I am new to LED watches

[Seeker of Time]

Well, new to Pulsar watches, anyway. In the '70s during the craze, I got my first led watch as a preteen kid. Don't remember the brand, but something sold at Sears I'm sure. When Fossil issued some LEDs in the '90s I bought one (and still have it). I bought a Space replica in 2009 (recently replaced the original module that went bad) then bought my first Pulsar this past December from lucamd11 on ebay. It's a 902 and I had wanted one for a looooooooong time. When I first started researching Pulsar brand several years ago, I thought the 901 and 902 watches were ugly and obnoxious and wanted a more clean and simple profile in a watch. Then it grew on me and I knew I had to have one. Anyway, mine is not one I wear everyday; maybe on special occasions where I know there is no chance of wear or damage. Lucamd11 did such a fine job of keeping it in collector condition it seems only fair to treat it with the same respect. Now I'm looking for an everyday watch as my second Pulsar purchase. My two favorites for that are a P2 or a P4 Classic dow, but I guess I will ultimately end up getting what I find in wearable condition for a fair price.

Also, funny because I saw lucamd11's username and abem, whom I was conversing with via e-mail about a P2 gf he had posted for sale a few weeks ago. Glad to find so many people still loving the awesome Pulsar leds.

[fronzelneekburm]

Welcome to the forums. Well if your first LED was from sears then it was most probably a "Phasar 2000", since that was Sears "house brand" in the 70s... Hope you will find a nice Pulsar for everyday wear.

[Seeker of Time]

Thanks, man. I'm sure I can and will do a detailed search, but are there some basic care techniques I should do frequently or periodically to my Pulsar 902?

[abem]

Hi.

I thought I'd relate that I had the very same reaction to the Pulsar calculators but they do sort of grow on you. Each of the other classic Pulsar designs has such an elegant, streamlined, yet classic shape that the chunky tank-line case design of the calculators seems somewhat out of place. Over time, I've come to like the calculator (I have a stainless 901) on its own merits, even if it doesn't have the classic elegance of the other Pulsar models.

There may be a good reason for the disparity in design. All of the classic Pulsar models - basically everything except for the touch-command models and the calculators, were designed by Pulsar's legendary case designer, Jean Wuischpard. Bruce will probably chime in here with more details and possibly corrections, but apparently the ladies touch command models and at least the Eurocalc model were designed by someone at Pulsar S.A., the European Pulsar division. I'm not sure where the 901/902 calculator model designs came from, but I'm not sure that they were Wuischpard designs - anyone know more about this?

On wearing vintage watches:
If you're careful, you should have no problem wearing a Pulsar and keeping it looking almost pristine. While I wouldn't wear an ultra minty one every day, you should be able to wear an almost minty one and keep it in almost perfect condition. Every once in a while, you may need to give it a little touch up on the brushing to keep it looking sharp (particularly for gold-filled models), but otherwise, with a little care, you should be able to wear it for many years without causing noticeable wear. The most difficult part, I find, is being mindful of the clasp. It's natural to rest one's wrists on a desk while typing etc. which will cause wear to the clasp. Either you need to be exceptionally careful or else take the watch off while you're working at the computer.

Cheers,

-abe.

[bucko170]

I also think the early calculator watches were chunky out of necessity, too many buttons to fit on it to keep it sleek, placed along side it's counterparts of the day the Hughes (CompuChron, Mercury) the HP-01 and the Uranus calculators it still looks very refined in comparison. You just have to learn to love 'em.

Uranus Calculator 2 DWF.jpg

Hughes-Merc Calc's 2 DWF.jpg

HP01 - 2 DWF.jpg

Pulsar Calculator x2 DWF.jpg

[Seeker of Time]

Yeah, it grew on me over the period of about four years...from the time I was really wanting a P3 or P4 and found the 901/2 odd, until about a year ago when I started looking to buy one and it was the only model I wanted. I absolutely LOVE that it. It wasn't cheap, but I'd pay it again in a heartbeat. I totally agree about the refined look compared to its competition. The "framed" crystal window for the readout is exquisite, and the whole look is just beautiful. I do a lot of work in AutoCAD so I will need to take it off for most of the day when I wear it to work for the first time.

[abem]

I think what won me over to the Pulsar calculators, design-wise, is how nice it feels on the wrist. The smoothly curved back and the polished sides make it feel like a smooth solid pebble in comparison with the Hughes which feels chunky and blocky. I used to prefer the Euro calc models with their straighter lines, but now I appreciate the standard Pulsar calculator design a bit more.

I wonder what sort of design iterations went into this design. Somewhere, there was at one point a series of design sketches and maybe even mock-ups that led to this design. I wonder if they had tried to make the calculators streamlined like a P3 or P4. Granted, with the need for a flat surface for the keypad, there are limitations to how curvy they could have made it. Perhaps that's why they went in the other direction, design-wise.

It would be interesting if someone with rendering / 3D modeling skill could create a mock-up of what a P3 style calculator might have looked like.

Cheers,

-abe.

p.s. One note about wear on the bracelet clasp: Many of the later stainless Pulsar models had smooth brushed clasps instead of the ridged / textured variety used for the gold filled models. The smooth stainless clasps can easily be rebrushed to remove scratches from normal wear. My calculator has such a clasp. So, this shouldn't stop you from wearing your Pulsar calculator to work if you like.

[fronzelneekburm]

I really like the HP-01 design-wise, but it is imho the worst watch to wear. Ever! Its not just the pure weight, it is that these bracelets are having rather sharp edges. Not so sharp that they slash your wrists, but sharp enough to be extremely uncomfortable. I always thought I would get used to it sooner or later, but actually i never did.

[Seeker of Time]

I bid early today on a P3 gf in nice condition on ebay. Starting bid at $250 and I put in $260. Someone won it for a paltry $265. Nice price for sure. The reason I'm looking at P3 is I like the idea of having the date. I would really like a DOW, but after talking with Abe (via e-mail through his site before I started posting here) I guess the P4 Classic is a little small in size. I have smaller wrists so maybe that wouldn't be a problem, idk. I've never seen one in person so it is hard to determine what size a P4 Classic is compared to my led space replica watch or my 902. 902 is pretty nice in size imo, not near as big as I thought it would be. My 'space' model led store replica is a good size, too, smaller than the 902 obviously.

Another question...I seem to like SS. Are the gf versions more sought (generally speaking) or the SS? I know "Astronaut" is only for the SS P2 (big James Bond fan, surprise surprise ...I'm sure I'm the only Bond fan here, right? ), and love Roger Moore's first appearance as the character in Live and Let Die and the P2 scene ), and I'm not sure I've picked up on a trend with this or not by my readings. The only real reason it matters to me is price and what I would expect to pay for the different finishes on the same model, given everything is in equal condition.

[Seeker of Time]

Also, enjoying some reading in this forum on other topics. Seems there is a lot of good knowledge around here.

[abem]

Seeker,

Below are a few comparison photos to show relative size. It's always hard to gauge size and heft by photographs without having the watches in hand, but it's the best we can do until we develop telepresence. Also, note the color differences - the gold filled P2s are a lemony yellow whereas the gold filled P3s and P4s are a rosy slightly coppery hue.

This is a bit of an overgeneralization, but generally stainless watches are slightly more sought after across the board because gold is rather out of fashion today.

This is speculation, but there may also be a generational component where each generation does its best to avoid the sorts of things that its parents might wear. At some point, that becomes cyclical and I've started to see an attraction to "retro" items in the younger generation.

Personally, I like both since I like to wear stainless with cool colors and gold with warmer colors. Brushed gold is rather less blingy than polished gold and I don't feel that any of the Pulsar models are too blingy. Also, I think historical context matters somewhat. In the 70s, gold was the thing so in some ways gold is fitting in a 70s watch where it might not be as fitting in a contemporary watch.

In an ideal world, it's nice to have a gold and a stainless sample of your very favorite designs, if possible.

-abe.

p.s. Sorry 'bout the P3. You'll get the next one!

DSC_4331 (800x1024).jpg

[bucko170]

If you really like the idea of having a DOW display have you considered the Pulsar 'Big Time'? It would be difficult for me to pick a favourite Pulsar LED but that one would have to be a contender!

pulsar 2 XX.jpg

[Seeker of Time]

Seeker,

Below are a few comparison photos to show relative size.

Thanks, Abe! Those pics are perfect to get an idea of relative sizes.

If you really like the idea of having a DOW display have you considered the Pulsar 'Big Time'? It would be difficult for me to pick a favourite Pulsar LED but that one would have to be a contender!

pulsar 2 XX.jpg

I have considered Big Time DOW, too, and if one comes up I will certainly bid on it. I still like the looks of the Classic a little more, but either one would be a beautiful piece to own. P3 has now entered the ring as a possible contender for purchase, too.

[Seeker of Time]

Also, as I've been searching and reading this forum, little by little, I've noticed a lot of respect and satisfaction for Hanno's work. If I end up with a non-working model, I would probably want to fill the case with a SASM replacment. I recently replaced a module in my Space model from The LED Watch Store (Simon), and it was a fairly simple process but it was also on a much less expensive watch. Is it pretty easy to exchange Pulsar modules for the average person, or would it be best to send the whole thing to Hanno case and all?

[bucko170]

....... Is it pretty easy to exchange Pulsar modules for the average person, or would it be best to send the whole thing to Hanno case and all?

The Pulsar modules are held in place by a couple of small screws, removing the module is as easy as unscrewing them but I would still send the whole thing to Hanno the main reasons being, with the case he can test the module in situ, making sure the magnets are activating the read switches as they should and the case will protect the module during transit.

[Seeker of Time]

Those are good points and it is great advice. Thanks.

[Seeker of Time]

Also, does anyone send anything to the US listed SASM facility (forget his name) or everyone sends directly overseas to Hanno? Just curious.

Also, small world again...I was browing the 'for sale on ebay' forum and saw joeywaycool. I had asked him a question about the Compuchron calculator he has up on ebay and recognized his name from there. Thought about the Compuchron as my everyday watch, but I think a Pulsar DOW classic or Big Time is what I am still gravitating towards, unless a P2 or P3 happens first.