11 Jul 2007, 08:18
As moderator of this section of the Forum, I have watched this thread,
first with amusement, then with concern, and now, with horror. I had
deferred comment for two reasons; first, I had not seen samples of the
discussed material, and I was wondering just how far this would go. My
curiosity has now been satisfied on both fronts. I would remind the
Members that I was brought onto this site by Tor because he felt I would
exercise a fair and even hand, and Ed Cantarella kept me on because he
valued my input and opinions [I hope that will continue to be the case].
Bearing that in mind, I present you all with the following FACTS.
I am a machinist by trade, and have measuring instruments of
exquisite precision and accuracy, and according to all tests I can make,
these conform to well within the range of variation I have observed in
the scores of crystals I have removed and replaced in the last three
years [for some reason, I have never discarded a replaced crystal, even
very damaged ones; I had sometimes wondered what purpose that could
serve...and here it is, an unimpeachable source of reference dimensional
data]. Their thickness, in particular, runs a bit on the plus side of
average for P3 glass, so unless these were subjected to a process unknown
in terrestrial manufacturing technology [in which material is ADDED,
rather than removed, in the polishing operation], I can state
unequivically that these are NOT re-polished. Under the microscope at
60X, there is no trace of partially-obliterated lettering of any kind.
The existing lettering could not be damaged with any amount of fingernail
pressure, and appears to be the usual fired-on glass-frit type [the
thickness can be plainly felt during the fingernail-scraping test, and is
consistant with that observed on my group of replaced glass]. The
thickness and height of the letters is, again, consistant and within the
range of variation on my reference group. The gold lettering, as
expected, shows no measurable thickness, as it is applied gold leaf, done
here in a matte finish [I have seen identical-style lettering done on
Omega crystals as well, on watches that were unquestionably original].
The Tiffany lettering is slightly smaller, but the font is the same as my
other [and unquestionably original] Tiffany Pulsars. The single
observable difference is the "a" in Pulsar, which has a slight
upward-stroke "tail" [serif]; in comparison, the usual logo has a
straight vertical line at the back of the "a". There are no other
discrepancies.
The critical question that remains unanswered, is, how to account for
what we see; both the differences, and the fact of their existance in the
first place. Both these requirements can be satisfied, and in terms of what is already known.
The sheer improbability of a find such as this, viewed in isolation,
seems wondrous, almost magical, in its' scope and magnitude. I will
place it in proper perspective for you. In the last four years, two
other finds of Time Computer material, of even greater value, and, I
would submit, of even lesser likelihood, have taken place. First, the
contents of an entire Service Center, comprising over 700 modules, and
many watches, including many rare models, surfaced in, of all places,
South Africa [the existance of this cache of parts and watches was one of
the most closely-guarded secrets of Pulsar collecting]. This material
was ultimately purchased by a single [Japanese?] collector, who has, so
far, elected to retain everything in his own collection. Three years
ago, through a contact made on another website, I personally secured the entire Pulsar inventory of a jewelres' estate in the Middle East
[Israel]. Included were over 70 solid 18K Pulsar and Grima models,
including several Time Computers not previously known to exist in 18K,
including the P4 Executive and Ladies Cushion and Oval [and the second
known specimen of the 18K Euro Calculator]. Via a single aquisition, I
now have what is arguably the finest collection of Pulsars in the world.
In comparision to such things as these, the discovery of a few hundred
Pulsar crystals can now be appreciated as good and fortuitous, but not of
staggering importance [and certainly not a thing to wage verbal
fistfights over, much of which has now certainly exceeded the bounds of
good taste, if not the law].
I have it on the direct personal authority of an ex-Time Computer
employee that, while some was done in-house, more than one external
company was involved in lettering crystals [Corning may indeed have
provided all the finished blanks, but the lettering is a very different
process, and was clearly subcontracted out, just as they were ultimately
compelled to find another, additional, case manufacturer]. So, why the
slight difference in the lettering? To unambiguously IDENTIFY THE
MANUFACTURER! If this sounds implausable, I would direct your attention
to the fact that Time Computer movement rings [the plastic part of the
module] exist in two colors, black and green. What more logical, simpler
method of inventory control could you have, other than to color-code the
parts according to who made them? If they were all the same color, and
one supplier suddenly started making parts that no longer fitted into
your cases, how would you know who made the error, without expending a great deal of expensive time and effort? This way, the source
of bad parts could be identified at a glance, and immediate corrective
action taken. SAME THING WITH THE LOGOS! If for some reason the
crystals were unsatisfactory, you could know, with a single look, where
they had come from [there are similar, subtle differences in the Swiss-made cases, almost certainly for the same reason; it is certainly NOT because the Swiss factory was incapable of producing a precise duplicate of the Star cases!]. Somebody at Time Computer knew how to manage
inventory...
To suggest that a [highly skilled] counterfeiter could produce such a
dimensionally perfect replica of the crystal itself, and somehow make
such a simple error in the lettering is about as likely as someone
creating a flawless forgery of a painting and absent-mindedly signing it
with his own signature, instead of that of the original artist. The
concept is intrinsically ludicrous; by that standard, the Swiss Pulsars could be dismissed as clever, European-made fakes.
So, how did all this stay in one place? The same way those 700
modules stayed in Johannesburg; a shipment of parts sent in the last days
before Time Computer closed its' doors forever. By the time it reached
its' destination, the parent company no longer existed, so the material
was simply boxed up, packed away, and never distributed. It happened in
South Africa, and it happened in the U.K. And I will bet we will
discover, in the years to come, that it happened other places as well
[there were, incidentally, not one, but TWENTY European Service Centers,
including the one at Integrated Time, Chesham/Bucks, U.K.], and sixty
more scattered around the globe...additional pockets of Pulsar treasure were almost certainly left behind in the closing of at least a few of them...the possibility certainly exists.
Finally, I have been shocked by the appalling accusations and
innuendos cavilierly bandied about on this Forum, some so vile and
mean-spirited that I would not believe they could be uttered by the
Members, had I not seen them with my own eyes. Thanks to the advancement
of computer technology, I have now seen what I would previously have
deemed impossible; the formation of an international lynch mob, thus
setting an abyssmal new low standard for conduct on the Internet. I am
quite aware that what I have just said will not be met with favor by
some, and that I may, in all likelihood, be similarly taken to task, not
even for defending a friend, but for speaking the truth. Should that
happen [this posting be removed, in the furtherance of an agenda I cannot
rationally fathom], than this Forum will have ceased to be a vehicle of
enlightenment and enjoyment, and rather have devolved into an instrument
for the suppression of truth and the personal aggrandizement of individuals. This
would constitute a grievous loss to the entire LED-collecting community, and have little effect other than to steer potential future collectors toward some other, less acrimonious hobby.
I hope that will not be the case, but that perogative rests in other
hands. I invite any interested party to contact me directly, should they
wish further details or have any questions.
Bruce Wegmann (858) 565-7038
) that keeping it to the facts and not getting personal will keep up their credibility. I figure your post was primarily intended to stir the waters again, considering you are friends with every other big name collector in Great Britain - according to you.
How's the watch building going?
The previous site admin. did the same thing to sniff out banned members.
