this post was submitted on 20 Apr 2025
147 points (100.0% liked)

Mildly Interesting

20459 readers
161 users here now

This is for strictly mildly interesting material. If it's too interesting, it doesn't belong. If it's not interesting, it doesn't belong.

This is obviously an objective criteria, so the mods are always right. Or maybe mildly right? Ahh.. what do we know?

Just post some stuff and don't spam.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

It announces the time in a clear voice. Fancy at this time.

I found it and took the picture at the international watch museum.

top 21 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 weeks ago

Oh no. Im old.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

Thanks! I didn't know about this community. I crossposted there.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It looks like a $5 watch today, but I'm sure back then it cost like $200 because of new technology.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

It sells nowadays online for 10-15$.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I am pretty sure I know exactly what it sounds like. I had a talking alarm clock from the same era and everything that made sound electronically back then did so by using the same chips with the same samples as everything else. (Including pocket 'trick noise makers' and car alarms - those two categories even had some overlapping samples if I remember right)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Boong it’s two fifty nine peee-em

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Yup. And of course the slightly staticy

"Er Er Er-Er Errrrrrrr!"

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Oh yeah, had the rooster alarm. I had one too

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Museum. Museum! i don't doubt you (especially given how special they stood it up), but they sell these at the convenience store down the street from me. it's not a "clear voice".

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

The museum display this watch inside a timeline to show you the evolution. It's actually neat of them to put cheap watches in the general exhibition. You have a broad range from this cheap watch to an old disused atomic clock.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

sorry, my tone is a bit harsh tonight. it's actually a really cool display - i think i'm just getting a little defensive about my age.

i have a friend who goes to flea markets and collects old radium clocks and other stuff that glows his gieger.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

I know a lady who is totally blind who uses one of these to tell the time. Pretty awesome.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

What has four legs and ticks?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

These are still pretty popular today. Maybe not this particular model, but talking watches are still used by many blind people.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Dammit I had one of those.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Mine spoke German, which I don't... Es ist acht und zwansig Minutten bis zehn

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

I still have mine in a drawer somewhere. I wonder if a new battery and it would work? Probably....