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1988 issued Precista Royal Navy diver - rare watch

Rare issued watch - great patina

£2400.00

Out of stock

CWC supplied divers watches to the MoD from 1980, onwards, and still do to this day in the form of the SBS diver.

However, for a few years during this period, small numbers of divers watches were also procured from Southern Clock and Watch Company, who at that time owned the Precista Brand. They had previously supplied G10s in 1982 and 1984, but in 1982, 1988/1989 and 1993 they supplied divers watches to the MoD. There were three different designs - the 82 having an automatic movement and the others quartz. The 1982 and 1993 designs were later re-created and produced by Timefactors, which acquired the Precista brand when Southerns when out of business.

The 1988 & 89 watches were of the same design, utilising a case manufactured by Gallet and also used for a number of other branded watches on the retail market, including one produced by Tutima and one by the Italian company LMC.

The 88 and 89 watches differ slightly from each other in the dial design, with the 1988 watches having the 'big triangle' at the 12 postion, making it possibly the more attractive of the two.

This watch is one of the 1988 issued watches, sporting the big triangle. The watch is in good, original condition and serviced as described in the condition report.

The watch is supplied on a grey 20mm heat bonded NATO-type strap.

Overall the watch is in good, original condition. There are general minor marks to the case from use. The case back is in very good condition, with minor marks. The crystal is a replacement and in good condition. The dial and hands are good with very nice buff-coloured tritium on the dial and amazing age-related patina on the hands. The bezel insert is in very good condition with no wear or marks and the bezel ring itself is also in good condition.

The watch was fully stripped, cleaned and serviced in November 2024 and a new battery will be fitted before sale.

The original ETA 955.114 movement was fully stripped, mechanically and ultrasonically cleaned using waterless solutions and hot air dried. The movement was rebuilt and lubricated using Moebius oils. Images of the movement rebuild are included in the listing. The watch hacks and sets from the crown correctly and the crown screws down tightly. The unidirectional bezel rotates smoothly. The case back gasket was also replaced and greased and a new 395 battery was fitted.

The watch is complete with plastic spacer ring and battery retaining spring all present.

Please examine the images to assess cosmetic condition for yourself. The images form an important part of the description.

The watch is absolutely suitable for everyday use, but it is vintage watch so is not recommended for sports or use in extreme conditions. The watch has not been pressure tested so water resistance is not guaranteed. This watch is covered by our waterproof 6 month guarantee.

Issued: Yes

Issue details: UK, Royal Navy/Royal Marines

Date of manufacture: 1988

Rarity: 970 issued

Movement: ETA 955.114

Diameter: 39mm

Lug width: 20mm

Hacking: Yes

Case back: Screw down

Screwdown crown: Yes

Bracelet: Heat bonded 20mm NATO strap

Other features: Unidirectional rotating bezel