Character watches have been ubiquitous with playground fashion since the 1930s. Often dominated by the Disney cast, watch faces typically feature popular characters of the moment. I sported a manual wind Mickey Mouse watch in Second grade. I remember flashing it to a friend who in turn showed me his new Darth Vader watch. It was clear I had been bested.
Once Star Wars was released, R2-D2 and C-3PO et al. quickly replaced Mickey Mouse on the wrists of many children.
I don’t know if letters to Santa are still a thing. Do kids even write letters anymore? Maybe St. Nick is on Instagram. And frankly it’s getting harder just to find a physical copy of the Sunday Times anymore. Anyway, when printed media was still the main resource for news, many papers would print selected letters to Santa written by children that year for the entertainment of adults who were in on the farce. When read today these letters offer a window into popular trends of the time. Sadly the end of printed media has minor unexpected losses.
Below are several interesting examples of these printed letters from the holiday season of 1977 and 1978 which reflect the popularity of the newly available Star Wars watches.
New Braunfels Herald, Texas
December 22, 1977
Hutchinson News, Kansas
December 12, 1978
Grand Saline Sun, Texas
December 21, 1978
Pennsylvania Towanda Daily Review
September 30, 1982
Throughout the run of the Original Trilogy, dozens of different manual and electronic watches were produced with many charming variations.
Most interestingly, the history and evolution of the Star Wars character watches effectively narrates a nearly catastrophic chapter in the horologic industry. But we will get back to that.
Typically Lucasfilm licensing for a specific area of merchandising was granted exclusively to one vendor at a time. When it came to wristwatches, two companies were granted licenses simultaneously to create two very different kinds of timepieces, both marketing their wares as the “official” Star Wars watch.
The first company granted a license to produce Star Wars themed watches was an unconventional choice. In fact, it wasn’t a watch company at all. By 1976 Texas Instruments (TI), a scientific company known for making semiconductors and calculators, had just entered the electronic watch industry. TI saw the upcoming film as a great opportunity to feature their new products to a larger audience.
Coinciding with the premiere of Star Wars, TI released a series of electronic digital watches featuring scenes and characters from the film.
Employing the new quartz technology along with a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, the watches contained no mechanical parts and seemed appropriately paired with the film as something from a different galaxy.
The first commercially available quartz watch was released only 5 years earlier in 1972. Produced by the Hamilton Watch Company, the revolutionary “Pulsar” which also brandished an L.E.D display retailed at the time for $2,100. Texas Instruments was successfully able to reduce the price point for their watches to under twenty dollars by creating a new inexpensive internal watch chip. This dramatic decrease in retail cost marked the first time that quartz watches were able to compete with mechanical watches in the marketplace. Costing around twenty bucks made these electronic watches competitive, but if you can sense the foreshadowing, further decreases in manufacturing costs were on the horizon causing great concern amongst the mechanical watchmakers of the world.
The Texas Instruments line consisted of 4 different watches handsomely packaged in Star Wars themed cases.
Black and silver graphics featuring Darth Vader;
black case and band adult size.
Blue background featuring R2-D2 and C-3PO in color;
grey case and band adult size.
Black and silver background featuring Darth Vader
along with R2-D2 and C-3PO in color;
black case and band adult size.
features R2-D2 and Darth Vader on band.
Clamshell case
Hard plastic case
Texas Instruments reproduced the Hildebrandt poster art for the cardboard sleeve of their watch cases, making for a striking presentation.
Soft plastic sleeve case
Each watch style can be found in any of the package variations on the secondary market and may have initially sold this way.
Also available in Germany, the packaging can be found with German language graphics.
The face of each watch displayed a blank ruby red crystal surrounded by an array of familiar Star Wars themed art. The display lit up briefly flashing bright red numbers, giving the accurate time when a side button was pressed. A quick second press of the button would display the date. Holding the button down would display seconds.
A nifty sticker sheet was included with the 3 larger watches designed to customize the watch face and change out the art. The sticker sheet was printed with a black or white border.
Sticker sheet variations
Switzerland emerged from the Second World War as the major hub of international watchmaking. During the war, the United States along with other involved nations shuttered all non essential industries, including watchmaking, for the sake of the war effort. Taking advantage of the lack of competition, Switzerland greatly increased their watch workforce and production to fill the void left by their rivals who had ceased production.
Much as their watches, Switzerland became a well-oiled machine for watch production. After the war, companies from around the world would often produce their mechanical watches in Switzerland, taking advantage of the highly skilled workforce and available resources.
This held true for the first LED and LCD digital watches as well, including the Texas Instruments Star Wars watches. Each watch is clearly marked Swiss made.
The collectible appeal of these watches is best appreciated while in their illustrated case. If you are considering buying one of these for use, beware. A nonworking watch is unlikely to require a simple battery change to get it running. Very often these watches will have significant battery corrosion and will be irreparable. Also be aware that the case of these watches is made from a plastic that has become quite brittle throughout the years. The cases are often cracked, and may break by simply removing the back cover.
That being said, I do have a functioning spare, and it is one of my favorite things to occasionally wear. It is remarkable how well it blends in with modern Apple watches. Most people don’t even give it a second glance.
The watch was designed to light up only briefly when the button is pressed. The power hungry LED mechanism required two large watch batteries that would quickly drain if the display remained lit.
The TI watches were heavily advertised in newspapers and catalogs. Below are some nice examples.
Newspaper advertisement for Hills Department Stores in Pennsylvania
Watch and receipt from Hills Department Stores
Montgomery Ward catalog, 1979
Plano Daily Star Courier, Texas
December 21, 1977
A large promotional program was created to advertise the Texas Instruments watches. Lucasfilm arranged for a fully costumed Darth Vader actor to be present at stores. The actor would give away autographed photographs. With the purchase of a watch a customer would also get a poster and a snazzy iron-on transfer to put on a t-shirt.
Benton Courier Walmart ad
October 12, 1978
Autographed Darth Vader picture, 1977
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Texas Instruments Iron-on, 1977
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Comic book ad
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
The Texas Instruments watches were also promoted in retail product mail-away offers and contests.
Pine-Sol mail-away offer, 1979
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Fab mail-away offer, 1978
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Star Wars Weekly contest (U.K.)
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
As revolutionary as the light emitting diode was, it was quickly replaced by a better, even cheaper technology which required far less battery power. The liquid crystal display ( LCD) soon supplanted the LED with its more familiar black digits on an indescribable tan/green colored background.
The LCD with its lower power demand allowed for a continuous display of the time and typically required only one smaller battery.
Texas Instruments never produced any further Star Wars themed watches beyond the original four models. Although Texas Instruments did transition to LCD technology, their foray into watchmaking was at a close by the early 1980s.
The second company granted a license to produce Star Wars themed watches was a more conventional choice. Throughout the 1970s, the Bradley watch company, a division of Elgin, was the industry leader in producing character watches. Having acquired the license to produce Disney watches in 1972, Bradley successfully embraced the opportunity and greatly expanded the usual Disney offerings well beyond the archetypal Mickey watch. Many never before featured characters were introduced to the line and were offered in varying styles. By 1977, the Bradley watchmaking machine was primed and ready to take on Star Wars.
And boy did they.
Depending on how you account for minor variations there are between 50 and 60 unique Bradley Star Wars watches produced during the late 70s through mid 80s.
Rudolph Valentino was Director of Operations at the Bradley watch company during the 1970s and 1980s. He controlled all aspects of the Star Wars watch production including oversight of the art department. Known for his strong work ethic and boundless energy, Rudolph began working at Bradley watches in the 1960s at an entry level position and worked his way to the top within a few years. During his tenure Rudolph approached Lucasfilm with endless imaginative design concepts for watches and clocks. Although Lucasfilm ultimately approved many watch designs, they rejected far more designs than were ever produced.
Having a penchant for preserving and archiving, Rudolph kept the artwork and designs for many of the produced and unproduced timepieces. I had the pleasure of meeting Rudolph’s daughter Jamie Valentino. Having shared a very close relationship with her father, Jamie was able to share many of the details included in this article about Bradley watch production history.
Despite the fact that Bradley produced a diverse variety of Star Wars themed watches, six models remain pervasive in the secondhand marketplace and were clearly produced in a much larger quantity as compared to the other models. When collecting these watches, it’s hard not to stumble over dozens of a common model for every scarce one that is found. As we go through the individual models, "the inescapable six" will be pointed out.
Bradley produced two different official Star Wars watches in 1977. Both are manual wind and contain reliable jeweled mechanisms, and much like Texas Instruments, were available in different kinds of packaging.
Marketed as Swiss made and initially manufactured in Switzerland, these watches are frequently found in working condition just awaiting to be wound up and worn. Later in their run, Bradley relocated much of its watch manufacturing to Hong Kong. As both manual and electronic watch manufacturing were becoming cheaper to produce in Asia. Jamie recalled that choosing or changing manufacturing locations were financial decisions. After a watch design was completed and ready for manufacture, the design was presented to different international watch manufacturers for the best production bid. Even for the same watch, movements, cases and bands were often made by different manufacturers and were then assembled together by Bradley. This likely accounts for the many slight variations of the same watch appreciated by collectors. The Hong Kong made mechanisms are more hit or miss but are often functional.
Swiss with second hand, child size
Swiss with second hand, child size;
country of origin highlighted in white;
Image modified.
Swiss without second hand, child size
Hong Kong mechanism, U.S. dial, child size
Inspection report for watch hands
Swiss chrome case adult size;
Country of origin highlighted in white;
Image modified.
Swiss made gold case, adult size
Swiss made gold case, adult size;
Large tapered lugs.
Watch ad featuring both child and adult watches
S-F film classic products, Chicago
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Starlog Magazine, 1978
Bradley artwork with child and adult models
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Comic book ad
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Hagerstown Daily Mail, Maryland
November 30, 1977
Bradley store display header, 1977
Courtesy of Todd Chamberlain
Swiss made adult size
TM next to "STAR"
Hong Kong, adult size
Swiss made, adult size
TM next to "WARS"
courtesy of Anthony Damata
Original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
The Swiss made models are proudly marked Swiss made on the face and on the backplate. The Hong Kong made mechanisms may lack the country of origin markings on the face but they are usually found on the backplate.
Available in both adult and children’s sizes, both models proved to be very popular and were manufactured for several years with little change. They were the only two watches available from Bradley during the years 1977-1980. Both are members of the inescapable six.
Both watches can be found cased or in a plastic satchel.
Early packaging variation with outer cardboard sleeve
Hard plastic case;
Star Wars header.
Hard plastic case;
Darth Vader header.
Satchel
Reverse of satchel
The adult sized watches were sold in hinged boxes.
Store display header featuring Darth Vader
Store display header featuring C-3PO
Courtesy of Will Grief
Lucasfilm would review catalogs and advertising. They would offer harsh critiques if their watches were not prominently featured or copyright details were incorrect, as per Jamie.
Courtesy of Matthew Mulinaro
Sears catalog, 1979
Four unique designs were created for the German market which include German graphics.
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Courtesy of Michael Gohlke By 1980, Bradley was granted the sole licensing rights to produce both mechanical and electronic watches.
For the release of
The Empire Strikes Back, Bradley premiered its first two electronic LCD Star Wars watches. Following their earlier release protocols, one watch featured the familiar droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, and the second, marketed for the more sinister children, featured Darth Vader. Both watches were available in adult and child sizes and have noted variations. Both watches are also members of the inescapable six and were produced for several years. Unlike their LED predecessors, the Bradley LCD watches rarely suffer from battery corrosion and usually will work after a battery change.
Adult LCD five function watch including light
1980
Child LCD white framed display, grey shading, chrome case
1980
Child LCD frameless display, chrome case
1980
Child LCD gold case
1980
Child LCD plastic case
1980
Original concept art
Blister pack
Dr. Who magazine (U.K.)
1980
Adult LCD five function watch including light
1980
Child LCD black framed display, white shading
1980
Child LCD frameless display
1980
Child LCD large framed window, thin lugs, 1980
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Child LCD, Star Wars in black lettering
1980
Original concept art
Bradley catalog watch store display, 1980
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Updated watch satchel
Empire Strikes Back logo
1980
The 1980 line also included watches featuring Yoda, a new character from The Empire Strikes Back.
Child LCD
1980
Boxed blister pack
Child manual wind
1980
Catalog, 1980
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Large painted metal sign store display
1980
Courtesy of Will Grief
Child/Adult C-3PO and R2-D2 manual wind, red second hand
1980
Child/Adult C-3PO and R2-D2 manual wind, white second hand
1980
Child/Adult C-3PO and R2-D2 manual wind, perforated hands
1980
JC Penney catalog, 1980
Bradley catalog artwork, 1980
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
As the new decade emerged, the 80s began to demonstrate a more geometric, streamlined shift in taste. Bradley responded to these changes by re-working existing designs and creating new designs with an updated aesthetic, as per Jamie.
Child/Adult Darth Vader manual wind, Swiss
1980
The best-selling manual wind Darth Vader watch previously released in 1977 was re-released in 1980. The newer version features a slender orange triangular shaped second hand and a bulky black plastic pseudo-link band, easily propelling the design forward for a new era. The enlarged black plastic case also features a bezel with planets and stars to mark the indices. The cases are fashioned from cycolac, a strong durable ABS resin also used to manufacture LEGO bricks.
Bradley catalog, 1980
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Child/Adult Yoda, manual wind
1981
Original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Adult C-3PO and R2-D2 LCD
1981
Original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
JC Penney catalog, 1982
Further advances in technology allowed for added complications to the mechanisms. By 1982 musical alarms were included in some of the new releases.
Child C-3PO and R2-D2 LCD
Musical alarm (Star Wars theme)
1982
Star Wars theme alarm
Child C-3PO and R2-D2 LCD
Musical alarm (Star Wars theme)
1982
Original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Adult C-3PO and R2-D2 LCD
animated digital TIE Fighter
Musical alarm (Star Wars theme)
1982
Adult C-3PO and R2-D2 LCD
Animated digital TIE Fighter
Musical alarm (Star Wars theme)
Prototype or early release, 1982
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Aldens catalog, 1982
Original concept art with Lucasfilm approval letter
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Bradley watch catalog, 1983
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
JC Penney catalog, 1983
Child C-3PO and R2D2 LCD, metal case
1982
Bubble pack
Hard plastic case
Return of the Jedi header
Child C-3PO and R2-D2 LCD, plastic case
1982
Child Yoda LCD, plastic case
1982
Child Darth Vader LCD, plastic case
1982
Child Darth Vader LCD, metal case
1982
Original concept art
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Child Star Wars/Darth Vader LCD prismatic watch
1982
Child Star Wars/Darth Vader LCD prismatic watch
Larger Vader bust, lacking copyright info
1982
Bradley layout board featuring the prismatic watch
(Also note the rare Indiana Jones watch)
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Child C-3PO and R2-D2 manual wind, red second hand
1982
Child C-3PO and R2-D2 manual wind, white second hand
1982
Soft plastic case
Original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Child Darth Vader manual wind
1982
Pre-production transparency
Bradley introduced radio watches in 1982 complete with headphones.
Adult C-3PO and R2-D2 LCD radio-watch
1982
Bradley catalog artwork
1982/1983
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Return of the Jedi magazine #32
January 25, 1984
Bradley watch offer (U.K.)
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
New characters from the release of Return of the Jedi were featured in the 1983 line.
Child Jabba the Hutt LCD, round case
1983
Original concept art, 1983
Courtesy of Matthieu Barthélemy
Child Jabba the Hutt LCD
Light green Jabba, square case
1983
Child Jabba the Hutt LCD, dark green Jabba
1983
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Original concept art, 1983
Courtesy of Matthieu Barthélemy
Child Jabba the Hutt manual wind, silver case
1983
Child Jabba the Hutt manual wind, gold case
1983
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Child Jabba the Hutt manual wind
Prototype mock-up
1983
Original concept art, 1983
Courtesy of Matthieu Barthélemy
Adult Ewoks radio-watch
1983
Original concept art, 1983
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
Child/Adult Wicket the Ewok manual wind
1983
Original concept art, 1983
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
JC Penney catalog, 1984
Child Ewoks manual wind
1983
Produced in large quantities, this model is classified as one of the "inescapable six."
Original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Original concept art, 1983
Courtesy of Jeffery Hunter
Child Ewoks LCD, square case
1983
Original concept art
Child Ewoks LCD, round case
round case
Produced in large quantities, this model is classified as one of the "inescapable six."
Original concept art
Prototype mock-up on Strawberry Shortcake watch
1983
Boxed blister pack
Montgomery Ward catalog, 1983
Bradley catalog, 1983
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
One final watch was released for the Droids animated series in 1985.
Child Droids LCD
1985
Prototype mock-up
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Bradley catalog, 1985
Courtesy Anthony Damata
UNPRODUCED CONCEPTS
Unproduced Jabba the Hutt watch concept art
Courtesy of Matthieu Barthélemy
Unproduced Child Ewoks LCD
Prototype mock-up on Strawberry Shortcake watch
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Unproduced Ewoks watch concept art
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
Unproduced Ewoks watch prototype mock-up
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
Unproduced Princess Leia watch concept art
Courtesy of David Brolin
Unproduced Ewoks watch concept art
Courtesy of Anthony Damata and Ross Cuddie
Unproduced Boba Fett watch concept art
Courtesy of Paul Chu
Unproduced Luke and Leia watch concept art
Courtesy of Paul Chu
Darth Vader German and French logo concept board
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Unproduced Empire Strikes Back logo Vader watch
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Unproduced original “rocking space fighter” concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced metal R2-D2 case original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced X-Wing watch with animated graphics
Original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Bradley watch catalog, 1983
The four watches on the left are prototypes
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Zeon, a watch company out of the U.K., produced one vintage watch in the early 80s. Complete with calendar, musical alarm and stopwatch, it also boasts one of the most striking designs of the vintage lines.
Adult Zeon water resistant LCD watch
Musical alarm (Star Wars theme)
Sparked by the popularity of the licensed timepieces, bootlegged watches began to appear on the market in the early 1980s. Unencumbered by Lucasfilm restraints, these watches offer a unique charm that is easy to appreciate.
While several of the watches are a clear attempt to closely mimic their licensed counterparts, many of the watches offer unique imagery that would have never met approval.
These watches can be found with multiple slight variations in lithography and band color. They also feature key characters which were omitted in the licensed lines.
“STAR TIME”
A close copy of a 1980 Bradley LCD release
A close copy of a 1980 Bradley LCD release
Complete with copyright information
A close copy of a 1980 Bradley LCD release
Complete with copyright information
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Close copies of a 1982 Bradley LCD release in multiple color variations
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Unlicensed C-3PO and R2-D2 LCD watches
similar to Bradley releases
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Unlicensed C-3PO and R2-D2 LCD watch
similar to Bradley releases
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Unlicensed Darth Vader LCD
Original design and art
Unlicensed Darth Vader LCD
Original design and art featuring the Death Star and Imperial Destroyer
Unlicensed C-3PO and R2-D2 LCD
Original design and art
Absent logo variation courtesy of Anthony Damata
Unlicensed Han Solo, Princess Leia and Yoda LCD
Original design and art
(Leia and Han were not featured in the licensed lines)
Unlicensed Endor scene LCD
Original design and art
Featuring Luke, Leia, Han, R2-D2, C-3PO and Chewbacca
(Luke, Leia, Han and Chewbacca were not featured in the licensed lines)
Unlicensed Luke Skywalker and Biker Scout LCD
Original design and art
(Luke was not featured in the licensed lines)
Red highlights variation courtesy of Anthony Damata
Star Wars logo
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Return of the Jedi logo unlicensed C-3PO, R2-D2 and googly eyed Chewbacca LCD
Original design and art
(Chewbacca was not featured in the licensed lines)
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Unlicensed C-3PO and R2-D2 LCD with hazy blue starry background
Original design and art
Darth Vader manual wind watch with animated lightsaber Courtesy of Anthony Damata
R2-D2 manual wind watch with animated X-WingCourtesy of Anthony Damata
Han Solo manual watch with animated blaster
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Animated watches in action Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Analog watch featuring R2-D2Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Analog watch featuring Darth VaderCourtesy of Anthony Damata
Analog watch featuring Princess Leia and R2-D2Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Analog watch featuring C-3PO and R2-D2Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Analog Darth Vader watch, gold line art
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
EPILOGUE
The emergence of electronic watches and their ever cheaper cost of production had a devastating effect on Swiss watch manufacturing. This coupled with less expensive mechanical watches coming out of Asia led to the shuttering of the majority of watch companies in Switzerland. By the early 80s, two thirds of the Swiss watch workforce was unemployed.
Termed the "quartz crisis," this turn of events seemed to be the death knell for traditional mechanical watches.
Reeling from the decimation of the digital quartz crisis, a new Swiss watch company emerged in 1983 with a novel approach at reinventing the analog watch. The Swatch company, a portmanteau of the "second watch," produced inexpensive, reliable timepieces with a focus on fashion. Available in many colors and styles and marketed as an extra or second watch, consumers worldwide embraced the concept and frequently owned several Swatches to be worn individually or all at once. In their first year, the Swatch company placed their sales goal at one million units. By the following year the company would be producing nearly three times that number.
The Swatch Group, as it is now known, singlehandedly resurrected Swiss watch manufacturing. Currently the largest watchmaker in Switzerland, Swatch has continued to expand over its four decade history acquiring luxury watch brands including Omega, Longines, Rado, Blancpain, Breguet, Harry Winston, Mido, Tissot, Certina, Glashutte, Mido, ETA and Hamilton.
Appreciative of the franchise and the phenomenon of the Star Wars watch, Swatch released the “Dark Vader” watch as part of their 1988 line.
Swatch "Dark Vader"
1988
Swatch magazine ad
1988
Clocks, whistles, stopwatches, calculators and concepts
Bradley produced an array of clocks with Star Wars theming. The “quartz talking alarm clock” was released in 1980 featuring messages delivered by an English voice actor that was clearly not Anthony Daniels. After a few beeps from R2, C-3PO responds, “What R2-D2 is saying is that you have to get up right away!” If the first message didn’t prompt activity, R2 would resume beeping and C-3PO would continue with, “R2, you shouldn’t be so polite, this little Rebel is going to be late!” Complete with nicely sculpted figures of the droids, the clock is a real winner.
Quartz Talking Alarm Clock, 1980
Box front, 1980 release
Side panel, 1980
The 1980 release included the Empire Strikes Back logo on the side panel to coincide with the release of the film.
Box front, 1983 release
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
A Return of the Jedi sticker was added to the box to coincide with the release of the film in 1983.
Later released clocks have the Star Wars logo on the side panel.
Side panel, 1984
Two handsome wall clocks were released in 1981. Both were available with either a battery powered mechanism or a corded version.
C-3PO and R2-D2 wall clock
1981
Corded mechanism (left) and battery powered mechanism (right)
Carton packaging
Darth Vader and Stormtroopers wall clock
1981
Open box packaging (left) and carton packaging (right)
Bradley catalog
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
1982 saw the release of a new tabletop clock.
C-3PO and R2-D2 tabletop quartz clock
1982
1982 box
The box was updated with a Return of the Jedi logo banner in 1983 to coincide with the release of the film.
1983 release
Sears catalog, 1982
Bradley catalog
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
3-way “Anywhere” Clock
1983
Original concept art
Courtesy of Matthew Mulinaro
LCD clock and calculator
1983
Stopwatch featuring Biker Scout
1983
Prototype in green
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Wicket the Ewok “Whistle Time”
1983
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
Bradley catalog featuring red “Wicket the Ewok”
clock/whistle, likely produced
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
Bradley catalog artwork
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Clock/radio with handle
1984
Clock/radio (no handle)
1984
Original concept art
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Droids Clock/Radio
1985
UNPRODUCED CONCEPTS
Unproduced R2-D2 and Wicket clock
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
Unproduced Ewoks stick-up clock
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
Unproduced Ewok wall clock
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
Unproduced Jabba the Hutt and Max Rebo Band talking alarm clock
Courtesy of David Brolin
Unproduced updated 1982 C-3PO and R2-D2 clock with Yoda
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced Ewok Village clock
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
Unproduced animated Ewoks clock with moving drumstick
Courtesy of Jarrod Clark
Unproduced Yoda clock
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced Darth Vader clock
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced Yoda stick-up clock
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced Max Rebo Band stick-up clock
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced Darth Vader stick-up clock
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced Darth Vader clock
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced Sail Barge with Max Rebo Band talking alarm clock
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced Jabba the Hutt stick-up clock
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced Ewok clock
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced updated 1980 C-3PO and R2-D2 talking alarm clock with Wicket and Return of the Jedi logo
Courtesy of Ross Cuddie
Unproduced updated 1982 clock with Return of the Jedi logo
Kenner produced two table clocks in a very limited quantity. Partnered with Junior Achievements, these clocks were assembled by children and sold door to door to encourage entrepreneurship. To read more about the program, check out this previous post.
Action figure case art table clock
1980
Yoda portrait table clock
1980
An unlicensed line of manual wind alarm clocks were produced in Mexico. Branded with a Spanish Star Wars logo, they do not appear to have been meant for export. They each feature distinctive hand drawn art.
C-3PO and R2-D2
Stormtrooper
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Yoda
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Darth Vader light blue background
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Darth Vader dark blue background
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Boba Fett
Courtesy of Anthony Damata
Lightsaber duel
Star Time Music Series was a line of wall clocks that upcycled overstock picture discs for the subject of their clocks. The Star Wars Story picture disc was included in their collection.
Star Time Music Series Star Wars Clock
Packaging
The last timepiece featured in this article remains a mystery. Manufactured with era appropriate materials, this clock appears to be of a late 1970s vintage. Whether a one-of-a-kind homebrew or a survivor of an unlicensed line, it remains one of my favorite things and hangs in my kitchen.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank-You to my dear friend Ron Salvatore for continuously inspiring and encouraging me. This article would not have happened without you. You are a true kindred spirit.
Thank-You to Jamie Valentino for freely sharing her Father’s legacy and history at Bradley.
Thank-You to Anthony Damata for sharing his collection and insights. Anthony has been cataloguing Star Wars themed watches for many years. You can check out his impressive collection at
www.restrainingbolt.com.
A heartfelt Thank-You to all of the photo contributors.
Thank-You to Steve Danley for editing, publishing and helping me navigate the Archive.
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