Hamilton introduced the first digital electronic watch, the Hamilton Pulsar, in 1972.
The Pulsar was developed by Hamilton Watch Company with assistance from Electro-Data. It displayed the time using red light-emitting diodes rather than hands and a conventional dial. The display appeared when the wearer pressed a button, helping conserve battery power.
The first model was the Pulsar P1, released in 1972 in a gold case. Its futuristic appearance and electronic display made it a landmark in the transition from mechanical watches to electronic timekeeping.
The Pulsar was digital because it showed numerals, but it was not a modern LCD watch. Its red LED display consumed substantial power, so it normally remained off until activated. Later digital watches commonly used lower-power liquid-crystal displays.