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Thread: Smiths PRS-57 monopusher review

  1. #1

    Smiths PRS-57 monopusher review

    Just posted this over at the "another one for next year" but thought it deserved a thread of its own.

    Smiths PRS-57 monopusher review

    Opening the watch roll the first thing I saw was the dial. I have several old military watches, lots of vintage Smiths and some that are both so I think I'm qualified to say that it is really really good. The lume is pretty much the same colour as my radium GS De Luxe, a subtly aged shade of off-white. (Imho more successful than the nicotine of the PRS-82.) The glow is good without being a total "torch" and more than legible. The ground seems to be ever so slightly "tropical" (i.e. a very very dark brown rather than absolutely jet black). I might be wrong about that and it could well actually be black but either way it looks great.

    Size: 40mm is about as big as I go (36-38mm is my ideal sweet spot but I wear 32-34mm; 30mm is too small; I'm aware that for others 40mm might be bang on or even a bit less than they are used to.) Any any rate it doesn't look wrong.

    Taking it out of the packaging I was surprised -- and not entirely pleasantly so -- by the weight and thickness. As I said, I'm used to vintage watches which are generally manual wind and thinner. I put it on a perlon for a closer fit. I know that adds a tiny amount of extra height as the one-piece, pull-through strap passes underneath the head. However, with it being so tall and heavy (again, compared with what I'm used to) I didn't want any looseness or movement on the wrist. After a very short time I stopped noticing that I was even waring it, despite it being a pretty massive slab. (By my own standards it's a bit of a hockey puck but stopping to chat to a neighbour who wears a modern Omega chonograph -- a Planet Ocean, I think -- I realised that many people wear bigger, heavier watches all the time.)

    The high profile of the bezel reduced slightly the angle at which the dial is visible, compared with flatter watches, but echoes or mirrors the bevel on the caseback (which is similar to the screw-on back of some vintage cases.)

    Pusher and crown look well-executed and work beautifully. Good proportions, too. The signed crown is a nice touch.

    The lugs are extremely pleasing; a perfect size and shape. I could imagine some manufacturers might have gone for beefier lugs but these taper down to quite fine ends which I like; the thin ends stops the watch appearing too fat (and goodness knows it's chunky enough as it is). Drilled holes for quick (and non-scratch) strap changes are a big plus for me, and again pick up some of the features and styling of vintage watches. I have a thing for 18mm lugs (and a large collection of 18mm straps) but 20mm looks right on a 40mm case and the extra strap width spreads the weight better. (One top tip for NATO and perlon fans is to use shoulderless spring bars; fabric straps can snag on standard ones and ping them out. On watches without drilled lugs that means cutting the bars if/when you want to remove them, which is another reason for preferring drilled lugs.)

    The finishing on the case is flawless: sharp edges, even brushing. In an ideal world I've had preferred a case made in Europe rather than China but I can't argue with the quality, especially at this price point.

    The movement has some rotor whirr and wobble but a lot less than the Miyota and isn't really noticeable. Timekeeping has been OK but I expect it to settle down once it's been run in.

    What would I change about it? Nothing. I could see a manual wind version with acrylic crystal might work well and would be popular; it would also be lighter and even closer to the "original" spec.

    All in all it's lovely piece. It arrived at 9am yesterday (by a happy coincidence my 50th birthday) and I wore it all day. Reaching for it again this morning reminded me of its sheer heft but once strapped securely on it simply has a good wrist presence without being overpowering. A very pleasing watch to wear: robust and legible with a vintage vibe that doesn't look fake or forced.

    Recommended.

  2. #2
    Master
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    Thanks Rev

  3. #3
    Master
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    Very good review. Thank you. And Happy Birthday!
    Last edited by gerrudd; 17th November 2021 at 16:50.

  4. #4
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rev-O View Post
    Just posted this over at the "another one for next year" but thought it deserved a thread of its own.

    Smiths PRS-57 monopusher review

    Opening the watch roll the first thing I saw was the dial. I have several old military watches, lots of vintage Smiths and some that are both so I think I'm qualified to say that it is really really good. The lume is pretty much the same colour as my radium GS De Luxe, a subtly aged shade of off-white. (Imho more successful than the nicotine of the PRS-82.) The glow is good without being a total "torch" and more than legible. The ground seems to be ever so slightly "tropical" (i.e. a very very dark brown rather than absolutely jet black). I might be wrong about that and it could well actually be black but either way it looks great.

    Size: 40mm is about as big as I go (36-38mm is my ideal sweet spot but I wear 32-34mm; 30mm is too small; I'm aware that for others 40mm might be bang on or even a bit less than they are used to.) Any any rate it doesn't look wrong.

    Taking it out of the packaging I was surprised -- and not entirely pleasantly so -- by the weight and thickness. As I said, I'm used to vintage watches which are generally manual wind and thinner. I put it on a perlon for a closer fit. I know that adds a tiny amount of extra height as the one-piece, pull-through strap passes underneath the head. However, with it being so tall and heavy (again, compared with what I'm used to) I didn't want any looseness or movement on the wrist. After a very short time I stopped noticing that I was even waring it, despite it being a pretty massive slab. (By my own standards it's a bit of a hockey puck but stopping to chat to a neighbour who wears a modern Omega chonograph -- a Planet Ocean, I think -- I realised that many people wear bigger, heavier watches all the time.)

    [...]

    Great review. Totally agree on the quality and on the vintage feel. I'm delighted with mine.

    It appears to me that the size is a sweet spot to fit most wrists - it may be your largest, but for me it's the smallest of my watches at 40mm (next smallest is 43mm), and the size of the bezel around the dial makes the watch look smaller still - adding to the vintage feel, but small enough to raise a brief pang of alarm when I opened the watch roll. But to my relief the heft of the case means it doesn't feel like a small watch on the wrist. Close to ideal I would say for a watch that while it certainly isn't 'small', it couldn't really be described as 'large' either in a modern context.

    I've been playing with various straps too and liked it on a Bund (previously used on a Sinn 156 among other things) and with light brown suede, but I think it looks neatest and most 'vintage' on a black Nomos cordovan (that I previously used to wear with a Smiths 29B) and on a burgundy cordovan. (Not a fan of NATO-type straps).

    A few iPhone snaps, apologies for the pic quality (I'm clearly no photographer) just trying to give a bit of a feel of the piece in my context at least.










  5. #5
    ^^ I like those straps! I might give that a go, where did you get the cordovan ones from?

  6. #6
    Administrator swanbourne's Avatar
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    If you look between the lugs, you will see that a small notch has been machined out of the bottom of the case so that straps don't rub on the case.

    Eddie
    Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".

  7. #7
    Craftsman
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    Is it a one in one out Ollie as it's not one you can easily say "you remember, I got this ages ago" unless you have a Lemania mil chrono already

  8. #8
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rev-O View Post
    ^^ I like those straps! I might give that a go, where did you get the cordovan ones from?
    The black one is Nomos OEM. The wine-coloured one I got from a German ebay seller years ago but Nomos do one similar now in brown. Absolute top quality, although I don't own a Nomos at the moment I'm a huge fan and their cordovan straps are a big part of that.

    https://nomos-glashuette.com/en/store/straps?o=9


    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    If you look between the lugs, you will see that a small notch has been machined out of the bottom of the case so that straps don't rub on the case.

    Eddie
    Spotted - really nice bit of design :)

  9. #9
    Master blackal's Avatar
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    I'm never too enthusiastic about military watches, but that is nice.

    Suits the flat glass for sure - it completes what to me are 'ultra-clean lines'

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    If you look between the lugs, you will see that a small notch has been machined out of the bottom of the case so that straps don't rub on the case.

    Eddie
    I had not noticed that. Nice touch!


    Quote Originally Posted by size11s View Post
    Is it a one in one out Ollie as it's not one you can easily say "you remember, I got this ages ago" unless you have a Lemania mil chrono already
    Yes, expect some Smiths to appear for sale soon . . . . :-)



    Quote Originally Posted by kk View Post
    The black one is Nomos OEM. The wine-coloured one I got from a German ebay seller years ago but Nomos do one similar now in brown. Absolute top quality, although I don't own a Nomos at the moment I'm a huge fan and their cordovan straps are a big part of that.
    Ah, yes. I think the ebay seller is "sandtuhr"? I've got my eye on a slightly different one. Pics to follow!

  11. #11
    Grand Master AlphaOmega's Avatar
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    Lovely review, Ollie.

    And belated congrats.

  12. #12
    Thanks for the review. Really good and we have also been very impressed with the quality of this watch which arrived yesterday. Thanks to Eddie for getting the black ones out so quickly.

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by swanbourne View Post
    If you look between the lugs, you will see that a small notch has been machined out of the bottom of the case so that straps don't rub on the case.

    Eddie
    I'd noticed that, it made fitting new Timefactors De Luxe Natos much easier due to their thickness.

    Great review there, Ollie and I can't add anything to it, but I'll wave a flag for the cream dial with some pics!











    It's a cracking watch, my first ever mono-pusher and it's so much easier to use as a result.

    R
    Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.

  14. #14
    Craftsman
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    Looks an excellent watch, shame we missed out with issues with the web site rejecting my correct card details but always something else round the corner

  15. #15
    Master RLE's Avatar
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    Arrived this morning. A cracker. It’s a chunky monkey for sure but I’m used to a little height wearing a MM300 on my small wrists. Played around with a few nato straps but then tried my tired and redundant Heuerville. Wasn’t expecting it to work too well but actually looks really good in the flesh. Congrats on another winner Eddie.













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  16. #16
    Master RLE's Avatar
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    Here’s the Heuerville strap……













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  17. #17
    Master TheGent's Avatar
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    That’s looks fantastic - especially on the NATO


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  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by RLE View Post
    Arrived this morning. A cracker. It’s a chunky monkey for sure but I’m used to a little height wearing a MM300 on my small wrists. Played around with a few nato straps but then tried my tired and redundant Heuerville. Wasn’t expecting it to work too well but actually looks really good in the flesh. Congrats on another winner Eddie.













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    Looks brilliant and how big is your wrist? I initially thought it would be too big for my 6.5 inch wrist but now I’m not so sure. Congrats on the pick up.

  19. #19
    Master RLE's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by theflyingfisherman View Post
    Looks brilliant and how big is your wrist? I initially thought it would be too big for my 6.5 inch wrist but now I’m not so sure. Congrats on the pick up.
    Thanks.

    I’m in the small wrist brigade too. 6.5 inch here as well.

    Does look quite big in the photo but the camera does seem to exaggerate the size. Fits really well and visually wears smaller on the leather strap vs the nato.

  20. #20
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by RLE View Post
    Here’s the Heuerville strap……













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    That looks great👍

  21. #21
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by RLE View Post
    Here’s the Heuerville strap……



    Great idea I just dug out similar ....




    Though I must say it looks (and wears) spectacularly well on Staib mesh


  22. #22
    Master TheGent's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kk View Post

    That looks sensational!

  23. #23
    Grand Master abraxas's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheGent View Post
    That looks sensational!
    Yes it does!

  24. #24
    Craftsman
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    It looks gorgeous on the rally and mesh particularly. The height is a concern though I think i'd be happy to try one for size. I couldn't even try and get one on the day. Busy with the family.

  25. #25
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boxsash View Post
    It looks gorgeous on the rally and mesh particularly. The height is a concern though I think i'd be happy to try one for size. I couldn't even try and get one on the day. Busy with the family.

    Really not finding the height an issue at all. Reminds me a lot of my old IWC 3706 Fliegerchronograph. If anything the Monopusher is better-proportioned than the 3706, and certainly has a far cleaner dial.

  26. #26
    Quote Originally Posted by kk View Post
    Really not finding the height an issue at all. Reminds me a lot of my old IWC 3706 Fliegerchronograph. If anything the Monopusher is better-proportioned than the 3706, and certainly has a far cleaner dial.
    Yes, it depends what you're used to. My mate slipped off his Ploprof-on-a-mesh, put the monopusher on and declared it practically a ladies' watch.

    At first a vintage 34mm manual wind with 16mm lugs can look and feel tiny but wear it for a week and you adjust. I'm doing the same in the other direction with this watch.

    The main issues should be practical: is it small enough to fit under the cuffs you wear? Is it large enough to be legible? Do you find it comfortable? Is it well-made, accurate, robust, reliable?

    If yes, then the subjective comes into play: do you like it? Does it fit your "aesthetic" or style? Etc.

    If yes again, proceed.

    Remember, too, that some watches "wear" larger or smaller than their statistics suggest. I find white / light faces, small or no bezels and simple dials wear bigger; the monopusher, being the opposite of those, looks quite compact. But it sure feels its full 15mm depth.

    I'm enjoying wearing it. I know it's still the honeymoon period and maybe it will settle down to take its place in the rotation (or worse) but I've had watches that straight away I had doubts about (or worse). This one I immediately loved; it went out of the box and on to the wrist in a matter seconds, where it has remained for the best part of a week. Ask me again in a month or a year but for now if you can get one, do. Which is the strongest recommendation I can make.

    Oh, and more pics please!

  27. #27
    Master
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    Mine was delivered today.
    I had reservations about the thickness but so far, very happy with it.
    It’s early days, but I think this could be a keeper.





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  28. #28
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by klunk View Post
    Mine was delivered today.
    I had reservations about the thickness but so far, very happy with it.
    It’s early days, but I think this could be a keeper.





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    That's lovely. I had wondered if the white dial might look a little bigger on the wrist. Might just be so.

  29. #29
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Cracking write-up, Rev. Really pleased that it arrived on the big day.
    M
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  30. #30
    Master blackal's Avatar
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    Have to say, from someone who saw the first rendition in black - last week, and liked it....................

    the 'white' face is a level above.

    'just right'.

  31. #31

    Smiths PRS-57 monopusher review





    Not mine

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  32. #32
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    Talking

    When the Smiths Jubilee bracelet goes on sale, I plan to grab 2. One for the monopusher and one for my Everest Expedition. The below shots seal the deal.

  33. #33
    Quote Originally Posted by Ston View Post
    When the Smiths Jubilee bracelet goes on sale, I plan to grab 2. One for the monopusher and one for my Everest Expedition. The below shots seal the deal.
    If you can, could be a 1 per order limit as there will only be 100 of the Jubilee bracelets available.


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  34. #34
    Worn it 24/7 this week (excuse the detritus) and decided it suits leather.




    So I've ordered a Toshi for it.



    R
    Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.

  35. #35
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    I've been trying to get a shot of the blue steel flare that comes off the hands. I can only achieve it by butchering the rest of the shot, but it's one of my favourite bits of the white dial. Every so often the light catches just right and it looks great.

    Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

  36. #36
    Master TheGent's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ston View Post
    I've been trying to get a shot of the blue steel flare that comes off the hands. I can only achieve it by butchering the rest of the shot, but it's one of my favourite bits of the white dial. Every so often the light catches just right and it looks great.

    Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk
    Just magic - love it.


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  37. #37
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by ralphy View Post
    Worn it 24/7 this week (excuse the detritus) and decided it suits leather.


    R

    Agreed - currently on a Hirsch Ranger (I wear the lighter coloured version of this strap with my Longines Heritage Military 1938 handwound 43mm).


  38. #38
    Master TheGent's Avatar
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    Smiths PRS-57 monopusher review

    I don’t know which I’m most impressed by, the watches or chunky jumpers guys!


  39. #39
    Journeyman
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    Lol, it's that time of year!

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  40. #40
    If it wasn’t for my fear of it being too large I’d try my hand at either. Both looking lovely. Enjoy them

  41. #41
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by theflyingfisherman View Post
    If it wasn’t for my fear of it being too large I’d try my hand at either. Both looking lovely. Enjoy them
    'Big' is relative ... it's the smallest watch I own. For reference the Longines is only 43mm (=not actually in the 'giant' category) ... because of the relative bezel thicknesses there looks like a lot more than 3mm in it. Consequently, the Smiths actually wears quite small for its given dimensions.



  42. #42
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    Cracking write-up, Rev. Really pleased that it arrived on the big day.
    M
    Thanks. Really glad you could make the party, too. With your inevitable machine -- several people have told me how impressed they were with it.

    Quote Originally Posted by TheGent View Post
    I don’t know which I’m most impressed by, the watches or chunky jumpers guys!

    It's very much a watch for chunky jumper.

    I've just ordered a strap from John Keiller -- a nice thick one in dark brown leather (for the black dial, a combo I know works well.) Pics to follow . . . .

  43. #43
    Grand Master abraxas's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ston View Post

    I've been trying to get a shot of the blue steel flare that comes off the hands. ......

    Every so often the light catches just right and it looks great.............
    It's the same with the Expedition. You could be mucking around the house and to all intents and purposes, the hands look "normal". And then you step out into sunlight and the blue just pops and you have a different/better watch.

  44. #44
    I've just listed the brand new white dial one on Sales Corner. We bought both and prefer the black. For sale at RRP plus RMSD delivery.

  45. #45
    Grand Master markrlondon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jpjsavage View Post
    I've just listed the brand new white dial one on Sales Corner. We bought both and prefer the black. For sale at RRP plus RMSD delivery.
    I hope you don't mind me asking: Who is "we" in this context?

    I'm dying to know.

  46. #46
    My wife bought the white one. I bought the black one.

    Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

  47. #47
    Grand Master markrlondon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jpjsavage View Post
    My wife bought the white one. I bought the black one.
    Thanks. :-)

  48. #48
    Journeyman fogar's Avatar
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    Smiths PRS-57 monopusher review

    I love this thing






    Last edited by fogar; 25th November 2021 at 11:11.

  49. #49
    Quote Originally Posted by markrlondon View Post
    Thanks. :-)
    Now sold. Great watches - both of them.

  50. #50
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rev-O View Post
    Thanks. Really glad you could make the party, too. With your inevitable machine -- several people have told me how impressed they were with it.
    You have some very interesting friends, fortunately my inevitable machine covers that base for me. It was a real pleasure, thank you for being an excellent host.
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

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