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SMITHS NATO Watch - PRS-40

Earlier this year I was contacted by the Italian designer Giovanni Moro who said he had an idea for a new watch and he sent me some design pictures. I initially thought it was interesting but not for me. Over the next few weeks I kept returning to the pictures and began to like it more and more which led me to discussing the watch with the designer and reaching an agreement whereby I could licence his design and manufacture the watch under my own brand name.

Some changes were made to the original specifications which made it more manufacturing friendly and a new movement was sourced as the original movement was quite small and more suited to a women's watch. This is the original concept:

When the decision was made to proceed with the watch, an application was submitted to the Ministry of Defence for a NATO Stock Number (NSN). The application was successful and it was allocated 6645-99-994-7232.

Like all Time Factors watches all of the components used are manufactured specifically for this watch (except for the movement), stock components are not used.

 

MODEL Smiths NATO Watch PRS-40
CASE
 
Material
316L stainless steel, bead blasted
Dimensions
40.2mm across the centre of the case, 27.7mm wide at the lugs
Lug to lug height
53.1mm
Thickness
8.4mm to the top of the crystal
Lug spacing
22mm
Anti-magnetic
4,800 A/m
Water resistance
100 metres/330 feet
Weight
55 grammes (head only)
Features
Screw back
DIAL
 
Colour
Semi-matte black with luminous hour markers
Luminous
SuperLuminova C3
HANDS
 
Style
Skeleton hands, luminous filled (also known as ladder hands)
Luminous
SuperLuminova C3
CRYSTAL
 
Type
Flat sapphire with anti-reflective coating on the underside. 30.4mm x 1.4mm
MOVEMENT
 
Calibre
ISA (Swiss) quartz movement 331.103, 5 jewels. 371 silver oxide battery (5 years) with EOL indicator
BRACELET
22mm grey NATO

 

Supplied in a 2-watch zipper travel case with 24 months guarantee.

Gallery

 

Product ref:  SMITHS NATO Watch- PRS-40 - £195
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SMITHS Vintage - PRS-35

This is the sister watch to the cushion cased PRS-36 below. Based on an original 1950s design, this watch is sutable for either a man or a woman.

Like all Time Factors watches all of the components used are manufactured specifically for this watch (except for the movement), stock components are not used.

MODEL Smiths Vintage PRS-35
CASE
 
Material
316L stainless steel, all polished
Diameter
38mm
Lug to lug height
46.5mm
Thickness
10.4mm to the top of the crystal
Lug spacing
20mm
Anti-magnetic
4,800 A/m
Water resistance
50 metres/165 feet
Weight
55 grammes including strap
Features
Screw view back (K1 glass)
DIAL
 
Colour
Brushed silver
Luminous
No luminous
HANDS
 
Style
Blued plain hands
Luminous
No luminous
CRYSTAL
 
Type
Double-domed bombé sapphire with anti-reflective coating on the underside. 35mm x 1.4mm
MOVEMENT
 
Calibre
Peseux 7040 (Swiss Made) decorated with Geneva stripes, 17 jewels hand-winding running at 21.600 BPH
BRACELET
Black half-quilted leather strap with signed buckle

 

Supplied in a 2-watch zipper travel case with 24 months guarantee.

Gallery

 

Product ref:  SMITHS Vintage - PRS-35 - £395
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SMITHS Vintage Cushion Case- PRS-36

I've received many requests for a smaller watch in the vintage style and this style has always been a personal favourite. A clean and simple watch which does nothing more than tell the time and slim enough to slip under any cuff, it can be worn for casual or formal occasions.

Although the case measures only 37mm across, excluding the crown), it wears more like a 40mm watch because of the square shape but is only 10.5mm thick to the top of the bombé sapphire crystal.

Like all Time Factors watches all of the components used are manufactured specifically for this watch (except for the movement), stock components are not used.

MODEL Smiths Vintage Cushion Case PRS-36
CASE
 
Material
316L stainless steel, all polished
Diameter
37mm cushion case
Lug to lug height
44.8mm
Thickness
10.5mm to the top of the crystal
Lug spacing
20mm
Anti-magnetic
4,800 A/m
Water resistance
50 metres/165 feet
Weight
60 grammes including strap
Features
Screw view back (K1 glass)
DIAL
 
Colour
Brushed silver with luminous hour markers
Luminous
SuperLuminova C3
HANDS
 
Style
Vintage style skeleton hands, luminous filled
Luminous
SuperLuminova C3
CRYSTAL
 
Type
Double-domed bombé sapphire with anti-reflective coating on the underside. 32.5mm x 1.4mm
MOVEMENT
 
Calibre
Peseux 7040 (Swiss Made) decorated with Geneva stripes, 17 jewels hand-winding running at 21.600 BPH
BRACELET
Black half-quilted leather strap with signed buckle

 

Supplied in a 2-watch zipper travel case with 24 months guarantee.

Gallery

 

Product ref:  SMITHS Vintage Cushion Case - PRS-36 - £395
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PRECISTA ROYAL NAVY DIVER RE-EDITION - PRS-82

The Precista Royal Navy diver is arguably the rarest of all British issued dive watches, being issued in 1981 and 1982 only. The stock number is 0552/923-7697 which curiously, was also the number used on Rolex and CWC issued divers around this time. I have seen only two examples offered for sale in the last 12 months and both commanded a price in excess of £2,000. Hardly Milsub prices but nonetheless, higher than anyone would have thought possible a few years ago.

Apart from the asymmetrical case, the most distinctive feature of this model is the hands; the hands have two familiar names, one of them is "snake head" hands and you'll have to use Google for the other name ;-)

11

This re-edition uses the same ETA movement as the original, the ETA2783 25 jewel automatic. These are new old stock movements which have been cleaned, lubricated and adjusted in August 2013. The luminous is the same "vintage lume" used on the dials of the Precista PRS-20 California dial.

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MODEL
PRECISTA ROYAL NAVY DIVER PRS-82
CASE
Material
316L stainless steel, brushed finish
Diameter
Bezel 40mm, 45mm across including crown
Lug to lug height
47mm
Thickness 14mm to the top of the bombé crystal
Lug spacing 20mm
Anti-magnetic
4800 A/m
Water resistance
200 metres
Weight
98 grammes with strap and buckle
Features
Screw back, screw down crown, unidirectional 120 click bezel
DIAL
Colour
Semi-matte black
Luminous
Hour markers SuperLuminova "vintage lume"
Day/Date
N/A
HANDS
Style
Snake head style with white frame, luminous filled
Luminous
SuperLuminova "vintage lume"
CRYSTAL
3mm domed sapphire, A/R coating underside
MOVEMENT
ETA 2783 25 jewel automatic running at 21,600 BPH with Incabloc shock protection
BATTERY
N/A
STRAP
Period style silicone rubber strap with signed stainless steel buckle, brushed finish.

The PRS-82 is guaranteed for 2 years.

 

Gallery

 

 

 

Product ref:  Precista Royal Navy Diver - PRS-82
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PRECISTA BRONZE WATCH - PRS-30

This watch was conceived during a forum discussion from June 2008. Several designs were put forward before finally deciding on this one and during the discussion it was suggested that this shouldbe a bronze watch. Had it been possible to source the correct grade of bronze at the time, the PRS-30 woujld have been one of the first bronze watches available. In the event, sourcing a (comparatively) small quantity of bronze proved difficult until a supplier who was prepared to supply it in kilos, rather than tonnes, was located in Switzerland.

One of the main appeals of bronze watches is the way in which the case slowly oxidises and changes colour to a rich chocolate brown, in the same way as bronze works of art patinate. Of course the natural bronze colour can be maintained if preferred by gentle polishing or wiping with a mildly acidic liquid (Coca-Cola is recommended by some). Patination will not initially be uniform across the entire case although this can be accelerated by using any of the methods to be found by conducting a "Google" search.

The thumbnails below show some of the design suggestions posted during the discussions. Thanks to Chris Parker for his design shown on the right, the design which went forward for production.

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The watch has a 33mm visible dial, which is of two-layer sandwich construction with a dark brown/charcoal dial and SuperLuminova C3 coating on the under-dial showing through the numbers and indices cut-outs. The domed sapphire crystal is 2.2mm thick and has anti-relective coating to the underside. The 12-pointed star crown (unique to this watch) measures 4.5mm high by 7mm across and is signed with the Precista "P" ambigram. The hands are black frame with SuperLuminova C3 filled tips; the end of the seconds hand is also luminous coated.

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MODEL
PRECISTA BRONZE WATCH PRS-30
CASE
Material
Bronze alloy C6300 CuAl10Ni5Fe4, brushed finish with stainless steel back
Diameter
42mm, 46mm across including crown
Lug to lug height
49mm
Thickness 12mm to the top of domed crystal
Lug spacing 24mm
Anti-magnetic
4800 A/m
Water resistance
100 metres
Weight
112 grammes with strap and buckle
Features
Screw back
DIAL
Colour
Semi-matte dark brown/charcoal, sandwich dial construction
Luminous
Hour markers SuperLuminova C3
Day/Date
Date window at 4:30 position
HANDS
Style
Black frame, luminous tipped
Luminous
SuperLuminova C3
CRYSTAL
2.2mm domed sapphire, A/R coating underside
MOVEMENT
ETA 2824-2 "Top" grade 25 jewel automatic running at 28,800 BPH with quickset date and Incabloc
BATTERY
N/A
STRAP
Hand-made thick leather (very soft) one black and one brown and one signed bronze buckle

The PRS-30 bronze watch is packed in a Peli case and comes with two hand-made leather straps, one signed bronze buckle and is guaranteed for 2 years.

Please make a note in the "Comments" box on the order whether you want the black or brown strap fitting to the watch.

Gallery

 

 

Product ref:  Precista Bronze Watch- PRS-30
Available from Tuesday 13 August 2013


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SMITHS 200 metre Automatic Diver - PRS-68

This watch pays homage to a design which wil be instantly recognised by the majority of watch aficionados world-wide. If you are lucky enough to own an original, chances are you rarely wear it for fear of damaging it even though it's your favourite watch. It's surprising that this design first appeared 45 years ago and whilst it may be considered unusual or even "quirky", it looks just as modern today as it did then.

As with all Time Factors homages, there are a few improvements:

  • Water resistance improved to 200 metres.
  • Screw-down crown replaces bayonet locking crown.
  • Sapphire crystal to replace original mineral crystal.
  • Lug spacing increase to 20mm to enable a greater variety of straps to be fitted.
  • Movement uprated to hi-beat (Miyota 9015).
  • Quality stainless steel bracelet with solid end links.

Like all Time Factors watches all of the components used are manufactured specifically for this watch (except for the movement), stock components are not used.

images/PRS68/prs68.jpg

images/PRS68/ors68-2.jpg

MODEL Smiths 200 metre Automatic Diver PRS-68
CASE
 
Material
316L stainless steel, brushed top with polished sides
Diameter
44.5mm
Lug to lug height
47mm
Thickness
12.4mm to the top of the crystal
Lug spacing
20mm
Anti-magnetic
4,800 A/m
Water resistance
20ATM/200 metres/660 feet
Weight
180 grammes including bracelet, 113 grammes on "waffle" strap
Features
Screw back, screw down crown, Viton case back seals, bi-directional rotating bezel with ball-bearing "click"
DIAL
 
Colour
Black with applied indices and white printed minute track
Luminous
Applied indices and bezel pearl SuperLuminova C3
HANDS
 
Style
Bevelled rectangular, polished steel
Luminous
SuperLuminova C3
CRYSTAL
 
Type
Flat sapphire with bevelled edge and anti-reflective coating on the underside. 32mm x 3.2mm x 1.8mm
MOVEMENT
 
Calibre
Miyota 9015, 24 jewel automatic, 28,800 BPH
BRACELET
Solid link stainless steel with screwed links and solid end links and signed clasp

Supplied in a Peli case with "waffle strap, watch leaflet and 24 months guarantee.

Gallery

 

Product ref:  SMITHS 200 metre Automatic Diver - PRS-68 - £485
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PRECISTA "ITALIAN" CALIFORNIA DIAL - PRS-20C

Due to popular demand the California dial version of the Precista "Italian" is now available . This is not a limited edition.

The watch has a wonderfully large 37.4mm visible dial, which is of two-layer sandwich construction with a semi-matte black dial and vintage lume (Super Luminova base) coating on the under-dial showing through the numbers and indices cut-outs. The domed sapphire crystal is1.5mm thick and has anti-relective coating to the underside. The diamond-shape crown measures 5mm high by 8mm across and is signed with the Precista "P". The hands are gilt frame with vintage lume (Super Luminova base) filling.

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timefactors watches

MODEL
PRECISTA ITALIAN CALIFORNIA DIAL PRS-20
CASE
Material
316L stainless steel, polished
Diameter
44mm, 48.5mm across including crown
Lug to lug height
50.7mm
Thickness 11.2mm to the top of domed crystal
Lug spacing 24mm
Anti-magnetic
4800 A/m
Water resistance
100 metres
Weight
100 grammes with strap
Features
Screw back
DIAL
Colour
Semi-matte black, sandwich dial construction
Luminous
Hour markers vintage lume (Super Luminova base)
Day/Date
None
HANDS
Style
Gilt frame, luminous filled
Luminous
Vintage lume (Super Luminova base)
CRYSTAL
1.5mm domed sapphire, A/R coating underside
MOVEMENT
ETA (Unitas) 17 jewel hand winding, calibre 6497/8-1 (18,000 BPH).
BATTERY
N/A
STRAP
Custom Banda ostrich grain calf leather. Signed buckle.

The Italian is guaranteed for two years.

Gallery

Product ref:  Precista Italian California Dial - PRS-20C
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PRECISTA CZECH AIR FORCE - PRS-9

If you've been following Time Factors watches since the beginning, this one will be familiar to you. It first hit the drawing board in 2003 but techical problems delayed it for so long it was put back on the shelf until 2009, when the design and revised specification were given to another company, who overcame the original difficulties and produced what is a superb watch. At least one manufacturer boasts that it (only) takes a year to make their watches ;-).

It would have been easy enough to make the watch without the rotating bezel with pointer under the crystal but this is such an important part of the watch that I wasn't prepared to omit this important feature. The watches to which the PRS-9 pay homage had little or no water resistance, arguably because if you need water resistance in an aircraft, your watch is the least of your worries. Because the crystal rotates with the bezel, it was difficult to achieve any water resistance at all and the fact that the PRS-9 is water resistant to 30 metres is no small design achievement.

MOVEMENT

The PRS-9 is fitted with a new old stock AS1130 movement, one of the calibres popularly known as a "Wehrmacht" movement. Swiss made with 17 jewels, running at 18,000 BPH and with a power reserve of 41 hours. All movements have been stripped, cleaned, inspected, oiled and regulated in 2012.

STRAP

The strap supplied with the PRS-9 is a custom strap made in a style contemporary with those which would have been fitted in 1938. The original straps would have been cut-edge thick leather but the strap on the PRS-9 has been made from soft glove leather supplied by Pittards tannery in Somerset, England. Pittards was founded in 1826, you can read more of their history here . A roller buckle is fitted, as is a fixed metal keeper plus a floating leather keeper and screwed "rivets". All steel hardware has been bronzed (hardware on the original straps would have been painted).

This watch is made in Germany.

timefactors watches

MODEL
PRECISTA CZECH AIR FORCE - PRS-9
CASE
Material
316L stainless steel, polished
Diameter
41mm, 44mm across including crown
Lug to lug height
51.5mm
Thickness 13.7mm to top of crystal
Lug spacing 24mm
Anti-magnetic
4800 A/m
Water resistance
30 metres
Weight
95 grammes with strap
Features
Friction bidirectional bezel with pointer
DIAL
Colour
Semi-matte black
Luminous
Hour numbers Super Luminova C3
Day/Date
None
HANDS
Style
Squelette hands, luminous filled
Luminous
Super Luminova C3
CRYSTAL
Hi-dome acrylic
MOVEMENT
AS1130 "Wehrmacht" movement, 17 jewels Swiss Made
BATTERY
N/A
STRAP
Custom strap in contemporary style

Supplied on a custom Pittards leather strap, in Aero Leather pouch and wooden box, with 24 months guarantee.

Gallery

Product ref:  Precista Czech Air Force - PRS-9
Sold out

SMITHS EVEREST- PRS-25

Almost everyone is familiar with the name of one of the watches which was worn by Hillary and Tensing when they reached the summit of Everest in 1953 but fewer people realise that the other watch was a Smiths, as shown in the 1953 advert below.

smiths

Of course, the Smiths of 2011 looks nothing like the Smiths of 1953 but it is a reminder that a British watch accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary on that historic climb.

The PRS-25 is the first Time Factors watch to use the new Miyota 9015 automatic movement. Miyota is a division of Citizen, the largest manufacturer of movements in the world and the 9015 has been compared most favourably with the ETA2892-2.

Like all Time Factors watches, the case has been designed and manufactured from scratch; stock cases are not used.

smiths

smiths

The hi-dome acrylic crystal is perfectly shaped and 2.5mm thick; the solid stainless steel bracelet tapers from 22mm to 20mm at the clasp and has half links to ensure adjustment for a perfect fit.

MODEL Smiths Everest PRS-25
CASE
 
Material
316L stainless steel, brushed top with polished sides
Diameter
40mm, 44mm including crown
Lug to lug height
49.8mm
Thickness
14.5mm to the top of the hi-dome crystal
Lug spacing
22mm
Anti-magnetic
4,800 A/m
Water resistance
10ATM/100 metres/330 feet
Weight
165 grammes including bracelet
Features
Screw back, screw down crown, drilled lugs
DIAL
 
Colour
Black with white printed minute track
Luminous
Triangle, numbers and indices SuperLuminova C3
HANDS
 
Style
Mercedes hands, polished steel
Luminous
SuperLuminova C3
CRYSTAL
 
Type
Hi-dome acrylic , 34.6mm diameter x 2.5mm thick
MOVEMENT
 
Calibre
Miyota 9015, 24 jewel automatic, 28,800 BPH
BRACELET
Solid link stainless steel with screwed links and solid end links and signed clasp

Supplied in a single-watch travelling case with 24 months guarantee.

Gallery

Product ref:  SMITHS EVEREST - PRS-25 - £235
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