21 Jun 2019, 22:14
Somewhere in the Time Computer records are the exact dates of release of the various models...whether those records still exist is a matter of conjecture.
Best I can say is...I have a P2 with a bracelet date code of 8/72...a bit at variance with the assertion that the P2 was released "in the fall of 1972" (planet I was raised on, August is a Summer month, in North America). The inference to be drawn from the available information is that the P3 Date/Command and the Date/2 were released at essentially the same time (I bought my P3 in late March of 1974). There is some inconsistency of information...in one place it is stated that the Date/2 was introduced "in the Spring (March, April?) of 1973, but not available until January of 1974" (the ten-month delay is not explained). Elsewhere, it is stated that "both were introduced in the fall (September?) of 1973, but the Date/2 was not available until the Spring (March?) of 1974. The modules are the same in both models (that part is right, at least)". I'm not sure how something can be "introduced", but still not be "available" for months (maybe, if you substitute the word "announced" for "introduced", it makes more sense). For example, the P1 Limited Edition was certainly announced, long before it was actually available.