Tutima Saxon One Chronograph in Racing Red. (Photo: R. Naas)
Just in time for Memorial Day, we bring you a look at a beautiful watch that will put you in the “Red” mood of red/white and blue. German brand Tutima is among our favorite brands here at ATimelyPerspective for a host of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the brand always seems to get it right. Such is the case with the newest Saxon One Chronograph in bold fire-engine red that was unveiled earlier this year at Baselworld. I had the chance to go hands on with this watch, and I have to say, it’s a beauty inside and out.
To begin with, this evolution of the pilot watch is a powerful rendition. The 43mm watch is crafted in stainless steel and features a striking scarlet dial with red sunburst subsidiary dials for the chronograph. The watch offers hours, minutes, small seconds (at 9 o’clock), date indication (at 3 o’clock), chronograph central seconds hand, 60-minute counter on outer red flange, and 12-hour counter (at 6 o’clock). There is also a 24-hour display (at 12 o’clock) that can act as a day/night indication. With so much going on, one would expect the dial to be busy. However, it is not busy at all, in fact, it has a nice, harmonious balance to it.
Tutima Saxon One Chronograph in Racing Red is offered with a choice of strap colors (red or black), or bracelet.
The Tutima Saxon One Chrono is powered by the Caliber Tutima 521 automatic movement that is based on a Valjoux 7750, that is not only substantially modified and finished by Tutima, but also features a proprietary chronograph system designed in the watchmaker’s Saxony workshops. The finely finished movement is equipped with 25 jewels and offers 44 hours of power reserve. Thanks to a screw-down crown, it is also water resistant to 200 meters. From a form and function standpoint, this watch delivers all the bells and whistles.
Additionally, from an aesthetic perspective, it is dynamite thanks to the cushion-shaped matte case with pyramid-notched round polished bezel that offers a great interplay of geometric shapes. The bi-directional rotating bezel is equipped with a red reference marker for immediate orientation or timing of an event. While this watch is sporty, it is also chic, and measures just 15.7mm in height so it can easily slip under a shirtsleeve or sport coat. Finished with a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides for glare-proof reading of the time, the dial features faceted elongated hour indexes tipped with Super-LumiNova for easy readability day or night. Naturally the case back is transparent to allow for viewing of the finely finished movement.
Tutima Saxon One Chronograph in Racing Red is powered by an automatic movement.(Photo: R. Naas)
The Tutima Saxon One Chronograph watch is offered with either a slate gray or black alligator strap, a stainless steel bracelet, or — my favorite — a bright red alligator strap. It retails for $6,100 USD on strap, or $6,500 USD on steel bracelet. This is one watch that you will want to get on your wrist, but be warned: Once on, you won’t want to take it off.
“As an independent brand, utilizing a color like this racing red makes customers stop and look. Red is a hot color and, in the Saxon One Chrono, it makes for a hot watch with a lot of attitude,” says Gustavo Calzadilla, President of Tutima North America.
This dauntless new aviation-inspired watch in vibrant red joins its gray, white, and blue Saxon One Chrono siblings, and is designed for people in control of their own destinies, people not afraid to express themselves. This may well be why Tutima uses the tag line: “Saxon One, for those who don’t need GPS to know where they stand” for this collection.
Technical Specs of the Tutima Saxon One Chronograph
Tutima Saxon One Chronograph in Racing Red on bracelet.
Ref: 6420-07 Racing red dial, stainless steel bracelet
Ref: 6420-08 Racing red dial, alligator strap
Movement: Cal. Tutima 521 Automatic, 25 jewels, 44 hours power reserve
Case: 43mm stainless steel, 15.7mm in height, cushion shaped, matte finish, integrated large chronograph pushers, 200-meter water resist
Bezel: polished, ratcheted, bidirectional rotating bezel with red reference marker Dial: Red with red sunburst subsidiary dials
Tutima Saxon One Chronograph in Racing Red on red alligator strap.
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph 60-second counter, 60-minute counter, and 12-hour counter. Sweep second and minute counter, 24-hour display, date
Crystal: Domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal (both sides). See- through case back with sapphire crystal
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp or alligator strap with stainless steel folding clasp
Retail price: $6,100 on strap; $6,500 on bracelet. Additional interchangeable alligator straps: $300. Additional deploy folding buckle if needed: $200.
Tutima Saxon One Chronograph in Racing Red on gray alligator strap.
