Takara first introduced their Choro-Q line in 1978 which were small cars with
pull back motors. This line extended to Takaras Microchange line in 1983 with
such releases as MC-04 Porsche 944 (Cliffjumer) and VW Bug (Bumblebee) though
these cars did not have a motor but could transform into robots.
Between 1984 and 1985, Takara released a wrist watch line with a take on their
Choro-Q line, called Watch-Q. The Q in the title being an abbreviation of
"cute".
When the Watch-Q line was released it was already linked to the Microchange
line as it featured a re-release of MC-06 Watch Robo. Three of the Watch-Q
line up were also released in the main Transformers toy line. Overall there
were 19 watches released in the line with an additional watch which did not
pass the prototype stage.
Additionally the line featured two types of watches aimed at girls released in
1985 which were more expensive than the standard releases from which they were
recoloured as they came with additional accessories. Each of these two watches
were released with 3 colour variants and this mini line was entitled "Pure
Watch-Q".
Watch-Q's Series 1 (ウォッチ・キュー), 1984:-
In 1984 there were 13 releases planned but only 12 actually released:-
1) F-15 Eagle (F-15 イーグル)
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F-15 Eagle Blue (left), Black (middle) and Grey (right) Source: Yahoo
Auctions
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The F-15 Eagle watch did as you'd expect and transformed from a watch into
the popular jet of the 80's an F-15 Eagle (see Starscream, Skywarp,
Thundercracker etc.). It was released in 3 colours, grey, blue or black.
This also came with a stand for the jet.
2) Watch Robo (ウォッチ ロボ)
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Watch Robo chrome version (Source: eBay)
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Watch Robo gold version (Source: eBay)
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Watch Robo black version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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The Watch Robo was a re-release of the Microchange MC-06 Watch Robo and came in
the same variety of colours apart from blue (it was available in were gold,
chrome or black). There are more knock offs of this watch than any other
released in the Watch-Q line.
3) Watch Robo II (ウォッチロボ II)
This watch was never released however a mock up artwork appeared in a
catalogue. The far right shadowy figure in the 1984 advert for Watch-Q (see
above) is also the Watch Robo II.
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The Watch Robo II
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4) Scorpio (スコーピオ)
This watch transforms into a scorpion. As well as appearing in Takaras
Kronoform line, it was also released in the Transformers Generation 2 line in
1994. It was available in chrome, gold and possibly in black.
5) Colt Combat Custom (コルトコンバットカスタム)
This watch transformed into a pistol with a stand, silencer and sights; it
could also shoot tiny pellets. This came in three variations, black, gun metal
or grey.
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Colt Combat Custom black version (Source: eBay)
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Colt Combat Custom grey version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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Colt Combat Custom gun metal version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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6) GT Quartz Car Countach LP500S (GT カークォーツカウンタック LP500S)
This was a mini Lamborghini Countach with a pull back motor and came in four
colours, red, black, grey and white.
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GT Quartz Car Countach LP500S red version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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GT Quartz Car Countach LP500S white version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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GT Quartz Car Countach LP500S black version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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7) GT Quartz Car Fairlady Z 300ZX (GT カークオーツフェアレディZ
300ZX)
Similar to the Countach, this was a mini car with a pull back
motor and came in the same variation of colours, red, black, grey and
white.
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GT Quartz Car Fairlady Z 300ZX red version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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GT Quartz Car Fairlady Z 300ZX black version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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GT Quartz Car Fairlady Z 300ZX white version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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8) Choro Quartz Golf GTI (チョロクオーツゴルフGTI)
Another small car with a pull back motor. This came in black, red or blue
variations.
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Choro Quartz Golf GTI black version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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Choro Quartz Golf GTI black version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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Choro Quartz Golf GTI blue version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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Choro Quartz Golf GTI red version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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9) Choro Quartz Mini Cooper (チョロクオーツミニクーバー)
Based on a Mini Cooper, this small pull back racer came in red, blue or
black.
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Choro Quartz Mini Cooper blue & Black versions (Source:
GT Uncle Blog)
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Choro Quartz Mini Cooper (Source: Unknown)
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10) Watch Boy (ウォッチボーイ)
A watch which transformed into another robot variant. This came in chrome,
chromed red or black.
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Watch Boy black version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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Watch Boy red version (Source: Unknown)
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11) Gamera (ガメラ)
This is based on the turtle monster from the 1965 Japanese film "Gamera". The
watch transforms into a turtle monster. It came with either a green or a
chromed shell.
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Gamera (green (left) & chrome (right)) Source: eBay
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12) Compo Quartz (コンポクォーツ)
This was a watch which transforms into a boom box and is a working radio. It
was released with 4 colour variations of blue, grey, red or black.
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Compo Quartz red version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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Compo Quartz red version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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Compo Quartz grey version (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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Compo Quartz black version (Source: Unknown)
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13) Watch Robo Calculator (ウォッチロボ電卓)
A calculator watch which transforms into a robot. This was also released in
the Kronoform line in Transformers styled packaging as "Kaltor". This came in
three colour variations - chrome, gold or black.
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Watch Robo Calculator chrome version (Source: eBay)
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Watch Robo Calculator black version (Source: eBay)
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Watch Robo Calculator gold version (Source: eBay)
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Watch Q Series 2 were released in 1985, 3 of which were re-releases from
1984 and there was one new addition. These were released in new cube styled
boxes, four figures were released in 1985 and numbered. These versions are
harder to get hold of, possibly as production was limited with Takara moving
towards releasing the Transformers brand.
Watch-Q's Series 2 (ウォッチ・キュー), 1985:-
01 Watch Robo (ウォッチロボ)
Yet another release of this mould, available in chrome and black and
possibly in gold.
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Source: Yahoo Auctions
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Source: Yahoo Auctions
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02 Watch Boy (ウォッチボーイ)
Came in chrome and red, and possibly black.
03 Watch Robo Calculator (ウォッチロボ電卓)
Came in chrome and black. The advert also shows this figure coloured with a
light blue chrome, though this could be a background / foreground reflection
or an actual release.
04 Radio Robo (ラジオ ロボ)
A new release under the Watch-Q line up and came in black or black and
silver. It was also released in the Kronoform Time Machine line in North
America coloured black and red.
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Pure Watch-Q's Series (ピュア ウォッチ・キュー), 1985:-
01 Watch Girl (ウォッチガール)
Another watch marketed towards girls. It was a recolour of Watch Boy and
came with an additional stand for the watch. It came in three colours, a
chromed light blue with blue wrist strap, chromed pink with pink wrist
strap or chromed gold and yellow wrist strap.
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Watch Girl gold version (Source: eBay)
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Watch Girl pink version (right) (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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Blue Watch Girl (Source: Yahoo Auctions)
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Source: Yahoo Auctions
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02) Choro Quartz Pure (チョロクオーツピュア)
This version marketed towards girls was was a recoloured Choro Quartz GTI,
available in blue with a pink strap, yellow with a blue strap, white with a
blue strap, orange with a yellow strap and grey/blue car with a white
strap.
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Source: Unknown
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Source: Yahoo Auctions
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Source: Yahoo Auctions
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Source: Yahoo Auctions
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Source: Yahoo Auctions
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Back of the Choro Quartz Pure box. Source: Yahoo Auctions
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Many of the Watch-Q line were also made available through Takara in such
toylines as GiG's Crono Trasformers in Italy, Ceji Revel's Chrono Quartz in
France, and Takara's own Diakron & Kronoform Time Machines in North
America.
Summary of Watch-Q watches and their other releases:-
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F-15 Eagle (1984, 2800 Yen). Available in grey, blue & black.
See also Kronoform "Inviceptor"; Chrono Quartz "Montre / Avion Jet F-15"
& Crono Trasformers "Crono Jet"
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Watch Robo (1984 & 1985, 2800 Yen). Available in chrome, black
& gold. See also Microchange MC-06 "Watch Robo"; GiG Microchange MC-06
"Robot Clock"; Diaclone Finland "Watch Robo"; GiG Crono Trasformer "Crono
Robot" / "Robot Clock"; Diakron "Kronoform"; Kronoform "Robot Time
Machine"; Joustra Diaclone "Kronoform"; Transformers Generation 2
"Autobot".
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Scorpio (1984, 2800 Yen). Available in chrome or gold. See also
Kronoform "Scorpia"; Joustra Diaclone "Scorpion"; Transformers Generation
2 "Scorpia".
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Colt Combat Custom (1984, 2800 Yen). Available in black, gun metal
or grey. See also Crono Trasformer "Crono Laser"; Kronoform "X-Kalibor";
Ceji Revell "Montre / Lampe De Poche Colt / Lance Projectiles".
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GT Quartz Car Countach LP500S (1984, 2800 Yen). Available in black,
white, grey or red. See also Crono Trasformer "Crono Car"; Ceji Revell
"Montre / Auto Avec Moteur A Retro-Friction"; Kronoform "Auto Kron I".
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GT Quartz Car Fairlady Z 300ZX (1984; 2800 Yen). Available in
black, white, grey or red. See also Crono Trasformer "Crono Car";
Ceji Revell "Montre / Auto Avec Moteur A Retro-Friction"; Kronoform "Auto
Kron I".
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Choro Quartz Mini Cooper (1984; 2980 Yen). Available in black, red
or blue. See also Ceji Revell "Montre / Auto Avec Moteur A
Retro-Friction"; Kronoform "Auto Kron II".
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Choro Quartz Golf GTI (1984; 2980 Yen). Available in black, red or
blue. See also Ceji Revell "Montre / Auto Avec Moteur A
Retro-Friction"; Kronoform "Auto Kron II".
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Choro Quartz Pure (1985; 3500 Yen). Available in Blue on a pink
wrist strap, Yellow version on a blue wrist strap, White version on a blue
wrist strap, Orange on a yellow wrist strap or Blue/Grey on a white wrist
strap. See also Ceji Revell "Montre / Auto Avec Moteur A
Retro-Friction"; Kronoform "Auto Kron II".
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Watch Boy (1984 & 1985; 2980 Yen). Available in chrome, red or
black. This was not released beyond the Watch-Q line.
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Gamera (1984; 2980 Yen). Available in green or chrome. This
was not released beyond the Watch-Q line.
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Compo Quartz (1984; 3980 Yen). Available in blue, red, grey or
black. See also Crono Trasformers "Crono Radio"; Ceji Revell "Montre /
Radio Pile / Solaire"; Kronoform "Hi Band Blaster".
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Watch Robo Calculator (1984 & 1985; 4980 Yen). Available
in gold, chrome or black. See also Kronoform "Kaltor" (in Transformers
styled packaging).
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Radio Robo (1985; 3980 Yen). Available in black or black with
silver. See also Kronoform "Robot Radio Time Machine".
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Watch Girl (1985; 3500 Yen). Available in light blue with blue
wrist strap, chromed pink with pink wrist strap or chromed gold and yellow
wrist strap. This was not released beyond the Watch-Q line.
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