Review: Tutima M2 Coastline 6150

Tutima – derived from the Latin word for “safe, secure” – isn’t a watch brand that many are familiar with, even amongst enthusiasts. But this Glashütte brand has roots dating back to 1927 and began life as Uhrenfabrik Glashütte AG (UFAG). During WWII, its factory in Glashütte was destroyed but the company’s founder relocated to West Germany. It continued to produce watches in West Germany, and finally returned to Saxony Glashütte in 2008.

While the brand has moved into the realms of haute horologerie with minute repeaters, in-house chronograph movements, top-grade finishing, it also retains an accessible collection. The Tutima M2 Coastline is one of them.

The Case and Dial

The 43 mm M2 Coastline is cased in Titanium and is available with bracelet or a leather strap. The austere looking timepiece measures 12.9 mm in thickness. Water resistant to 30 ATM or 300m, the watch as its name suggests is a ‘diver’ in the Tutima product lineup.

The case is quite peculiar; it has an integrated lugs design, and a ‘natural’ crown guard. The crown sits into the case, and is screw-down for additional waterproofing. Dial side, it has a simple black scheme, with a Day-Date window display typical of ETA 2836 movements. Fit with superluminova hands and hour markers, the watch is also ready for low light visibility.

It has a nice beveled taper on the side case, and a sloping lug for a more discrete profile. Overall, the fit, form and function of the watch is utilitarian and clean. The full brushed finish of titanium also makes for an industrial looking tool-watch.

It is rather unique in terms of modern designs but after looking at the watch for a bit, one can’t help but see a Seiko Lordmatic. Of course, the Lordmatic is not as sporty and rugged as the Tutima Coastline, but the case design draws an unlikely resemblance.

The Movement

Behind the engraved closed-caseback lies a calibre Tutima 330, based on an ETA ébauche. The movement beats at 28,800 vph with 38 hours power reserve. Although the movement is adequate within the price band of the Tutima M2 Coastline, one can’t help but wish for a more interesting movement.

Concluding Thoughts

The Tutima M2 Coastline is a great looking timepiece with a relatively slim profile despite its 43mm size. Cased in full titanium, the watch weighs significantly less than a steel counterpart of the same size. This means additional comfort and stronger corrosion resistance as well. One point on its design however, is the lack of a diving bezel/inner bezel. Unless of course, the designer intended for a land-based Rolex Explorer 1 type of watch with a beefed up 300m water resistance rather than a diver.

Priced at US$1850, the watch is nestled in the Ball watch, Oris neighborhood. Sinn is also a close relative/competitor, considering both brands Teutonic origins. Ball and Sinn differentiate with technology, Ball has its anti-shock spring mechanism and tritium micro-gas tubes and a new in-house 80 hours caliber. Sinn has a lexicon of features and technology behind its watches; from submarine steel to anti-magnetism etc. While it is a rabbit hole to jump into feature-based competition, the Coastline still lacks a distinctive story – it is a nice product, but it lacks a certain x-factor to it or at least it is not conveyed. In that case, why not a Sinn U1 or stick with a Seiko instead?