I remember my Dad coming home with one of these and me being awestruck. It didn't even occur to me that with a conventional watch you could more easily read the time. No, all that mattered was that it had a button that lit up the display, which for a 10 year old kid was just the coolest thing imaginable.
I have been looking for PSR videos for a while now, and I'm really disapointed that this video didn't come first. Your video it's easily the best. Thanks for this comparisson.
Great video. I just bought a PSR and now I’m watching more videos to validate my purchase (ha, don’t we all?). Nice to see under the hood and comparison between old and new tech.
i have the mib ii watch and like you, I sneered at the cheap Chinese dollar-store technology when I bought it. But I've used it for more than ten years and after getting over myself and my snobbish ways, I have to admit it's one of the best watches I own. Super comfortable. Keeps great time. The functions are few but useful. Less is more, sometimes. And the battery lasted for about 10 years before I had it replaced. So there you go. An honest, non-snobby review.
Superb video, thank you. I was considering a PSR but I didnt realise the crystal was clear! I have a box of old original led watches, and some of them still work. You've just inspired me to start wearing them.
I feel the constant LCD display of the reissue is an almost perfect match in color and intensity as the visible epoxy cover of the module in the original. Not sure how intentional that was but a pretty clever way of splitting the difference between the two if it was
great review. amazing perception and detail. for example, i didn't know the modern PSR has a cost-cutting red cover and a lag when displaying the time.
I'm wearing my P4 Pulsar (1975) for the first time in almost 40 years. it's been in the box all this time. I had new batteries put in, and it lit up like a Christmas tree. It still looks like the future on your wrist.
I still have my Pulsar p2 2900 that I purchased back in 72' or 73' I was working at McDonald's after high school graduation, it still works too. I did have to replace the clasp, but boy does it bring back memories!
Excellent review.... Ive just bought one today £500 UK( bit pricey but....... what the heck)............ I own 2 x digital yema's gold and silver which I think for around £170 sterling each are excellent value
great Video- thank you- I own the PSR and I love this watch because its style is so unique, it has good workmanship and it is very comfortable to wear - Greetings from Germany
I can but it would be a 5 second video :) Once you remove the module you need to pry the wafer display upwards slowly until two-sided tape releases the hold (not happy that they used tape instead of a simple notch in the plastic carrier or a retention clip). Once you lift the display all you have to do is to unclick one of the connecting strips as there are two for two displays. These are very common clips used in mobile phones nowadays.
@@ottohahn-herrera8618Didn't know that hydromodding is still a thing and I'm not into it anyway. The main purpose is not really water resistance but legibility for deep diving. This would not have much use or effect on an LED watch. Either way you're not supposed to activate buttons while under water.
Great and interesting video, thanks. I had the original and for over 20 + years have regretted selling it. I bought this one last year. It's nice but not the same, and like you, would rather it had no LCD and the red crystal. The accuracy isn't as good as I was led to believe quartz should be these days. What tool do you use to remove the back, and how water-proof do they remain if we change the battery ourselves?
Thanks for the feedback. The quality is better than the Bulova Computron but definitely not Rolex quality, overall much better than the competition. I believe the Swiss Made designation has changed a few years back with a requirement to manufacture more of the watch in Switzerland including the case so that might be the reason behind overall better quality and price. Caseback is standard and you can open it with a three-prong adjustable wrench or even a two-prong will work. As long as you screw it back the same number of turns and make sure the gasket is properly seated then the water resistance will remain intact. Nevertheless this is not a scuba diver and the button is modern spring-loaded and not extremely waterproof nor can (should) it be pressed under water. The original one could.
Hi, Great reaview, lots of wonderful details! Can you confirm the behavior of the original P2 at midnight? Did it display 0:01 at one minute past midnight like the PSR does? I personally really like the butterfly clasp and find the always-on LCD to be a very practical upgrade. It's cool to know the two displays have separate connectors though! Thanks,
The reason for having a Hybrid LCD/OLED screen is to extend the battery life. You can read the time without tuning on the OLED layer of the screen. I’m sure Hamilton tried using a red crystal but you demonstrated that the LCD screen would be obscured.
Hello, I recently purchased the PSR and promptly scratched the brushed stainless case. I took it to a jeweler and he polished the watch case getting the scratch out, but ended up polishing the case to a mirror like finish, rather than keeping the brushed look. I am hoping I can remove the mechanism and the crystal and bring it back to original brushed finish. Is it easy to remove the digital module and also the sapphire crystal at home? Thank you so much for any help/suggestions,
The module falls right out after opening the back. However removing the crystal requires some baking in the oven for 10 minutes or so to release the glue.
@@crazywatches Thank you, I meant to ask do you simply just put the watch case on a cookie sheet and bake it at a certain temp? And how to you reglue it? I really appreciate this. I've had to send watch back to Hamilton and they wanted 700 dollars to fix a scratch on the stainless. That's more than I paid for it. I found out I can use scotchbrite pad to fix and future scratches, but getting the crystal in and out is my concern.
Insane how a simple watch not even made of silver nor with added functionality can cost up to 1k dollars, this company needs to realize that the old watch costed so much because well it's decades old and was no longer being sold at the time, this doesn't mean a new release of said watch should be just as expensive, if anything it should LOWER the cost since it's no longer rare.
Well, it's a true representation of the original P2 which didn't show anything else except TIME. They easily could have added more functions for close to no additional cost.
That MIB watch was junk . . . completely unreadable under all conditions. The PSR looks cool, but I'm surprised that they used a clear crystal. The original filters were made of Pyrex by Corning Glass.
I own the original Pulsar after my father who received it as a gift. It's from 1973, gold plated and engraved on the cover. It still works and keeps time perfectly. To me, (on this video) the new Hamilton version looks like a cheap chinese clone. However, I have not seen one in real life, so I might be mistaken.
You are paying the 1000,-$ for the design and name. Oh wait, you dont even get the name anymore!! Why not just take your 1000,-$ and get a near mint real vintage pulsar? Or do what I did: I got me a vintage almost mint Elektronika 1 for 165,-$ on ebay from Ukraine. And that Russian watch is even cooler than the Pulsar. -AND have the time and date displayed the “right way”😂 btw, there is two models of the Elektronika 1, the Terminator and the Porthole.
I have to say that you are the first to open up the PSR but I really think you have no idea about manufacturing process R & D costs or the difference between China and the rest of the world ..from your own video the R&D costs have to be recovered and the module is 100 % Swiss as is my guess the case .. the tech is superb and it's an insult of the ignorant to call it simple .. quality is visable and the life of this product will be years and years . Not months like most Chinese electronics ...Thanks for the vid but get real and accept the price is cheap for what it is and the tech is awesome with huge R&D ...how do I know ? I design this stuff for my own company and this is not made in china that's for sure and it's not simple or every hobbyist would be making them ..I despise the way the average person has no idea how much goes into what that buy
Well, I have been repairing electronic watches for 20 years and have stumbled upon many "Swiss" watches assembled from Chinese parts. You'd have to study the evolution of the law about "Swiss Made". Many watches sold as Swiss are not made in Switzerland but merely assembled in Switzerland from Chinese and Swiss parts. The only thing that might be Swiss is the display wafer...but hey who knows, it might even be Chinese. Apple phones are made in China, are they made very poorly? Still, the minimum amount of electronic components and cheap assembly via double sided tape do not translate to a very pricey product. The only thing worth the money is the quality machined case and bracelet.
@@crazywatches it's all about inferior materials and false COC originating in China...316 stainless steel Is often not 316 at all spec is false and they habitually lie . QC in china is non existent .. I am an engineer that lived in china ..it's cultural and that will take generations to change ..by the way I phone 7 ...8 million out of the box faults in the opening weekend . Enough said
@@crazywatches R&D no matter where its done is the cost ...someone needs to pay... the Chinese steal designs and don't do it well.. I won't design stuff anymore without the payment to cover the cost ..why would I when the Chinese steal it ..badly . Electronics is cheap..design is a talent and design cost money who do you think should pay ? If no one pays nothing goes forward..the last product I designed cost 750k ..the retail cost was 1k the cost of manufacture was 200 usd and the cost going to R&D 300 per unit..that's 2500 units to get R&D back . Chinese copy it and sell it for 300 usd less . Thats the point
Very interesting what 40 years later can offer ..But as a die hard LED watch collector i am not interested. Specially that some of my LED Pulsars are in Gold 10k and 14k . So the real deal ..
I remember my Dad coming home with one of these and me being awestruck. It didn't even occur to me that with a conventional watch you could more easily read the time. No, all that mattered was that it had a button that lit up the display, which for a 10 year old kid was just the coolest thing imaginable.
I have been looking for PSR videos for a while now, and I'm really disapointed that this video didn't come first. Your video it's easily the best. Thanks for this comparisson.
Great video. I just bought a PSR and now I’m watching more videos to validate my purchase (ha, don’t we all?). Nice to see under the hood and comparison between old and new tech.
the old one is gorgeous ... the colour of the red is so deep and the dot matrix with smaller numbers makes it perfect
i have the mib ii watch and like you, I sneered at the cheap Chinese dollar-store technology when I bought it. But I've used it for more than ten years and after getting over myself and my snobbish ways, I have to admit it's one of the best watches I own. Super comfortable. Keeps great time. The functions are few but useful. Less is more, sometimes. And the battery lasted for about 10 years before I had it replaced. So there you go. An honest, non-snobby review.
Superb video, thank you. I was considering a PSR but I didnt realise the crystal was clear! I have a box of old original led watches, and some of them still work. You've just inspired me to start wearing them.
I was interested in one of these, but I would rather have the original version. Thanks for sharing.
This is an amazing video! I was searching for an in depth comparison! Amazing! Thank you 🙏 Just bought the new PSR! Love it
You've provided the most in depth English vid on the MIB 2 watch on RUclips. Thanks
I feel the constant LCD display of the reissue is an almost perfect match in color and intensity as the visible epoxy cover of the module in the original. Not sure how intentional that was but a pretty clever way of splitting the difference between the two if it was
great review. amazing perception and detail. for example, i didn't know the modern PSR has a cost-cutting red cover and a lag when displaying the time.
I'm wearing my P4 Pulsar (1975) for the first time in almost 40 years. it's been in the box all this time. I had new batteries put in, and it lit up like a Christmas tree. It still looks like the future on your wrist.
Want to sell it?
Nope.
I still have my Pulsar p2 2900 that I purchased back in 72' or 73' I was working at McDonald's after high school graduation, it still works too. I did have to replace the clasp, but boy does it bring back memories!
You must have had to work there for years to afford one!
@@lapelcelery42 it was 395.00, I had a new 1973 Mustang Mach 1 and a apartment. I only worked there until 1976.
Great video, lots of technical detail. You clearly know your modern and vintage digital watches.
Excellent review.... Ive just bought one today £500 UK( bit pricey but....... what the heck)............ I own 2 x digital yema's gold and silver which I think for around £170 sterling each are excellent value
Great breakdown, thanks! I have the green matrix version and love it. Great build quality.
great Video- thank you- I own the PSR and I love this watch because its style is so unique, it has good workmanship and it is very comfortable to wear - Greetings from Germany
Could you do a video on the modifications? (Removing the LCD etc)
I can but it would be a 5 second video :)
Once you remove the module you need to pry the wafer display upwards slowly until two-sided tape releases the hold (not happy that they used tape instead of a simple notch in the plastic carrier or a retention clip). Once you lift the display all you have to do is to unclick one of the connecting strips as there are two for two displays. These are very common clips used in mobile phones nowadays.
@@crazywatches Please add a mod of oil filling to improve water resistance, like they do on Casios
@@ottohahn-herrera8618Didn't know that hydromodding is still a thing and I'm not into it anyway. The main purpose is not really water resistance but legibility for deep diving. This would not have much use or effect on an LED watch. Either way you're not supposed to activate buttons while under water.
The quality of the bracelet on the PSR is phenomenal. That’s where most of the cost is I believe. Good luck with your channel🤞
Great and interesting video, thanks. I had the original and for over 20 + years have regretted selling it. I bought this one last year. It's nice but not the same, and like you, would rather it had no LCD and the red crystal. The accuracy isn't as good as I was led to believe quartz should be these days. What tool do you use to remove the back, and how water-proof do they remain if we change the battery ourselves?
Thanks for the feedback. The quality is better than the Bulova Computron but definitely not Rolex quality, overall much better than the competition. I believe the Swiss Made designation has changed a few years back with a requirement to manufacture more of the watch in Switzerland including the case so that might be the reason behind overall better quality and price.
Caseback is standard and you can open it with a three-prong adjustable wrench or even a two-prong will work.
As long as you screw it back the same number of turns and make sure the gasket is properly seated then the water resistance will remain intact. Nevertheless this is not a scuba diver and the button is modern spring-loaded and not extremely waterproof nor can (should) it be pressed under water. The original one could.
Hi,
Great reaview, lots of wonderful details!
Can you confirm the behavior of the original P2 at midnight? Did it display 0:01 at one minute past midnight like the PSR does?
I personally really like the butterfly clasp and find the always-on LCD to be a very practical upgrade. It's cool to know the two displays have separate connectors though!
Thanks,
The reason for having a Hybrid LCD/OLED screen is to extend the battery life. You can read the time without tuning on the OLED layer of the screen. I’m sure Hamilton tried using a red crystal but you demonstrated that the LCD screen would be obscured.
Just ordered a new one today £480 delivered in UK, still around £700 in some places.... (Hamilton PSR)
good price !
Also, can you adjust the time once the LCD has been disabled?
Unfortunately not, they didn't consider that and setting only works in LCD mode.
Hello, I recently purchased the PSR and promptly scratched the brushed stainless case. I took it to a jeweler and he polished the watch case getting the scratch out, but ended up polishing the case to a mirror like finish, rather than keeping the brushed look. I am hoping I can remove the mechanism and the crystal and bring it back to original brushed finish. Is it easy to remove the digital module and also the sapphire crystal at home? Thank you so much for any help/suggestions,
The module falls right out after opening the back. However removing the crystal requires some baking in the oven for 10 minutes or so to release the glue.
@@crazywatches thank you
@@crazywatches Thank you, I meant to ask do you simply just put the watch case on a cookie sheet and bake it at a certain temp? And how to you reglue it? I really appreciate this. I've had to send watch back to Hamilton and they wanted 700 dollars to fix a scratch on the stainless. That's more than I paid for it. I found out I can use scotchbrite pad to fix and future scratches, but getting the crystal in and out is my concern.
Did you ever fit the red glass to the watch? It’s the only improvement I would make to this reissue.
I was thinking of selling the watch but should I keep it I'll definitely be swapping the glass crystal. Easy job with some heat in the oven and epoxy.
Dobry wieczor panie Piotrze adres do kontaku z intera jest aktualny ? Wyslalem wiadomosc
Best video o the PSR ever...is there a trick to show the time in 24h format?
AWESOME!!
Which MIB was it that they wore these? I only remember them wearing the Ventura in the first one.
MIB2 from 2002. The movie prop had the same P3 design but a blue OLED display.
Amazing video.
Yeah.the clear crystal stopped me purchasing one
Love this video.
Insane how a simple watch not even made of silver nor with added functionality can cost up to 1k dollars, this company needs to realize that the old watch costed so much because well it's decades old and was no longer being sold at the time, this doesn't mean a new release of said watch should be just as expensive, if anything it should LOWER the cost since it's no longer rare.
any guesses why do you think Hamilton didn't include the date on the new version? it's a no no for me
Well, it's a true representation of the original P2 which didn't show anything else except TIME. They easily could have added more functions for close to no additional cost.
@@crazywatches wish it had 24 hour time
Ruby red crystal and real LED. No 7 segmented numbers always on display. I rather have the Pulsar P2.
It's a real LED encapsuled in a wafer display and glued together with an LCD. A business trade off decision between the old and new.
That MIB watch was junk . . . completely unreadable under all conditions. The PSR looks cool, but I'm surprised that they used a clear crystal. The original filters were made of Pyrex by Corning Glass.
I own the original Pulsar after my father who received it as a gift. It's from 1973, gold plated and engraved on the cover. It still works and keeps time perfectly. To me, (on this video) the new Hamilton version looks like a cheap chinese clone. However, I have not seen one in real life, so I might be mistaken.
Must have original. It's "All, or nothing at all".
Gorgeous watch. Just looking to get one or two different versions of the same, but do not know where?
That mib is hideous especially on the inside
No different to a Casio module of a168 in negative is it .
@@bruh_oly1370 casio modules actually look much neater
You are paying the 1000,-$ for the design and name. Oh wait, you dont even get the name anymore!! Why not just take your 1000,-$ and get a near mint real vintage pulsar? Or do what I did: I got me a vintage almost mint Elektronika 1 for 165,-$ on ebay from Ukraine. And that Russian watch is even cooler than the Pulsar. -AND have the time and date displayed the “right way”😂 btw, there is two models of the Elektronika 1, the Terminator and the Porthole.
wow, this is the inside of $700 watch looks like, pathetic really
I have to say that you are the first to open up the PSR but I really think you have no idea about manufacturing process R & D costs or the difference between China and the rest of the world ..from your own video the R&D costs have to be recovered and the module is 100 % Swiss as is my guess the case .. the tech is superb and it's an insult of the ignorant to call it simple .. quality is visable and the life of this product will be years and years . Not months like most Chinese electronics ...Thanks for the vid but get real and accept the price is cheap for what it is and the tech is awesome with huge R&D ...how do I know ? I design this stuff for my own company and this is not made in china that's for sure and it's not simple or every hobbyist would be making them ..I despise the way the average person has no idea how much goes into what that buy
chill out , its probably made in china
Well, I have been repairing electronic watches for 20 years and have stumbled upon many "Swiss" watches assembled from Chinese parts. You'd have to study the evolution of the law about "Swiss Made". Many watches sold as Swiss are not made in Switzerland but merely assembled in Switzerland from Chinese and Swiss parts. The only thing that might be Swiss is the display wafer...but hey who knows, it might even be Chinese. Apple phones are made in China, are they made very poorly? Still, the minimum amount of electronic components and cheap assembly via double sided tape do not translate to a very pricey product. The only thing worth the money is the quality machined case and bracelet.
@@crazywatches it's all about inferior materials and false COC originating in China...316 stainless steel Is often not 316 at all spec is false and they habitually lie . QC in china is non existent .. I am an engineer that lived in china ..it's cultural and that will take generations to change ..by the way I phone 7 ...8 million out of the box faults in the opening weekend . Enough said
@@crazywatches R&D no matter where its done is the cost ...someone needs to pay... the Chinese steal designs and don't do it well.. I won't design stuff anymore without the payment to cover the cost ..why would I when the Chinese steal it ..badly . Electronics is cheap..design is a talent and design cost money who do you think should pay ? If no one pays nothing goes forward..the last product I designed cost 750k ..the retail cost was 1k the cost of manufacture was 200 usd and the cost going to R&D 300 per unit..that's 2500 units to get R&D back . Chinese copy it and sell it for 300 usd less . Thats the point
Ugly watches;!!
The best fckn review so far, thx!
Very interesting what 40 years later can offer ..But as a die hard LED watch collector i am not interested. Specially that some of my LED Pulsars are in Gold 10k and 14k . So the real deal ..