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Do Any Of The P1 Prototypes Still Exist?

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bucko170

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Do Any Of The P1 Prototypes Still Exist?

Post23 May 2011, 04:59

I know the history of the Pulsar is shrouded in secrets and mystery but I was wondering........

Do any of the original P1 prototypes still exist?
If so how many and who owns them?
If they exist do any still work?

If I understand correctly from what I have read on other sites there was a Electo Data Hamilton, a WP-01 and a WP-02 produced before the introduction of the P1.
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: Do Any Of The P1 Prototypes Still Exist?

Post23 May 2011, 08:58

Well regarding the WP-01 and WP-02 prototypes I have some information:

I´ve talked to Dennis from oldpulsars about 3 weeks ago and he confirmed to have the WP-01 prototype with an original ED movement inside. This one was a pre P1 watch and from my point of view, this watch has a good design although it is a bit chunky.

At the moment I own the so called WP-02 prototype watch which is a pre P2 watch. It is one of the ugliest LEDs which I have ever seen. But the way how this watch has been manufactured tells that this is an original factory prototype watch. Ugly or not, it is part of the history. I think that it would be a good idea to have all prototypes at one place so I am going to trade this watch with Dennis, since I am not a collector at all. Then he might show this watch on his website. I guess that the value if this watch is quite low, because of its appearance so that other collectors won´t be that interested. There seems to be almost no information on this piece and some people doubt that this is an original prototye. Well, at least I don´t.

Hanno.
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: Do Any Of The P1 Prototypes Still Exist?

Post23 May 2011, 10:33

To my knowledge, at least one, and perhaps two, of the original Hamilton prototypes are in collectors' hands. Operational condition is unknown. A unique E/D prototype of the clock circuit, using HP LED readouts, changed hands on eBay a year or so ago for an ungodly sum (near $15,000, if I recall correctly...personally, I would take two P1s instead!). These are interesting, if only from a purely engineering standpoint, but are often only distantly related (in terms of design) to the watches that were actually produced and sold to the public. I am inclined to agree that their value is minimal, in that they fall outside the mainstrean of collectors interest; a similar situation exists in coin collecting...trial pieces in alternate metals, denominations, and designs exist (they are referred to as "pattern coins"), usually no more than 5 or 10 are struck, but command very moderate prices, because there are so few collectors specializing in them . Rarity alone does not create a high premium; it has to be coupled with demand.
Last edited by bruce wegmann on 24 May 2011, 23:21, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: : Do Any Of The P1 Prototypes Still Exist?

Post23 May 2011, 15:12

Thanks for the replies :-D

SASM wrote:........I´ve talked to Dennis from oldpulsars about 3 weeks ago and he confirmed to have the WP-01 prototype with an original ED movement inside. This one was a pre P1 watch and from my point of view, this watch has a good design although it is a bit chunky.


I also think that one is a good design did he say if it worked or not?

SASM wrote:........At the moment I own the so called WP-02 prototype watch which is a pre P2 watch. It is one of the ugliest LEDs which I have ever seen. But the way how this watch has been manufactured tells that this is an original factory prototype watch. Ugly or not, it is part of the history. I think that it would be a good idea to have all prototypes at one place so I am going to trade this watch with Dennis, since I am not a collector at all. Then he might show this watch on his website. I guess that the value if this watch is quite low, because of its appearance so that other collectors won´t be that interested. There seems to be almost no information on this piece and some people doubt that this is an original prototye. Well, at least I don´t.


Was this the watch sold by the chap from Canada on eBay a while back? Could you post a photo on the forum.
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: Do Any Of The P1 Prototypes Still Exist?

Post23 May 2011, 15:34

1st question: Guess what...... it doesn´t work of course... He told me that it sometimes lites up but I haven´t placed further questions yet. Once I finally get one of these modules I would love to give it a repair attempt. I should have the machines to do so.

2nd question: Yes and No, I didn´t buy it through ebay. I will post some pictures over here so that everybody can see how it looks like. You´ll see why I believe it to be a genuine watch out of the "Hamilton factory".

What I would really like to see is a high res. picture of the Hamilton case with the 44 chip module and the modified HP 5082-7000 display.
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Re: : Do Any Of The P1 Prototypes Still Exist?

Post24 May 2011, 17:41

bruce wegmann wrote: Rarity alone does not a high premium; it has to be coupled with demand.
+100!
http://www.retroleds.com - Sales of vintage LED, LCD, analog watches, parts and gadgets - repair tutorials & tips
Nov. 2022 - back in business!! BItter divorce is in home stretch, come grabs some great deals, I had to open the safe . . . damn attorneys. piss.
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Re: : Do Any Of The P1 Prototypes Still Exist?

Post24 May 2011, 18:31

retroleds wrote:
bruce wegmann wrote: Rarity alone does not a high premium; it has to be coupled with demand.
+100!


At this very moment there are some 3000 Panerai watches for sale on Ebay.
All 5 decennia old case designs and most with a ditto movement.
Yet $3000 upwards.

Look at any high end digital. Most have been produced in very, véry limited numbers, with original design and - movement.

Desireability is the key word. It does not matter what/why but if a watch is perceived a s desireable, the roof goes out of the prices.
Take a look at the Rolex ´MecQueen´ Explorer II. Just an onrange seconds hand and the price goes berserk. All this because a clever italian dealer invented an entirely bogus link to Steve McQueen.
It has gone so núts that a well made ´homage´ McQueen is retailed at apremiunm price too M:)W:)M
It does not matter even that it is invented; the thing has become desreable and that is a selfpropelling mechanism as long as supply is kept short of demand. This can still be thousands.

Another example is the Omega Speedmaster. Made to 50 y.o. specs. there are dózens of ´limited edition´ models that all sell out and more often than not resell at a premium 5 years later. ´Limited´ to 5000 :-D
All because the bríljant marketing of the moon thing made them desireable and agai that became selfpropelling.

Owning a piece of desireability based on history validates paying big bucks.
Owning the actual piece of history appearantly not.
A few weeks ago a WIS bought two one off Omega 2.4mega development models. Cases in 18K. Never went into production.
Yes he paid big buck; gold value only though.
´Design oder nicht sein´

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