Casio A201 "Blue Thunder" legendary watch from 1981
£200.00
Sale price
£200.00
Regular price
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Casio A201 "Blue Thunder" legendary watch from 1981
£200.00
Sale price
£200.00
Regular price
one of the best examples left in the world
no screen issues no bleeding
new battery and fully serviced
condition is outstanding
The Casio A201 is a highly collectible, iconic vintage digital watch originally released in 1981, famously powered by the innovative Casio QW103 (or 103) module.
It is universally nicknamed the "Blue Thunder" watch by collectors due to its association with the same internal digital-analogue module featured in the 1983 action film Blue Thunder
Key Features & Design
- Dual-Layer LCD "Digital Hands": The standout feature is its ability to display time using simulated analogue hands on a double-layered LCD screen. It was one of the first digital watches to seamlessly blend standard numerical readouts with graphic LCD hands.
- Graphic Animations: When navigating the watch's functions, the LCD segments perform unique visual movements. Activating its hidden "Demo Mode" (by pressing all three buttons simultaneously) triggers a classic spoke-type and expanding-spot animation
- Core Toolsets: The piece includes a 1/100th-second stopwatch, a countdown timer, a daily alarm, an hourly chime, a full day/date calendar, and a built-in micro-light.
- Build: It features a classic 80s square-shaped chrome-plated base metal case, paired with a matching stainless steel link bracelet.
The "Blue Thunder" Connection
The watch series gained historic grail status among collectors after a sister variant using the exact same internal 103 module—the Casio AA-85—was prominently featured on the wrist of Roy Scheider's character, Frank Murphy, in the 1983 action thriller film Blue Thunder. The unique segment animations match the helicopter instrument-panel themes of the movie. The module also famously appeared on-screen in the classic film 48 Hrs..