So Much Fun For Less Than A Fifty! Armitron Griffy

[@fubaralakbar6800]

Armitron is a brand that doesn't get enough love.

[@bigfootsburneraccount9160]

Agreed

[@dartagnan1954]

True but that’s their fault, they have a good history so why not make better watches?

[@matthewdobbs7784]

I bought the gold one a while back at a Walmart for $23. It’s actually become my main weekend watch lately. The quality far exceeds any expectation I had for it, even at the original price.

[@brantisonfire]

I was at Walmart two weeks ago and besides the locked case with the Gshocks there was nothing on the shelves where the Timex and Casios are usually at.

[@jbrooks4282]

Just picked up the gold/red LED and the silver/blue LED at Walmart on clearance for $10 each. Along with several Casio's for $7 including an AE-1200WH aka the Casio Royale

[@kabirh3626]

23 dollars ....... im crying i just went direct to website and it was over 100 dollars after shipping to england

[@matthewdobbs7784]

@Maria Mutineer it still looks brand new, but honestly I don’t wear it as often as I did the first couple months. It comes out about every other week now. I’ve even had it in the hot tub quite a few times with no issue, although I suppose do that at your own risk.

[@damiangarcia8679]

My first watch was an Armitron, it was a gift from my dad about 23 years ago, it's still running strong and i have NEVER done a battery change in all those years, it has a very special place in my watch box.

[@danh4351]

Bought a Gold/Black Griffy w/red led's on Amazon after they dropped the price Friday. Arrived today. Loving it all over again. Had an old original.

[@charleshailey4461]

I bought one of these when they first came out almost 50 years ago, that was a hit of my school and probably started my love of watches with the fun I had with this one. My friends would press the button as I walked by just to see it light up.

[@ghics]

Very cool vintage vibe. In other news, very surreal watching this from the green room in your old place of employment… as long as there are watch nerds in the orchestra, your spirit will continue to haunt these halls! 😂

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Really? How's the food? Awful probably 😂 I'll be back soon enough Paul. Maybe see you there?!

[@ghics]

@@JustOneMoreWatch Haven’t gotten desperate enough to order any lately.

[@josephmarchitelli8138]

Hey Jodi, I just checked Amazon US 🇺🇸, the black with red LED now up to $70. Behold the power of Jodi. I will keep an eye out for the return of sanity.

[@jacc88888]

I was very jealous of a guy at school who had an LED digital watch. Fairly impractical but very cool. This one looks great value for the price. Good review.

[@AtheistOrphan]

In 1978 I was ‘that guy’ at school with my Sinclair Grey Watch which I received for Christmas!

[@RevScott]

I was jealous too. Now only 45 years later I have my own!

[@jacc88888]

@@RevScott I’m think I’m going to order one. Used to bigger watches these days but at this price you can’t really go wrong.

[@jacc88888]

@@AtheistOrphan 🤣 So it was you?! It was the same year too. Ps there’s a 1984 Sinclair FM radio LED listed at nearly £10K on eBay. 😲

[@AtheistOrphan]

@@jacc88888 - LOL! My Sinclair stopped working after a couple of years so I threw it away. As you say, worth ££££s on the Bay now. If only I’d kept it!

[@davidrosenblum2178]

You know what? You’ve sold me! I like the look of the Hamilton but just can’t bring myself to pay that much for a novelty. But this? Easy peasey! Cheers mate!

[@dartagnan1954]

Agreed.

[@kellypaws]

Cheap, but definitely not particularly nasty. That's a solid recommendation.

[@G-rig6969]

Not particularly good either. People would probably buy a gramophone if Jody said they're good lol

[@kellypaws]

@@G-rig6969 On the contrary. Quite a few watches Jodi likes I wouldn’t buy for any money. But that has quite a bit of charm.

[@G-rig6969]

@@kellypaws yes, probably the retro appeal, first digital watch or similar I assume.

[@G-rig6969]

What would you know, now $60 on Amazon US

[@theopachs7247]

I love my Griffy! Replaced the bracelet with an 18mm solid link. Just used a dremmel to cut down the end links to fit.

[@0017Bulldog]

I was the first kid on my block to have a digital watch in 1975 when I got the Timex SSQ for my birthday. I still have the SSQ and so getting this one was a no-brainer.

[@d2dahaka]

A very cool watch. Most readable LED display I’ve seen. Can’t argue at that price point. Might even add one to the collection.

[@benmoeller2590]

I love these watches. I bought a couple a few years ago due to my eyesight. I wear it at night because it is the only watch that I can see the time . I bought four, yes FOUR this week on Amazon. I bought an all black and an old gold, like yours, for $30 a piece. They were offering black and gold and gold and silver two tones for around $60 apiece. I got them for $24 apiece through Amazon Warehouse because they had damaged packaging. What a steal! Great watches at bargain basement prices. I got four for a total of about $115.

[@S-Ltd1000]

So I ordered one of these after the price dropped to £32 on Amazon US. I have no idea what happened but an Amazon notification came the next day saying it had been delivered to the UK from California in 14 hours! It hadn't so Amazon refunded me and said I could keep the watch if it turned up. Well today it did so I got mine for free.🙂 Have to say, I was surprised at the quality for the price. Definitely feels and looks a notch up from Casio's retro offerings due to the full stainless steel construction. It doesn't do a lot but as a slice of nostalgia it's spot on. 👍

[@NWolfefan]

I couldn't resist one of these and earlier picked up a stainless/blue combo. Unique piece that fills an empty place in my collection, and I'm impressed with the quality for the low price.

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

And now I'm going to have to go and buy one of these Jody 😪 You're better at spending my cash than I am

[@vincentrobinet2713]

I had a Pulsar in the mid 70s. It was expensive, had a small display and few features. The Armitron by comparison is great value for the money.

[@stevetomato4802]

Picked up both variants offered at my local Walmart, goldtone/red and steel/blue, on clearance for $24 each. What a pleasant surprise once on wrist. Even if you can't get them that cheap, they're worth everything penny of ~$45 usd. After watching this review I clicked "buy now" on the silver/green for only $35.24usd on Amazon US. Because why not.

[@SingleTrackMined]

I had one of this type of digital LED watch in high school 1975. I was over it by 1976. Still over it. Thanks for the vid.

[@RobotMonkeytron]

These are included in Amazon's Prime Day sale! I bought the silver with blue display, and I love it! I see it as being a bit cheeky, having a 70's styled watch decked out in blue LEDs, which weren't developed until the late 80's, and showed up on EVERYTHING in the 90's and early 2000's. A cute little anachronism, in my opinion!

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

I recall the first time I saw an LED watch in the movie Live and Let Die. That Pulsar at the time cost more than most Rolex.

[@michaelhorn5491]

Hard to imagine now, but true. And then once LCD watches came out, LEDs were instantly old junk.

[@hambone988ubet]

Hi Jody, I am one of those who went down memory lane and bought the Hamilton PSR (just happens my last name is also Hamilton) and realize the cost of the PSR is crazy, but I am enjoying it very much. Have other significant watches, but get more comments on this than the others. Keep up the good work!

[@bogrot69]

Had my eye on these for a while. I think they're a great little watch for the money. Unfortunately Amazon Canada has been out of the Silver with Red numerals for some time and that's the one I'm after. Interesting story. I had one of the original LED watches as a kid in the 70s. They had just come out and I was so proud of mine. I was visiting my Grandfather in the hospital. At the time he was 81 years old and a veteran of World War One. I said to him "Granddad, have you seen my new watch? It's digital" he replied "No, and I don't care if I ever see one again!" 🤣🤣 Talk about Shot down in flames 😂

[@loosabway3400]

To be fair, isn't that what 81 year olds in hospital say to everything?

[@bogrot69]

@@loosabway3400 🤣🤣🤣

[@NoelJamesRiggs]

Just literally opened the box on mine in 2024. Love at first sight.

[@aniltiwari105]

Just got mine. I got a used one from Amazon Warehouse. It was only 28 Canadian dollars and honestly, I don't think it has even been taken out of the box. Love that 70's sci Fi aesthetic.

[@whiteglovewatches9908]

Great little watch. Grabbed one in silver for $35, chucked the crap bracelet and replaced it with a black Fluco Consul for $20. It did take a little wrestling to get it on but it does look good on the leather even on my 7.5” wrist. Pretty classy for $55.

[@dunderhay9169]

With the larger digits and sensible price, this is the first led watch I think is worth considering 👍 . I'm still not going to buy one though, having to push a button to see the time is still very silly!

[@elduderino1329]

I went with the green LED mainly because it's more visible. It is a very good quality for the price. I love it. I also bought the Rubik which is another retro gem. The bracelet could be better.

[@RJ-cq8dd]

I own the PSR MTX. That black green combo really modernizes the watch and I love it. The build quality is outstanding as well, as expected for the price. Also it's pretty much the only led watch that also has an always on lcd display.

[@davidcrandall4958]

Can you post a picture of that watch RJ? I would love to see it!

[@RJ-cq8dd]

@@davidcrandall4958 Sold it. Felt it was a bit too small for me. But you can just google it of course.

[@dannyg6592]

Cool blast from the past for little $. My first digital watch in the 70s was an LED and it looked right out of the future. But having to push the button to see the time gets old fast.

[@davidcrandall4958]

just ordered a Griffey! My Dad bought me a Hamilton Pulsar in 1979 and I bought the PSR but this is a beater!

[@markdunbar799]

Got this watch for 10 bucks at Walmart really like it

[@Theenemy38]

I have one of these watches in stainless and red LEDs and it's great. Even better I got it for under 30 dollars with free shipping on eBay. I use it for dress casual events or casual wear when I don't feel like wearing my g-shock.

[@turbinator1]

I just bought the green LED version for 34 USD.

[@PereiraLabs]

I have 3 of these at the moment (SS/Red, Black/Red, SS/Blue). They’re fantastic daily drivers for 70’s/80’s nerds like myself. Taking the P2 or the Kavinskys to work is completely out of the question, so having a seriously inexpensive LED like this is a wonderful thing. Really appreciate the fact that Armitron put these out! Glad to see these little guys getting some attention from JOMW!

[@SydneyDrums]

I agree with the 24 hour time setting, filling out the screen most day & night

[@michaelbarlow6610]

This is a very well done review of a very good LED watch, The Armitron Griffy Retro LED Digital watch. I own the black ion-plated version that has the red color numerals and I love it - primarily because of its' extra large, easy-to-read numerals - especially at nighttime in the dark! I wish that Armitron had made the watch the size, configuration and durability of Fossil's superb digital watches and had given the Griffy watch the truly magnificent heavy, large links bracelets that are found on Fossil and Relic digital watches. A major drawback to the Griffy watch is the too-flimsy feeling bracelet and I have never been a fan of watch bracelets on which the two ends of the bracelet overlap each other, whereby the end of the bracelet that is inside the other end slides back and forth side-to-side extending outside the other end of the bracelet! It would also be so wonderful if Armitron would reissue the black ion-plated Griffy Retro watch but with blue color numerals like is found on the silver color version of that watch.

[@not-a-raccoon]

I think this is the first time I've seen any KZbinr give Armitron any time. Usually they're the cheap, department store things that you buy for a kid who is going to lose it after a week.

[@andrewd7586]

Actually Pete at “Chillin Wit Watches” covered this some 6 months ago!😎👍🏼

[@the_9ent]

Jody! I picked one up for less than £40 on Amazon after your mentioned it in your other vid. This is a great grab and go option. Perfect for wrists sized 7 inches or smaller. Can’t recommend it enough. Cheers

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Good stuff mate! Surprisingly good eh?

[@ABrickWalledCD]

Great review. Check out the Armitron Rubiks when you get a chance. A really solid stainless steel LCD square, and the bracelet is slightly better than The Griffy.

[@philspencelayh5464]

Reminds me of the Sinclair "Black Watch" first digital I ever saw. Didn't really work in daylight and battery life in days (could be because everyone who saw it wanted to play with the buttons, a lot). Looks like things have come on a bit, for someone who loves lume this will be fabulous.

[@captbumbler5356]

I was thinking the same about the Sinclair. think his first one cost £100 when it came out. a lot of money then. may get one for the fun of it.

[@philspencelayh5464]

@@captbumbler5356 If you can find one it would cetainly be a novelty for your collection.

[@AtheistOrphan]

I had the grey (date) version.

[@MrTchou]

I have the Russian version an Elektronika 1, that uses a LED display, the leds segments are way sharper than this, and the displays stays on for about a second not more, it uses 2 LR44 batteries every 6-8 months, and since modern batteries are of higher voltage than the period batteries, it’s a bit fast, not at all quartz precision, I have mechanical watches that are more precise including russian amphibias. The date shows the day of the month and the day of the week is displayed with a number (1 is monday, 2 is tuesday and so on…). It’s vintage look is very unique and i love it. Got it as NOS in it’s original box.

[@daleclark3138]

I still have my first digital from the 70's. A round red face National Semiconductor. These new Armitrons being stainless steel caught my eye so I ordered two for $53. Will work well with my skinny wrist and old eyes.

[@surfside75]

I was "introduced" in '75 😂 -so I'm kinda vintage now, explains my watch collection.

[@davidcrandall4958]

You're a child!

[@TheCaptain008]

I bought a Bulova Computron a month back for $93. And then scored an Armitron at Walmart got $10 the other day. Not gonna lie, the gold and red case is wayyy more comfortable even tho the LED isn't as crisp. Way way cool. Love how it fits and looks like a Pulsar.

[@reezevlog]

i saw this watch on Amazon (US) few years back n was tempted to make a purchase….a great option to the more expensive Hamilton….

[@prevster]

First, I really like Armitron. I have a few, one I purchased in the 1980's that still works. Second, my college graduation present from my parents (class of 1975) looked very close to the one you presented. The big difference was it had dots insted of dashes on the display. Can't remember the brand. I do remember a picture of Gerald Ford wearing one. I'm thinking my parents paid a pretty penny for it in 1975 dollars. After a while, the dots started burning out one by one until it was impossible to read the time. I eventually I chucked it - something I regret to this day. In conclusion, this isn't the first watch you made me buy and it probably won't be the last.

[@robedmunds7163]

Strangely had just put two batteries in my 70s Trafalgar LED and it still works. Just have to fit a new bracelet as the one on it is sized for thin 70s Rob and not fat 2022 Rob.

[@GinkgoJoe]

I love it! And "depilatory" is my new favourite word!

[@bagpiper]

A very enthusiastic review of a pretty mundane watch. See, I remember when LED watches came out the first time. They were of not any better quality but cost plenty more than now. This is a retro niche I have no problem staying clear of. Next!

[@fayyazb]

Love this one [Silver with Blue Digits]. Although a BIG10 on the RETRO look my ONLY issue is that to you need the OTHER hand to see the time! [To push the button to display time]

[@Lawrence64]

Awesome video, wonderful watch. I just got one a few days back for 31 bucks at Amazon USA. Also, no rough edges. Corners on the back are pleasantly round.

[@nicks8026]

The gold was one step too far for me. I purchased the steel with blue LEDs a year or so ago. It’s so much fun! Wore it to a watch meetup a while back and people loved it.

[@franciscomoliner1296]

I'm old enough to have had a black case Texas Instruments LED watch (and an SR-56 TI scientific calculator) way back then. One of my first watches folowed by a Hamilton Chrono Diver that I still have and use. Regards Jody

[@maxmoller]

Great little watch. Almost bought one of them, but I tried one on my wrist before buying, and sadly it's just too small for me. If they ever make a 40 + mm. I will probably order several different colors. 😄

[@tylernoland6141]

Neat little watch. I saw one for $10 on clearance at Wal-Mart and bought it because of this review. It's a little beast, and I love wearing it. Probably my second favorite $10 Wal-Mart watch🤣 (#1=F91W)

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Nice pick up Tyler!

[@eagz3394]

I just picked one up off Amazon for a little over $20USD and I have to admit, I love this thing. The bracelet has some sharp edges and is pretty flimsy, but the watch itself is surprisingly well finished. I figured it would feel like thin tin but it's a pretty solid SS watch. I went with silver and green but would have preferred silver and red but at the time that was another $30.

[@neilmccormick2064]

Got mine last week for £25 on Amazon uk and I love it .

[@richardwigley4942]

Thanks for the video I own gold Hamilton limited edition looks fantastic to good to wear so sitting inside box bit sad

[@robertsoper7993]

Great find; just got one. Quite lovely.

[@syncro16se]

Yup. That kind if nastiness I can live with 👍😉⚘

[@somewhereintimewatchreviews]

Pretty cool retro for the cash 👍

[@Ni5ei]

When they first started re-releasing LED watches (I recall ordering from LED Watch Stop early 2000's) they used these very tiny LED dots which looked much better. Every digit was made up of many of these small dots which looked more like the 70's watches.

[@michaelssoftbinbows3237]

I managed to get a vintage working one on ebay for £36! Yes the dot version was much better but I believe the technology to build them no longer exists. The ones released back in the early 2000s used old modules left over from the 1970s. The cheapest way to relive the experience it is by buying a vintage led calculator - still able to get them for less than a tenner, and its a conversation point in the office, especially if it accidentally switched on in my bag and the 4xAA batteries go flat 😀

[@RJ-cq8dd]

@@michaelssoftbinbows3237 The Hamilton PSR led is using dots.

[@michaelssoftbinbows3237]

@@RJ-cq8dd the Hamilton simulates the dot system, but its very different from the originals. The display is always on for a start - the led display is finer but not the same. The dots only appear when you press the button, but are still modern leds made to look like a vintage display.

[@RJ-cq8dd]

@@michaelssoftbinbows3237 The always on of course has nothing to do with the leds. I'm glad they included the lcd which is perfectly visible in bright sun. Nothing wrong with a bit of modernisation in a classic design. I have never seen a 70s led watch so i wouldn't know how to spot the difference between the dots of those and of the PSR.

[@michaelssoftbinbows3237]

@@RJ-cq8dd The pulsar was the OG of led watches, if you watch this you'll see the display the Hamilton is trying to homage - the downside being if you pressed the button often enough, you could get through a pair of batteries in about 2 weeks. The modern displays are not as cool, but they at least have greater battery longevity kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3aZZn6cgtyHp7s

[@aguiloco23]

Just bought the two tone variant, looks very nice in the photos.

[@MrPleers]

I really was excited when the first PSR pictures came out. But disappointment set in when I discovered that it was OLED instead of LED. That it did not have that ruby red crystal that I love about the vintage LED watches. And that it had an always on display with modern looking 7 segmented numbers.

[@cosmonz]

I bought one in gold a couple of weeks ago. A hell of a lot of fun but definitely a special occasion watch although it might be different in silver.......

[@sannydee]

Got the gold red one today for $22. I am part of the family.

[@slaphead2965]

What can I say ...beautiful photography! 😜👍🇬🇧

[@jonlee580]

I think it's super beautiful tho I wish the led would stay on..kinda suck when u have to press a button to check the time

[@beardymcbeardface69]

When I was a kid, I so wanted one of those watches with the red LED displays, using the super thin lined 7 segments. I seem to remember each segment looked like it was under it's own clear or red plastic bubble?

[@WATCH-4U]

my very 1st digital watch in the 70s was an LED red digital probably was an armitron cannot remember what make it was but wow loved it would love drop on one of these cheap

[@ZCherish]

YAY I love that you reviewed this, I love mine and it's a nugget.

[@raymondrichardson6061]

No comment on battery life. I recall from my schooldays, the batteries only lasted a month if you were lucky. They had their moment, then LCDs made them look a bit silly. Good fun, but ultimately they end up in a drawer, then landfill.

[@chrischarlton422]

Brilliant Jody! Gotta be red n gold. I like the bigger leds even if their not for the purists. I had an led at school in 79 before I got into calc watches and I've recently picked up a vintage led on ebay. I wear it most days, and ironically, most people assume its a smartwatch haha!

[@robertcox2857]

Love Armitrons! I have a few in various forms. I have one of these in silver with blue light in my shopping cart as we speak. Another interesting digital watch that gets my attention is the Bulova Computron. It's almost 10x the price of the Armitron....but I've seen them in the second hand (pardon the pun) market for a lot less....

[@erikbasil2787]

Thank you for this, I think it's a cool watch and resolves my resistance to paying the prices for the other retro pop LED watches. Jody, I appreciate retro and have a lot of old stuff. I want you to know that 1970s LED watches in the USA ( at least those applicable to my parents level of wealth) didn't have 24-hour time in them. They were just 12 hour time. So, I think you'd be more retro running them in 12 hour.

[@stetsonsteve]

Thanks for the review Jody. I bought one off these a couple of weeks ago from Amazon uk, (was shipped from Amazon USA). A great looking watch, so glad you thought it was a good watch as well. Would have been disappointed with my purchase if you had said it was rubbish. Keep up the great work, and thanks again. 👍

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Ha! Don't listen to me, Steve! I don't know what I'm talking about..... 😉

[@BrianHartman]

It's a good looking watch, in a retro, Battlestar Galactica kind of way. :) I don't think I'd get one, though. It's maybe acceptable for a smartwatch to be blank most of the time, but at least they usually have the functionality to turn the screen on when you move your wrist. Having to press a button all the time just to see the time would annoy me pretty quickly.

[@saintdave1877]

Got the stainless steel/green numeral one from Amazon UK for £35. Turned up today and it's a great little watch. A big burst of nostalgia for my first watch , which was a red push button digital. Thanks mate.

[@goodtobegeek]

Like it! Amazon UK has pushed the prices right up, so direct seems better value. Though the Armitron site says it's a acrylic crystal, and 18mm lug width.

[@whiteglovewatches9908]

I have one. The crystal on mine is acrylic but the lug width is definitely 16mm.

[@teriday954]

These look great. Love the gold tin as well

[@dartagnan1954]

Lovely watch Amazing price for the beauty But I just wish the armitron brand name was engraved on the case instead of printed on screen.

[@Chief1063]

Lifetime warranty, stainless steel case, WR 50m and great retro styling... how can you go wrong? I just ordered the silver/green variant. Great video.

[@jodiwilson7299]

I was going to send you one. Silver case with blue numerals - 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 same colours as the homeland. On sale on Amazon UK - £33

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Ayeeeee!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Thanks Jodi!

[@jodiwilson7299]

@@JustOneMoreWatch now back at £60 🤯

[@whiteglovewatches9908]

Just wait a bit, the price keeps jumping around from $35-$60 on the silver and blue/silver and red.

[@geofforchard7172]

Dammit, here we go again, where's my debit card 😩

[@davidfuertes1973]

Perfect watch for those of us over 40 who's eye sight is getting bad.

[@stevelavender1421]

I wasn't thinking about getting one of these until I watched this video. I thought at $35, how do I go wrong? It is $60 now. Bummer.

[@delanoscott7856]

Thanks for doing this one. I remember seeing something like this in my father’s watch box when I was a kid in the 80s.

[@garycollard1981]

Rather tempted to get one of these. I have a Bulova Computron which is one of myfaves. Well named channel, been saying same to myself a few times recently.

[@lsvemir27]

I have had similar MBO Red Led from '70 and I wearing it as a smartwatch , today :-) Ooooo I saw latter, your T-shirt, simply awsome :-) '70 yeeeah

[@gerardogarcia-trio3572]

I love the watch. Definitely in my list from now on. LOL the macro shots.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Just got one 36 quid incl 8 quid fast delivery to Engerland :-) Thanks. Thumbs up.

[@noosamike]

Just noting the black version with red LED is currently AUD $105.00 at Amazon AU. The flash rat gold version is a lot cheaper as you indicated.

[@benmoeller2590]

I also bought one of their new Wave watches . I think they are very attractive and it is nice they are made of recycled ocean plastic.

[@SynthMusik]

I snagged four of these today at Walmart for two bucks apiece, a silver one and three gold.

[@kyoupyl9140]

i like, it's like my casio vintage gold looks super great

[@kobusvanrensburg4092]

Like a Yema LED.... But without the price and the complimentary white flag.

[@echochambers8418]

That Hamilton looked like a (Roger Moore)Bond Watch.I recall it saying Pulsar though.He wore mostly digital watches for his run.

[@MrTchou]

The pulsar watch the he wore was the Hamilton Pulsar, somehow they chose to have the model in big letters and no hamilton mention at least on the front. The new reedition is the Hamilton PSR (for Pulsar) which use always on OLED display.

[@donnyboon2896]

I had an LED watch in 1976. Texas Instruments of course. 😃