The Tutima Flieger Automatic now in Slate Grey

When it comes to classic “observation watches” there are few brands with as much legitimacy as Tutima. Founded in 1927 by Dr Ernst Kurtz, the director of Uhren-Rohwerke-Fabrik (UROFA) and the Uhrenfabrik Glashütte AG (UFAG), the name Tutima derived from the Latin word for “safe, secure” and was given to the best movements produced by the atelier. In the late 1930s, the Saxon brand received a commission for its first pilot’s chronograph, the so-called Flieger, something that would become one of the brand’s specialities. As a new chapter in this ongoing saga, the brand unveiled the Flieger Automatic in 2019, with a trendy green dial. This year, a new edition is presented, with the Tutima Flieger Automatic now in Slate Grey.

There are two sides to Tutima. One covers refined horology, with the Patria collection comprising some beautifully executed models with complex, traditional in-house movements. Then, there’s a collection of robust sports watches, whether under the M2 name or, as you’d expect knowing the brand’s background, under the Flieger umbrella, which comprises several types of pilot’s watches. There’s of course the classic Grand Flieger, with its fluted bezel and chronograph function. And more recently, the brand enlarged its collection with the Flieger Automatic, a simplified, robust, accessible and very focused watch that came with all necessary features of such a piece.

This Flieger Automatic (ref. 6105 to be precise) is the brand’s vision of an entry-level time-and-date watch, revised with a modernized design, some nice colourful details and a slightly more casual vocation. Behind this Flieger of the 2020s is a less instrumental design, less rigorous appeal than what you’ll find for instance in the Grand Flieger Classic Automatic. Without denying the signature codes of a pilot’s watch, this watch brought something younger and more playful, specifically in the inaugural green edition. This year, the brand’s bring a more classic colour to the range.

The case of the Tutima Flieger Automatic measures 41mm in diameter and 13mm in height, so rather reasonable for a typical pilot’s watch. It is entirely polished, making it more contemporary, but still comes with a screw-in crown, domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal and a water-resistance rated at 100 metres. Also, there’s a sapphire caseback to have a view of the movement. The overall design, however, remains in line with the classic codes of a pilot’s watch.

The dial is the novelty here, with a new gradient grey “smoky” colour, playing with shadows and light. The centre of the dial is indeed lighter than the periphery, which not only animates the watch but also enhances contrast around the markers. Apart from that, the traditional features of a Flieger watch are present, such as the bold hours markers and Arabic numerals, a precision minuterie, a triangular marker flanked by two dots at 12 o’clock and large hands, all for optimal legibility. Most elements are largely filled with Super-LumiNova. To bring a bit of joy to this monochromatic scheme, the seconds hand is orange-coloured.

Powering the Tutima Flieger is the automatic calibre Tutima 330 (base ETA 2824), with a 38-hour power reserve and 4hz frequency. In short, a tried-and-tested, easily serviceable movement. Still, the brand adds its own rotor with an 18 karat gold seal.

This new Tutima Flieger Automatic Slate Grey can be selected with a tone-on-tone Horween leather strap with a steel pin buckle, priced at USD 1,650, or a 3-link brushed and polished stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp, priced at USD 1,990. More details at tutima.com.