Precista
w-10 fat-boy falklands - Royal Marines

British military watch Precista W-10 “Jumbo” (also known as “Fatboy”) model, issued to Royal Marines and Royal Air Force troops during the Falklands War. This 1982 W-10 model is particularly distinct due to its thicker 13mm case—compared to the 10.2mm versions produced from 1984 onwards. It is delivered with a sand-colored NATO strap. The spring bars are fixed and welded to the case, in accordance with the W10 specifications issued by the British Ministry of Defence.

This watch features a Swiss quartz movement, the ESA 536.121—a reliable calibre known for its robustness. The battery can be easily replaced via the hatch on the case back. Designed to endure the rigors of combat, this military watch gained a strong reputation for its shock resistance and overall reliability, making it a trusted tool among UK armed forces. The caseback bears the “broad arrow” marking, a symbol indicating property of the British Crown.

Southerns Watches & Clocks Supplies Limited (SWCS Ltd), parent company of the Precista brand, used this label for all timepieces sold to the military. SWCS has been a regular supplier of the British Army since the early 1960s. The Precista name dates back to World War II and has been applied to pocket watches, aircraft clocks, and later wristwatches developed through expanded production capabilities.

It is likely that the earliest Precista wristwatches were produced in the 1950s by Swiss subcontractor Tavanes, a watchmaker based near Biel/Bienne in Switzerland, working under contract with Southerns Watches & Clocks Supplies.

This particular watch was issued during the British expeditionary campaign to liberate the Falkland Islands from Argentine forces. It features a black dial with Tritium lume (indicated by the encircled “T” on the dial), a 12-hour railroad-style chapter ring with luminous numerals and hands. Now considered a highly sought-after military collector’s piece, this model has seen its value rise significantly in recent years due to its rarity and the growing interest among collectors for these accessible vintage timepieces.

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