Pulsar PT3035
Been slacking on the watch reviews, but with my distant birthday, I received two new watches, and I have had one in my watch box that deserves some attention. Interestingly, they are all Seiko movement chronographs, so I get to compare and contrast. This is article two of three.
Above is my first Pulsar watch, the PT 3035. Pulsar is one of Seiko’s watch brands. The least expensive Seiko are Lorus, to compete with Timex price points ($20 to $50), next up is Pulsar, which are positioned against Fossil and many many other fashion watches ($40 to $150). Seiko branded is the next tier up, with a huge price range point from $70 to $7,000, and finally Grand Seiko, which can go toe to toe with the finest Swiss watches, and can go into the hundreds of thousands of dollar price range! This, however, is a simple Pulsar Chronograph, and for what it is, it is a very impressive watch with a much better bang for the buck than Fossil or similar fashion watches.
The dial is a radial is matte plastic, black with concentric rings. There are three sub-dials: 9 O’clock is the minute accumulator for the chronograph, 6 O’clock the second accumulator, and at 3 O’clock, a 24 hour indicator. Being only a one second chronograph, the long seconds hand is not a chronograph hand, but the running seconds hand. The chapter ring is a bright orange, with markers for every minute. The hour and minute hands are a unique, cut out design, which was unexpected. They have a high polish. The seconds hand is tipped in a matching orange and has a lumed tail. The hour and minute hands also have luminous tips. The hour markers are bold and have a generous amount of Lumibrite and last a good amount of time. Not as good as a diver, but very respectable for the price point. The bezel is fluted, but sadly, does not rotate. I think it is the one area they really had to cut corners on. The date window is at the 4:30 position. Overall, the dial is relatively uncluttered for a chronograph and is well balanced. There is no luminous material.
The movement is a 1 second, 1 hour step back movement. The upper pusher starts and stops the chronograph, and the lower pusher resets. The hands have to wind all the way back to zero when the chronograph resets, which is a contrast to the fly-back on my Seiko and Omega chronographs. Not a huge deal, but it does take some time to reset the chronograph.
The case is stainless steel, 44mm in diameter. Brushed on top with a high polish on the sides. The case back is stainless and screw down and marked with the Pulsar, 10ATM water resistance, with the cool two waves design. I am very impressed with the overall fit and finish at this price, much better than a comparable Fossil. The crown is pleasantly detailed and styled and easy to use. The pushers are polished, but do not click when pressed. They feel like a membrane push-button, which is what they probably are. The lugs are 22mm to make for easy bracelet to strap swaps. The bracelet is heavy and well made. It is what I like to call pseudo solid link. It is a folded link, but done in such a way it looks solid, with no exposed folded metal, also similar to Fossil and fashion watches. The end links are hollow.
The deployant clasp is a two push button design without a safety lock. It is marked deeply with Pulsar and has a brushed finish and appears well made. It has two micro adjustment holes, making sizing acceptable but not that . It is comfortable to wear and easy to use.
This watch is a great value for the money, I believe it easily tops a Fossil or similar fashion watch in the same price point. The movement is what sets it apart, since it is a genuine Seiko movement and is sure to last for years. The overall presentation of the watch is excellent, and the unique hands and dial are original and not an homage that I can find. It is bold and an eye grabber. Although there are some compromises due to cost savings, it does not feel cheap. A great watch at a competitive price.
Features:
Case: 44mm diameter, stainless steel, 100m water resistance.
Back: Stainless Steel, screw down.
Crystal: Hardlex, flat.
Movement: Battery Operated Quartz, Seiko in-house design. 1 hour, 1 second chronograph.
Complications: Date, 1 second, 1 hour chronograph, 24 hour indicator.
Other: 20mm folded link bracelet, stainless steel.