Rarest, Most Collectible, or Valuable LED

[bruce wegmann]

Assuming we want to limit the scope of possibilites to watches that actually went into production [there are doubtless a number of prototypes that will not ever get into collectors' hands] I would submit the following nominees in each category:

Most Collectible: The Pulsar P1 Limited Edition [this is the one I think there will be the least debate about].

Most Valuable: P1 Limited Edition [again!]
Grima Moonscape by Time Computer [matching pendant and ladies WW designed for TC by Andrew Grima
18K Euro Calculator


Rarest: Grima Time Computers A single group of 11 watches, comprising 9 unique designs, surfaced last year. Pics on Guy Ball's site.
18K Solid Gold Concord
18K Euro Calculator
14K Pulse/Time
18K Executive
18K Omega TC1
18K Date/Command [3140]
There are fewer than ten known of any of the above watches. Additional specimens may exist and come to light, but as of now, all these watches are represented by very small populations, indeed. In terms of actual numbers, the P1 is relatively common, there being a total of 26 now accounted for.

Of course, simple rarity alone does not necessarily imply a high price; collector demand is a powerful factor in the determination of ultimate value. And it should not be much of a surprise that all of these are solid gold; the production was quite limited in the first place [only 47 of the Omega TC1s were made, for example], and doubtless many fell victim to the frenzied "cashing in" of gold jewelry in 1980, when gold peaked at $840 per ounce. The LEDs had the singular misfortune to be old enough to be obsolete and unservicable, but not old enough to be collectible.
In any event, these are my picks for the top of the line; any other suggestions...?

[Dig-it-all]

Most Valuable: P1 Limited Edition [again!]
Grima Moonscape by Time Computer [matching pendant and ladies WW designed for TC by Andrew Grima
18K Euro Calculator


Rarest: Grima Time Computers A single group of 11 watches, comprising 9 unique designs, surfaced last year. Pics on Guy Ball's site.
18K Solid Gold Concord
18K Euro Calculator
14K Pulse/Time
18K Executive
18K Omega TC1
18K Date/Command [3140]

I would agree with your listing. I don't know if you have placed them in decending order or it is just a group. For me the P1 has to be the most desired because it was the first despite claims made on the home page of this site. But I do not want to start a bun fight on that issue. On the Grima watches I was trying to track the Moonphase down about 5 years ago and managed to find a gent now working in Australia who worked with Grima in London in the 70's.

Why is the Concord so desriable - simply because it is gold?

I think there is also a "category B" list for the less well heeled amongst us, watches such as:- Apols for spelling.

Girard Perregaux Casquette (any version - but my favourite is the Makrolon)
HP01
St St. Pulse Time
Green Pulsar
Uranus Calculator
Elektronika 1
Breitling Navitimer
Synchronar
Green Compuchron
Longines Dual display
Sinclair Black/Grey - or even white prototype.

These just spring to mind.

Boxed, papers would of course be an advantage

[Dig-it-all]

Oh - and Heuer Chronosplit

[Majestyk]

Elektronika 1

Well based on the fact that I've never had a good sale on these, I don't think they are in that much demand. Plus the fact that 3 or 4 are on Ebay every week and do mildly well in sales.

Longines Dual display

That was the case until Cbank started selling them every week. :) And the rare stainless ones too!

MJ

[bruce wegmann]

We're pretty much on the same page here; but looking at the entries, I don't see all that many "cheapies" on your list, either. Consider; the Uranus, Breitling, and Pulse/Time are probably US$2000 and up, Green Pulsar, Synchronar, GP, Heuer, and HP-01 will set you back 1-2K$, and the Green CC $750 or so. Only the Longines, Sinclair, and Electronika are likely to be had for less than a months' rent [the E-1, maybe ten days' worth]. And my reason for including the Concord; sheer rarity. Only one has shown up on eBay in the last three years; in the same period, there have been 3 [maybe four] P1s.

[Dig-it-all]

Wow - I have been away a long time! I don't even look on eBay anymore. The Elektronika USED to be hard to get hold of but I guess the ever expanding use of internet has made them easy. Mine is boxed with original instruction on the up side. [don't tell me - they all are!] As for the Longines I am very curious about cbanks st.steels - the one I have WAS very rare at the time - if that makes sense. Leather strap, great looking watch. Some of the prices you mention have cheered me up though. Paid ?30 for my Sinclair $350 for my mint boxed Greem Comp.

[Majestyk]

The Elektronikas are coming out more and more because the Russians are now apart of the LED craze and are scooping them up. Which is good, by the way.

[embelton]

Nepro?
http://www.ledwatches.net/photo-pages/nepro.htm
http://www.ledwatches.net/photo-pages/nepro-solar.htm
http://www.ledwatches.net/photo-pages/n ... tronic.htm

[Seer Taak]

Absolutely. I love the look of the Nepro solar. I'm sure it's rarer than the synchronar (although its not available in solid gold). I've never turned up a thing when i've done an ocasional ebay search for 'Nepro'. Odd :?

[bruce wegmann]

That is an extraordinary-looking watch; I think it would do well n the "collectible" category. Would this be considered a drivers' watch? The shape and position of the crystal are anything but conventional. Never seen one these on eBay, either; I'd remember. You could put "Nepro LED" or "Nepro watch" on a "favorite search" list with eBay, and they will automatically email you when an item with those keywords is listed; a real time saver, and it will never miss.
Additional nominees:

Rare: Jaeger-LeCoultre
CompuChron Calculator
LIP Tallon
Benrus Pop-Up Drivers
Phasar Green LED
Hamilton QED stainless

Collectible:

Pulsar P3
Pulsar P4 Executive
CompuChron {P3-style}
Bulova Drivers
Hamilton QED [Time Computer modules]

[Seer Taak]

Are the SS Hamilton QED's rare? If they are, I might just have picked up a bargain. Well almost (if it works).

One possible addition to the rare(ish) watches could be the Jazz version of the Mido Swissonic sideview. They seem to be a lot less common than the Mido model, but I think these are all far more 'common' than the Bruce's original list.

PS. thanks for the ebay tip Bruce

[Dig-it-all]

Forgotten about the NEPRO's- GOOD CALL!

I don't have any of them but I've always liked them -cool design, Real 70's styling at its best.

I Would particularly like the Solar.

[fronzelneekburm]

Some good additions here to the "worlds most collectable LED watches list". 8)

I dont think the Hamilton QED belongs here. Have already had 2 of them and could have had many more if I wanted. The Stainless model is rarer, but I wouldnt take it in this list as well as the Jaeger, LIP, CC Calculator, HP-01, sinclair, etc. These definitely belong to the B-list as these appear on ebay too often.

I also do not know if you can count the Grima watches. They arent actually a model on its own, but rather a "customized" watch. If you count the Grima, then you must count all customized watches, I have made some customized ones on my own. And its hard to say where it starts and where it ends. If you look at it closely, then already engravings like "for John" are customizations, maybe some people would even consider a replacement bracelet a customization.

But I must admit that Grimas works look very good and unique, they are at least collectable for the good jewelers art, finest materials and Grimas popularity.

[Mr Frequency 32768hz]

Wow - I have been away a long time! I don't even look on eBay anymore. The Elektronika USED to be hard to get hold of but I guess the ever expanding use of internet has made them easy. Mine is boxed with original instruction on the up side. [don't tell me - they all are!] As for the Longines I am very curious about cbanks st.steels - the one I have WAS very rare at the time - if that makes sense. Leather strap, great looking watch. Some of the prices you mention have cheered me up though. Paid ?30 for my Sinclair $350 for my mint boxed Greem Comp.

The SS Wittnauer LED/LCD's i found from a company that distributed them in the 70's. 30 years later i found the company, and all these Wittnauers where in brown boxes sat in the safe... probably 200 in each box. The guy said these where the stock that never sold. So i would still say they are a rare watch as i never saw them much on my LED travels, and this find was from the 70's distributor. I was hoping to find some Gold models, but no such luck But there was one GF Prototype LED/LCD with different button construction, no markings, and different colour watch face. Also i got a Dummy printed face SS LED/LCD i guess to show before the watch went into production.. I only have two of the SS LED/LCD left, then they will become elusive again. I was hoping to buy the last box from this company, but the guy said he cant find the box........ hahah, someone else got the rest i guess.

[fronzelneekburm]

I could gold-plate them for you. :wink: Awww, well - I know, I know...

[Mr Frequency 32768hz]

I could gold-plate them for you. :wink: Awww, well - I know, I know...

hahah, good idea. When i said there was 200 in each box, not all where LED/LCD models.

[bruce wegmann]

Fronzelneekburn wrote:

" I dont think the Hamilton QED belongs here.
I also do not know if you can count the Grima watches. They arent actually a model on its own, but rather a "customized" watch. If you count the Grima, then you must count all customized watches, I have made some customized ones on my own. And its hard to say where it starts and where it ends. If you look at it closely, then already engravings like "for John" are customizations, maybe some people would even consider a replacement bracelet a customization."

I reply...

Some clarification and definitions of terms are in order here. The one-button stainless Hamilton is by far the rarest of the TC [that is, the ones using TC modules] models. In nearly three years, I have only seen five on eBay. That is not a common watch. Alternative bands, bracelets, and engraving are technically known as "personalizations", because they are done outside the factory, as opposed to "customization", which is done at the factory in accordance with a customers' specific wishes [you order a custom car, and put personalized license plates on it]. In either case, you start with an existing model, and add a layer of alterations. The two terms are neither equivalent or interchangeable, and should be used accordingly. As to the Grima watches, it is not mere happenstance that they contain Time Computer modules. Time Computer approached, and commissioned, Grima to do these designs as an extension of their existing product line [at the high end, obviously]. They are not prototypes or variations of any other Pulsar model, and were sold through commercial channels to a jeweler in Israel, and they thus satisfy every test of being "models" in their own right [some even have names; the ladies' wristwatch/pendant combination is called "Moonscape"]. I can supply any interested party with a scan of an article in a jewelry journal telling the full story. And lastly, with all due respect, Fronz, I feel it is in the highest degree improper [even in jest] to compare your work, however talented you might be in the use of tinsnips and files, to that of Mr. Grima, who held a Royal Warrant as Jeweler to the Crown for more than twenty years [unless, of course, you can produce a similar document naming you, in which case I respectfully withdraw my objection]. It is not my intention to come down too harshly here, but facts are facts, and history is history, and we need to keep a clear eye on both. There is already more than enough confusion in the world, and we should make every attempt not to add to it here [heaven knows, I'm trying...I really am!].

[fronzelneekburm]

I really would be interested in that article as I heard that Grima only took some Pulsar watches and customized the cases, I was not aware that he was instructed by Pulsar to do so. I do not understand why a company make a series with just a handful (dunno, probably less than 10) watches as a commercial product line, that does not make sense in my eyes - that might be enough to supply one jeweler, but normally "product lines" should be available at all contract jewelers. Besides I have never seen the Grima menbtioned in any official Pulsar papers, if you can supply these documents then I think it might be of interest to all Pulsar collectors here.

About the Hamilton: The SS model is indeed rare, I already mentioned that. There are much rarer watches that havent been mentioned here, like Pontiac Casquette, Aquadive, etc.
But this is just my own oppinion, I beg your pardon if I offended anyone here.

[Lordpulsar]

With the greatest of respect here, I think your question of why Pulsar went to Mr Grima to do 10 or so watches is faily obvious here ! Mr Grima's jewellry was simply exquisit and unique.. Having spoken to Mr Grima's daughter (Francesca) who is now continuing the Grima legacy in her own wright, she said her father was asked to do a line of models that were simply based around the design creativity of the best known Jeweller in the world at the time and they wanted this to be built alongside the pulsar name which was also the best at the time.. The idea behind this, may well have been a P.R motive and nothing else... We can say without doubt, that there was only one of each example made and I am sure they were commisioned around 1974/75, when TCI had cash in the bank ! (exhibited maybe a year or so later)... I also managed to get various design scetches from Francesca of prototype watches and there are some model which have not been found yet !... (possibly not made?? we dont know) The watches are on Guy Ball's site and have not only raised eyebrows from LED collectors, but from Grima collectors and enthusiast from all over the globe ! Once again, the moonscape article was obtained from Mr Bergey's private portfolio...

[fronzelneekburm]

Thanks for putting me right. Sorry, I would have never thought that he officially made these 9 watches for Pulsar, I really thought he just took some standard Pulsars, a bag of gold and said "Now I'm gonna make them look right!" 8)

I thought a company like Pulsar would never make like 9 watches and say "He that series is sold, so now lets get back to making some dress models".

Thanks for putting me right - now that I think about it that was probably a clever marketing idea for Pulsar, many Magazines would show the Grima watches and mention that this ultra-expensive watch is a Pulsar. So if people talk about these super-luxury Pulsar watches what could be cooler than saying "Here, I got one! OK, its another model, but same functions.". :P

Oh and sorry if I offended anyone, I did not want to say my cheap watches could compare with Grima in any way. I was more than glad when the one with the blue glass got 80 bucks.

No I really respect Grima, he isnt one of the worlds most famous jewelers for nothing. I just wanted to express that also pieces that are not by him can be beautiful.

[Mr Frequency 32768hz]

Well i don't know if the P-1 is the most collectible, but it is the biggest.

[Seer Taak]

So anyway, back on the very rare and collectable watches front, don't forget about the 'Heuer - diamond fiction watch'. I think this watch, like the Grima models, truely serves the dual function of showing the time, and being superb piece of jewellery.
Image from ledwatches.net, courtesy of Tag Heuer (http://www.tagheuer.com/the-collection/ ... /index.lbl).

Quote from the Tag Heuer website, 'Of inestimable value, only three of these exceptional haute couture timepieces have been produced'. Now that's rare