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The Seiko WristMac (RC-4500) is an early smartwatch from Seiko.[1]

Description[]

Introduced in 1988, the WristMac was based on the 1985 Seiko PC Datagraph (RC-4000) in a modified plastic case that was available in various colors. It featured a RS-232C-compatible serial port, and could communicate with a beige-era Macintosh through an available LocalTalk port. A HyperCard stack was developed by Ex Machina to sync alarm, calendar, and contact information with the watch.[2][3]

System requirements[]

Computer journalist Stewart Cheifet had apparently managed to get a gold Seiko RC-4000, priced at around US$200 in 1991, to also sync with the WristMac software.[4]

History[]

On August 28, 1991, a Macintosh Portable sent the first email from space while aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis during NASA mission STS-43.[5] The astronauts also wore Seiko WristMacs which could be synced with the Macintosh Portable to load short 2-line reminders that could be displayed on LCD of the watch.[3][6]

Collectibility[]

The Seiko RC-4500 and 4000 series are not particularly rare, but can fetch hundreds of dollars, depending on condition and the presence of original packaging.[7] On November 22, 2021, a boxed Seiko RC-4500 specimen, complete with the rarer original WristMac software package, was put up for sale in an auction which will close on December 18, 2021.[8]

Video gallery[]

References[]

  1. Before the Apple Watch there was the Seiko WristMac; rare find goes up for bids tomorrow by Alan Friedman, PhoneArena. 2021-11-21.
  2. Seiko Computer Watch Fun, PocketCalculatorShow. 2005-07-14.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Rare 1988 Apple Watch predecessor 'WristMac' expected to get $25K at auction by William Gallagher, AppleInsider. 2021-11-21.
  4. The Computer Chronicles - Consumer Buying Guide (1991), by The Computer Chronicles, 11:23, YouTube. 2012-11-15.
  5. Today in Apple history: Mac sends first email from space by Luke Dormehl, Cult of Mac. 2021-08-28.
  6. WristMac, la première montre pour Mac qui est allée dans l’espace by Mickaël Bazoge (French), WatchGeneration. 2017-02-01.
  7. RC-4000 Datagraph, WatchCharts. Accessed 2021-11-21.
  8. WristMac (1988 legendary 1st Apple watch), ComicConnect. 2021-11-22.

External links[]

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