This is a very nice Timefactors Precista PRS-82 Royal Navy Diver that I serviced for a ClockSavant customer. This is a re-edition (homage) of the last mechanical dive watch made for the British Royal Navy. The Royal Navy version was issued in 1982 and was based on an ETA 2783 manufactured in the mid-1970’s. When Timefactors later produced their original re-issue, they sourced 200 new old stock 2783 movements with hack stop. This watch had various issues that are likely from past incorrect servicing performed prior to my customer purchasing the watch but also could be due to original factory deficiencies. Many of these watches, when truly properly serviced (I caveat that with my commentary in other posts on proper servicing), can run and function better than new. First, the balance wheel roller jewel dislodged, something you may encounter on very old watches but rarely on one produced in the 1970’s. A common cause for this is improper cleaning solutions used in the past that weakened the shellac/adhesive that ETA used at the factory. Alternatively, it was not well-attached at the factory. The automatic winding system reversing wheel mechanism also failed and locked-up. My guess is that the reversing wheels were not properly lubricated in the past but it also could be a factory deficiency. My preferred method for lubricating reversing wheels is the method ETA also recommends— with a unique lubricant called Lubeta. Quality watchmakers working on a variety of watches keep a large number of varied lubricants costing over $1000+ when you add them all-up and these have a shelf-life so you keep buying them. If you shop strictly on price, a watchmaker may skip a few steps, use the wrong or old lubricants, and produce a little repeat business down the road. Once fully serviced, this is a beautiful, robust, and well-running watch that lives-up to its lineage.
