Speedbird is a British watch brand produced by Time Factors, a company founded by Eddie Platts in 1996 in South Yorkshire, England. Originally starting as an online trader for established brands, Time Factors evolved into a pioneering microbrand presence with the launch of the first Speedbird model in 2001.
Collectors are drawn to Speedbird for its high-specification tool watches that pay homage to classic aviation and military designs while providing significant value relative to their construction quality. The timepieces are noted for their robust builds, often featuring sterile, logo-free dials for maximum legibility, screw-down crowns, and sapphire crystals tested for negative pressure to prevent popping at high altitudes.
The brand’s catalog is headlined by several key pieces: – Speedbird III (PRS-22): The flagship model, this 39mm pilot-style watch is inspired by the IWC Mark XV. It features a soft-iron anti-magnetic inner case, a Sellita SW200-1 movement (previously ETA 2824-2), and a high-quality stainless steel bracelet with solid links.
– PRS-1 Speedbird: The original model that launched the brand in 2001, limited to a production run of 300 pieces and powered by the ETA 2836-2 movement.
– Speedbird GMT (PRS-22GMT): A travel-oriented variation of the flagship model that includes a GMT complication for tracking a second time zone.
– Baby Speedbird (PRS-51): A smaller-cased version designed to maintain the series’ signature aesthetic in a more compact form factor.
