PREFACE
I have only owned this watch for about 2 weeks; therefore I have not had the opportunity to take enough pictures to include in this review. Instead I chose to select a few of the BEST pictures I could find on the TZ-UK Watch Talk forum. All but four of the images below are by Jocke and Eddie Platts, hopefully they will not mind my use of them. If you would like to see these pictures in their original size, please feel free to visit my imagestation album here:
While two weeks may not seem like a long time for most collectors and even less time for someone to write a review, for me it is ample. I frequently only have a watch for a week or two and must write a review, so I am used to this kind of time frame. Besides, I have gone through enough watches, especially dive watches, to recognize what I like and dislike. So on with the review already!
INTRODUCTION
The PRS-Dreadnought was the brainchild of Eddie Platts, owner of TimeFactors.com and collector extraordinaire (OK, maybe that is pushing it a little). This project began as an attempt to create the ultimate dive watch, with the highest regard to quality, craftsmanship, finish and performance, while at the same time remaining affordable. Could it be done? Could it really outperform many at twice, heck even three times the price? The answer is a resounding YES!
It took nearly a year and a half, with the help of the forum; Eddie has finally pulled it off. In a limited edition run of only 200 watches, never to be reproduced. His remarkable efforts and patience have finally payed off. The entire 200 were sold out before he even had the opportunity to put them up for sale on his TimeFactors website! This is pretty incredible if you ask me. Other than reading about these watches on TZ-UK and the other watch websites (Ultimate Dive Watch Forum), there was no way to learn about it. This means that 200 people plopped down £450 (around $720 USD at the time) and purchased the watch without ever seeing one in the flesh, I mean steel!
As I stated above, I have owned mine for two weeks now and couldn’t be more pleased. As a matter of fact, this watch has TEMPORARELY kept me from searching for something else to acquire. This watch-collecting thing is a disease I tell you! Anyhow, I have found a cure, for now, and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you all about it.
CASE
This is BY FAR the heftiest watchcase of any watch I have ever owned and reviewed. So massive in fact that the head only weighs 145g! (265g on bracelet) It measures a whopping 44mm in diameter and nearly 16mm to the top of the crystal, though the latter appears thinner due to the domed crystal and protruding case back, which recesses into your wrist. It is entirely made of bead-blasted stainless steel, with the exception of the back, which is brushed. I would have preferred an all brushed finish, but the consensus on TZ-UK was that the beaded finish should be used. Eddie took this into account and went with it. It does however lend itself well with the tool-like feel of the piece.
The lugs are equally massive and utilize a screw-bar attachment system instead of the conventional spring-bar type. I would have gone for drilled lugs and fat, Seiko style spring bars, but that would not have been good enough for the Dreadnought. I cannot think of a more secure way of holding a bracelet, or strap for that matter in place. Mind you, Fortis does have an ingenious way of using this technology, which requires only one screwdriver to adjust, but we cannot ask for the moon. Can we?
The crown is fairly large, but does not look it when screwed down. This is because the crown guards almost completely engulf it, yet it still has enough “bite” to be easily manipulated. Someone stated that this is the closest they have ever seen crown guards to a crown on any watch. I concur. Not only are they close, they are thick, solid and perfectly contour the crown. I have owned many watches that have crowns that dig into the back of your hand; this is not the case with this one. It is also nicely signed with the PRS name. Incidentally, these initials represent Eddie’s family name, his wife’s maiden name and his mother’s as well. Isn’t he a sweetheart?
Now here is where things get interesting. The case back is superbly engraved with the Dreadnought nautical logo, its model name, anti-magnetic and water-resistance specifications and limited edition status. I had seen preliminary scans of the engraving and was quite disappointed in the laser etching. Boy was I impressed with the finished product. So much so that that is when I seriously started considering this watch. I am one of those guys who prefer a great engraving to a display back and this one is no slouch. By the way those specifications are anti-magnetic to 30,000 A/M and water-resistant to 500m, impressive, no?
BEZEL, CRYSTAL & DIAL
The bezel is very impressive and very different all at the same time. I was not immediately smitten with the double bezel configuration, that is until I saw the different finishes they would be rendered in. The inner, non-rotating bezel is bead-blasted and contrasts admirably with the brushed finish on the elapsed timing bezel. As most dive watches, it only rotates counter clockwise and positively clicks at one minute intervals. I would have preferred a half-minute graduation, but this is acceptable. There is a luminous triangle at the 60-minute mark, which glows at equal strength with the dial. There are also hash marks all around the bezel, unlike some makers who think they are only necessary between 15 and 0 minutes.
The crystal is 3mm thick and treated for anti-reflection on the inside only. A very smart move, AR coating is highly stretchable and a royal pain in the “rear-end” to remove, which would have been something I would have done almost immediately. Again, unlike many watches, you can actually tell that it is coated on the inside due to a bluish hue in the reflected lights on the crystal. I sometimes wonder if the ones that state they are coated on the inside, really are.
The dial is as uncluttered as it can get without looking minimalist. While somewhat small for a 44mm watch, one does get used to the proportions rather quickly. The combination of PloProf inspired hands and orange and white colors suit this watch so perfectly; it is hard to put it into words. I especially love the black second hand and discreetly placed date display, which is white on black in color. I also appreciate the lack of dial text. Simply Dreadnought and Made in Germany is enough for me, as it should be. In the dark, this watch appears even smaller, which is kind of fun, as you can see in the above picture. The luminous substance used is Luminova and glows very evenly without any clumps or patches. My wife always makes fun of me when I charge my watch using my nightstand lamp before bed. A WIS has got to do what a WIS has got to do. Boy does this thing glow, you can actually read by it!
MOVEMENT
Now much has been said about the ever-popular ETA 2824. Yes it is a workhorse, yes it is reliable and yes many companies use it. Instead of trying to explain how it works and the pros and cons of this caliber, why not read the opinions of
a “real” expert on the subject:
CLICK HERE!
The version acquired for the Dreadnought series is the highest level. Though there are no esthetic finishes, it is regulated and chronometer certified by Dirk Dornblueth (master watchmaker) himself! I can attest to its performance, my 099/200 has only lost 3 seconds in the last 6 days! By far the best performance from any 2824 watch I have ever owned or reviewed. What else can I say?
N.B. Notice the double gaskets that protect the movement from moisture and the special iron cage that protects it from magnetic fields. Lookee NO PLASTIC!
BRACELET & STRAP
I am a big bracelet guy, I just cannot live with a watch that can only be worn on a strap. I have tried, but failed every time. I wonder how I would fair with a Panerai on a long-term basis. Anyhow, the bracelet for the Dreadnought measures 22mm at lug-width and does not taper. It is very thick, 4mm in fact and utilizes screws for removing the links. Once again and improvement upon the overused pressure/split pins found on so many watches costing hundreds, sometimes thousands more. I had no problems with my screws, though I have heard that some have been excessively tight. Quick trick: try using a lighter and heating the opposite end of the screw, this will loosen its grip and make it much easier for you to remove. I have tried this a half a dozen times and it has yet to fail me, also keeps me from ruining the screw heads.
I found the finish on the bracelet extremely dull and that the end pieces did not quite match. So what I did was remove the bracelet from the case and polish it with Polywatch. By doing this I managed to even out the finish and brighten it up a little. I find it much more attractive now and appreciate it being highlighted. I attempted to take pictures of this change, but my camera is not powerful enough to capture it. Please do not get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the way it is originally finished, I just prefer the way I finished mine. It all comes down to personal taste.
The Dreadnought signed clasp is very thick, pressure secured with a flip-lock to keep it shut. It also features the most massive divers extension I have ever seen in this design. However, I have heard some complain about the rattling of this extension and others saying that it pops open. I have neither of these problems. I was lucky enough to be able to wear the watch with four links removed and at the biggest position on the micro-adjustment. Mine does not rattle and cannot pop open accidentally.
The Dreadnought was also supplied with a Rhino strap, which I tried and did not like. While I can admire it for what it is and what it can do, I just cannot get comfortable with one. I even tried doing the “Jon Lombardi” customization trick and still did not like it. I mean, it looks fantastic in Eddie’s pictures above and I am sure some will like it this way; I just prefer mine on bracelet. It is however much more impressive than a Nato strap and IF I was going to actually dive with the watch, I would seriously consider using it.
N.B. While taking the bracelet on and off of my watch, I had a very difficult time putting the end links back into place. They are so precisely cut that you need to be 100% lined up or the pin will not go in. A trick I just read today is to use the small screwdriver to line up the pin, just insert it from the other end of the lug. I have not tried this yet, but it sounds brilliant to me!
PACKAGING
This is not something that I usually talk about in my reviews, but this one deserves mention. Not only does it arrive with a beautiful hardwood box, but also with tons of documentation; including the design schematics, chronometer certificated and a brief history of the Dreadnought name in the British Navy.
I know I am pathetic, but I sometimes like to put my watch back in its box and unpack all of the goodies. Makes for a very enjoyable experience. Only one other company has given me this kind of sensation and that was IWC. My Aquatimer came with all kinds of great literature and I just loved the way the text was worded. Made me feel proud to one it. That is how I feel about my Dreadnought.
CONCLUSION
I simply love this watch. So far I have worn it everyday since I received it, both my Japy and Yao have now stopped and I can hear them calling me to wear them. Maybe I am still in the honeymoon phase, but I doubt it. I have been doing this for too long and know when “I’ve got the goods”. It is unfortunate that this is a limited series and that not everyone can have one, but this adds to the satisfaction of ownership. I am but one of two hundred that will get to enjoy this watch at any given time. A TRUE limited edition.
I answered yes earlier to the question “Could it really outperform many at twice, heck even three times the price?” and I meant it. I know that there are several watches out there that can go deeper, that have in-house movements and that have a significant history in the watch world. Consider this. What kind of watch would this have been if Eddie would have had a budget of $2,500-3000 / watch to play with? Kind of puts things into perspective, does it not?
In my humble opinion, OK maybe not so humble, I feel this is pound for pound (really consider the weight here) the BEST dive watch £450 could have ever bought.
Thank you for reading,
Marc
p.s. For another review of this watch CLICK HERE, by Ewan Wilson.
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