Smiths Commander 71: Specs, Price and How to Buy One

The Smiths Commander 71 (reference PRS-71) is a 40mm automatic dive watch sold by Timefactors, the small Sheffield company that revived the Smiths name. It is based on a Smiths dive model that only appeared in the brand's 1971 catalogue, and it pairs that design with a Miyota 9015 movement, a sapphire crystal and 300m water resistance for £395. This article covers its specifications, how it compares with similar divers, and how to buy one, based on Timefactors' published details as of 30 October 2026. We have not handled the watch ourselves.

Smiths and Timefactors

Smiths traces its history to 1851 in London and is best known for the watch worn on the 1953 Everest expedition. Its British watchmaking ended around 1980. Timefactors, founded by Eddie Platts and selling watches online since 1996, acquired the rights to the name and has since released a range of Smiths models inspired by the original designs, such as the Everest PRS-25 and the military PRS-29.

Eddie Platts died at the end of May 2026 after a long illness, according to a July 2026 update on the Timefactors site written by his nephew, Dave Platts. Dave, who has worked full-time at the company since 2020, now runs it and says the business will continue. That update listed the Commander 71 among the models in stock when the store reopened.

Specifications

The Design

Timefactors says the Commander 71 is inspired by a rare Smiths dive model that only appeared in the 1971 catalogue, which it found the year before the launch. It keeps the original's baton hands, now with luminous inserts, and adds a fully lumed bezel. The pie-pan dial, where the outer edge slopes down like an upturned dish, is a period detail common on 1960s and 1970s watches.

What Stands Out

• Specification for the price. Sapphire, 300m, a screw-down crown and a solid-link bracelet with micro-adjustment are features you often have to pay more for.
• The Miyota 9015. A thinner, higher-beat automatic than the Seiko NH35 found in many divers at this price, with hand winding and a stopping seconds hand.
• A 40mm case that suits most wrists, with a 48mm lug-to-lug length.

Things to Know

• Availability. Timefactors sells in small batches, and its product page showed the Commander 71 as sold out on 30 October 2026. The store also closes from time to time; orders placed between 28 October and 3 November 2026 were set to ship from 4 November.
• Thickness. At 13.2mm it is a little thicker than some rivals, such as the Seiko Prospex SPB453.
• No independent hands-on reviews yet. We found Timefactors' own announcement and owner resale listings, but no in-depth review from a major watch site. Timefactors' earlier Smiths models have been reviewed favourably for their build, for example by Worn & Wound.
• Prices outside the UK. The £395 price is in UK pounds. Buyers elsewhere may pay import duties and taxes on arrival.

Alternatives

• Seiko Prospex SPB453: a 40mm Seiko diver with Seiko's own movement and wider dealer support, at about $1,300.
• Orient Kamasu: sapphire and 200m for less money, in a 41.8mm case. See our dive watches under $500.
• Smiths Caribbean 1000 PRS-55: another Timefactors diver, also 40mm, with a shorter lug-to-lug length.

The Bottom Line

On paper, the Smiths Commander 71 offers a lot for £395: sapphire, 300m, a Miyota 9015 and a properly made bracelet, wrapped in a design that few people will have seen before. The main hurdle is getting one, since Timefactors sells in small batches. If you want to buy, sign up to its newsletter for restock news and check the store when it reopens.

Sources

• Timefactors: Smiths Commander 71 PRS-71 product page; launch announcement; July 2026 update (checked 30 October 2026)
• Comparison data: lug2lug alternatives
• Earlier Smiths models: Worn & Wound hands-on with the PRS-36