The second half of January is my least favorite time of the year. The pleasant tension and euphoria of the holidays are over, the garlands are turned off, the salads are eaten, the scale shows a couple of extra pounds, and the cold wind blows scraps of gift bags past discarded and snow-covered Christmas trees. January is the month when it feels like you need to start all over again, but there is not enough fire and inspiration to throw off the winter torpor, make plans for the year, get back into normal shape, and much more. This is when we need little encouraging little things.
Well, you know! A favorite soft turtleneck, a cup of coffee before work, a car battery that starts even in severe frost, and some positive and comfortable watch. The kind to put on and not take off until spring. Eh... We need to find these somewhere, and in addition, ideas for writing a review. And this is all in mid-January. Here's a problem! As if you need to find a flower in the January forest. Like in your favorite winter fairy tale about 12 months. What if it works?
So, we need something positive, preferably in a light color and discreet design! A touch of summer romance and a hefty dose of good ergonomics. And to be grown on reliable soil of Swiss quality. Will seek!
In my searches, I came across a watch from a familiar Swiss company, Titoni, a manufacturer whose emblem features a Chinese plum tree. It is he who personifies the company's values - grace, endurance and resilience. I think these ideals can be applied both to the company itself, which has gone through a lot over its more than 100-year history, and to the object of our review. The Airmaster 83906-S-698 model is very suitable for the epithets “refinement” and “solidity”.
In general, this watch became for me a “flower” of an unknown species. What's this? Are they pilots, but sophisticated? Is it Field Watch, but light? Or maybe this is a watch to match a classic suit, but courageous and ready for adventure? This is what makes this find interesting! The case is small, thin (slightly thicker than 9 mm) and interestingly finished. Thin lugs and a radial satin-brushed bezel with a polished chamfer create a sophisticated silhouette.
And the bracelet is not far behind: not thick, flexible, 5-row with a combined finish, crowned (as befits a flower) with a butterfly clasp. The watch sits very comfortably on the wrist and fits easily under the cuff. And this is important for comfortable wearing under many layers of winter clothing. Some of the side effects of this refinement is that the crown is a bit fiddly to use. It’s difficult to pick it up, and once you pick it up, you can’t turn confidently.
However, the automatic caliber Sellita SW200-1 does not require frequent adjustment when worn constantly. Just change the date. And even then it’s closer to spring.
The manufacturer claims that the automatic winding rotor is plated with 18-karat gold and has diamond engraving. You can verify this pleasant detail by looking through the transparent back cover. In addition, you can see the necessary technical information on it. But my attention was still more attracted to the dial.
Under the flat sapphire crystal, the contrasting Arabic markings stand out clearly against the cream background. The hands are quite powerful (there was even enough room for a fair amount of phosphor), but at the same time somehow aristocratic... I don’t know how to say it. I was a little disappointed by the weak lume on the markers and the color of the date window - it is white. Almost matches the color of the dial, but not quite. This caught my eye.
But the brand’s applied emblem with sparkling treatment is simply excellent! The applied name of the collection “Airmaster” makes it clear that the manufacturer positions the watches as “pilots”. But for me they are associated not with aviation, but with air and fresh spring wind.
The watch fits on my hand like a glove. Not only due to the thin case and bracelet, but also due to the rounded lugs. At the same time, those with large hands should not be embarrassed by the formally small 40 mm diameter. Due to the thin bezel and light dial, the watch feels a little larger than it might otherwise. It seems to me that it turned out to be a fairly universal option.
Among the comments regarding ergonomics, I would note with disappointment only the absence of quick-release bracelet fasteners and the impossibility of quickly adjusting the wrist circumference. It seems to me that lately these options have become good form for self-respecting companies, and manufacturers should definitely move in this direction (those of you who have worn watches with similar functionality will understand me).
It seems like there are no hours at all in January. The bonuses have been spent, summer tires are waiting for replacement, and it’s time to pay for the next semester of children’s education. But as the fairy tale about 12 months tells us, sometimes in January for another day April can come with its thoughts about vacation, summer clothes and travel. And if so, then it is quite reasonable to go in search of those very positive hours that will help spring come a little earlier. And perhaps they will have a silver Chinese plum blossom on the dial.
More Titoni watches:
