As much as we seem to be fascinated by the next newest thing, we also seem to have a soft spot for nostalgia. How else do you explain us going for watches that have glowing red LEDs like they did 50 years ago? One feature you might not expect from that era is rolling in solar power, but that’s just what the Neprosolar 1976 Edition has.
Neprosolar 1976 Edition: what it is
The original Neprosolar was introduced in 1976 at Basel, and since then, well, we’ve just lost it to the sands of time. That is, until the crew at Bamford resurrected it, and gave it a black-and-blue color scheme. This version, however, I’m guessing hews a lot closer to the original, with the stainless steel remaining plain, and the LED display coming through in the historically-correct red.
Telling time on the watch
As with other watches of this sort, this is done with the pusher on the right-hand side of the case. First press gives you hours, minutes, and seconds (this can be in 12- or 24-hour display). Another press gives you the day and month; the third press gives you the year. Finally, the fourth press gives you a indication of the power remaining in the watch, with four dots winking out as power is drained.
How’s that solar?
It’s a relatively small panel, but we know watches can easily run on solar power. Especially in this case where the display is not always-on, and it’s tracking a fairly simple set of data. Once it’s fully charged (which would take about 20 hours), they estimate the watch could last about 500 days – without further recharge – activating the display 10 times per day. In other words, this thing is just going to keep running, and top off whenever you wear it, and then just happily sit tucked away in it’s included aluminum case until you pull it out next.
Wrapping things up
Frankly, this is a whimsical bit of nostalgia, and we’re glad to see it in the world. The pre-order for the Neprosolar 1976 Edition has opened up, with delivery anticipated for the end of May 2025. If you’d like to get one of these on your wrist, you’re looking at $825 to go back to the future. Where’s it available? Only at neprowatch.com
Neprosolar 1976 Edition Tech Specs
- Type: Neprosolar 1976 Edition
- Case: 36.2mm Steel, 316l AAA
- Case back: Steel, 316l AAA
- Case Thickness: 11mm
- Movement: Quartz, rechargeable battery, solar-powered
- Display: OLED, red
- Functions: Time, date and power reserve indicator
- Battery Life: 10 hours to three years, depending on usage. Full
recharge time 20 hours. - Glass: Mineral Crystal
- Bracelet: Multi-link stainless steel
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
- Swiss public price: 690,00 Swiss francs
