Fingers-On: Tutima M2 Seven Seas S 40mm Watch

Based mostly upon the utilitarian case design of a chronograph that was produced for the German Air Power in 1984, the Tutima M2 assortment is the model’s lineup of sturdy performance-oriented sports activities watches. Through the years, the M2 lineup has expanded to incorporate a reasonably various assortment of various fashions, and whereas some lean right into a extremely utilitarian and purpose-built design ethos, others take the core blueprint of the M2 sequence and switch it into one thing that may extra simply exist in on a regular basis life. Arguably a few of the greatest examples of the latter number of fashions are the 40mm variations of the Tutima M2 Seven Seas S that had been launched on the very finish of 2022, which take the underlying design of the model’s ultra-robust diver and render it in a extra compact and refined general bundle.

Throughout the higher Tutima M2 assortment, the Seven Seas vary is the model’s lineup of dive watches that rework the M2’s modernized tonneau-shaped case right into a function-forward diver with a 500-meter depth ranking. Whereas the unique Seven Seas is crafted from titanium and affords a extremely sporty and utilitarian design, the Seven Seas S is created from chrome steel, and it embraces a typically extra refined general aesthetic. Whereas the unique Tutima M2 Seven Seas S was launched with a 44mm case, a smaller 40mm model was later added to the gathering, and its decreased dimension and revised proportions make it a wonderful candidate for on a regular basis put on and use, whereas nonetheless providing the identical borderline-excessive water resistance that may fairly actually accompany you to the underside of the ocean.

Crafted from brushed and polished chrome steel, the case of the smaller model of Tutima M2 Seven Seas S affords an similar form and profile to its bigger siblings, though it has been decreased in nearly each dimension potential. Measuring 40mm in diameter by 12.5mm thick, even the on-paper specs supply the impression that this explicit model of the Seven Seas S will likely be fairly manageable; nevertheless, Tutima M2 watches are inclined to put on even smaller than their official dimensions. Since Tutima’s M2 case doesn’t have any lugs within the conventional sense of the phrase, the “lug-to-lug” measurement for the 40mm Seven Seas S is available in at simply 40.5mm, and even whenever you consider the way in which that the end-links stick out previous the sides of the case, you’re nonetheless solely taking a look at an approximate general distance of 49mm. Moreover, regardless of being half a millimeter thinner than its full-size sibling, the smaller 40mm model of the Tutima M2 Seven Seas S remains to be capable of supply the very same 500-meter depth ranking.

Identical to the bigger Tutima M2 Seven Seas S fashions, a signed screw-down winding crown sits between two giant guards on the 3 o’clock location, whereas the stable screw-down chrome steel caseback options a big engraving of a ship. On the alternative facet of the case, a 2.5mm thick flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective remedy protects the dial, and simply as you’ll anticipate from a dive watch, the crystal is surrounded by a unidirectional rotating timing bezel. The outer bezel ring incorporates a combination of scalloped edges with grooved sections, and fitted to this explicit model (reference 6156-06) is a inexperienced ceramic insert with a 60-minute elapsed time scale in white. Whereas the sting of the bezel isn’t absolutely the best to grip, it does supply a easy and stable 60-click motion with just about zero perceptible backplay in any way.

The dials fitted to the Tutima M2 Seven Seas S fashions all have a barely extra refined and dressy look in comparison with these from the usual titanium Seven Seas vary, and a giant a part of this is because of their hour markers, that are utilized tapered batons with polished aspects and a rhodium-plated end. On the model featured right here (ref. 6156-06), the dial is a wealthy inexperienced colour with a radial dégradé impact that darkens to black in direction of the periphery. Identical to the dials fitted to the bigger model of the M2 Seven Seas S, the 40mm mannequin additionally incorporates a date window on the 6 o’clock location, and the inexperienced dial variant options all of its textual content in crisp white printing for added distinction. Whereas the hour and minute fingers obtain a refined end to go with the indexes, the seconds hand is vibrant pink for a further sprint of colour, and all three of the fingers, plus every one of many hour markers and the pip on the bezel are completed with Tremendous-LumiNova that emits a inexperienced glow to assist with visibility in low mild settings.

Powering the 40mm Tutima M2 Seven Seas S is similar Tutima Caliber 330 computerized motion that may be discovered inside its bigger siblings. At its core, the Tutima Cal. 330 is actually the model’s model of the favored ETA 2824 or SW200, and as such, it affords a confirmed design and the acquainted specs of working at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with an influence reserve of roughly 38 hours. Though the Tutima Cal. 330 is undeniably a bit inauspicious, additionally it is a really applicable possibility for strong divers like these from the M2 vary, and whereas it’s straightforward to put in writing this motion off for its ubiquitous design and relatively quick energy reserve, it’s in the end a really sensible possibility in terms of every day use and long-term possession. That mentioned, attributable to the truth that variations of this similar core motion will be present in watches at considerably cheaper price factors, it could have been good to see Tutima use a chronometer-certified equal, though this is able to have inevitably resulted in the next retail value level, with solely marginal real-world advantages.

Identical to the bigger model of the M2 Seven Seas S dive watch, Tutima affords the 40mm mannequin with the choice of both a chrome steel bracelet or a leather-based and rubber strap that’s color-matched to the dial of the particular reference. That includes a rounded H-Hyperlink design, the bracelet seems to have an built-in construction; nevertheless, the quick finish hyperlinks really mount into a reasonably commonplace 23mm hole on the decrease facet of the case. With that in thoughts, for the reason that finish hyperlinks connect to the case with pins somewhat than spring bars, the bracelet isn’t one thing that may be shortly swapped out (not to mention eliminated with out using any instruments). Moreover, for the reason that distance between the connecting pins and the case is minimal, some third-party straps could also be too thick to comfortably match, particularly if they’re of the single-piece or pass-through selection.

The tip-links of the bracelet on the 40mm model of the Tutima M2 Seven Seas S flare out to 25mm so as to create an built-in look with the case, whereas the following hyperlinks supply a slight taper all the way down to 21mm the place they hook up with the clasp. Though I’d have personally most popular to have a bit extra of a taper given the 40mm case dimension of the watch, the precise bracelet itself is kind of stable and leaves little to be desired. That includes a totally stable development and single-sided screws for the detachable hyperlinks, the bracelet is accomplished by a machined folding clasp that incorporates a double push-button launch, 4 holes of micro-adjustment, and a further fold-out wetsuit extension system. Moreover, whereas the overwhelming majority of the bracelet is brushed, the edges of the hyperlinks obtain a high-polish end to match the polished surfaces on the edges of the case.

Whereas the 40mm model of the Tutima M2 Seven Seas S affords the identical strong development and spectacular 500 meters of water resistance that defines the remainder of the gathering, its decreased case dimension and extra refined styling make it ideally suited to be the overbuilt diver that you would be able to comfortably put on in on a regular basis life. The built-in look of its bracelet lends itself to a noticeably extra elevated general aesthetic, and even if the Seven Seas S is greater than able to standing as much as severe diving use, additionally it is a mannequin that may hardly look misplaced when worn on dry land in additional formal settings. With an official retail value of $1,980 USD on a strap or $2,350 USD when bought on the bracelet, the 40mm model of the Tutima M2 Seven Seas S does initially appear barely costly for a diver powered by this known-quantity motion. Nonetheless, what you’re actually paying for here’s a very well-constructed case, together with a singular function-forward design that’s emblematic of Tutima as a model. For extra on the Tutima M2 Seven Seas S 40mm assortment, please go to the model’s web site.