Seiko’s 1988 WristMac: The Original “Smartwatch” That Forgot to Embrace the Future
Back in 1988, Seiko dipped its toes into what we’d now call the “smartwatch” craze. They slapped AppleTalk technology on a wristwatch, dreaming it would break new ground in a world that still didn’t have iPhones or voice assistants. The result? A quirky, pioneering gadget that sits a little between a watch and a very old‑school computer.
Why the WristMac doesn’t get many headlines
- It was ahead of its time, yet too early. The wristwatch came equipped with a tiny screen and a single button that could send simple messages over AppleTalk. That’s cool—if you’re a teacher in 1988 who could stream a call to the teacher’s computer from your wrist.
- Its biggest fan was a space shuttle. The backend of the interstellar shuttle Atlantis wasn’t just a routine platform; it had a Mac Portable on board for email. Soon after, the WristMac made its debut in space, earning it a place in “WB: the wristwatch that once floated in orbit.”
- It’s an odd relic. The machine is the kind of thing you’d find in a tech museum or in the attic of a tech‑enthusiast’s home. But the current buzz? A hot and high‑stakes auction.
The Auction Buzz: A Price Tag That Would Shock Even Your Grandfather
Experts are predicting a final bid somewhere between $25,000 and $50,000 if you’re keen enough to spend that much on a watch that predates the iPod. That’s because this isn’t just a watch; it’s a piece of history, a symbol of early attempts to fuse tech and timekeeping, and someone’s chance to brag that they own a piece of verse somehow associated with astronauts.
What People Will Love About It
If you’re into:
- Tech nostalgia
- Space history
- Curious gadgets that didn’t make it past the prototype phase
- Having a thing that looks like a literal time pocket watch—sit back and think of the future tech trends
Then the WristMac will feel like a dad joke in a literal form: “No, it’s not a joke we can laugh at; it’s a real historical bug that pawns the literal ‘psychopath’ of early computer wearables.”
Wrap‑Up: Take A Look
So, if you’re ready to drop a fortune on a watch that’s older than your first DVR, consider giving it some space. It will give you a chance to beam a little bit of the future onto the past, perhaps even bring a tattered little gauge that was clink guns it’s carved out because it was the Real New Icon. It’s probably the perfect piece of furniture the passage of your one child that’s pity.
WristMac Goes on the Bidding Block
A Retro Gadget with a Modern Twist
Picture this: a brand‑new, unopened WristMac, the very same piece of tech that once floated in the early days of wearable computing, now hitting the auction tables on ComicConnect.com. Buyers get a first‑hand look, but that’s not the only thing that’s refreshed—its price tag is a riddle wrapped in a mystery.
From $50 to the Unknown
- Originally snapped up for just $50 during a bustling closing‑down sale at a Connecticut Mac warehouse.
- Now open for bids from November 22 to December 18, with the starter price cheekily set at $1.
- Stephen Fishler, co‑founder of ComicConnect, calls it an “incredible find” and stresses its significance as one of the earliest wearable computing prototypes.
Why the Price? A Bit of Nostalgia and Novelty.
The WristMac’s appearance—30 years after its original manufacturing—adds a craving for authenticity and a pinch of tech nostalgia. The auction hopes to capture collectors’ imagination and the tech aficionado’s dream.
Let the Bidding Begin!
Feel the thrill at ComicConnect.com—maybe you’ll snag the very same piece of history you’ve only seen in the wild! Good luck, folks, and may the highest bidder find their finger at the top.
