In the old days everything was better, expect for the light output! From the country of clocksmiths and goldstashers, we have a proper vintage headlamp for ore prospecting and other spelunking on your claims, or a work light for a home-gynecologist. One-off lot – as these always are.

Headlights now and then: an objective analysis

If we begin to think if they really had it better in the old days through this headlamp, the answer is a resounding "yes indeed!" in a gentlemanly accent.

• First off, today it's nearly impossible to find good materials like steel, leather or bakelite for that matter.
• Second, the reliability and simplicity of these old things is superb. You can just about fix this with a pair of pliers or something if some problem arises.
• With the large battery these will run a long time. While LED lights certainly have their merits, the soft light of the old bulbs doesn't cut to your eye.
• Now ask yourself, how much light output would you honestly need? What's the light for? Do you have to cast a searchlight over the whole forest, or is it enough to see what's in front of you and possibly more importantly, to let others see you? This lamp is also a very polite choice for cycling use due to its modest beam.
• Made in Switzerland. This just can't be emphasized enough.

Price comparable to most supermarket headlamps which are all made in China. We also sell those, but they are naturally better.

Features

These also have a couple of features, i.e. you can put them on your head and turn them on. And off too! Also:

• Adjustable leather headband
• Sponge-like cushion for forehead
• Corded, greenish gray metal box for the battery
• Box has a clip to hang it from your hard hat etc.
• Place for a spare bulb inside the box (spare bulb might not be included)
• Uses 4.5V flat battery

Not intrinsically safe

The electronics in this thing have not been insulated from the outside world. So if you walk into a methane cloud in your mine, you may blow up before you suffocate. However there's no reason to panic, we haven't heard of anyone dying using one of this kind of old school lamps. After all, this one is made for field use as well.

Swiss surplus

These lamps have not been used, but they might have some scuffs from decades-long storage. The lamps are from the country where one of its cantons refused women’s voting rights until the 1990s.