Nikon celebrates the 60th anniversary launch of the Nikon F with a limited run of camera-inspired Nikon F watches
(Image credit: Nikon Museum)
This year is the 60th anniversary of the groundbreaking Nikon F camera, Nikon's first SLR camera and one of the most advanced cameras of its day. Introduced in 1959, the Nikon F was produced until 1973, when it was then replaced with the Nikon F2. Aspects of this revolutionary model's design can still be seen in modern Nikon DSLRs today - most notably in the 'F-mount' that Nikon retained when it made the switch from analog to digital.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, Nikon Museum (operated by Nikon Corporation) is releasing a Nikon F watch to commemorate Nikon F's 60th anniversary. A Nikon Museum spokesperson commented (translated by Google Translate), "We planned a watch that you can always wear so that you can feel the presence and atmosphere of the Nikon F single-lens reflex camera that has been loved over time."
The watch has been beautifully designed to incorporate aspects of the Nikon F camera's design, including a shutter speed dial in the center of the watch face and the 'F' logo positioned pride of place at 12 o'clock.
The Nikon F watch has a shutter speed dial at the center of its watch face (Image credit: Nikon Museum)
The watch has a classic stainless steel finish with a crystal glass surface for the face. It weighs about 35g and is 3ATM water resistant, which means that its suitable for contact with rain, hand washing and other occasional contact with water.
While this watch looks very enticing indeed (this journalist would be quite tempted if they weren't faithfully committed to their Fitbit), there is a dark cloud hovering over Nikon lovers in the West. Not only does this watch seem to have only been released in Japan (for 19,900 yen, which translates roughly to £139 / $183), it was also limited to only 100 units. In addition, if you are lucky enough to be in a position to buy a watch, purchases are limited to only one per person due to the small run.
The watch still seems to be available at the Nikon Museum shop, but we can't see a way to purchase it online, so you may need to plan a last-minute trip to the Nikon Museum in Tokyo, Japan if you're looking for some last minute Christmas gifts for photographers.
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With over a decade of photographic experience, Louise arms Digital Camera World with a wealth of knowledge on photographic technique and know-how – something at which she is so adept that she's delivered workshops for the likes of ITV and Sue Ryder. Louise also brings years of experience as both a web and print journalist, having served as features editor for Practical Photography magazine and contributing photography tutorials and camera analysis to titles including Digital Camera Magazine and Digital Photographer. Louise currently shoots with the Fujifilm X-T200 and the Nikon D800, capturing self-portraits and still life images, and is DCW's ecommerce editor, meaning that she knows good camera, lens and laptop deals when she sees them.
