Timeless Aesthetic of the Atari Asteroids Watch, Despite Its Timekeeping Inadequacies
In a nod to the immortal arcade game, Asteroids, watch brand Nubeo and Atari teamed up to create a limited edition timepiece, harking back to the golden age of gaming. Forty-five years since its introduction, this collaboration offers a steady reminder of the retro gaming era with every glance.
The Nubeo-Atari collab, particularly the Nebula Blue model I got my hands on, numbered 104 out of 125, features a dynamic centerpiece - the iconic Asteroids triangular ship spins continuously as the seconds hand. Two spacecraft-shaped hour and minute hands rotate around the center, while the rest of the stylized asteroids serve merely as decorative details. Reading the time can be challenging due to the cluttered watch face. In dim light, the blue UFO sometimes blends with the background.
Age-old gamers, nursing a touch of nostalgia, seem to be the intended audience for this timepiece designed primarily for those donning rose-tinted glasses for the past gaming era. The fitted silicon watch band is compatible with medium-to-large sized wrists. I'm of average adult male size, and the band requires the smallest bead to prevent it from slipping.
Packing a hypnotic scene of floating rocks on a black field, this watch is no casual accessory. Sizing in at 50mm and 16mm thick, it's a notable piece with weight to match, tipping the scales at nearly .4 pounds. Despite its size and heft, the watch is well-constructed, utilising a Japanese automatic watch system and boasting a sapphire lens with a stainless steel case in both black and brushed metal. From the Atari logo on the crown to the stenciled asteroids on the back of the watch, every detail exudes uniqueness.
Each variation of the Atari-Nubeo collab is a limited edition, with the Nebula Blue model already sold out. With an advertised MSRP of $1,650, the going price is a more reasonable $500 while stocks last. Compared to today's solid smartwatches, the $500 price tag is steep even for those accustomed to high-end accessories.
Gamer chic enthusiasts may find this piece irresistible. For a similar price, an Apple Watch Series 9 offers advanced features, starting at just $400. However, the Nubeo watch is a potential accessory for my road trips and tabletop role-playing games, given my fondness for timeless game-inspired watches like the Timestop D-20.
Though I am not part of the generation that could play Asteroids during its hayday, I've enjoyed the game in vintage arcade settings or on platforms like the Atari 7800. The game's innovative design, involving momentum and the "hyperspace" mechanic, continues to captivate gamers.
However, before parting with $500 for this timepiece, bear in mind that it is only rated at 5 ATM, making it waterproof and dust-resistant to a certain extent. It comes with a two-year warranty covering any mechanical and material defects. The warranty explicitly excludes damage to the lens and strap and normal wear and tear.
Wearing this watch to nerd-themed events is a surefire conversation starter, an attention-grabbing accessory, albeit at a higher price than some may be willing to pay. If Asteroids had a knack for making time fly, wouldn't a watch that reminds you of it be counterintuitive?
- With its spinning triangular ship, the Nebula Blue model from the Nubeo-Atari collaboration is a smartwatch-style timepiece that pays homage to the classic arcade game, Asteroids.
- This limited edition watch, originally priced at $1,650, is now available for $500, making it an expensive yet unique accessory for those who appreciate the fusion of technology and retro gaming.
- In the future, when smartwatches become more versatile, the intricate Nebula Blue Atari-Nubeo watch might stand out as a vector of an era where technology, gaming, and fashion intertwined.
- Despite the price tag and the challenge of reading the time due to the cluttered watch face, the Nebula Blue Atari-Nubeo watch is an interesting talkpiece for nerd-themed events or tabletop role-playing games, inviting conversations about shared experiences and the fondness for reminiscing the golden age of gaming.
