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Pulsar is a brand subsidiary of Seiko watches that specializes in making both analog and digital quartz watches. These watches are generally slightly cheaper than the Seiko brand itself. The designs throughout the brand vary from sports chronograph models, divers, plain day date watches, and also digital LCD models.
The company was first founded in 1970 and was owned by Hamilton. During the quartz crisis, Pulsar had incredible success, especially with the P2. The P2 was featured in the James Bond movie, Live & Let Die, and was worn by 007 himself.
At the time of the release, the P2 was groundbreaking and had an 18k gold case. When it first came on the market it cost $2100 to buy but was quickly lowered. During the same time, a Rolex Submariner was $400, which shows just how highly valued this new digital technology was.
As other brands began to quickly catch up and produce cheaper models, an LCD screen displaying the time was no longer cutting edge technology. It was at this point in 1978 when the Pulsar brand was sold to Seiko, where it still remains today.
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Is Pulsar A Good Watch?
Pulsar is made by Seiko, therefore they are good quality watches. Seiko probably has the best reputation in the world for budget watches that work well and do not break very easily. Whilst they do not use the high-end Swiss movements of luxury brands, neither do their watches cost anywhere near this price.
As of today, Pulsar is still an unusual and relatively unknown brand. Due to how big Seiko is, unfortunately, Pulsar are still languishing in obscurity until a new breakout design is revealed. Until then, Pulsar will likely still play second fiddle to Seiko and keep pumping out many different styles of watches with Seiko-made parts.
The benefit of this as a consumer is that you are able to buy a good quality watch at a discount price. If you are able to find 2 watches that are made by Seiko & Pulsar which look very similar. The chances are that you will be able to buy the Pulsar and save yourself a lot of money by doing so.
What Are The Differences Between Pulsar And Seiko Watches?
The main differences between the two brands are both design and cost. Both watch brands are made in Japan and both contain the same movements (model dependent).
Firstly, Pulsar is owned by Seiko and sells a lot fewer watches than their parent company. The Pulsar brand is mostly used for innovative design and to test the market. Whilst Pulsar isn’t a complete guinea pig, Seiko will try out new and strange designs before deciding to put the Seiko branding on an untested product.
As Pulsar is nowhere near as well known as Seiko, it commands a much lower price. Seiko is already very good value for money, but Pulsar quartz watches are generally even cheaper. A Pulsar with the same movement inside it would usually cost you 1.5x – 2x the price of a Seiko watch.
Are Pulsar Watches Expensive?
Pulsar watches are not expensive at all. They are extremely good value for money when compared with other brands.
Seiko is already considered very good value for money. So when you consider that a Pulsar watch is pretty much the same (inside the watch case) as a Seiko, you are getting a real bargain. If a Seiko costs $250, then a Pulsar of a similar specification will be around $150. This is already quite a discount considering you are getting an accurate and well-put-together Japanese watch.
Where Can I Buy A Pulsar Watch?
The best place to buy a Pulsar watch is online. This is because you are able to get an up-front discount compared to a brick-and-mortar store. Online sellers typically do not have anywhere near the overhead costs of running a physical business.
Amazon sell a variety of Pulsar watches at very competitive prices. The good thing about buying from a reputable website such as Amazon is that you completely eliminate the risk of buying a fake watch.
They also have very generous return policies in case you change your mind.
The only other place to buy Pulsar watches is at an authorized dealer. This will be pretty hit or miss as Pulsar is not a large brand compared to other companies. It will depend on who has a contract with the company and who doesn’t.
5 Best Pulsar Watch Models
Pulsar Solar Chronograph
Pulsar Solar is a very similar watch to a Citizen Eco-Drive and has exactly the same movement as a Seiko Solar watch. If you don’t already know, a solar watch takes in energy from all available light sources including the sun. By storing the energy in a capacitor, the watch is able to continue functioning even when in complete darkness. You will never have to worry about the watch running out of battery.
Another great thing to add is this watch is significantly cheaper than both the Seiko solar and also the Citizen Eco-drive. Its design is very similar featuring 3 subdials, one of which is the chronograph.
Check The Price Of Pulsar Solar Watches On Amazon
Pulsar Digital/Analogue
There are not many brands that make watches that have both analogue and digital movements in the same case. Perhaps the main reason for this is that it is an additional cost and really not necessary to have 2 ways to tell the same time.
Regardless of the cost, Pulsar is one brand that does make this type of watch. You are able to view 2 timezones at the same time by simply setting the digital watch to the city of the world you require. At the same time, you can get the analog hands to your own time.
Check The Price Of Pulsar Digital / Analogue Watches On Amazon
Pulsar Sports Chronograph
Pulsar makes a wide variety of sports chronograph watches. This is mostly where the brand differs from Seiko, who does have a sports chronograph range, although to be honest, it’s not particularly sporty. Instead, the Pulsar chronograph looks mostly similar to either Tag Heuer F1 or a Casio Edifice.
The watch comes with a chronograph (stopwatch) feature and a silicone strap. This allows the watch to sit more comfortably on your wrist as the strap sits better than a steel one would.
Check The Price Of Chronograph Watches On Amazon
Pulsar Kinetic
The kinetic range of watches is best associated with Pulsar’s parent company, Seiko. The technology works in a similar way to an eco-drive or solar watch but instead of light energy being captured, it is kinetic energy. There is a rotor inside the watch which turns as you move your wrist. This energy is stored in a capacitor, inside the watch case.
The ideal thing about this watch is that you will never have to change the battery. Capacitors generally last anywhere from 7-15 years, so you won’t have to constantly go and get the battery replaced. Another final point is that if you were looking for a Seiko kinetic, this is exactly the same technology but for a cheaper price.
Check The Price Of Pulsar Kinetic Watches On Amazon
Pulsar Digital
Pulsars digital watch is the evolution of the original P2 watch from 1972. Technology has worked in your favor since then as the watch has a ton more features. Neither does it cost $2100 as it did 40 years ago.
The dial is oversized at 48mm wide and has a stopwatch, chronograph, and world time features available. It is also 100 meters water-resistant, so is a very suitable watch if you are an avid swimmer. One last point worth mentioning is that the watch has a perpetual calendar so will not need to be changed whenever there is a leap year.
