It's hard to believe that it's almost seven years since the PRS-1 Speedbird was launched. It was an instant success and examples of the PRS-1 now command in excess of the original selling price, when they can be found.

Although it quickly sold out, many people stated that they did not buy it because it didn't have a date and so, in 2002, the Speedbird II was launched in both black and ivory dial versions with a date.

Just 38 pieces of the "Goldbird" were sold with a choice of three different dials.

• 2001 - Speedbird PRS-1 introduced - 300 pieces
• 2002 - Speedbird II PRS-7 introduced - 300 pieces total (black and ivory dials available)
• 2003 - "Goldbird" introduced - 38 pieces total (3 dial designs available)

The new Speedbird III has been in planning, design and production for three years and is the highest specification of all the Speedbirds with an anti-magnetic rating of 80,000 A/m, superb stainless steel bracelet, tested for negative pressure to 0.4 ATM (to stop the crystal "popping" at altitude) and the crown tube is screwed into the case exactly as found on watches costing many times more.

Although not an official limited edition and not numbered as such, only the first 50 pieces were supplied with the chronometer version of the ETA2824-2 and can be identified by serial numbers in the range 08050001 to 08050050

MODEL	SPEEDBIRD III - PRS-22
CASE
Material	316L stainless steel, brushed finish
Diameter	39mm, 42.6mm including crown
Lug to lug height	46mm
Anti-magnetic	80000 A/m with anti-magnetic movement cover and movement retaining ring
Water resistance	100 metres, also negative pressure tested to 0.4 ATM
Weight	165 grammes including steel bracelet
Features	Screw back, crown tube screwed into case (not pressed), unique serial number
DIAL
Colour	Semi-matte black soft iron anti-magnetic
Luminous	Hour markers, triangle at 12 Super Luminova C3
Day/Date	Date at 6 o'clock
HANDS
Style	Frosted silver , luminous filled
Luminous	Super Luminova C3
CRYSTAL	Domed sapphire with anti-reflective on underside
MOVEMENT	ETA2824-2 25 jewel automatic with Nivarox hairspring and Glucydur balance, adjusted in 4 positions.
BATTERY	N/A
STRAP	Stainless steel bracelet with custom fitted solid end links and centre clasp;screwed links for adjustment.

The first 50 Speedbird III were supplied with:

• Speedbird NATO strap.
• One two-watch travel case from Banda.

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Finding a 100% original "grail" watch can be a minefield for collectors. The chance of buying a total fake or a marriage of two or more watches is greater than finding a totally original example. The Precista homages do not pretend to be original but they do have the look and feel of the originals, almost always with superior specification, construction and materials.

The PRS-50 has a 26mm visible dial with Super Luminova indices. The flat sapphire crystal is 4.13mm thick and has anti-relective coating to the underside. The domed crown measures 4.5mm high by 6mm diameter. The hands are painted white with Super Luminova filling. The bezel insert is domed acrylic and the bezel markers are luminous.

The movement is a new old stock AS2063, as fitted to this type of watch in the 1975 model, and the movements have been fully serviced and regulated.

MODEL	PRECISTA PRS-50 Limited edition
CASE
Material	316L stainless steel, polished
Diameter	42mm, 45mm across including crown
Lug to lug height	50mm
Thickness	11.5mm to the top of the domed crystal
Lug spacing	24mm
Anti-magnetic	4800 A/m
Water resistance	200 metres
Weight	130 grammes with strap
Features	Screw down crown, screw back
DIAL
Colour	Semi-matte black
Luminous	Hour markers Super Luminova C3
Day/Date	Date at 3 (quickset)
HANDS
Style	White painted, luminous filled
Luminous	Super Luminova C3
CRYSTAL	4.13mm flat sapphire, A/R coating underside
MOVEMENT	New old stock17 jewel AS2063 automatic movement with quickset date and direct centre seconds, non-hacking. Running at 21,600 BPH (3 Hz), Trishock shock resistance.
BATTERY	N/A
STRAP	1970s retro-style rubber strap

The PRS-50 Limited Edition is guaranteed for two years and will be supplied with:

• Two 1970s retro-style rubber straps (one strap fitted to watch).
• One watch travel case from Banda.

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This started as a project during 2005 but initially presented technical difficulties to achieve 100 metres water resistance combined with a screw down crown and a hand winding movement. Following a visit to Walter Fricker in February 2006, these difficulties were discussed and solutions found. It was during this visit that I saw some Unitas movements from Soprod which convinced me that this shouldn't be just a special watch, it should be a very special watch. Despite the considerable extra cost, customers who wanted this watch voted overwhelmingly to pay the extra for a screwed balance and blued steel swan-neck regulator.

The potential problem of using a screw down crown with a hand winding movement was overcome by using a de-coupling mechanism, similar to that used in the Dreadnought crown assembly.

The watch has a wonderfully large 37.4mm visible dial, which is of two-layer sandwich construction with Super Luminova shining through the numbers and indices. The domed sapphire crystal varies in thickness from 1.5mm to 2.9mm 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 blued steel with Super Luminova filling.

The beautifully decorated movement can be seen through the large sapphire glass back, which reveals the complete movement. The lugs are two-part wire lugs, removed via screws at each corner of the case to enable changing of straps.

MODEL	PRECISTA ITALIAN LE 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	22mm
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 Super Luminova C3
Day/Date	None
HANDS
Style	Blued steel, luminous filled
Luminous	Super Luminova C3
CRYSTAL	1.5 - 2.9 mm domed sapphire, A/R coating underside
MOVEMENT	ETA (Unitas) 17 jewel hand winding, calibre 6498-1 (18,000 BPH). Modified by Soprod with screwed balance and blued steel swan-neck regulator. Decorated with Geneva Stripes, perlage and blued screws. Glucydur balance, Anachron hairspring and chronometer grade (soigné), adjusted in 3 positions.
BATTERY	N/A
STRAP	Custom Banda strap, calf leather with ostrich grain. Signed buckle.

The Italian is guaranteed for two years and ships in a two-watch travelling case.

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Aéro Watch SA was founded in Neuchâtel in 1942 and quickly gained a reputation for quality triple calendar moonphase timepieces which are now very collectible.

The name "Aéro Watch" is now owned by Louis Erard, another independent Swiss watch manufacturer with a reputation for quality watches with individual styling. Aéro Watch is now seen on the dials of a comprehensive range of pocket watches but occasionally, they release a limited edition wristwatch and this pilot chronograph, in a numbered edition of just 100 pieces, is the first wristwatch to bear the name Aéro Watch since the limited edition skeleton of 1990. The entire edition is exclusive to Time Factors.

Case

The stainless steel case has a fine brushed finish and fitted with a stainless steel screw back. The coin-edge milled bezel is polished and the crystal is sapphire. The black dial is a true black, not dark grey as often seen and the style is distinctly 1940s. The squelette hands and numbers are luminous. Rated water resistant to 5 ATM/50 metres/165 feet.

Dimensions

40 mm Ø, 47.7 mm lug tip to lug tip and 12.25 mm thick. Lug spacing is 20 mm.

Movement

Valjoux 17 jewel hand-wind chronograph, calibre 7760 running at 28,800 BPH and a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. You can see from the pictures that the movement is decorated with both Geneva stripes and perlage.

Supplied on brown leather crocodile grain strap with a de-luxe double folding deployant clasp. Original Aéro Watch box, hang tag and 12 months manufacturer's warranty.

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There are very few limited editions specifically for ladies, this one has been introduced by popular demand. If the Speedbird 1903 is the brother to the Speedbird PRS-1, then this one is the sister. A limited edition of just 50 numbered pieces makes it a very exclusive wristwatch.

Case

Brushed stainless steel case with screw view back, domed sapphire crystal and water resistant to 50 metres. The black dial has luminous markers at the cardinal points and the black hands also have luminous filling.

Dimensions

29mm diameter, 36.5mm lug tip to lug tip and 12.5mm thick. Lug spacing is 14mm.

Movement

ETA 25 jewel automatic , calibre 2671. The movement is decorated and the limited edition number is shown on the rotor as well as on the case.

The watch is fitted with a quality leather strap with single fold deployant clasp and supplied in a hardwood box with 12 months guarantee. A solid link stainless steel bracelet is available at extra cost.

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Commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the first manned powered flight by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on 17^th December 1903, the Speedbird 1903 has been designed as a brother to the Speedbird PRS-1. A limited edition of just 100 numbered pieces.

Case

Brushed stainless steel case with screw back and screw down crown, domed sapphire crystal and water resistant to 100 metres. The black dial has slightly sunken sub-dials in white with raised concentric circles. Polished silver hour and minute hands with blued hands on the sub-dials. "Speedbird 1903" in silver script on the elapsed minutes sub-dial at 12. The Arabic numbers are in white and not luminous.

Dimensions

38mm diameter, 49mm lug tip to lug tip and 14.3mm thick. Lug spacing is 20mm.

Movement

Valjoux 25 jewel automatic chronograph, calibre 7750. The constant seconds facility at the 9 position has not been utilised to preserve the symmetry of the dial

The watch is fitted with a quality croco grain leather strap and supplied in a wood box with 12 months guarantee. A package of aviation related goodies will also ship with the watch.

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To follow the Speedbird and by popular request, I decided to make a diver's watch which not only had a high specification but also offered exceptional value for money. The project started with a set of rough drawings in January 2002; little did I know then that it would take another 18 months to bring the watch to market! (and it only takes a year to make a Rolex ). The name "Dreadnought" was taken from Britain's first nuclear submarine, which itself was named after several other prominent ships of the same name.

Designed from the ground up as a totally original watch, everything except the movement has been custom made. You will of course see influences from other watches, but nothing is a direct copy.

A heavy bead blasted stainless steel case fitted with an equally heavy stainless steel bracelet give this watch a total weight of 265 grammes. The full specification is:

• Case and bracelet manufactured from 316L stainless steel.
• Diameter = 44 mm, 15.6 mm thick and 54 mm lug tip to lug tip. Lug spacing is 22 mm.
• Weight: Watch & bracelet = 265 grammes, the watch head is approximately 140 grammes.
• Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the underside.
• Super Luminova on hands and dial.
• Movement: ETA2824-2T (Top) with decoration and chronometer rated to DIN standard.
• Anti-magnetic movement dust cover & movement ring.
• 500 metres water resistant.
• Twin "O" ring seals in the case back.
• Patented decoupling screw down crown (tested to 2000 metres).
• Anti-magnetic to 30,000 A/m.
• Screwed bar lugs.
• Solid link stainless steel bracelet with solid end pieces, diver's extension and screwed removable links.
• Numbered limited edition of just 200 pieces.

Supplied in hardwood box with 3 screwdrivers (2 for the lugs and 1 for the bracelet), spare screwed bars, chronometer certificate specific to each watch, watch leaflet, copy of the original technical drawings and guarantee card. A Rhino strap is also included.

The project has been managed by Walter Fricker, who also made the case. You can see their track record here:
Walter Fricker link

Assembly and proofing has been carried out by prominent Master Watchmaker Dirk Dornblüth, and there's an interesting article and interview here:
Dirk Dornblüth Article

Movement: ETA 25 jewel automatic, calibre 2824-2T (Top version, with basic decoration and "assortments chronometer") chronometer certified to DIN 8319-1 running at 28,800 bph with hacking seconds.

You can read Ewan Wilson's review of the Dreadnought here.

More than 260 people registered their intention to buy within 48 hours of opening reservations and all 200 have now been sold and shipped. A Dreadnought has recently sold on eBay for almost 3 times my original selling price. The Speedbird PRS-1 and Dreadnought PRS-2 are both currently commanding more than the original retail price.

Forthcoming projects are discussed and design features previewed on my "Watch Talk" Forum.

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Following the success of the Speedbird PRS-1 and the continued interest in this model, I am pleased to announce the arrival of Speedbird II, PRS-7, for the many people who asked for the Speedbird with a date. Now available in both black or ivory dial. It's difficult to get a totally accurate representation of the colour of the ivory dial but it's very close to the colour of the ivory instrument dials fitted to current Mercedes-Benz models.

The technical specification of the watch is identical to the PRS-1 (see below) but with the following cosmetic differences:

• The minute chapter ring has been moved closer to the edge of the dial
• Date window added at 6 o'clock
• Hands are a different style and slightly longer
• Name on the dial

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