Strange Pulsar Module On eBay

[bucko170]

I couldn't quite follow this one, could someone explain?


http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-PULSAR-S-S- ... 286.c0.m14

[bruce wegmann]

This is one of those oddball P3s with other-than P3 electronics grafted onto the movement ring. The digits seem a little small to be P4...I would guess from a Ladies' model [even Dress digits would be larger]. The best ones of these are full P4 grafts, complete with Auto-Command still working. There has been a lot of arguing over the years about the origin of these...but I have yet to hear a rational explanation of why anybody would tear apart a perfectly working P4 to re-build a P3, unless they had access to a LOT of P4 modules...The watch in this auction is better than a dead one, but I would prefer a P4 graft. Worth less than an original P3...but how much less is still subject to personal taste.

[bucko170]

An excellent explanation, thanks for clearing that up for me Bruce

[retroleds]

...but I have yet to hear a rational explanation of why anybody would tear apart a perfectly working P4 to re-build a P3, unless they had access to a LOT of P4 modules...

Rational explanaition: nobody wants a watch with bad glasss, and P4s are about the hardest to get good glass for(IMO). But a P3 in the Date II style, is relatively easy to get glass for, either New Old Stock or resurfaced old glass. I made a mad plunge through my Pulsar parts near the end of summer(which explains me putting up a number of Pulsars for sale) and ended up with 4 more magnet set P4 modules, than I had P4s with decent case and glass. So I did not feel too bad "hybriding" two of those during last few weeks into P3s. The customer got their Date II back, rebrushed with new glass and working. A happy ending at this time.