A Retrograde Romp on Your Wrist: The Nubeo Atari Asteroids Watch Review
The allure of retro gaming is a potent force, a siren song that draws us back to simpler times, pixelated landscapes, and the satisfying thunk of a well-worn joystick. For those of us who grew up mesmerized by the flickering screens of arcade cabinets, a single geometric shape – the vector graphics triangle – can be enough to trigger a wave of nostalgia. It’s the shape of the iconic spaceship from Asteroids, a game so ingrained in our collective consciousness that it has transcended its original medium.
Released in 1979 as an arcade fixture and then reaching a wider audience via the Atari 2600 in 1981, Asteroids quickly became a cultural touchstone. Now, forty-five years after its initial launch, Atari has partnered with watchmaker Nubeo to commemorate the anniversary with a series of limited-edition mechanical timepieces. I had the opportunity to strap one of these conversation starters to my wrist, and the experience has been, well, interesting.
The model I received is the Nebula Blue, numbered 104 out of a limited run of 125. The watch face is a miniature diorama of the game itself, a chaotic ballet of celestial bodies against a deep black void. In the center, a stylized, triangular spaceship perpetually spins, acting as the seconds hand. The hours and minutes are indicated by two slowly rotating flying saucers, while the rest of the stenciled asteroids remain static, purely for aesthetic flair.
However, readability is where this timepiece starts to wobble like a badly piloted spaceship. Telling the time on this watch requires more than a fleeting glance; it demands a deliberate squint and a moment of focused interpretation. In dimly lit environments, the blue UFO representing either the hour or the minute hand blends into the dark background, further complicating the task. This raises a fundamental question: what’s the point of a watch that isn’t particularly adept at its primary function?
Perhaps the answer lies not in practicality, but in the watch’s intended audience. While today’s youth might struggle with the intricacies of analog clocks, the Nubeo Atari collaboration seems specifically tailored for the aging gamer, the one who remembers the arcade’s golden age with a fondness that borders on reverence. It’s a wearable emblem of a bygone era, a statement piece designed to evoke memories and spark conversations.
Beyond its aesthetic quirks, the watch’s physical dimensions are considerable. The default silicon band, secured by a rather elaborate clasp, is designed for medium-to-large wrists. As an average-sized adult male, I found myself using the smallest adjustment point on the band to prevent it from sliding around while typing this very review. It’s a large watch, boasting a 50mm face and a hefty 16mm thickness. Weighing in at 179 grams, or nearly .4 pounds, it definitely makes its presence known on your wrist.
Despite its size and potential readability challenges, the Nubeo Atari Asteroids watch possesses a tangible sense of quality. It’s powered by a Japanese automatic movement, meaning it relies on the motion of the wearer’s wrist rather than a battery. The face is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and the case is constructed from stainless steel with both black and brushed metal finishes. The attention to detail extends to the smaller elements, from the subtly placed Atari logo on the crown to the intricate asteroid stencils on the back of the watch.
Each version of the Nubeo Atari collaboration is a limited edition, and the Nebula Blue edition I tested is already sold out. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is a steep $1,650, but the watch was available for $500, a price point which may not remain for long. Even at that discounted price, it’s a significant investment for a timepiece, particularly for those unaccustomed to spending hundreds of dollars on a single accessory.
The concept of "gamer chic" is certainly gaining traction, but this watch feels targeted towards a specific subset of the demographic: older gamers with a healthy disposable income. For the same $500, one could acquire a high-end smartwatch packed with features, like an Apple Watch Series 9 starting at $400.
I am, admittedly, not a habitual accessorizer. However, as a fan of the Timestop D-20 watch, which I frequently wear to my tabletop RPG sessions, I found myself drawn to the Nubeo Atari watch. The novelty and visual appeal are undeniable.
While I didn’t grow up playing Asteroids in its original arcade heyday, I’ve experienced the game in retro bars and struggled to survive more than a few levels on the Atari 7800+. The game’s core mechanics remain compelling. Players must contend with momentum, plan their shots with precision, and strategically utilize the "hyperspace" feature, which allows them to warp from one side of the screen to the other, reappearing on the opposite edge.
Before taking the plunge and spending $500 on this watch, there are a few practical considerations to keep in mind. It’s rated at 5 ATM for water resistance, which means it can withstand splashes and brief submersion, but it’s not suitable for swimming or diving. The watch comes with a two-year warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship, but it doesn’t extend to damage to the lens or strap, or normal wear and tear.
This is the kind of watch I’d wear to a convention or other gathering of like-minded nerds, a piece designed to draw attention and spark conversations. Indeed, it elicited curiosity from my colleagues, demonstrating its potential as a conversation starter. And if you’re looking for a way to stand out, there are certainly less interesting, or more expensive, options available. But, at the end of the day, if Asteroids were so engaging that it made time fly by, why would you need a watch to remind you of the hours you spent playing?
