Looks pretty ordinary from the front, doesn't it? But turn it over and you soon realize this is a special watch with its hand-setting lever at the back and the two battery hatches.

The R 27 appeared in 1958, only a few months after Hamilton's 500, the World's First Electric Watch, but to my eyes at least, the R 27 looks more robust and it benefits from the addition of that crucial diode to prevent sparking across the contacts.

I love all things about this watch: the lovely stainless steel case, the under-stated dial, the fabulous looking movement. I hope the following series of photographs captures this fine and rare watch.

LIP Electronic; Cal. R27; All Stainless Steel; Opens Through Crystal; 38mm diameter; 1958	LIP Electronic; Cal. R27; All Stainless Steel; Opens Through Crystal; 38mm diameter; 1958	Similar to Accutron 214 & early Timex Electrics having backset hand adjuster but with two battey hatches	Similar to Accutron 214 & early Timex Electrics having backset hand adjuster but with two battey hatches	One Piece Case	Looks pretty good on the wrist!
Looks pretty good on the wrist!	The very unique R27 calibre with two coils	The very unique R27 calibre with two coils	The very unique R27 calibre with two coils

The fabulous gold R27 below is not mine but is photographed, with the owner's permission, alongside my stainless steel one:

LIP Electronic; Cal. R27; Solid Rose Gold; Opens Through Crystal; 38mm diameter; 1958	LIP Electronic; Cal. R27; Solid Rose Gold; Opens Through Crystal; 38mm diameter; 1958	LIP Electronic; Cal. R27; Solid Rose Gold; Opens Through Crystal; 38mm diameter; 1958	LIP Electronic; Cal. R27; Solid Rose Gold; Opens Through Crystal; 38mm diameter; 1958	LIP Electronic; Steel and Gold together!	LIP Electronic; Steel and Gold together!
LIP Electronic; Steel and Gold together!	LIP Electronic; Steel and Gold together!