Pulsar Bookends (First and Last Pulsars)

[abem]

Pulsar fans,

The postman arrived today with a package containing an interesting new Pulsar. It appears to be a prototype of a late model LCD watch that never went into production which is quite a shame as it would have been quite stunning. The seller was from Lancaster, PA and wrote that he "found it in a box of junk at a yard sale". It's a nice rosy gold hue, quite compact, and I especially like the uncommon vertical aspect ratio.

For comparison, I photographed the Pulsar LCD prototype next to my Nickel Silver P1 - the very first and last of their kinds.

Pulsar Bookends, Front:
Enlarge (3600x2400): http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4435 ... 0x2400.jpg

Pulsar Bookends, Back:
Enlarge (3600x2400): http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9803/d ... 0x2400.jpg


I'm tempted to wear it. The time will always be 10:45 - while not very practical, it does make a statement.


-abe.

[charger105]

You seem to have quite a knack of obtaining rare Pulsar watches !
I certainly haven't seen one of these before.
This prototype looks very interesting. Is there anything inside the case ? It looks a bit like a LED in the first image (looks like a red timescreen). It would've been quite a nice design as a LED watch too.
Interesting that it's got a serial number on the back.

Rgds,
Andrew.

[LEDluvr]

Hat's off to you again Abem - you are quite the rare-Pulsar hound these days. Does the LCD model have a piece of paper under the crystal with the time printed on it? The buttons make it look like a touch-command.

[Greg Ratcliff]

That is a very strange case. I know I have never seen it before and I used to have a whole box of Pulsar prototype brass cases. I'm going down to my Dad's on Monday and I'll see if he remembers seeing one like it.

[abem]

These odd cases seem to have turned up mostly out of luck, but possibly from far too many hours of hopeless searching for that horological mythical beast - the affordable Pulsar.

Below is a photo of the inside of the case, front and back. Note the "Star Watch Case Company" logo. The case is quite small - only 25mm wide by 35mm tall by about 6mm thick. It makes you wonder if they had a module design in mind that would actually fit the space or if this case was intended as purely an aestheic / conceptual model.



I was hoping that this example was hand fabricated by Mr. Jean Wuischpard himself, but I have no idea if that is the case.

On a tangential note, those of you who follow this forum may have noted that the P1 case in the photos above has been restored since its last appearance. There are a few tiny areas that could use some additional help beyond my expertise so last week I gave Mr. Peter Wuischpard a call (Jean's son). He picked up the phone and we had a nice little chat. He was familiar with most of the Pulsar models and was a bit surprised to learn of the NiAg P1s. He asked if the time screen was ruby and when I told him it was acrylic he said "Yep, they really cut corners on a few of those models."

-abe.

[LEDluvr]

On a tangential note, those of you who follow this forum may have noted that the P1 case in the photos above has been restored since its last appearance

I did notice that but I thought maybe it was just good lighting and angle. It looks better than ever... I'm still holding out hope that it will come back to life.