Staff

TUTIMATutima Celebrates Rich History with Flieger Chronographby Steve HeislerTutima comes from the Latin ‘tutus’ which means safe All Grand Classic models bear the traditional coin-edgeor protected. In watchmaking circles, it has meant but bezel, red marker and pilots hands that first appeared on theone thing since 1927: that an array of fine watchesClassic Flieger Chronograph.under that same name are a safe bet when it comes to topquality movements, cases and components.As the company celebrates 80 years of finely crafted metalsand movements, it does so with the knowledge of its own reputationthat grows with each new creation from the manufacturenow located outside the German town of Bremen.That reputation was cemented in the 1940s when Tutimawas commissioned by the government to manufactureits first aviation chronograph. Its Tutima ClassicNew to this collectionwill be a large Tutima “t1927’ logo etched on theexhibition crystal backwith special anniversaryengraving on the caseback.Its 43mm stainlesssteel case, convexFlieger Chronograph went on to define an era in the industrysapphire crystals,of aviation watches.It’s that spirit that infuses the latest creations from Tutima,including a special collection of new chronographsbased on the style of its Classic line.The highlight of this collection is the Grand Classic HavanaLimited Edition, Ref.781-01. Limited to 800 pieces, it featuresa second time zone display and comes with a Bordeauxcoloreddial and gold tone logo. Individually numbered on theside of the case and presented with a matching certificate, thiswatch is sure to become a collector’s item.Different functions, dial layouts and colors will mark othersin the Grand Classic series. A selfwindingValjoux 7754 movementdefines the Grand Classic UTC, Ref.781-04, while extra-large 12-hour and 30-minute displays anda Valjoux 7750 automatic movementmake the Grand Classic F2Chronograph, Ref. 781-05, a worthymember of this group.screw-down crownand case backs makethis watch as technicallysound as it is beautiful.And with a water resistanceof 100 meters, it’s clear thisis one timepiece that will bearound, no matter how used,for a long time.Reliability has always been abenchmark of Tutima and one reasonits anniversary celebration extendsto its new Tutima Yachting Chronograph. Designedas a professional watch for the active regatta competitor, itbuilds upon Tutima’s tradition as an official NATO suppliersince 1985. In that capacity, timepieces by Tutima have undergonestringent tests and tested under extremely challengingconditions.As an example, Tutima’s DI300 model endured a 2,000-miletrip beneath the Baltic Sea. The same level of professionalismcan be expected from the Yachting Chronograph, in this casefor yachtsmen the world over.Tutima’s staying power in yachting circles makesperfect sense: For the third straight year it was named80 Years and CountingOfficial Timekeeper of the Kieler Woche Regattas. It also recentlytook part in the HSH Nordbank 2007 Blue Race, a onceevery-three-yearregatta that consists of 40 teams racing 3,600miles nonstop across theAtlantic from Newport,Rhode Island to Hamburg,Germany.The Yachting Chronographepitomizes theattributes that makeTutima the best in thisfield, encompassing durability,legibility andfunctionality in a waythat strengthens thefoundation of theseinstruments.The design and constructionof the YachtingChronograph lets youknow the minute you strap it on that this is one tough watch.Its pure titanium case has integrated push buttons that cancope with the most demanding conditions. And its provenself-winding Lemania movement, also used in the MilitaryNATO Chronograph, is a perfect platform to endure any chal-lenge and provide the necessary functions for the 15-minutecounter.The regatta counter’s clear layout is appealing with a 15-minute display divided intothree different coloredsections for easy reading.The bright yellowhand resembles the hullof a racing yacht and indicatesthe progressionto a race’s start.Key technical featuresthat will catch your eyeinclude water and pressureresistance to 200meters, a case and braceletof non-corrosive puretitanium and a bidirectionallocking compassbezel. Its rich dark blue dialand easy-to-read luminous hands and indices are protected bya non-reflective sapphire crystal.The case secured with a screw-down crown and screw-downcase back are the final elements of this watch that is designedto deliver — and does so, time and time again.As a highly versatile timepiece for a sailor or any active watersports enthusiast, the Yachting Chronograph buildsupon the tradition of an earlier Tutima Chronograph, theClassic Flieger Chronograph.As Tutima celebrates 80 yearsof fine watchmaking, withthe release of both itsnew Classic line and theYachting Chronograph,it’s evident this is onebrand that — as the rootof its name indicates — issafely taking us on a journeyfrom Swiss watchmaking’sesteemed past into a futurethat is oh so bright for us all. n74 August 2007 www.hrwatches.comwww.hrwatches.com August 2007 75