Ray Charles' Watch for the Blind
Jamie Foxx was wearing the same Raketa in the movie - Ray. He was playing Ray Charles.
In honest truth, I didn’t know such a watch even existed until I saw the movie. I was asking myself why in the world would Ray Charles wear a watch when he couldn’t see. I thought maybe it was because of some sentimental reason until I saw him fiddling with it. So, did Ray Charles actually wear a Braille Watch, the same Soviet watch?
Anyway, it arrived today - A 1970s Soviet made Raketa Braille watch for the blind.
Not water resistant obviously, It has a spring loaded flipping crystal bezel, actuated from a pusher integrated with the crown. The dial has these little raised Braille hour markers, double dots for 3, 6, 9 and single dots for the rest. Hand wound movement and 2 hands only. My piece came with a mesh like fixed link metal bracelet which cannot be adjusted except from the clasp. I’ll be swapping it out for sure. The 34mm case size and 11mm thickness wears perfect for me.
Biggest problem I have is I keep flipping open the crystal like a fidget thingie and I know that needs to stop. All in all and as how McD says, I’m lovin’ it! More pictures in WRUW in days to come. Cheers.
I’m a watch-holic, a watch-addict and recently a watch-cruncher. I'm drawn to watches that have interesting back stories, unique or unusual design language and limited in numbers.
Thank you for the wonderful educational nugget!
Enjoy that watch
Cheers
Thank you for the wonderful educational nugget!
Enjoy that watch
Cheers
Cheers🍻
Amazing
A little mind blowing 🤯 Cheers 🍻
Amazing
Cheers 🍻
I thought about getting one of these for a while, by Eone. The surface ball tracks the minutes and the one on the edge is hours. IIRC if you nudge them off their spots they return to the correct time.
👌🏻
I've always wondered about these watches, the movement must be pretty strong to have the hands manhandled by someone feeling around for the time? Surely the hands must get knocked out of place?
I bought a braille watch not long ago. The pictures made it look like a man's watch but when I received it, it was a woman's. I still kept it though. It's a FAB De Luxe, 21 jewels automatic. It's Swiss made and it doesn't run. It has a button on the crown that opens up the dial. I don't understand how a blind person could read something so small. Also reading it with their fingers, how do they not mess up the hands? Definitely an interesting watch. I'm glad to see someone with the same type of piece.
I thought about getting one of these for a while, by Eone. The surface ball tracks the minutes and the one on the edge is hours. IIRC if you nudge them off their spots they return to the correct time.
Go for it! looks interesting👍
I've always wondered about these watches, the movement must be pretty strong to have the hands manhandled by someone feeling around for the time? Surely the hands must get knocked out of place?
Thats what I'm thinking too. I'm sure you're right about the hands but they are made to be manhandled. Apparently the 2501 calibre is pretty robust too. But, I'm not about to do a test though. 😜
I bought a braille watch not long ago. The pictures made it look like a man's watch but when I received it, it was a woman's. I still kept it though. It's a FAB De Luxe, 21 jewels automatic. It's Swiss made and it doesn't run. It has a button on the crown that opens up the dial. I don't understand how a blind person could read something so small. Also reading it with their fingers, how do they not mess up the hands? Definitely an interesting watch. I'm glad to see someone with the same type of piece.
They say the other senses become more enhanced whenever one is impaired. I guess the sensitivity of their fingers only require a gentle touch to know.
Any plans to get your watch sorted?
Wowzers very cool! Didn't remember this watch from Ray
That’s brilliant, may I ask how you found it? A very good friend of mine is blind but he loves watches. It would be the ultimate gift for him
They say the other senses become more enhanced whenever one is impaired. I guess the sensitivity of their fingers only require a gentle touch to know.
Any plans to get your watch sorted?
I don't know about having it sorted. The mainspring is broken. I'm not sure if it is worth it to have it fixed.
Nice catch, mate!
Fantastic acquisition! Congrats.
Thanks mate, Cheers🍻
Pretty nice piece! These are a fairly rare find nowadays.
Nice catch, mate!
Thanks mate. Cheers 🍻
Pretty nice piece! These are a fairly rare find nowadays.
Thanks. Yes went through quite a few before this. Cheers
I own an EOne. I actually funded the very first Kickstarter when they were trying to raise money for this concept. I loved the idea of helping support a watch for the blind.
Now, the EOne is the oldest watch in my collection that I bought for myself (2012). And you know what? I NEVER wear it. Like, ever. It's very cool, but it doesn't give me what I typically want from this hobby, which is something that looks stunning on my wrist that I can stare down at all day long. The watch is utilitarian, for a reason. But I find that aesthetic is not what I go for in watches and it sits as an outlier in my collection.
Very cool watch, great idea, perfect execution, but just not something I ever reach for to wear.
I own an EOne. I actually funded the very first Kickstarter when they were trying to raise money for this concept. I loved the idea of helping support a watch for the blind.
Now, the EOne is the oldest watch in my collection that I bought for myself (2012). And you know what? I NEVER wear it. Like, ever. It's very cool, but it doesn't give me what I typically want from this hobby, which is something that looks stunning on my wrist that I can stare down at all day long. The watch is utilitarian, for a reason. But I find that aesthetic is not what I go for in watches and it sits as an outlier in my collection.
Very cool watch, great idea, perfect execution, but just not something I ever reach for to wear.
Very Cool Indeed. I guess it could best be the evolved version of the old braille watch like mine. Ive see some done in a wooden case material too. Nice
Congrats for the new vintage watch. The story is great 👏
Almost bought one end of last year as I was unaware of them till then.
Amazing timepiece you have there.
Congrats for the new vintage watch. The story is great 👏
Thank you kindly
Almost bought one end of last year as I was unaware of them till then.
Amazing timepiece you have there.
Thank you kindly
Interesting that someone in the US would be wearing such a watch, especially at that time.
Interesting that someone in the US would be wearing such a watch, especially at that time.
Yes, I was wondering so too. Either the movie makers got it wrong or truly Ray Charles did wear a Soviet Raketa.
Seiko and Citizen also have “braille” watches for the visually impaired. The Citizen is very interesting as it was not only designed to be usable by the blind, but also easily legible for those with impaired sight who are not blind.
Unfortunately, I don’t think Seiko is producing theirs anymore. I was interested in getting one (because it’s rather elegant in my opinion), but they don’t seem to be getting stocked in many places.
Seiko and Citizen also have “braille” watches for the visually impaired. The Citizen is very interesting as it was not only designed to be usable by the blind, but also easily legible for those with impaired sight who are not blind.
Unfortunately, I don’t think Seiko is producing theirs anymore. I was interested in getting one (because it’s rather elegant in my opinion), but they don’t seem to be getting stocked in many places.
Yes I did come across Citizen during my search. Didn’t find any Seiko though. Thanks for the info. I was searching more for that watch from the Movie and probably missed many other brands. Thanks for the info. Cheers.