PULSAR P2 Astronaut
LED Wristwatch
Hitting the scene in 1973, as the more reliable predecessor to the limited production, yet WILDLY sought after Pulsar P1, the P2 found IMMEDIATE success. Initially it was made available in two different submodels - The Astronaut (stainless steel) and the VIP (14k Gold Filled). From appearances in James Bond "Live or Let Die" via Robert Moore's wrist, as well as A-List celebrities and notable figures such as Elton John, Smokin' Joe Frazier, President Gerald Ford, to Keith Richards, the watch was a true status symbol.
While costing "only" $275 in 1973, it was more expensive than a steel Rolex Submariner in it's day. A single push of the side button would briefly display the time in minutes, and if you continued to hold down the button, it would also briefly flash "seconds".
Setting the watch is perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of the entire watch. Inside the case, there were two Reed switches that are magnetically activated. Stored inside the bracelet was a small magnet. The owner need only remove the magnet and hold it to the caseback to set minutes and hours by placing the magnet near their respective spots. Please see the photos for more details.
It appears that the original magnet has lost the required amount of strength it takes to activate the Reed switches, but fear not, as a simply refrigerator magnet will do the trick and the time will set quite easily.
Noteworthy is that this watch appears to in fact be the "Early" and more rare P2 mentioned in the excerpt below.
It is worth noting that the while the bracelet is VERY nice, it will only accommodate up to a 6.8" wrist. You can find numerous reproduction bracelets as well as original links on eBay and other websites.
The box is indeed a "Pulsar" Box, but I honestly have no idea if the box belongs to the watch or not. Regardless, it does make a nice presentation.
Some further information from the website "crazywatches" -
"Pulsar watches as the first LEDs in the World were positioned as revolutionary top-shelf wrist-gadgets for the quality and technology oriented customers. Pulsar was the first of a few digital-watch producers who offered solid-gold cases and even Tiffany stores ordered Pulsars with their own logo printed on the red crystal. Pulsar never lowered the quality of their watches and the retail price for a stainless steel P2 was set at 295$ which was a lot of money back then. Light Emmiting Diodes by Litronix were one of the most expensive components of a LED watch and Pulsar never decided to cut corners and use plastic lenses to enlarge smaller diodes. Quality and visibility of the LEDs was vital and thus displays were encapsulate in durable epoxy giving large and easy readouts. The cool dot-display was characteristic only for Pulsar watches until 1975 when segment/bar-displays became the standard."
"The P2 can be found with two module types that can be easily differentiated by the position of the light-sensor (white-orange) visible through the red glass filter of a Pulsar watch. Pictured to the left is the first generation module produced from the 3rd quarter of 1972 to approx. 2nd quarter of 1973. It has a bigger ceramic substrate, epoxy covered electronics, only one adjustment trimmer and propeller shaped battery springs. When the following P3 model was about to be launched in mid 1973 this rare early P2 module was upgraded to a P3 design in order to reduce production costs and unify parts for both the P2 and P3. Thus the late P2 module is identical in appearance with the P3 but lacks the date function that was not programmed in the chip and has an empty space in the plastic holder to accommodate the date reed-switch."
This watch is a very good looking watch. Runs very well and keeps great time! New battery!
Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or respectful offers.
Case Back Signed:
Pulsar
129082
The Computer, INC. 1973
Stainless Steel
Measures (mm):
Case 40.3 x 32.3
Case Lug to Lug 39
Case Thickness 13.5
Lug Width 11
Band Width 21
Bracelet Marks:
Pulsar
Champion
Stainless Steel
U.S.A.
10-73
Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men's watches typically measure between 29-36mm (some larger, some smaller) wide excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women's watches from the 1900s-1970s were also somewhat smaller than today’s offerings in many cases. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.
We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust light, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.
The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended.
See all the photos, feel free to ask questions if you have any.
It will be carefully packed.
Check out my other items listed.
Thanks for looking!
WA-1751
