Armitron Griffy is a BIG Disappointment!

My review of the Armitron Griffy Silver. A BIG disappointment.
#griffy #watches #watchcollector #digitalwatch #vintagewatches
00:00 Introduction
01:40 Lousy band
02:44 LED and poor outdoor performance
03:42 Button for setting the time does not work
04:49 Conclusion

[@okcman34]

i have one with green readout its a great retro watch its a 30 dollar watch readout in sun is great ,and maybe read instructions first before saying it doesn’t work

[@mikesmitty9985]

REad the instruction book i HIGHLY disagree with your review, outside just use your hand to palm it , you rleft hand to provide some shade that's all,, of course it's not gonna be advanced to todays date that's why they switched to Lcd BACK IN the 70's because it could be seen better in daylight and it saved the battery as well, it's truly a RETRO watch, and not meant to be compalined about bc they couldn've just as well NEVER brought it back

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Ok. Thank you for your comment.

[@thebirdonwatches1803]

The bottom button only functions when the display is showing. Holding it in begins the setting mode and selections while the top button makes changes. Personally, I don't like the fuzzy looking digits and believe they frosted the backside of the glass. I'm going to remove the module and take a look. I'll attempt to polish the glass inside the case if my hunch is correct. May even be an acetate adhered to the inside of the glass?

[@thebirdonwatches1803]

The digital module has a round white sticker covering the entire display to filter the extremely bright single LED lights. This, along with the dark coating on the back of the lens, is how they were able to create the look of a vintage wire LED display using modern brilliant LED elements arranged to form digits.

[@MrMqwe1]

I think the bottom button only works when the display is on to go to time setting mode. To see the date and seconds press the top button again when the time is showing.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Thank you for your comment and for watching. I tried it again, and no matter what I do, the bottom button is still stuck, and will not provide the settings function even when the top button is pressed. Oh well...still a disappointment.

[@thebirdonwatches1803]

@Jeffrey Ornstein there's either some crud that made its way into the setting button or, the contact on the module isn't touching. Very easy fix. Pop off the back, take a small screwdriver and push out on the button pins from the inside. The module should drop right out of the case. Check the button contacts and could have lost the "C" clip on that button shaft. Don't let it intimidate you. You won't damage it doing this. Perfect watch to dig into for experience $10 HA!

[@billpotter7162]

mine is completely readable in bright sunlight

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Thanks for your observation and comment!

[@markraciborski4289]

First of all, having the LEDs wash out is part of the 1970s charm, you palm cup the watch to see it. That's exactly one reason these watches had a short heyday, LCDs replacing them, and a reduction in power used. I never got more than 3 months off a set of batteries back in the day. I'm not sure what power is needed to light red LEDs up in sunlight, but I'm pretty sure it's not button batteries. It's not that technology hasn't caught up, gee, they are used in stoplights and automotive tail lights, so a huge acid battery, or 120 line pole voltage? The old watches were wirebond dot matrix, not this digit block segment stuff. Wirebond has the advantage of heat dispersion. They are more apt to failure because they are more fragile. I never saw a green led watch, but it was the next LED color discovered. Blue took years and was thought impossible, and was never in an old school LED watch. Some LED modules displays were very small, and the len was a magnifying len. Armitron Tetra is a better watch for a little more money if you like the huge segmented LEDs. Bracelet is better, heavier, 20 mm, LEDs brighter. I liked the watch case. It's very retro, but the large segmented display vs a dot matrix is a deal breaker.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Thank you for your comment and for watching! I remember having the old Texas Instruments digital watches when I was a kid back in the late 1970s. It was everything you described. The display was just like their TI-30 calculator. But I guess that's how TI was able to bring these products to the masses cheaply!

[@nickhayes4169]

I've just bought the gold version. Like you, I remember similar watches from the 70s & I had to have one. A replacement milanese bracelet will be sought out, as the one supplied really let's the griffy down. But for £25 I'm happy with Mt purchase & I'm looking forward to wearing it out this weekend.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Great to hear! It's just a bit disappointing it didn't live up to it's potential. The bracelet is the same as on a $15 Casio. So yes, I'd try to replace it. Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@bobjohnson9597]

This is by far my all time favorite watch.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Thanks for watching!!

[@markverrett6447]

I placed a nice Speidel twist o flex band on my gold Armitron and it looks and feels great. Can be a pain to size though.

[@michaeljordan6008]

Very cool looking watch. I’m sorry it’s not a better performer.

[@futuristicentity2417]

If you press the A button you can see them which is the top button If you press yhe B button the bottom and hold it for a few seconds it will take you to sequence the time. You have to use button A to see the seconds a few times you've got it all backwards is all. As a watch I was expecting it to be bigger. I am considering on wearing it anyway to try and stop using a Smartwatch for a while. Still having a hard time finding my wrist size. Cool little watch though but I've been wondering about military style watches which are more durable.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Thank you for the information and for your comment!

[@bubba_czn1640]

Since your button isn’t working maybe the LED is also defective and not as bright as it is supposed to be? I just used mine in early morning direct sunlight and I was still able to read the time. Too bad it’s not working for you because it’s a fun watch.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Thank you for your comment. You certainly may be right about the LEDs possibly being defective. Mine is just so poor in direct sunlight. I really wanted to like this watch. Mine was an early production one, so maybe they have improved since.

[@RogerSartet007]

I have the same recollection: Texas Instruments in black resin, with a metallic plate, below the display.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

I had a TI watch back in 1978 or so. Couldn't see the LEDs in sunlight on that watch, either! Thanks for your comment!

[@markdunbar799]

Got this watch for 10 bucks at Walmart really like it

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

LOL, that's about what it's worth. Glad you like it, though.

[@okcman34]

Walmart has some great deals I got a ridgemont for $10 I love it I gave 30 for my Griffy couldn’t find a sale

[@carlosw1687]

This is a great watch superior to Casio counterpart. Armitron is fully made of stainless steel. That alone puts it well above Casio with its traditional Casio painted plastic. Besides, Armitron is 50 meters water resistant. Try that with the equivalent Casio that can not stand a few water poured over it. It's unacceptable that Casio cheats by painting plastic cases. And I'm a Casio lover. I have several Casio watches. But I'm an Armitron lover as well. Mine is totally readable under bright 🌞 Sun. Maybe your battery is low or your watch came defective.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Thanks for your great comment! I agree that at least Armitron uses solid stainless steel, which does make the watch durable and more expensive-looking than it is (unlike Casio as you mention).

[@RockandrollNegro]

I wouldn't say that Casio "cheats" with metal-painted resin. Quality resin is more resilient, lighter weight, and completely rustproof than cheap stainless. It also keeps the price down, which is why the Armitron costs $50 but an equivalent Casio would be less than half that price.

[@jasonclarke7422]

​@@RockandrollNegro Thanks for sharing a different perspective, my Casio a163 has got a few marks on the case, but it is 12 years old which can be forgiven as it's the only watch I wear. I don't think that there is another watch that could put up with the punishment that this watch has taken, it's an absolute tank of a watch for the money.

[@Miguelix]

Maybe your review would be a little bit different if you read the manual to know how to use the watch properly. You should make research before uploading this kind of misinformation. Awful review.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Thanks for your comment. However, if my video review as THAT bad, you wouldn't have watched it. And then you spent even more of your time to respond. Again, thanks for watching and helping my metrics.

[@Miguelix]

@@JeffreyOrnstein I don't have the skill to predict the future and know how the videos will be before I see them. Your response is so childish as your attitude and also the way you judge things before doing proper research. And yes, I took the time to respond again because you are misinforming the audience with your horrible review. Just keep improving your methods, don't take it personally.

[@sprocastersprocaster]

@@Miguelix I could not agree more.

[@Miguelix]

@@JeffreyOrnstein "You wouldn't have watched it", hahahahahahaha. What kind of childish response is that?

[@valerin0]

You have a low battery You press the top button for 3 seconds till the display starts to flash then the same button to toggle through the functions While it’s still lit, press the bottom button to adjust The display is visible in bright sunlight Read the instructions or find a decent KZbin tutorial

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Thanks for the info. But...eh, this watch never performed even marginally good in bright sunlight. Maybe it's just my opinion. And it's probably not worth changing the battery. I'm sure a new watch is not much more than a new battery, LOL.

[@neilmccormick2064]

You're in the minority mate . This is the only negative Armitron review I've read .

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Thanks for letting me know...

[@aubsta1]

...no, it's not

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

YES, it IS!!!! (if I say so, it has to be true)

[@kenjkbs]

Lol Casio quality is way better than Armitron’s. Imagine you had those bracelet made by Armitron lol. Buying an Armitron in the first place is a big mistake

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Agreed!

[@thebirdonwatches1803]

Well, you really have to give Armitron a lot of credit. If you know the company's roots Mr. Gluck and his wife immigrated to the US NYC and started as a small mom & pop making their own watches and STILL! survived as a US watch mfg when so many went under.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

@@thebirdonwatches1803 Thank you for your comment.

[@carlosw1687]

Casio equivalent is cheap painted plastic so Casio cheats its buyers painting plastic pretending to be stainless steel. Shame. In addition, Armitron Griffy is 50 meters water resistant. Casio equivalent is zero meters water resistant. And I'm a Casio lover. But truth must be told

[@bobjohnson9597]

I can see the blue version easily in any light but like someone else said you can simply cup or shade the display with your hand. I wish I could find a gold with red display similar to the famous Original Pulsars