Pulsar P3 (Stainless)

The iconic Pulsar

Description:

The Pulsar P3 is perhaps the most well known and iconic of the Pulsar line with its futuristic curvy astronaut helmet shape. The P3 still looks futuristic 40 years later.

The Pulsar P3, the President's Preferred Timepiece in 1973

The P3 "Date Command" was introduced just one year after the first consumer model, the P2 and was the first digital watch with a date capability. The date is displayed by pressing the left button. The P3 has a "smart calander" which keeps track of the number of days in each month so the date never need resetting except after the last day of Feburary in a leap year. The P3 is one of the largest Pulsar models, but it remains comfortable to wear and is surprisingly light for its size.

President Ford in the Oval Office with Betty and his Pulsar P3

The P3 was available in stainless steel, 14 KT gold filled, and solid gold models by special order. The stainless model above was available with either a solid link bracelet or a hollow link bracelet. The solid link bracelet is a bit heavier but also feels a bit more solid, is more durable and is more sought after by collectors. The more common hollow link bracelet is lighter in weight but more fragile.

David Prowse a.k.a. Darth Vader and his Pulsar P3

The gold filled model was worn by President Gerald Ford (with a leather band) until he got in trouble from the press for wearing such a decadent wristwatch. It was deemed improper for the President to have accepted such a luxury wristwatch as a gift.

The stainless Pulsar P3 is the wristwatch of choice for dark rulers of the galaxy such as David Prowse, a.k.a Darth Vader.

Condition:

Case: Very good.
This stainless Pulsar P3 is in very good condition with no significant dings or scratches. There are just a few tiny scratches visible, which you may be able to find if you look carefully enough. The brushing has been touched up to look like new. The case back has a few small scratches around the outside but no dents or deep scratches. Overall, a very nice example of a stainless P3 case, showing off the brushing and curvy futuristic shape.

Face / Hands: Excellent.
All LED digits and segments are complete and bright.

Crystal: Good.
The crystal is generally pretty good across the face but it does have a number of small chips around the edges and a slight chip on the upper right edge.

Band / Bracelet: Very good.
This hollow link bracelet is very goodwith nice brushing and no bends or dings. These hollow link bracelets are lightweight and very comfortable but are a bit fragile and prone to having the links bent or damaged. This sample, has no bent or damaged links. The bracelet has all of its original links and will fit a full sized 8" wrist. The clasp has one noticeable tiny scratch but has been rebrushed to look almost link new and contains the setting magnet and magnet holder.

Function / Accuracy: Excellent.
All functions work perfectly. Digital quartz accuracy. Actually, since quartz crystals actually improve with age and the original Pulsar accuracy was a phenomenal 30 seconds per year, these vintage Pulsars usually keep time better than most modern quartz watches!