Did someone get the deal of the century ?

[Mr Frequency 32768hz]

Can this be true ? 14k Solid gold Midas ladies for $250


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1970-039-s-PULSAR-LED-Digital-Watch-Time-Computer-14k-solid-gold-with-case-/172850968017?hash=item283eb875d1%3Ag%3AUQYAAOSw5ulZrItz&nma=true&si=ZkXBPPy75G2nb1HS%252BwMBit2P8gs%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[bruce wegmann]

Of the century...no...but a good one, if it happens. First one of these (6412-2) I've seen in over 14 years on eBay, so I'm guessing this is in the same numerical rarity category as the diamond-bezel versions, or 14K PRMs, or 3140s...5 to 10 in existence. I think my 7409 Florentine Dress watch for $750 (which is less than half of the "melt" value) eclipses this by a fair margin, though. This didn't show up on any of my saved searches, so, couldn't have been active for more than minutes before being picked off. No doubt the seller is being peppered by after-the-fact offers. My one BIG concern is that, given the low price, and the dented case, this could very likely end up in the melting pot, unless it was lucky enough to have been purchased by a real collector.
All of the Midas Collection Pulsars are very-to-extremely rare, with a single exception...the 7408 Dress; there may be some models (probably 18K ones) of which not a single specimen survives. If so, it will be impossible for anyone to ever assemble a truly complete collection of Time Computer watches...a pity.

[bruce wegmann]

Update...listing re-posted with a BIN of $1250...OBO. Made offer...scooped it! Damage looks very repairable...pics posted when it arrives. First new Pulsar in the collection in over a year...

[Mr Frequency 32768hz]

Wow, congratulations. I was tempted to message the seller but thought there was no point. Looks like someone mentioned the undersell so they re listed. I guess the buyer of $250 is seeing red right now

[bruce wegmann]

Evidently...when I asked the seller about that, she said she "would deal with the consequences". I doubt that will amount to anything; turns out she did make a legitimate error in the listing, as I suspected...so the sale would not be considered binding.
The watch belonged to her mother, who bought it new in 1975 or 76; I'm hoping the box and paperwork shows up, but not counting on it. I must admit, I'm intensely curious who the first buyer was...and how long the original listing was up.

[Mr Frequency 32768hz]

I can see part of the box in picture 4. And it notes case included in description.

Evidently...when I asked the seller about that, she said she "would deal with the consequences". I doubt that will amount to anything; turns out she did make a legitimate error in the listing, as I suspected...so the sale would not be considered binding.
The watch belonged to her mother, who bought it new in 1975 or 76; I'm hoping the box and paperwork shows up, but not counting on it. I must admit, I'm intensely curious who the first buyer was...and how long the original listing was up.

[jagmad]

Now that I would have paid for just for the Mrs as it's her birthday next month,
Even at the rubbish exchange rate to the £ at the moment.

[bruce wegmann]

[quote="Mr Frequency 32768hz"]I can see part of the box in picture 4. And it notes case included in description.

Jeez...how did I miss that? Too overwhelmed with the watch itself, I guess. The smaller coffin-style "Gold Boxes" for the Ladies' models are much rarer than the larger size (for the 7408, say). Right now, I have only one of those...housing a 6414-2.
Just need the 5420-2 to complete the trio; one showed up on eBay a couple years ago, but the seller wanted stupid money for it...pained my soul to let it go...oh, well... Would be nice to put together a few more of the special boxes.
I am actually seriously considering some major trading to get some of the last Midas Collection watches in-hand. Not sure what's out there, or where they might be, but time begins to press, and I think I'm approaching the "now-or-never" point in getting a complete set of these in one place, if that's even possible...

[bruce wegmann]

Well, it arrived today, and turned out even better than advertised. The gold-braid elastic tiedowns were shot, but I have some of the correct original material, so it was an hour's work to get the old remnants out of the bottom insert and replace with new, stretchy ones. Turns out, underneath the insert, is a little yellow envelope...open it up, and out drops the most perfect example of a "P" keychain setting magnet I have ever seen...that makes 11, now.
The watch itself is in excellent condition, aside from the obvious dent on the right side. It is fairly shallow, and a combination of careful pressure from the inside, and some laser-welded fill-in should made for an undetectable repair. The crystal has a touch of roughness along the lower edge, which can be smoothed out. The bracelet is tight and flat, not twisted. Not running, but, in this case, that is a trivial problem.
Not quite sure how I'll get any pics up, now the PhotoBucket has made third-party hosting impractical...

[dutchsiberia]

You can use tinypic.com for a quick fix, register and you can even find your photo's back :)

[Mr Frequency 32768hz]

Looking forward to pictures of restoration. The small coffin box does seem to be quite rare. I've only owned one in 20 years of collecting.Then again the box for the solid gold touch commands is on par for scarcity too. I wish I had a Midas you needed, as I one day I dream of owning an 18k Swiss Euro calculator.
I too had a hidden magnet surprise when I acquired a Swiss executive with circular brushed SS case back. I popped open the magnet clasp and inside was a P1 magnet

[bruce wegmann]

Well, it will probably be a while before I can get the welding work done (my jeweler who does that kind of work is now on a by-appointment basis), and there's not much point doing anything else to the case until that is attended to (the bracelet is fine, as it is). It occurs to me that the magnet and box (now repaired) are worth at least $250-300, and the empty weight of the case and bracelet is 48g (=28.1g AGW, or .903ozT = US$1211 in melt value). So, overall, I would say this turned out very well, indeed.
The gold welding will probably cost on the order of $100 or so...still leaves the ledger well in the black.