Speedbird 3 Spec

[rickf]

Revision History
1.0 - updated pricing and availability information
2.0 - added LE/non-LE indication
3.0 - added negative pressure requirement (thanks Martin)
4.0 - added mechanical drawing (7 Jan. 2008)
5.0 - corrected thickness to match mechanical drawing (17 Jan. 2008)
6.0 - added photos of prototype (25 Jan. 2008)
7.0 - added Eddie's pictures of first piece to this page (24 Jun 2008)
8.0 - added description of reservation process (7 Sep 2008)
9.0 - added Eddie's picture with the corrected dial (19 Sep 2008)
10.0 - clarified anti-magnetic specification (23 Sep 2008)
11.0 - Final update to spec information (16 Oct 2008)


I've been meaning to post this since the specs for the Italian and PRS-50 have appeared. Thought it would be good to summarize the data in one place. If it's worthy, I trust it can be made a "sticky". I confirmed all this data with Eddie first but if anything changes as the project proceeds this can be updated:


Final Update - The following list of specifications was intended to track the development of this project. Now that the Speedbird III has been released, all information contained here is superceded by that on the official Timefactors sales site: http://timefactors.com/speedbird.htm. Thanks to all for your contributions to this thread. It's been great fun.

Movement: 2824 (chronometer grade for first 50 pieces)
Case diameter: 39mm (w/o crown)
Lug width: 20mm
Lug length: 46-47mm (tip to tip)
Lugs: not drilled through
Thickness: 12.55mm
Crown: screw down
Water resist: 100m
Antimagnetic: 80,000 A/m (soft iron dial, antimagnetic movement cover)
Crystal: domed sapphire (AR coating, underside only), secured to withstand negative pressure to 0.3 bar
Dial: matte black, sterile (i.e. no wording), white painted numerals, markers and chapter ring
Hands: Type 48, silver/lumed
Lume: hands and cardinal markers (SuperLuminova C3)
Date: located @ 6
Case finish: brushed
Bracelet/strap: steel bracelet
Bars: springbars
Production plans: regular production model (i.e. non-limited edition)
Price: undetermined - DON'T ASK
Release date: undetermined - DON'T ASK
Reservation process for first 50: there is no reservation list, it will be an online scrum

photoshop rendering:






Mechanical Drawing(s):




Prototype:





Final production pictures:





side by side with Speedbird I


Final version (this time for real) with corrected dial:

[Si]

Looks fantastic.

I quite liked the dial with sans-serif markers but that is a really good looking watch.

[JCJM]

Looks fantastic.

I quite liked the dial with sans-serif markers but that is a really good looking watch.

Oh my, that looks great!

[Dave E]

Drool mode engaged, Captain!

[Ron Jr]

The only bad thing about it is I wouldn't wear my SB1 any longer.

[expat]

I'd buy that watch in a heartbeat. :D

[Si]

That will sell by the shedload.

Does the date window have a trim around, and is it black or silver, or is it simply bevelled in?

[jwg663]

Are the digits a little far from the minute index???
.
All the best...
.
Jim...

[cornflakes]

perfect in every way.
8)

[andamanen]

Very much like the Mark XV, but with a better spot for the date. I like it, altough i think i liked the Mark XI style better.

Let's hope i can afford one when it becomes available, because i'm guessing it'll be a bit more expensive than the previous two.

[Bernard]

I would rather see it with the Precista logo on the dial.

I do like the design and the specs look great to me!

[wycni8]

I think it looks great.

Any ideas as to when it will be released.

C

[lee watch]

This watch looks terrific. My next TimeFactors watch was probably a PRS-5. But this Speedbird 3 could move up the chart to number 1. I compared it to the IWC Mark XV, and this Speedbird design looks comparable. I certainly don't have the money for the IWC, but I wonder how much the Speedbird 3 might be? Any speculation?

[Crusader]

I certainly don't have the money for the IWC, but I wonder how much the Speedbird 3 might be? Any speculation?

[Eddie mode]

Yes. :D

[/Eddie mode]

Sorry, I could not resist ...

[abraxas]

I certainly don't have the money for the IWC, but I wonder how much the Speedbird 3 might be? Any speculation?

[Eddie mode]

Yes. :D

[/Eddie mode]

Sorry, I could not resist ...

Gimme. When? How much? They just don't stop. Do they? :roll:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

john

[Bernard]

I certainly don't have the money for the IWC, but I wonder how much the Speedbird 3 might be? Any speculation?

[Eddie mode]

Yes. :D

[/Eddie mode]

Sorry, I could not resist ...

Gimme. When? How much? They just don't stop. Do they? :roll:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

john

[Eddie mode]

Target is below 500 pounds.

[/Eddie mode]


:lol:

[Timothy]

I'll take nr. 1 ;)

[Ron Jr]

I'll take nr. 1 ;)

Thats funny. :lol:

[abraxas]

I'll take nr. 1 ;)

Thats funny. :lol:

I don't know about No1 ... But I've booked up No2.

john

[bubi]

Numero 27 per me! Fantastico! Buon natale!

[rickf]

I edited the original post to update the latest pricing and availability information. Let's stop hounding Eddie on this.

Rick

[Bob_the_Builder]

This is a must have :D :D :D

I will take one - no matter the No!!

[abraxas]

I edited the original post to update the latest pricing and availability information. Let's stop hounding Eddie on this.

Rick

john

[Crusader]

I edited the original post to update the latest pricing and availability information. Let's stop hounding Eddie on this.

Rick

Good job, Rick. :)

IIRC, secure crystal seating (against the loss of outside pressure) is also in the specs. for the SB3.

[J.Wayne]

I edited the original post to update the latest pricing and availability information. Let's stop hounding Eddie on this.

Rick

john

LOL John, try this one...(click the .gif)


<center></center>



J.

[Crusader]

LOL John, try this one...(click the .gif)

:arrow:

The page you requested is taking a coffee break.
Actually, we couldn't find the page you requested. Please check the URL.

:(

[hogthrob]

The link works for me

[J.Wayne]

*edit* still working on the .wav file. My HTML is rusty and likewise for
trying to get around the scripting on the web page. I'm working on it.
I'll be back....


J.

[abraxas]

.
Worked for me ... but I used to be a werewolf ... :glasses11:

john

[J.Wayne]

<center><a href="http://www.filenanny.com/files/4666770d9e73c1926/howl03.wav">
</center></a>


Finally...
All that work for something so trivial.
At least I made it work. :)


J.

[Crusader]

Thanks, Duke! :)

[Nalu]

Is the SB3 an LE or non-LE?

Thanks in advance, Crusader :D

[Dave E]

Non-LE from everything I remember seeing!

[worlok]

That would be exceedingly ........ cool. 8)

[patphi]

As a proud owner of a PRS-1 (295/300) I would say that this project is absolutely fantastic,
- please keep it just the way it is now in the rendering -
It has answered the very few points that, in my view, could have been improved in the PRS-1, in particular: the new hands and the winding crown with a deeper knurling.

And , yes, please o please keep it sterile! That was one of the most intriguing features of the PRS-1.

Please consider me in line...

[lee watch]

This Speedbird III looks right to me. Put my name on the list!

Lee

[alljay]

I know that the first post has been updated and that it says that there is no information about a release date, but are there any hints? Will it be this year? I am getting a serious itch to buy a pilot watch and I really like the look of this one.... help!

I am holding out for the SB3, but fear that I will let go and buy either a Sinn 656 or a Stowan Airman.

Thanks,

Jay

[Narwhal]

I am holding out for the SB3, but fear that I will let go and buy either a Sinn 656 or a Stowan Airman.

I guess threatening German watches is better than threatening German aggression.

[alljay]

LOL. no threat, just a fear that I will have to give into my desires before I get what I really want.....

[cam1210]

alljay - I know exactly how you feel. I have always kept an eye on Eddie's watches, then today saw the SBIII...I have got to have one and it can't come soon enough! I'm not sure I can wait. :-(

[Crusader]

I'm not sure I can wait. :-(

The cure for this disease goes by the name of "CAF". :wink:

[Bernard]

I'm also more than just interested in this watch...

The combination of great water resistancy, sapphire, srew down crown and the tiny date do please me a lot.

[Bernard]

Is there some information about the metal bracelet?

Will it have a hidden clasp, pushers to open it, or will it have a standard folding clasp?

[swanbourne]

Is there some information about the metal bracelet?

Will it have a hidden clasp, pushers to open it, or will it have a standard folding clasp?

I can state with absolute certainty that the metal bracelet will be metal.

Eddie

[Dave E]

Is there some information about the metal bracelet?

Will it have a hidden clasp, pushers to open it, or will it have a standard folding clasp?

I can state with absolute certainty that the metal bracelet will be metal.

Eddie

:lol: :lol:

[abraxas]

.............

:lol: :lol:

He found new ways of saying NO. :pale:

john

[swanbourne]

It's not that, it's just that the bracelet hasn't yet been sourced. If I don't know which bracelet will be used, I can't say what sort of clasp it will have.

If a bracelet is found which comes with a conventional folding clasp, then that's what it will have because to change the clasp means getting into ludicrous minimum quantity orders for a "special".

Eddie

[Bernard]

It's not that, it's just that the bracelet hasn't yet been sourced. If I don't know which bracelet will be used, I can't say what sort of clasp it will have.

If a bracelet is found which comes with a conventional folding clasp, then that's what it will have because to change the clasp means getting into ludicrous minimum quantity orders for a "special".

Eddie

This is an answer to my questions:

It will all depend on what you can get design-wise as well as quality-/price-wise.

[Bernard]

Would you consider something like this?

[swanbourne]

No.

Eddie