23 Nov 2008, 12:04
I would say the boxes represent a specialized segment of watch collecting. Every watch, after all, originally came in a box of some sort, some plain, others quite elaborate. What you have here are two of the three [what I like to call] "blue boxes". I am inclined to think the low-profile one on the right is the earliest, and rarest. Due to the cramped interior, it is difficult to fit even a P2, with its' ultimately flexible bracelet, into the holder without it sitting too high, and crushing a crystal-shaped flat spot onto the inside of the top. Because of this, it is unlikely any other model came in this box, and it was soon replaced with the taller version, which allowed for models with less-flexible bracelets. Many P2s, DateIIs, and P3s came in this box. There is third variation that is externally identical, but the oval silver plaque on the botton right is gone, and is replaced by a silver band in the lower part of the interior top that reads "PULSAR" in the center; this box is about midway in scarcity between the other two. The commonest box, by a wide margin, is the ubiquitous "brown clamshell". I would estimate the majority of P3s, P4s, Dress, and some Ladies' models left the factory in that container. There are a number of boxes that were limited to one or two models; the P1, PRM, the clear plastic "see-thru" P2 box, were unique to those models. There were also the slipcase calculator cases, and a dedicated series of Gold boxes, restricted to the solid gold models [these, like the watches they contained, are quite rare]. If I can ever get the procedure for posting pictures correct, I do have images of all but two of them [perhaps I could email them to some kind volunteer, who could post them for me]. There were also, of course, distinctive boxes for the Omega and Hamilton Time Computers. All together, another facet of the hobby that can consume unseemly amounts of money...
). In due time I suppose..plotting a timely appearance. 
