Timefactors were pioneers in many things – one of the first microbrands, even before “microbrand” was a thing – and one of the first companies to recognize the value in resurrecting vintage watch brands and reissuing stuff from their back catalog. And one of those brands is Precista. 

The history of the original brand is murky, but what we know for sure is that Precista supplied the MoD with timepieces during the ‘80s, before quietly fading out from history. More importantly, for two short years (’81 and ‘82), their Royal Navy Diver was the issued watch of choice to British divers, following in the footsteps of the legendary Rolex Milsub, before it was superseded by CWC. This short life span makes it the rarest issue diver in the Royal Navy. 

Now, let’s talk about the reissue – the aptly named Precista PRS-82 appeared in 2013, making it one of the frontrunners in the nowadays ubiquitous category of “vintage reissues”. Released roughly at the same time as the first clunky Tudor Black Bays and whole 2 years before Oris brought back the 65 range, Timefactors figured out something the big brands would realize much later – the key to a successful reissue is to keep the design as close to the original as possible. And unlike the big boys who tried to shoehorn a vintage design into a modern-sized case (modern for 2010’s being 41-42 mm), Timefactors stuck to the looks and dimensions of the original. They’ve even managed to source 200 ETA 2783 new old-stock movements (the same used in the originals) for the first batch.

In fact, just by looking at the reissue, you’d be hard-pressed to spot the differences. The domed crystal is now sapphire instead of acrylic, the “T” on the dial was replaced with a “L” and instead of “Swiss made” in now proudly states “Great Britain” (though, sans the “made in”). The dial and hands feature a creamy fauxtina, very much resembling the look of the few original vintage pieces I’ve seen pictures of. Everything else is pretty much the same.
The chunky bezel which leaves only 29.5 mm real-estate for the dial, paired with a 47 lug-to-lug length, make the PRS-82 wear even smaller than the already very reasonable 40 mm diameter suggests. The first batches of the reissue came paired with a vintage-looking silicone strap which one mine has already turned into a sticky dust magnet. Fortunately, the 20 mm lug width and the skin-diver styled lugs make this one excellent for pairing with different straps.

The PRS-82 is still being made, but there are slight differences in the versions through the years: after the initial batch with the 2783 was sold out, they switched to its modern counterpart – the 2824. After the supply of ETA movements to dried out, they switched again to Sellita. But the last switch brought some other changes as well – a ceramic bezel insert and an addition of a steel bracelet. Many would consider this move an upgrade, but for me the shiny ceramic just doesn’t have the same vintage vibe as aluminium – and this watch definitely belongs on a NATO. 

This presented me with a certain problem – the version I wanted was no longer in production – and you’d be surprised to learn how little of these PRS-82s come up for sale on the secondary market. The first batch of the reissue was almost as difficult to source as the original, but after years of looking, I finally managed to get one last year. And I was not disappointed. The PRS-82 captures the very essence of reissues – vintage charm and feel on the wrist, an iconic design from the past and a practical everyday wearability. And even in today’s golden age of vintage reissues, more than a decade after it appeared, I still think the Precista Royal Navy diver is one of the best ones out there.

Pros
– The design (that asymmetrical case, that snake minute hand, that chunky bezel)
– The history (can’t beat military provenance and a good story)
– The price (even if the first run now commands a premium, it’s still relatively affordable)

Cons
– Might be difficult to source, if you’re like me and don’t appreciate the latest “upgrades”
– Not really made in Great Britan, nor Switzerland, for that matter
– Might make you question or neglect other watches in your collection

Quality
78

Style
85

Value
96

Wearability
80