Precista PRS-18Q 'Military' Diver, Royal Navy Inspired, ref. PRS-18-Q, circa 2011

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

Precista has a particularly interesting place in British military watch history, having supplied robust dive watches for Ministry of Defence use during the latter decades of the twentieth century. The PRS-18Q revisits one of the brand's most distinctive military designs, taking its cues from the quartz Precista divers associated with Royal Navy service in the late 1980s and early 1990s, while updating the concept with modern materials, improved water resistance and contemporary quartz technology. What's on Offer We are pleased to offer this superb Precista PRS-18Q military-style diver, dating from approximately 2011 and presenting in excellent condition. The military influence is immediately apparent. Its substantial stainless steel case has the distinctive asymmetric profile associated with Precista's earlier service divers, extending around the crown to provide additional protection. A black unidirectional diving bezel surrounds the highly legible black dial, with its oversized luminous triangle at 12, Arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9 and large luminous rectangular hour markers. The white-framed, lume-filled hands provide excellent contrast against the black dial, while the generous application of luminous material across the dial and bezel makes this a particularly purposeful-looking tool watch. The circled L above six o'clock forms part of the military-inspired dial treatment, while "Great Britain" is discreetly printed at the foot of the dial. Unlike the vintage military watch that inspired it, the PRS-18Q benefits from a sapphire crystal and an impressive 300-metre water-resistance rating, giving the traditional military design considerably more modern everyday practicality. Inside is the ETA F06.411 quartz calibre, a high-accuracy Swiss quartz movement well suited to the watch's functional character. This also means the supplied specification describing the watch as automatic and 25-jewel is incorrect and should be amended. The caseback is particularly interesting, engraved PRS-18-Q, 6645-99-891-0585, the Precista signature, individual number 0112/11, and 300 metres. The NATO-style stock number reinforces the deliberate connection between the PRS-18Q and Precista's earlier military diving watches, but importantly, we would describe this as a military-inspired/reissue watch rather than an issued Royal Navy watch. Presented on a black NATO-style textile strap, it suits the utilitarian nature of the watch perfectly. At approximately 42mm across the case and 47mm lug-to-lug, it has plenty of wrist presence without becoming cumbersome. Condition is excellent overall with only very light signs of use to the case and bezel. The dial, hands and sapphire crystal present particularly well.