be used as an alarm clock, and to give you information about using the three digit dialing codes that directly link you to services — just dial the 3 digit code (e.g. 119 for fire, rescue and ambulance) and it will tell you the service associated with that number, a good way to check before you actually dial the number on a telephone itself. This watch fits any arm and is 24.5 cm long (9.5″), and comes with two tester batteries.

Jbox has it in stock, you can order it here and it’s only US$52. You can request an English owners manual as well, now that’s service! Of course, if you plan on actually using this watch, I guess it helps to live in Japan. Otherwise there’s no telling if your telephone time service is compatible with this phone or not, i’m not sure how extensible this feature is.

Found via TokyoMango