Solid 18k Pulsar Euro Calculator!

[bucko170]

Wow http://www.ebay.com/itm/190797953161;js ... 26_rdc%3D1

[bruce wegmann]

Actually, it's NOT a Euro, it's a Tiffany; the mesh bracelet and unusual case texturing tell that story. It's hard for me to believe that Uli doesn't seem to know that. But, given that a P1 just sold for US$10K a few weeks ago, there's no way this is worth more than $7-8K, tops (I mean, NO LED watch is worth more than a P1; at least, that's the standard I would apply). So, the $27.5K asking price is the result of either a typo, or dementia (or a cheap means of advertising it for a month). True, this IS a rare watch, but I've bought 4 P1s for less than $26K (I think I made the better investment).

[KARNAK]

Morning all,

When I saw the selling price on this watch I could not believe my eyes. I know Uli sells top quality watches and has an excellent reputation but I agree entirely with Bruce, it has got to be a typo error an I am very surprised as ULI dosen't make mistakes. If anybody knows about Pulsars and their values it is Bruce as he is a renouned Pulsar expert without any question.
The estimate Bruce quoted was $7-8k which is the price I would be guided by. I have put this watch in my favourites to keep an eye on it.

Regards,
KARNAK.

[bucko170]

I can't blame the seller for asking the price that he would like to receive for the watch, and he as also included a best offer option......and free posting.

[bruce wegmann]

True enough, but the initial asking price is so off-putting, that nobody has even made an offer (through eBay, anyway). I'm guessing this will sell off-line, and privately, if at all. The last time an 18K Tiffany showed up on eBay, a few years ago, it went for under US$6K (of course, gold was a bit cheaper back then, too).

[KARNAK]

Morning all,

Just looking at the sale this morning and I notice that the figure of $29,OOO plus has disappeared and so far there has been 9 bids highest $920 with reserve not met, however I notice International postage $135!

He has an OMEGA tc2 also for sale highest bid $202.50 again reserve not met 9 bids as well. I find the interesting thing is that International shipping is onlty quoted as $35.!

Cant figure out how there could be such a disparity in the shipping costs

Regards,
KARNAK.

[bruce wegmann]

Update...2/14/13...item terminated early, "no longer available". No indication whether this was a private sale, or simply withdrawn. If it did actually change hands, I would be curious to know for how much...

[PG101]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190797953161?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[KARNAK]

Hi all,

Just checked again, PG101 is correct, the watch is back again on EBAY with a list price of $27500, no bids, very odd that this morning it was shown as9 bids highest being $920 with 4D.15H to run. Now it is shown as above7D.19H to run. Hard to figure what is going on with this one. What do you reckon Bruce?.

Regards,
KARNAK.

[bucko170]

The listing on my eBay is showing the same now as it was before, not re-listed or amended, could the previous actions have been a fault on eBay's part? The original listing was not open to bids?

[KARNAK]

Hi bucko170,
Could you hit the nail on the head,very odd though.

Regards,
KARNAK.
PS::::One hell of a nice collection you got there.
Regards,
KARNAK.

[bucko170]

Hi bucko170 ......hell of a nice collection you got there.
Regards,
KARNAK.

Thanks

[bruce wegmann]

Still shows up under "Completed Items" on the U.S. site, but is also apparently still active, too. Never seen this before; may have been briefly pulled and immediately re-listed. No change in the asking price, so I guess it's not a typo, but still (at three times P1 money) in the twilight zone. I don't see that this can be bid on, either on the U.S. or UK site; looks like strictly a "Buy-It-Now" or Make Offer type listing.

[burg650]

It will not sell for that sell, do not even think it's worth that much in gold.

[bruce wegmann]

There's probably about 150 grams of 18K alloy here (3.6ozT, or about US$5800), but that's not really the point. Even the P1 recently on eBay sold for less than twice "melt" value (about 1.8 times, actually), so this would reasonably go for less than that. The 18K Calculator models are not exactly on the top of most collectors' shopping lists. It's my considered opinion that this is in the $7-8K range (I have eight 18K Calculators and nine P1s in my collection, so I have more than the usual interest in these...lol).

[KARNAK]

Hi Bruce,

Excellent logic, makes total sense. You have 8 18K calculators plus 9 P1'S in your collection. Atlast count about a year ago I wasmtold you hadthe larges tcollection of solid gold watches in the world I think the figure was 110. I presume you have acquired more since then, with that amount you should be in the Guiness Book of Reckords.

Strange I have not heard of any gold strikes in California since the great gold rush in the 1800 hundreds. I can see why you have such a keen interest in this as you have your own gold mine.

Regards,
Karnak

[bruce wegmann]

Things have slowed down a bit...113 now, in total. 62 in 18K, 51 in 14K. Makes it oddly top-heavy in the 18K models, since these are 6-8 times rarer than the 14K ones. The great majority of the 18K models came from the New York source, and I have picked up the odd P1 here and there (remember, one is the unique 14K one; after a year and a half there is still no mention of it on the "official" Pulsar website, which is simultaneously a joke and an insult). I really don't know for certain if there might be a larger collection of gold out there (it's certainly not something I deliberately set out to put together), but if there is, I'd love to see it! Interestingly, this Tiffany model is one of the few 18K models I don't have, but the price is just too over the top to even consider (I'd rather have another three or four P1s!).

[KARNAK]

Hi Bruce,

Thank you for the information, absolutely staggering==62 18K PLUS 51 14K TTL 113. Mind boggling collection, I doubt if there is anyone else in the world has such a treasure trove. I agree a collector of your status should definately be featured in the official Pulsars web-site, I can see why you would be peeved I certainly would.

It will be interesting to see what this watch goes for I am sure nobody is going fork out that kinda money.KARNAK.

Hope you are well,
Kindesgt regards,
KARNAK.

[retroleds]

Karnak had drawn me into this via a private email. I was thinking maybe $12-14k but I agree with Bruce the math on the gold doesn't add up at all and somehow without the cool individually numbered box aspect of a Classic Calc. in 18k I can see it leaving a collector a bit flat. Seems it would be more appropriate for someone who was very loaded and not a collector, someone who just wanted a big piece of expensive bling like a rapper or such. I don't think Mr.T has the money to buy it.

[KARNAK]

Hi Ed Buddy,

Glad you got my private email as I value your expertise and your reasoning, interesting storey about your watch, hope you guys are all well.
Shoot me private email when you get a chance, meanwhile,

Kindest regards,
KARNAK.

[Diginut]

Haven't posted on here for a while, so Afternoon All .. :)

I can't blame the seller for asking the price that he would like to receive for the watch, and he as also included a best offer option......and free posting.

Hmm, free post. That just could do it

It will not sell for that sell, do not even think it's worth that much in gold.

Its not always as simple as its melt value ! You're looking at an incredibly rare Pulsar Calculator watch (one of 3 that I know of), in exceptional condition with an almost complete set of accessories as if it was produced in Switzerland yesterday.

It has tangible value (gold value, parts value etc) and intangible value (desirability, rarity, collectability) ... and even certain websites set up to keep the spirit of 70's digital watches alive and well into the future ..


Four years ago I listed on ebay a very similar mint condition 18k Euro calculator with all the bits, but with open ended bidding (evidence below) Mine also had the rare outer cardboard box, not shown with the one currently on ebay. I personally prefer the case finish of the one I had as it was the same as a SS Euro calc, whereas the one on ebay has a kinda mottled sand-blasted case finish with distinct patterned strap.

I soon had dozens of email offers, some really stupidly-low ones from the usual suspects (including numerous daft messages from a certain 'pigeon' using his half dozen ebay identities) .. but 3 from very serious collectors in Europe, none of whom take part in online forum gossip, and none of whom wanted to be seen to be buying it via ebay - as tends to happen with high value watches.


What happened next was quite surreal .. I ended up conducting a 3 way bid war between them, some offering cash and other watches in p/ex, others just plain cash but I'd have to wait for a week yadda yadda. In the end I accepted a very persuasive cash offer from a buyer who agreed to pay for my flight if I could bring it to his local airport for inspection / payment. The sum agreed was a fair bit more than 2/3rds of the asking price of the one on ebay.. However, whilst I walked back into the UK with wads of euros, it proved to be quite difficult paying that cash into a bank account due to all the modern anti-money laundering regulations, and it took some explaining.


Anyway, my point being that irrelevant of what one person thinks its worth, it’s a free market out there, and something like this will only be worth what someone else is willing to pay and the market therefore sets the price. Obviously in this instance it’s a very thin market and I'd be horrified if ended up in the melting pot!

[retroleds]

I'd be horrified if ended up in the melting pot!

I think it's safe Simon- Uli won't sell it THAT cheap unless it is an estate sale...his. Considering the overall rarity it would be nice if it pulled into the low $20k range but prices for solid gold Pulsar have been unfortunately soft lately.

Welcome back.