THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: PRECISTA
MODEL: 6645-99-757-3314
YEAR: 1989
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 39mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: TEXTILE NATO
MOVEMENT: QUARTZ

When it comes to military watches, most people know the heavy hitters: the SAS-issued 5513/5517 MilSubs, the Panerai Radiomir, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, and the IWC Mark series, to name a few. But there are other military-issued timepieces that can easily challenge these titans in both rarity and heritage—many of which remain attainable at relatively reasonable prices.

The MOD stopped issuing Rolex Submariners as part of clearance divers’ kits in the late ’70s due to cost. From that point onward, only the SAS retained the luxury of using them into the ’80s. In 1980 and 1981, UK-based company CWC, founded by Ray Mellor, won the contract to supply the Royal Navy with a purpose-built automatic dive watch. Unexpectedly, CWC lost the 1982 contract to a lesser-known company: Precista. A year later, CWC regained the contract, and over the next decade the two brands alternated back and forth.

In 1988 and 1989, Precista won the contract again to supply a dive watch to the Royal Navy—primarily divers and search-and-rescue personnel. A small batch was produced for each order, though the exact numbers remain a mystery.

This piece has clearly seen wrist time. The case shows honest wear, and at some point someone attempted a battery change without the correct tools, leaving scratches on the caseback. The bezel has faded to a greyish blue after nearly 40 years of service. The dial and hands, however, remain in superb condition with no signs of water damage.

We have fitted a new battery, replaced the gaskets, and resealed the watch. It has passed a 5-bar pressure test.