I don't remember seeing these single-subdial ETA chronograph movements before. So I looked them up in the ETA catalog retrieved Nov 2023 (attached) and found that Certina are just not using the upper two registers:

At the watch level, Certina not indicating PreciDrive is equivalent to the absence of a 10 spy claim. How do you evaluate the UK ADs who indicate that the watch is PD?

 

At least the BD version have the Precidrive symbol, and Certina seems to use Precidrive alot, so it´s probably a good performer

 

Cue obligatory email to Certina UK.

I await their response and will update here shortly.

In my experience, they're good at responding and will provide a satisfactory answer to the question as to whether the PD variant of 251.264 is used in this watch.

Of course, if it is confirmed to be a PD, they won't offer any commitment to performance of said PD movement

 

Well, that settles it.

Not a HAQ candidate. Email from Certina UK below.

"Thank you for your email. The Certina DS Pilot C024.617.16.042.00 does not use the Precidrive version of the ETA 251.264 movement."

 

Should this thread be closed?

 

I think so.

Doesn't warrant further input.

May be worth retaining the thread though rather than moving. A lesson to other members that, before putting forward a potential HAQ candidate, do your background due diligence beforehand. But in the words of Nic Cage in Con Air: "... (Mr. Moderator) this is your barbeque, man".