Precista Italian Limited Edition PRS-20 Timefactors

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.

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