Diamond Pulsars (6414-2 and 5420-2)

[fronzelneekburm]

Just curious if anyone has ever seen any of these models outside of the old Pulsar ads or catalogues...
I searched a lot for pictures or clues, but seems none of the usual suspects ever posted a picture.

we_are_unique.jpg

the_midas_collection.jpg

[bucko170]

One showed up on eBay in 2009, it was discussed previously in this thread......viewtopic.php?f=72&t=6523&p=42166&hilit=pulsar+ladies#p42166

[fronzelneekburm]

AH thanks for the link. Finally some better pictures. I'm surprised that it wasn't Bruce who bought the watch. He seems to have all Pulsar rarities, but maybe the diamond ones were simply too rare...

[bruce wegmann]

I was actually bidding on this one, but my computer glitched on me at the last moment, and my bid failed to get in before the auction ended. It went for about US$2500, if memory serves me correctly. This was the only one I'd seen in ten years of daily eBay monitoring. If the new owner sees this, I'd make them a very good offer.
And no, I don't have a complete collection of Pulsars; I don't think anybody does. I'm missing 11 models, at last count (including these two), mostly Midas Collection Touch-Command 14K and 18K models. So few of these were made (being late-1976 to mid-1977 production), it's entirely possible that there are no surviving examples of some of them...victims of the 1980 mass-melting (or maybe they're just tucked away with the missing 350 P1s...lol). I like to think I'm closer to the mark than any collector has gotten in a long time, but it may be a truly impossible task (but, trust me...I'm not giving up just yet!).

[fronzelneekburm]

Ah thanks for the insight. Well yeah if you don't have them then they must be exceptionally rare. I didn't know the Midas collection was so rare since some solid-gold watches appear "quite" often. Shame that they are so rare, but i guess they were pretty expensive back in the days. I think i read somewhere that the price of some solid-gold models equaled a brand new corvette or so (Which was a pretty nice car back then).

[richard_uk]

There must gave been more than one then, the one I remember was from back in the early days (for me) probably around 2005, it wasn't very well listed and I was sat waiting to bid (this was before I knew about snipe tools) when it ended suddenly. I'm pretty sure as it neared the end it was still well under $500, I can't remember the exact price but it was very low.

[bruce wegmann]

I may very well have saved the auction pics of this watch (I do that when something really unusual shows up). I'll have to dig through my image archive and see if I can find them (wish me luck!). If I do, and they're reasonably good, I'll post them. Don't recall offhand if it was the oval or cushion version; either way, it's a very rare model.

[Diginut]

( Holy Thread Resurrection ..)


Seems like a lesser-spotted super-rare 14kt Pulsar encrusted with Diamonds / Midas collection watch just came up on ebay .. and disappeared just as quick !

Item 301474731205

[Kasper]

indeed special..these days we prefer a leather band

[gjlelec]

How many different models in the "Midas " collection ? The box looks the bollocks even after all this time imo

[bruce wegmann]

I believe this line encompasses 14 models; 9 Touch-Command Men's and Ladie's models in 14 and 18 karat solid gold, the three Ladies 14K mesh-bracelet models (two with diamond bezels, one without), and the 14K Dress watch in both standard and Florentine finish. I suppose this could be extended to 15 models, if there is an 18K Dress watch out there somewhere, but I have not heard of one. Currently, I have examples of only 5 of the 15 (and if anybody does have these, I'd love to see them).
The box appears to be correct (it is a bit narrower and slightly shorter version of the Dress-size box), but does have some condition issues; the upper liner is separating at one end, and both the hold-down straps are broken (I found some vintage material of the correct type, and was able to repair all my Gold Boxes that had damaged or stretched straps). Except for the 7408 Dress, all the Midas Collection models are at the top of the rarity spectrum; to my knowledge, no one has assembled a complete suite of them (I would not be surprised to learn that there are no known examples of some of them).

[Diginut]

How many different models in the "Midas " collection ? The box looks the bollocks even after all this time imo

.

As far as I can prove, they only officially listed two *diamond* models in the Midas collection, as shown below in the August 1975 sales brochure. I think there was around 15 or so in the whole collection.

However, I've seen a mans P3 with ring of diamonds around the "lens" .. but I think that was probably a one-off 70's bling effort before puff daddy was walking. I've got a pic of it somewhere..

[bruce wegmann]

Archer, I'm confused... You say they only had two Midas Collection watches, but I clearly see four watches in the ad you posted. I can't believe the Florentine Dress wouldn't be included too, as it is a solid gold model. Don't forget, this was only the opening announcement of this "Collection"; other models doubtless followed later. And, no P2, P3, or P4 model could possibly be included in this group, as they all existed prior to this ad. Finally, it would be an error to use the price list as a guide to what were "official" models; even the ones that are certainly MC watches, are NOT referred to as such on the list. It's interesting that the diamond-bezel models are listed at a price substantially higher ($2750) than a P1 was ($2100), just a few years earlier.

[Diginut]

I'm confused... You say they only had two Midas Collection watches, but I clearly see four watches in the ad you posted. I can't believe the Florentine Dress wouldn't be included too, as it is a solid gold model. Don't forget, this was only the opening announcement of this "Collection"; other models doubtless followed later. And, no P2, P3, or P4 model could possibly be included in this group, as they all existed prior to this ad. Finally, it would be an error to use the price list as a guide to what were "official" models .. .. It's interesting that the diamond-bezel models are listed at a price substantially higher ($2750) than a P1 was ($2100), just a few years earlier.

No need for confusion. I said they only had two Diamond Midas watches !

The thread is about Diamond watches and whilst my statement above clearly acknowledges there are 'around 15' different Midas models, I answered it in context. The price list scan was shown out of interest, nothing more.

However, you make an interesting point about the price of a P1 being lower than the diamond Midas watches. I hadn't looked at it that way till now. AFAIK only the 18kt calculators were higher in price at $3,950 in 1976. Its possible the 18kt Euro calculators were even more expensive but I cant provide any proof of that.

Its worth noting that the price of gold increased around 250% between 1972 and 1975.


Here's another curve ball:- I remember my Parents buying a modest house in 1976 for £7,000. It most recently sold for £290,000. Bricks are a better investment than gold !

[Kasper]

Bricks are a better investment than gold

were a better investment

[SASM]

Depends on the Country and region. The house prices are more than stable and nearly 60% are renting anyway

[morrison2951]

Bling bling for the ladies!