Summary:
- Unique with their own character
- Well designed to fit properly on a small wrist
- Big enough it won't get lost on a large wrist
- Aesthetically attractive, clean lines that maintain functionality
- First rate, very durable materials used throughout
- Excellent, reliable and durable Swiss ETA movements under the dials
- Assembled in Switzerland with Swiss movements, they are "Swiss Made" watches
- Priced competitively with "high range" brands (e.g. Longines, Rado, Union)
- Direct purchase available through their Web Site: http://www.xetum.com/
Jeff is no newcomer, he has been in and around the watch industry for about 10 years. This shows in the aesthetics, it's found in the movements and materials selected, and in the the small mechanical design details of the watch case. The work to create Xetum and their watches began in 2008. The goals he had in designing the Tyndall and Stinson included:
- Contemporary style
- Clean shapes
- Uncluttered "instrument" type dial and hands (easy to read)
- Versatility (can be worn with nearly anything, anywhere)
- Utility (not just wrist jewelry; works easily as a useful timepiece)
In addition to the cream dial above, the Tyndall is also offered in a black dial. It's powered by an elaborated grade Swiss ETA 2895-2 mechanical auto-wind movement. This is the seconds sub-dial version of the venerated 2892-A2. This movement and its variants are found in many prestige watches costing substantially more than the Tyndall.
The seconds subdial is located just above the "6" with the date just inside the "3" and an inner 24-hour time track marked with 13-23 plus Xetum's logo, a green hexagon in lieu of the "24" marking. Main hour markings are bold at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 without overpowering the dial. The "Xetum" name is found vertically under the "12," and provides visual balance with the seconds sub-dial. The overall aesthetic result is pleasing to the eye with uncluttered appearance that maintains utility. Reading the time is easy and quick with just a glance.
The Stinson is offered in three dial colors. The black and off-white are the same as offered in the Tyndall, plus the Stinson is available with a brown dial. It's powered by the Swiss ETA 2824-2 mechanical auto-wind movement. The dials have the same date just inside the "3" with bold hour markings at the 3, 6, 9 and 12. The "Xetum" name is found left of the central pinions, and provides visual balance to the date window. With the same attractive aesthetics and utility, it's obvious the same person designed the Stinson.
The dials and hour/minutes hands on both the Tyndall and Stinson are lumed with Super-Luminova which is among the brightest and best lume available. The 3-6-9-12 numerals are fully lumed on the dial, and the hour/minutes hands have lume along their entire length. One should have no problem reading the time at night, all night (provided the dial and hands have had enough light exposure during the day).
Case and Strap:
Materials used to house the movement and dial are first rate, robust and durable. The Tyndall and Stinson share the same case design. The 40mm diameter lug-less case is made of solid surgical grade 316L stainless steel. While this may seem on the smaller side to those with very large wrists, the nearly "all dial" design with very thin bezel "wears larger" than its dimensions, giving it a larger appearance when worn. It won't look lost on beefy arms with large wrists. The case diameter combined with a modest 11mm height and lug-less design allows the watch case to be worn on small wrists without overwhelming them.
Swiss ETA Movements:
ETA is part of The Swatch Group which owns a dozen and a half brands from the lowly Swatch to the extremely expensive luxury Glashütte Original, Blancpain and Brequet brands. Their 2895-2 used in the Tyndall is a hacking, 27-jewel, 28.8kbph (4 Hz) high beat automatic, and is the sub-seconds variant among ETA's 2892-A2 series. The 2824-2 used in the Stinson is a venerated workhorse. It's a hacking, 25-jewel, 28.8kbph (4 Hz) high beat automatic, and is the date variant among ETA's 2824/2834/2836 series. These movements are among the most preferred and desirable in affordable high-range watches for their time-keeping accuracy, reliability, and long-term durability.
Bottom Line:
- Utility and practicality in a unique, artistically aesthetic design that isn't pretentious or gaudy
- First-rate materials and movements for accuracy, reliability and long-term durability
- Design details that enhance versatility and comfort when worn
http://www.xetum.com/.
Important Notes:
I have no financial interest in Xetum, or any business association with Jeff Kuo or Xetum. Opinions and observations expressed herein are mine alone, drawn from a phone conversation with Jeff Kuo about Xetum, and from the Xetum web site.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.