Sure, Ze White Rabbit's The Poor Man's Speedmaster post, below, got me to wondering what the rock bottom price for a watch equipped with the innovative VK63 mecha-quartz actually is.

As far as I can tell from my research, this model is the lowest (price) point of entry:

Pulsar World Rally chronograph

Model PU2005.

Princeton Watches has it for US $138.75 shipped. Seeing as how most retailers are asking roughly $50 more, I think that's a darned Good Deal. And given the great service I've personaly recieved from Princeton, and their excellent rep, I feel safe in vouching for them - You're safe as houses with Princeton!

However, the COTD Deal is at Kohl's, for US $129.99. Print the web ad and, in my experience, you can run down to your local store and they'll honor the price. And, yeah, I am willing to personally vouch for Kohl's. Wink

But wait! There's more! Laughing

There's an outfit called "Infinite Shopping" who's advertising this watch for an almost-too-good-to-be-true price of US $88.25! I am confused

They say it's in stock, too. You can find it HERE.

Now, let's be perfectly clear: I am not vouching for these guys! I have no personal experience with them whatsoever. However, I did research them a bit. Wink

One bloke over on WUS, Ljgarcia, bought a GW6900A from them, and he seems happy enough.

Their eFlay Feedback is a solid 99% out of 6673 total, at the time I checked.

And, finally, they have overall good reviews over on Reseller Ratings.com.

Again, not personally vouching for them

FYI, and FWIW...

Cheers!

-Ricky

Messages In This Thread

PSA Catch-Of-The-Day	Ricky Lee	218	November 22, 2011 02:26PM
Nice watch! (n/t)	IF	37	November 24, 2011 01:00AM
the ADD WIS in me was tempted Mostly by the dial, and uber cool half dials at 3 & 9, but all temptation evaporated with a 48mm case....whew dodged another	Cleans Up	52	November 22, 2011 05:12PM
Crikey! 48mm....and there I was in a state of temptation, now fizzled. Too big (n/t)	StefG	47	November 22, 2011 08:53PM
Think of it as "More watch for the money". (n/t)	Ricky Lee	45	November 22, 2011 10:18PM
Re: ..but all temptation evaporated with a 48mm case....whew dodged another Oops! Good call, mate! Yeah, I should have mentioned that this is one freakin' *big* watch! Still, I've got several in the 47mm-48mm range, and they're OK. And after having become acquainted with the Slide Rule Automatic 'Navitimer' homage, even 50mm no longer scares me. Quote Cleans Up Mostly by the dial, and uber cool half dials at 3 & 9.. Details which I find most attractive, too.	Ricky Lee	51	November 22, 2011 05:28PM
you are a man of extraordinary size tolerance! (n/t)	Cleans Up	44	November 22, 2011 05:36PM
And big wrists. (n/t)	Ricky Lee	43	November 22, 2011 06:01PM
Good job detective. Did you find anything on the Alba-Wired? That one really got to me All i could find is out of japan.	JP	51	November 22, 2011 04:28PM
Pretty much the same here. Quote JP All i could find is out of japan. Dunno about Japan. But the only sites that I found selling the Wired VK63-X002D were in Kanji. If you switch to "Show English results only", you get Ze White Rabbit's PMWF post. Period.	Ricky Lee	92	November 22, 2011 04:39PM
Man that White Rabbit got us all wind up (n/t)	JP	44	November 22, 2011 06:14PM
He did at that! (n/t)	Ricky Lee	44	November 22, 2011 06:41PM
Looks good (n/t)	sharkfin	47	November 22, 2011 02:53PM
That one looks pretty cool - very tempting (n/t)	Micha	49	November 22, 2011 02:43PM
Well order one up so I can see if these InfiniteShopping blokes are legit! Somebody! 'tis the least y'all can do, seeing as I did the research.	Ricky Lee	176	November 22, 2011 03:17PM
Yeah sure, problem is, I'm saving my Pennies for a "higher" cause (n/t)	Micha	47	November 22, 2011 03:26PM
Dang. Well, I tried. I don't mind admittin' I'm havin' a heck of a time resisting!	Ricky Lee	55	November 22, 2011 04:26PM

- World Rally chronograph

December 12, 2011 06:44PM

Sure this is a Seiko VK63-engined Pulsar, which you've recently seen HERE, HERE and HERE. Bit of a story behind the purchase. As a general rule I'm fine with purchasing watches based on photos and online research alone. But as Miss Pam had a Kohl's trip planned for Black Friday in any case, I accompanied her in the hopes that I'd get a chance to see the watches "in the flesh", as it were. And, sure enough, to my delight our local Kohl's had both the PU2005 and PU2007 behind the counter (at US $129.99 and $139.99, respectively). Side-by-side comparison, stock photos:

Pulsar World Rally chronographs

I got to say, I'm mighty glad I had the chance to "test drive" them before I committed. See, based on online research alone, I was leaning heavily towards the PU2007. However, after handling them back-to-back, it was the PU2005 that pulled me heartstrings. The bright yellow rehaut ring combined with jumbo size conspired to make the PU2007 a little showy for my tastes, seeming to shout "Look at me!" just a wee bit too loudly. Such was my regard for the PU2005 that I was tempted to whip out the plastic then and there. But in the end the 36% discount (a $50.10 total savings, including tax) available at InfiniteShopping proved irresistible. So after thanking the saleslady for her time I took my leave. Mind you, she wasn't real happy. It was plain as day that I loved both watches, and she was quite obviously banking on a sale. Wink

Back at home I wasted no time in "pulling the trigger". And before we go any further, let me share my experience with InfiniteShopping. Now, while I did research them in some depth, and the reviews were overwhelmingly positive, there were a couple of troublesome negatives. So I knew full well that I was taking a bit of a chance. Given that, I am happy to report that everything went A-OK. Thumbs up!

The webfront interface was user-friendly and painless, I recieved a prompt and detailed confirmation of my order, and the shipment confirmation (including tracking number) was likewise timely and detailed. The item was packaged well, included OEM box and papers, and arrived in fine fettle. That being said, there is one thing that needs to be clear up front: If you're in a hurry, or are the impatient sort, InfiniteShopping may not be for you. I ordered the watch on Friday Nov. 25, and it shipped on Monday Dec. 5. Conjecture here, but I'm pretty certain that InfiniteShopping does not operate on a "warehouse" business model, but is more of a "drop shipper". IOW they don't have any inventory on hand. Rather, when they receive a paid order then they place an order with their wholesaler. To be fair, this shipping delay is explicitly mentioned in the Terms Of Sale, and my watch shipped well within the "6 to 8 working days" they specify. But, of course, all this is buried in The Fine Print, and would be very easy to overlook. Still, the turnaround was a bit faster than ordering a watch from Asia. And considering the $50+ that I saved, I have no problem at all with the modest wait. Sure InfiniteShopping gets an unqualified two-thumbs-up from me.. just be aware that you won't get your watch overnight. Smile

So. Enough o' that. Let's have a Real Photo!

Pulsar World Rally chronograph

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
The watch arrived on 9 December (this is the one that was "Processed through" the 38199 Sort facility three times Crazy! Loco!

), and it's been on me wrist pretty much non-stop ever since. While the photos show it on the OEM leather, I've since swapped on a black 22mm G10 NATO, in order to facilitate dual-wristing with my other recent additions. Smile

A word about that OEM leather, though...

Pulsar World Rally chronograph

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
Not only is it of decent quality, it is - wonder of wonders! - plenty long enough to fit me ankle-sized wrist! With two holes to spare! WooHOO!

All SS, the case is 44mm w/o crown x 50mm x 12.6mm thick, with 22mm lugs. Note that most sellers (every seller that I looked at, I think) list this watch as 48mm. That is incorrect! It's not quite 48mm even with crown. Mind you, it's pretty much "all dial", so it looks perhaps a bit bigger on-the-wrist than the 44mm w/o crown figure might lead you to believe. But, for me at least, it has proven eminently comfortable.

Pulsar World Rally chronograph

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
The downturned lugs contribute to the wearability, and it's a nice clean side profile all around. The business side..

Pulsar World Rally chronograph

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
..is even better! The crown and pushers are superbly finished and the red accents add just the right touch Thumbs up!

The crown is a conventional push/pull, not screwdown.

Pulsar World Rally chronograph

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
The central chrono seconds steps at 5-beats-per-second, and is very reminiscent of a mechanical chrono. The sub-dial at 3 o'clock is a (slaved) 24-hour indicator. The sub-dial at 6 o'clock is running seconds, which steps in 1-beat-per-second intervals. At 9 o'clock is the minute totalizer. This chronograph is capable of timing a 1-hour interval, max. If you attempt to go beyond that, at 1:00:00 the chrono will simply stop running.

Pulsar World Rally chronograph

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
The caseback is a screwdown, and is simply but nicely finished. It's also..

Pulsar World Rally chronograph

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
..of a much heavier gauge than usual, with a second "flange" on the ID.

And that brings us to the movement. Smile

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
Now, much has been written about the VK63 being a quartz-mechanical hybrid, a so-called "mecha-quartz". But it looks like an utterly conventional quartz movement, huh? What gives? Well.. this is partly conjecture, partly educated guess, but I think it is an utterly conventional quartz movement! If the chrono train is mechanical, as some say, the looks surely don't give it away. Sure, looks can be deceiving. But the user manual also contains the usual disclaimer that battery life will depend on chrono usage.. that wouldn't apply with a mechanical chrono train. The technical/service manual should answer the question one way or the other but, alas, I am having no luck finding it.

But, you say, "If the VK63 is purely a quartz module, how and why did the Mecha-Quartz misconception arise?" Well, simply put, it's the "instant zero reset", I think. When the chrono is reset, the hands snap back to zero vs. "gliding" to zero like the average quartz chrono. Yes, it looks and feels for all the world like a mechanical chrono. Add in the 18,000 A/h beat of the chrono seconds, and it's easy to see how the rumor arose. For I'm pretty darned sure that rumor it is.

If rumor it is, then am I disappointed? Well.. yes and no. On the one hand, I have no problem at all with a purely quartz chrono. And, if nothing else, the "instant zero reset" assures the tactile feedback I prize in a chrono. OTOH, if Seiko's intent was to mimic a mechanical chrono as closely as possible, I wish they'd left off the running seconds at 6 o'clock entirely! As Miyota did with the OS21, making it a 2-register. Or, even better, leave it a 3-register and replace running seconds with an hour totalizer, preferably one capable of recording at least a 12-hour interval. Just wishful thinking here, mind! Again, it's a fine chronograph just the way it is.

Edit; 2012-01-09 addendum: Please ignore the above paragraph(s). Blushing

I have since learned that the VK63 (and 6T63) are indeed true Méca-Quartz movements. Please see this update for more info. {end of edit}

One thing that should please everyone is..

Pulsar World Rally chronograph

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
..the lume. Stout stuff! Though not as long lasting as some, it certainly pops initially, and does remain readable for several hours.

And..

Pulsar World Rally chronograph

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
..it certainly wears Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr8! WIS Honeymoon

All in all a solid chrono, and a superb value at the price. I recommend the PU2005 highly, with the one caveat that you should buy it for they Rally styling and solid value, not expecting the movement to be some exotic (mythical?) "mecha-quartz". Wink

Thanks for readin' y'all!

Cheers!

-Ricky

"A man, like a watch, is to be valued for his manner of going." - William Penn

Messages In This Thread

- World Rally chronograph	Ricky Lee	885	December 12, 2011 06:44PM
Cool watch Ricky! I like that dial & chrono buttons! Congrats! (n/t)	Timemiser	33	December 13, 2011 11:16PM
Great review once again! >>> I'm glad you finally got that 'mecha-quartz' thing figured out. Awhile ago I noticed that Techne was going to use this movement in there next chrono, so immediately, I went on a search to see what a 'mecha-quartz' chrono would look like on the inside, and of course, I found absolutely nothing. So thanks for the pic!	Need_Omega	41	December 13, 2011 02:35PM
Re: I'm glad you finally got that 'mecha-quartz' thing figured out. Well.. not Rocket Science, after all. As has been pointed out to me via eMail, the most obvious indication went right over me head. If the chrono train is truly mechanical, where's the winding mechanism? Obviously it's no auto, and it doesn't handwind either. Ergo it is a quartz chrono. Period.	Ricky Lee	67	December 13, 2011 07:09PM
That went right over my head as well, as you can see (n/t)	Need_Omega	26	December 13, 2011 07:52PM
cool chrono Like the lugs & pushers, appropriately 'sporty' (n/t)	Ethan_Mack	26	December 13, 2011 11:26AM
Looks great. Congratulations Ricky. (n/t)	Mark C.	28	December 13, 2011 07:35AM
Thanks Bro. Mark! (n/t)	Ricky Lee	24	December 13, 2011 08:11AM
That is a great chrono , Ricky and a good deal in my opinion! Enjoy it!	IF	41	December 13, 2011 02:26AM
Bro. Yannis! I am enjoying it, I assure you!	Ricky Lee	24	December 13, 2011 05:51AM
Great review, Ricky Interesting that the chrono seconds moves in 1/5 incrments. Your chrono secs is @ 12 ...where the catalog photo looks like it needs to be re-indexed. Interesting watch!	Nuvolari	42	December 13, 2011 12:15AM
Re: ...where the catalog photo looks like it needs to be re-indexed. I noticed that, too. And this could be a potential weak point of the VK63 / 6T63.. there is one report on WUS, HERE, of a 6T63 which intermittently misaligns upon chrono reset. Mind you, I hesitate to put too much store in one single problem report. And thankfully, as you say, mine resets perfectly. {knocks on wood} So far... Quote Nuvolari Interesting watch! One detail which I forgot to mention.. the outermost lume pip, the "double pip" at 12, is actually painted onto the inside of the crystal itself, and thus sort of "hangs in space". A neat effect which adds one more plane of focus to what's already a many-layered face...	Ricky Lee	31	December 13, 2011 05:49AM
Looks good > The equivalent of Seiko 6T63? Have to say I like the strap better than the watch but I've never been an analog quartz chrono fan.	Adam in NYC	59	December 12, 2011 11:28PM
Re: The equivalent of Seiko 6T63? Yup, it's the same movement. Quote Adam in NYC Have to say I like the strap better than the watch.. And here I've already swapped on a NATO. But, yeah, the strap is one factor that convinced me to go for it. Not only for being of decent quality, but for being an XXL that actually fits me. Another big advantage of the Kohl's "test drive"... Quote Adam in NYC ..but I've never been an analog quartz chrono fan. Really? I hadn't noticed...	Ricky Lee	624	December 13, 2011 05:31AM
Congrats Ricky! I saw from the Techne website that Seiko >>> obviously has a backlog with the VK63	Reto	55	December 12, 2011 10:47PM
Re: ..obviously has a backlog with the VK63 Ah! I hadn't noticed the delay.. Thanks boss!	Ricky Lee	102	December 13, 2011 05:25AM
Congrats, not too shabby of a pickup! Dial seems busy-ish with the trim rings around the subdials, but still looks decent. Looks like a fine piece!	Dre	35	December 12, 2011 09:42PM
Re: Dial seems busy-ish with the trim rings around the subdials.. The fact that they're partial rings with double-ended hands concerned me more. Not the easiest to read, initially. But after playing with it a few minutes it became quite intuitive. They could still be viewed as "form over function", I think.. but, still, I quite enjoy the effect.	Ricky Lee	28	December 13, 2011 05:19AM

PSA Catch-Of-The-Day

PSA Catch-Of-The-Day

Nice watch! (n/t)

the ADD WIS in me was tempted

Crikey! 48mm....and there I was in a state of temptation, now fizzled. Too big (n/t)

Think of it as "More watch for the money". (n/t)

Re: ..but all temptation evaporated with a 48mm case....whew dodged another

you are a man of extraordinary size tolerance! (n/t)

And big wrists. (n/t)

Good job detective. Did you find anything on the Alba-Wired? That one really got to me

Pretty much the same here.

Man that White Rabbit got us all wind up (n/t)

He did at that! (n/t)

Looks good (n/t)

That one looks pretty cool - very tempting (n/t)

Well order one up so I can see if these InfiniteShopping blokes are legit!

Yeah sure, problem is, I'm saving my Pennies for a "higher" cause (n/t)

Dang. Well, I tried.

- World Rally chronograph

- World Rally chronograph

Cool watch Ricky! I like that dial & chrono buttons! Congrats! (n/t)

Great review once again! >>>

Re: I'm glad you finally got that 'mecha-quartz' thing figured out.

That went right over my head as well, as you can see (n/t)

cool chrono Like the lugs & pushers, appropriately 'sporty' (n/t)

Looks great. Congratulations Ricky. (n/t)

Thanks Bro. Mark! (n/t)

That is a great chrono , Ricky and a good deal in my opinion! Enjoy it!

Bro. Yannis!

Great review, Ricky Interesting that the chrono seconds moves in 1/5 incrments. Your chrono secs is @ 12

Re: ...where the catalog photo looks like it needs to be re-indexed.

Looks good >

Re: The equivalent of Seiko 6T63?

Congrats Ricky! I saw from the Techne website that Seiko >>>

Re: ..obviously has a backlog with the VK63

Congrats, not too shabby of a pickup!

Re: Dial seems busy-ish with the trim rings around the subdials..