In April 2008 I pulled the trigger on a Precista Italian and took pictures for posting on
PMWF.com originally, but I don't wanna waste those pictures since the thread had already disappeared so I am reposting it here on my blog.
UPS delivered the package quite efficiently, only took
three days from UK to Singapore.
The shipping box.
Cut it open.
An envelope containing the invoice.
Nicely air packed.
Ahh, getting nearer.
The watch box. One thing I really like about
Timefactors is that Eddie Platts had done away with those useless traditional boxes and provided a useful travel box instead, bringing more value to the customer. This travel box will hold two big sized watches.
And here we've got the Eddie's name card and a nice little booklet providing historic information about the Italian Navy in World War 2, the specs and warranty of the watch. Also included is a strap changing tool and a polishing cloth.
This is the most exciting part, I took a deep breath and blew that polishing cloth away.
Yes!
The Precista Italian!
I was instantly impressed!
Put it on and took a shot of it with
PMWF.com on screen in the background.
Specs as follows:
CASE
Material: 316L stainless steel, polished
Diameter: 44mm, 48.5mm across including crown
Lug to lug height: 50mm
Thickness: 11.5mm 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 down crown, 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).
STRAP
Custom Banda strap,black calf leather. Signed buckle. (I received the Tan Ostrich Grain version)
After a few months of ownership, here's a few things which I especially like about this watch:
*Screw down crown has decoupling mechanism preventing problem of over winding the hand wound watch.
*Higher quality Fricker case.
*100m water resistance
*Sterile yet balanced dial.
*Sandwich dial, SL lume, blue hands, AR coated dome sapphire crystal, along with many other great features.
What I don't like about this watch:
*The wire lugs might wriggle out of position and turn downwards with the use of some straps, sometimes distorting the strap. It can be resolved by using lug tubes though. How I wish Eddie provide these tubes in the first place. Strap changing is hard and a pain for watches on half wire lugs. Fortunately I don't have to do it often.
This particular leather was treated to withstand the hot and humid South East Asia weather here. The strap is water resistant. Zack actually soak it water and it took a few hours for it to get wet. I think this is a limited edition run, so if you are in similar climate like me, get it fast.
Despite the thickness, the leather is flexible and supple.
Click on the pictures anytime to view it bigger.
Take a look a the grain and stitching. I love it!
Zack's mark on the buckle.
I put it on my Precista Italian for the moment. It is a tad too thick for the Italian but I am going to see if it improves once the strap conforms to my wrist shape after sometime.
As I mentioned, this is my second Red12 strap. The first one (pic below) which have been on my Marina Militare for the past two years is still going strong. But now I have the flexibility to switch them around to create different looks for my watches.
Thanx for the read!
