I thought I would like my Smiths Everest more.
For me the Smiths Everest PRS-25 is kind of a mixed bag. I own the now sold-out gilt dial version, which I freely admit is well made and quite attractive, but I don’t wear it as often as I originally though I would when I purchased it. I’m fully aware this is a purely emotional reaction triggered in part by the sucktacular experience I had with Timefactors online shop.
It’s nicely proportioned and at 36mm it fit nicely on my wrist and is close to the original 1016, from which it blatantly copied most of its design so it’s no surprise that it shares the same level of comfort that the Explorers are known for. The dial is clean, legible, and thankfully free of applied indices and as previously mentioned; the gilt is done very well and it adds a lot to the visual appearance of the watch with a classy and subtle glimmer of gold.
The case back is done in a very old-style fashion with a minimal engraving of the company logo, WR rating, model and S/N done on a mirror like high polish finish. It’s very old school as it was commonly done in the same fashion before WW2 but it’s the kind of finish that will look like crap in a few years. Mine is thankfully holding its own so far and I look at it more as a curiosity than a nuisance.
The bracelet is OK. That’s about the most I can say about it because I’m usually not a big fan of bracelets and I prefer to wear my watches on ColaReb leather or Erika Original straps. However, I can see that it’s decently made with solid screwed links, the clasp is reasonably thin and short, and the bracelet style match the watch. Since it hasn’t yet broken down into pieces, sending the watch into free fall I can also conclude that it works as intended.
The lume on the dial and on the hands match and are sufficiently luminous for my purposes. I’m also satisfied that the fashionable fautina wasn’t used to fake a vintage look. All things considered, the PRS-25 is very decent with no major flaws and should appeal to anyone looking for a nicely made Explorer pastiche.
So why the lack of enthusiasm? Well, it’s partly because despite all the positives I still find the style boring and uninspired. In short, it’s nice but not exciting which is perhaps why I found later that I was more thrilled by the mission I set to myself to get one despite the seller than by finally owning one. Another reason behind my lack of enthusiasm is due to the shopping experience that was so disgustingly shocking that it soured me forever from even thinking about buying another product from this brand and therefore the PRS-25 got hit with negative feelings by association. And then there is the Mathey-Tissot MT369 which I simply like more.
I'm a big fan of watches that are interesting because they are either unique, have interesting features, well designed or simply offer a great value for their price.
I had two Timefactors watches with plans to buy more, but alas I fell foul of the owner’s wrath for daring to bring a flaw with one of his watches to his attention. Never again. Sold up and never looked back.
I had two Timefactors watches with plans to buy more, but alas I fell foul of the owner’s wrath for daring to bring a flaw with one of his watches to his attention. Never again. Sold up and never looked back.
Oh please do tell!
Oh please do tell!
Not much more to tell. The guy was unpleasant over a faulty movement and wouldn’t do anything about it. That combined with the ridiculous buying experience raised massive red flags and I chose to walk away.
I had been super tempted to grab a PRS-29A, but the horror stories have kept me away.
Sorry to hear you and many others had such a bad customer service experience. I purchased the gilt dial Everest as a gift for my father. I didn’t have any difficulties with the purchase. But I may have just been fortunate. I agree that the bracelet is uninspired. I do find the rest of the watch to be charming though.
The ordering process, if you can call it that way, is a nightmare and an exercise in frustration. OTOH I must confess that the delivery is fast and that the watch is nicely packaged in traveling case.
The after sales service is a great source of reading amusement - as long as you are not the one who own the watch requiring the service - because you soon get the idea that it's one guy who is so concerned in proving he is right that he will spend twice as much time and energy in trying to prove his point and alienate his customer forever rather than being smart and fixing the problem instead.
Yep; pretty much sums up my experience with TimeFactors.
I had my PRS-25 for three days before I sold it on.
On the plus side, there's a queue of people waiting for these watches, so you should have no problem getting rid of it.
other than uninspired design i find this piece are very well made and beautiful 😍😍
Yep, Timefactors has been a crap shoot for years.
It happens, sometimes we don't like watches as much as we thought we would. TBH, it probably happens to me more often than not (which helps keep the overall watch count down, at least).
If you don't like it, someone else will want it.
Here we go… Timefactors Smiths. Troubling company flogging watches that are homages to watches the original Smiths never made, that are quite frankly boring and excellent material for flippers. Reviews seemingly legitimise the poor practices on show, and searching the net reveals numerous horror stories that magically never get mentioned. Avoid.
I own four Timefactors watches and have been very impressed with their quality vs price and I plan to purchase two more in the next few months.
With that said, I’ve also read that Eddie is a jerk and the post sale experience can be awful. However, it does appear that he may now be getting help from his nephew and am hoping that helps with the customer service in the future.
I also see many people complaining about the purchase process. I’ve never failed to make a purchase on any attempt. It‘s not too much different from any other micro brand dropping and selling out in 15 mins. At least he opens the store every two weeks and you have another shot if you miss out. And with ordering from the US on a Sunday and receiving it on Wednesday doesn’t seem too shabby to me.
Very nice review. And you are correct, the buying experience at time factors is absolutely horrible! I tried three different times to get an Everest and failed. I finally went third-party and found a Jubilee and purchased it. I do like the watch very much. I have learned to change out the straps and for some reason the watch becomes new to me every time. Here’s a picture of a pretty stout rubber strap from HOOK and Gaff. Thank goodness it is a rubber strap because I had to squeeze the 22 mm strap into the 20 mm lug width. Thank goodness for drilled lugs or I’d be in trouble.
I've owned a couple of the Smith's watches over the last few years. While they are nice enough, I've never had a problem with the one's I've owned. I'm completely sour to owning anymore due the ordering process. I'd rather be on waitlist than crap shoot. But as has been mentioned he has enough fans clammering after them when he decides he's opening for 10 mins that nothing will change.
Very nice review. And you are correct, the buying experience at time factors is absolutely horrible! I tried three different times to get an Everest and failed. I finally went third-party and found a Jubilee and purchased it. I do like the watch very much. I have learned to change out the straps and for some reason the watch becomes new to me every time. Here’s a picture of a pretty stout rubber strap from HOOK and Gaff. Thank goodness it is a rubber strap because I had to squeeze the 22 mm strap into the 20 mm lug width. Thank goodness for drilled lugs or I’d be in trouble.
This is the aventurine dial jubilee model isn't it?
This is the aventurine dial jubilee model isn't it?
Yes sir. I thought I wouldn’t like it. Not a flashy guy but after having it in hand I love it. I have had 3-4 nonwatch people comment on it. never had anyone comment on a watch I’ve worn except my Railmaster.
I have four Timefactors watches. I absolutely, oddly enough I was never able to order the Everest which was the one I wanted. I still want one because the 1016 is a grail watch for me that I will never be able to have. I haven't had any problems with the owner, but then again I haven't had a reason to contact him after the sale or get service. I did watch a YouTube video made by someone I really respect that layed out his horrid experience with Eddie. The treatment he received was nothing short of appalling. I believe as a result he too lost interest in the watches and sold them off. I don't blame him. The buying process and how a company treats its customers are as important as the watch itself.
Well....shit!!! Not worth taking the chance of total disappointment at this point. Looks like I'll be buying used.
Well thanks for helping me make a decision on a Smith's each.
I love the look and vibe and brand heritage but your not the first to mention the odd sales techniques they use.
For me the whole experience of likening to researching and buying need to work.
So I shall be spending my cash elsewhere, there are alot of great company's and watches out there.
I’ve had a few watches from Timefactors and currently have a Smiths Commando in hand and a PRS-25 cream dial on auction. Watches are pretty well executed especially the 36mm oyster case offerings. We all know who the owner is and his business practice. It goes without saying that it’s a mixed bag of emotions regarding his watches. In response the the OP, totally get what you’re feeling about the PRS-25 Gilt. For me it’s the robust Oyster case, its perfect as I have a smaller wrist and throughly appreciate the watch for what it is and isn’t. Somewhat boring and uninspired? I get it but it all micro-brands who have attempted the same project, this is the best available IMO. If you havent done so yet, try putting it on minimalist leather straps, it could find favor with you again.
I’ve had a few time factors watches, smiths and Precista
luckily before the current ordering debacle which seems to be some sort of ego trip by the owner.
instead of the Everest I’d go for the Zeno Zex explorer or the Venerable Sarb017 Alpinist
both are better
I’ve had a few time factors watches, smiths and Precista
luckily before the current ordering debacle which seems to be some sort of ego trip by the owner.
instead of the Everest I’d go for the Zeno Zex explorer or the Venerable Sarb017 Alpinist
both are better
I don't have any experience with the Zeno. I do own a SARB017 and I agree that it is the better watch, however it's also 2mm wider and wears very differently on the wrist.
Well....shit!!! Not worth taking the chance of total disappointment at this point. Looks like I'll be buying used.
I would not recommend this because buying used mean a quick trip to scalper's alley.