Pulsar Or Seiko

[Cesar]

I think i bought my first PULSAR yesterday...or is it really a SEIKO?

Well since i thought it was a funky Red LED look-a-like LCD watch.
The day before yesterday i bought this SEIKO ...and here it is.

SEIKO/ALBA/AKA LCD W670-4000


But then amazingly yesterday...i found this one....
a PULSAR SPOON...(by Seiko?).

I found this somewhat strange so what is the deal i have no
But i thought *i must have it!..* so here it is....find the differences.




Both unfortunatelly came without instruction manual,
so if anyone has one, please feel free to send me a copy.

So does anybody know anything about their history or why
2 similar watches were sold under 2 different brand names...
please do tell.

So have i really bought my first PULSAR or another SEIKO?

[bucko170]

I would say both after the LED watch bit the dust Seiko brought the Pulsar brand name and continued to make watches called Pulsar.

I am sure others will be able to provide a more detailed history/explanation.....

[Cesar]

Thanks,
Yes any information would be appreciated.

[retroleds]

Seiko is still making watches under the Pulsar name and Alba. The Spoon seems to be a product line more than a particular watch or movement. Some Spoon watches are tall, narrow, vertical displays, others have only one line of horizontal display. And then there are the ones like yours, with 3(or 4) lines of horizontal display, in a fairly square layout. Search Google images for"Spoon watch", and be amazed. I know of blue, red, purple and yellow display colors/back-lighting.

I'll look for that manual...I know I have one.

[Caruso]

I really like LED watches but they do lack functions. This watch has got a good mixture of functions and light up red display - though it looks to be red backlit LCD rather than LED?

Was it on Ebay recently? I think I bid on that actual watch, so I'm envious!

[Cesar]

So i am guessing Seiko owns the Pulsar brandname then.
Otherwise there would have been a lawsuit already you would suspect.
Yes the SS one was on e-bay recently, actually they both were.
I did pay a little too much on the SS version in my oppinion
but the black one made up for it.

Ed/Mr. Retro,
It would be great if you had the manual.

[bruce wegmann]

What we seem to be trying to do here is draw a distinction between the modern Seiko Pulsars (1979 to the present) and the vintage Time Computer Pulsars (1972-1977). Beyond the name, they have no relation to each other. Seiko actually bought the Pulsar name from Rhapsody, after Rhapsody acquired the assets of the then-defunct Time Computer division of HMW Industries. Rhapsody quickly discovered there was little to be salvaged, as the LED watch craze was thoroughly over, and happily passed the buck to Seiko, who took the Pulsar name and ran with it (they have been making Pulsar watches now for over thirty years...none of them LEDs). The continuation of the Pulsar name has produced no end of confusion among new collectors and owners.

[Cesar]

Bruce,

Thanks amazing story, makes thing clearer for us new collectors.