Newmark 6BB RAF Chronograph: Re-edition

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For those in the know, from the early 1970s until the early 1980s, the RAF issued a series of mechanical chronographs to aircrew, all of an almost identical design.  Four companies were contracted to produce these watches over that period: Hamilton, CWC, Newmark and Precista (prior to the 1970s there had been others).  The Newmark is considered to be the rarest of this ‘Fabulous Four’.  Hamilton, CWC and Precista have produced modern iterations of those watches from days gone by with only the Newmark left neglected … Continue reading

Seiko 5 SRP135K1 Sports 100 Quick Review

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The introduction of the 4R36 movement from Seiko brought with it a relatively large tide of new models in the Seiko 5 Sports range.  Previously, the majority of the Sports offerings were equipped with the 23 jewel 7S36 calibre, a 2 jewel upgrade over the standard 7S26.  I have in a previous post had a brief look at how the 4R36 came about and its relationship to the both the 6R15 and the 7S26 – the crux of the matter is that we now have … Continue reading

Smiths Diver PRS-68 Review – The New Seiko 6105?

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This review concerns the Smiths PRS-68 Diver from Timefactors. It isn’t a review of the Seiko 6105 as made famous by Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now nor a direct comparison. But the fact of the matter is that the two are inextricably linked in many ways (apart from the obvious looks).  New watches come, and new watches go – but there are those that as a watch lover, actually mean something on a personal level because they take me back to times long gone. The … Continue reading

Dreadnought Voyager GMT – PRS-21 Imminent!

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In the summer of 2003 I reviewed the original Dreadnought from Timefactors. The watch proved to be a classic and set the bar for micro-brand value for money (I don’t think there has been such VFM since).  A decade on and the Dreadnought Voyager is imminent. Voyager?  Well, this Dreadnought is equipped with a GMT movement in the guise of the ETA 2893-2, as used in watches extending into the thousands of Pounds (£). Knowing Timefactors, this one won’t extend that far and given that it … Continue reading

Precista PRS-82 Royal Navy Diver From Timefactors

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Here comes the Precista PRS-82! It’s been a busy year for Timefactors, with the release of a few hotly anticipated watches.  We have seen the Smiths PRS-68  – a superbly executed homage to the cult status Seiko 6105 dive watch and the bronze PRS-30 – a monster of a watch which had been conceived way back in 2008.  Quite soon we will have the Dreadnought Voyager – a GMT version of the classic Dreadnought which I reviewed back in 2003. A somewhat ‘quieter’ release is … Continue reading

Seiko 4R36 -The Family In Brief

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In the past, Seiko have resurrected long discontinued calibres – the notable such reintroduction being the 4S15 (originally the 5246) which itself was received with much aplomb given its high beat of 28,800 bph, it’s hacking ability and the hand winding.  The 5246 was itself a very high grade calibre, more than capable of chronometer accuracy; indeed, it was utilised in various KS (King Seiko) models with official certification.  Having owned various models so equipped, I had a love hate relationship with the 4S15- it … Continue reading

Precista CAF PRS-9

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One of my favourite ‘days out’ is a trip to Cosford Air Museum near Telford.  As well as the aircraft themselves I adore the atmosphere of the place; be it a windy wet day or a fine summer’s afternoon, wandering around a hangar and just taking in the atmosphere is an experience that I always enjoy.  In the days when I flew myself I relished the occasions when instead of jumping straight into an aircraft parked on the apron, I would have to open up … Continue reading

Smiths Everest PRS-25

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Early December 2011, and it is a decade to the day (8th December 2001) since I received my first Timefactors designed and produced wristwatch from Sheffield which of course was the subject of an enthusiastic review.  The timepiece in question was the Speedbird PRS-1 which as a watch, I have revisited personally over the last month or so with a great feeling of nostalgia both in terms of the watch itself and indeed the time at which it was conceived.  Some readers of this review … Continue reading

Speedbird PRS-1

It has been some time since I have undertaken a watch review. I think that the reason for this is quite simply that I have not seen or owned a watch that I have felt inspired enough or indeed excited enough about to get the camera out and give wordage to. With perhaps one exception being the recently introduced Sinn 656. I did indeed own one for a very short time but was compelled to part with it as my wife gleefully arrived home one … Continue reading

Dreadnought PRS-2

The PRS-2 Dreadnought is the culmination of a project which I believe has been in development for at least one year. Talking with Eddie Platts of Timefactors, the objective was to develop a serious and professional dive/tool watch with a specification to match (or indeed better) other offerings currently available. Furthermore, the purchase price should make the watch good value for money in comparison to others. The word comparison is interesting in this case: the Dreadnought is a limited edition of 200 examples, the specification … Continue reading