Historically a supplier of timepieces to the German military and police, Tutima now offers a broad line of “tool” watches. The latest from the Glashütte-based brand is the M2 Seven Seas S, the first version of its dive watch with a steel case (prior models are all titanium).

Initial thoughts

Tutima’s M2 line of sports watches are all big and solid, with chunky but streamlined cases modelled on the ref. 798 chronograph the brand once supplied to the German military. While simple, they are effective tool watches.

The Seven Seas S sticks to the same formula, except in steel. That means it’s heavier, which might not be for everyone given the size. But the steel has the upside of a brushed finished with some polished accents, giving the case and bracelet a more varied look than the uniform sandblasted finish of the titanium model.

But the best thing about the Seven Seas S is the version with a yellow dégradé dial, which darkens to a green-black at its edges. It’s an unusual and striking finish that sets the Seven Seas S apart from most of the competition.

The only drawback with the new Seven Seas is the ETA 2824 inside. It’s robust and easy to service, but has a short power reserve of just 38 hours, which means it’ll probably stop if off the wrist for more than a day. Power reserves of 50 to 70 hours are now the industry norm, even at the entry level, so this disadvantages the Seven Seas.

The Seven Seas S is relatively affordable and fairly competitively priced, with one exception. Fellow German watchmaker Sinn offers similarly spec’ed dive watches, but in “submarine” steel treated with a surface-hardening process, for only a little more.

Fuss-free diver

The Seven Seas S measures 44 mm wide and 13 mm – a large case that’s entirely in steel. It’s rated to 500 m – thanks in part to a thick, 3 mm sapphire crystal – with the option of either a leather-covered rubber strap or a steel bracelet. And inside is the Tutima cal. 300, which is an ETA 2824.

Four dials are available, dark blue, maroon, forest green, and bright yellow, all with a graduated finish that darkens towards the edges. They are identical in having steel bezels, save for the blue model, which has a matching blue bezel insert.

Key facts and price

Tutima M2 Seven Seas S
Ref. 6155-06 (green dial, bracelet)
Ref. 6155-10 (yellow dial, bracelet)

Case diameter: 44 mm
Height: 13 mm
Material: Steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 500 m

Movement: Tutima 330 (ETA 2824)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 38 hours

Strap: Steel bracelet or leather-covered rubber strap

Availability: At retailers
Price: US$1,900 on strap, US$2,300 on bracelet

For more, visit Tutima.com.