SMITHS PRS-25 EVEREST Gilt REVIEW
1. IntroductionAs I was interested in an automatic SMITHS watch, I found the PRS-25 the best choice.
I have allready a PRS-29 and a PRS-36, both handwound. The quality is above average!
The name
EVEREST:
Sir Edmond Hillary and his Sherpa, Thensing Norgay,
first climbed the Mount Everest, 8848m on 29 May 1953.
On his wrist he had a Smiths De Luxe watch, altough not the same dial as the PRS-25.
His Nepalese friend and Sherpa also had one.
Smiths was the official sponsor.
READ CAREFULLY THIS ARTICLE! Smiths was on the Everest summit, NOT Rolex …
https://www.outdoorjournal.com/featured/opinion-editorial/rolex-vs-smiths-which-watch-summited-everest-in-1953-putting-a-controversy-to-rest/
This Rolex (1016) was the example for the Smithe PRS-25.
All this information is from (in my opinion) credible internet sites.
Read also:
https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?444976-Review-Smiths-%93Everest%94-36mm2. Numeric dataLength: 43,5 mm
Large: (without) crown (36mm) 39,3 mm
Thickness: 11,3 mm
Lugs: 20mm
Weight: case 43g with Bracelet 140 g
WR: 100
Ant-Magnetic: 20,000 A/m
3. DialThe appearance of a watch is one of the things that matter the most, we all know. And then the dial is the most important!
It shows “SMITHS De Luxe” logo, the Smiths design logo, the “EVEREST” logo.
The colour “Satin Black” but is almost charcoal black. Indexes, the 3-6-9 and the 12 triangle are white (Superluminova XI-C3).
The analog dial has a hour, minute and seconds hand, Mercedes style. The minutes indexes are 2 mm stripes.
But the most important feature of this “gilt” version: Hands, minutes and logo’s are in gilt colour,
what makes the watch really extraordinary! It shines beautiful in the sun or artificial light!
So, the dial is extremely good readable, the most important thing of a watch!
4. CaseMaterial: 316 L stainless steel. Top is brushed, sides are polished.
The shape is standard round, the bezel is integrated, nice to see drilled lugs.
The screwed down crown is big enough to confortable wind or to set the time.
The Smiths logo is engraved on it.
The (screwed) backside shows the Brand and type, the Serial Number and WR 100 metres, all engraved.
The crystal is sapphire glass, Hi dome. Dimensions: 30,4 mm x 2,5 mm thick.
Anti-reflective coating on the underside.
4b. BraceletThe bracelet is composed of solid steel, screwed links, solid end links and a clasp with the SMITHS Logo.
High quality, in one word.
It feels heavy!
5. Calibre and featuresThe calibre is the Miyota 9039, 24 jewels, automatic.
Feature: Possible handwinding and hacking seconds
https://reference.grail-watch.com/movement/miyota-9039/
28,800BPH (4 Hz)
Movt height: 3,9 mm
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Made in Japan.
The watch comes with a manual with all the necessary explanations, clear readable and in English.
It is a different version of the standard 9015 cal. : as there is NO date, the crown has only two positions:
1. Setting the time
2. Running position
There is no dead position between Posn 1. and 2.
https://calibercorner.com/miyota-caliber-9039-vs-9015/Comparison with Seiko Cal. NH35 (Cal. 4R36)
https://calibercorner.com/seiko-nh35-vs-miyota-9015/6. Price and availabilityThe price is not too high at my opinion: 325£ ( = 364€, rate on date 07Feb23)
“Time Factors” is a UK microbrand.
https://www.timefactors.com/products/smiths-everest-gilt-dialThe problem is: The website (to order) opens on sundays from 14.00Hrs, but closes after +/- 2 minutes!
So you have to be quick and prepared to fill out the required data…
He (Eddie Platts himself) closes after 200 orders, I think. Because he’s doing everything himself, paperwork, packing, mail, and sending … etc.
It is HARD to buy it online…, only online!
Remark from Eddie Platts:
"Regrettably, the popularity of the offerings has created this situation. Shopify only allows 7 days to take payment before the authority to take payment expires. I shouldn't take payment before the goods ship which is why the website is configured to close once 200 orders are received, which is the maximum we can ship in 7 days. These 7 days involve an 80 hour week, which at my age is somewhat challenging.
Eddie "The watch came in a pouch of very good quality, giving very good protection.
Although it is not comfortable to travel with: cylinder shape, only space for one watch without storage place for another strap or so.
7. ConclusionFor this money, I have a decent watch of VERY GOOD quality.
The Miyota 9039 calibre is superb: 10 Sec/Day.
An equal valued watch of another brand goes easily between 500-800€.
As you look for 2nd hand ones, the price is that heigh!
The watch looks very nice and extraordinary, and has a remarkable readability,
it is an explorer style watch.
It has all the features that can be found on other more expensive watches.
The lume is excellent, above average!
It is recommendable for everyone: men and women, sporty but also for dress moments.
For me, alltough the bracelet is of very good quality, it feels quiete heavy. I prefer leather strap, or in summertime a good quality Nato.
It is really a daily beater: strong, sapphire dial, good readable!
It is also just nice to have something different as the Seiko 5’s I love, and my Citizens and my Casio’s!
By now, the Smiths will be more on the wrist!
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Remark:
Smiths (Time Factors) produced also a Smiths “Everst Expedition” PRS-25W, what is more similar to the watch worn by Hillary.
Only, the original watch had a small second, as the PRS-25W has a central second,
because of the Cal. 9039.
