Praesidus has made it their business to revive lost stories of military courage and heroism by commemorating them in watches, like the Tom Rice and Vince Speranza A-11 Collections. To date, the brand’s service watches recreate emblematic timepieces from the Second World War. This month, Praesidus fast forward to the 1970s with the PAC-76 Pilot Chronograph.
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The PAC-76 breathes new life into a bi-compax design issued primarily to pilots throughout the RAF (Royal Air-Force). While these earlier models relied upon the Valjoux 7733, the PAC-76 is equipped with the Hattori VK64—a meca-quartz calibre that provides accurate timekeeping (+/-20 seconds/month) while preserving the desirable second hand sweep found in a mechanical watch.
Initially, pilots could use the chronograph function for tracking elapsed time, which allowed them to make speed and distance calculations without losing the ability to accurately measure the time of day. In this way, they could trace fuel consumption and make basic navigational computations.
Watchmakers like Hamilton, Precista, CWC, and Newmark all had a hand in manufacturing watches for the British forces, according to DEF-STAN specifications as laid out by the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD). Many of these same specifications can be found in the Praesidus PAC-76.
Perhaps the most notable element is the asymmetrical case. This design is intended to shield the crown and pushers from damage through accidental knocks in a tight cockpit. The PAC-76 measures 38.5mm in diameter, which is only slightly larger than vintage specs. It is also a very compact 45.3mm lug to lug. The case is circularly brushed along the lug tops and vertically brushed along the sides. Because of the meca-quartz movement, however, the height is only 11.3mm, making the PAC-76 a very tidy package easily slipped beneath a cuff.
Like its predecessors, the dial is black with white markers. The 12 and 6 are slightly oversized and treated with Super-LumiNova—as are the dot hour indicators around the outer index. The baton handset is also lumed. In the nine o’clock sub-register, there is a 60-minute counter. On the other side, there is a 24-hour register. Other than on a GMT, the 24-hour track is a more or less useless complication. A small seconds would better. But this is a common criticism of the VK64—for all of its other benefits. The chronograph time is measured by a central second hand which rests at twelve.
The PAC-76 Pilot Chronograph is strikingly legible and well-balanced. Aside from the use of starkly contrasting colours and “fauxtina,” the dial also employs a mix of textures to further distinguish the various features. The raised hour markers standout against the sand, or “popcorn,” texture of the dial, and the sunken sub-dials are finished in a fine azurage to look like vinyl records.
As they have in past models, Praesidus have opted for hardened K1 mineral glass for the crystal. I would, perhaps, have preferred acrylic, but it is a nicely boxed dome with gentle distortions at the edges.
The screw down case back is roughly finished in a military-style, with vertical brushing and contains only text, indicating information such as the brand name and the 100m water resistance. It also advertises the American assembly of the timepiece.
The watch featured here sports a vintage-styled Bonklip bracelet of which I am particularly fond. However, if it isn’t your thing, there is also a choice of distressed leather, black leather, or a single pass NATO strap.
SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 38.5mm Diameter 45.3mm Lug to Lug 11.3mm Thick /w Glass 20mm Lug Width Screwed Caseback 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | K1 Hardened Mineral Glass /w AR Sand-Texture Dial Raised Indices and Painted Numerals Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Hattori VK64 32 768Hz Central Chronograph, 60-Minute Counter, & 24-Hour Indicator 3-Year Battery Life |
| Strap | Bonklip Bracelet or Your Choice of Distressed Leather, Black Leather, or a NATO Strap |
Praesidus PAC-76 Pilot Chronograph
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Final Thoughts
The Praesidus PAC-76 Pilot Chronograph is an attractive value proposition. The brushed case looks great. It has nice flowing lines. The dial is extremely legible and the lume is good. While not an automatic movement, the VK64 has a smooth action and keeps excellent time. I am very partial to the aesthetic of the Bonklip, but I am sure this one would look just as good on leather. Praesidus have done well to maintain and respect the spirit of the original watch while dressing up the design somewhat with the textured dial and “vinyl” sub-registers. In terms of proportions, the watch is nearly perfect and extremely comfortable on wrist. If the brand chooses to iterate–as they have with their A-11 Collection–it would be interesting to see an acrylic crystal option and maybe even a manual wind Seagull movement in the future.
The Praesidus PAC-76 Pilot Chronograph will retail for $345 USD on your choice of strap, or $395 USD on the Bonklip. For more information, please visit the brand website.
About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
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It seems to be a good value at its price point.
Agreed. Cheers!