Recently I had the privilege of test driving the relatively new Typsim diver 200m. The visit of the Typsim turned out to be a short one due to a rookie mistake on my end. Not checking the tracking number, and not checking the PO Box, turned its visit rather short. By the time I got the email that it was time to return it, the watch had been sitting in the PO Box for a couple of weeks already! Well, luckily I was able to spend two days with the watch which, it was a pleasant amount of time to enjoy the 200m.
The Case
Let’s begin with the case. Polished. Yes, the case is polished. I have to be honest, when I first saw it, I was not convinced. Your initial argument might be the same as mine, that a tool watch with a polished case might attract scratches, and you are probably right. After spending a couple of days with the Typsim, I have to say, I didn’t think it was a big deal anymore.
The polished case adds character to the Typsim 200m. The case completes the watch’s own look, which I ended up appreciating. The ergonomics of the case remind me of Omega watches, I don’t know about you but for me that is a good thing. And to be clear, I am not saying that Typsim has copied anything. But there is something about the lugs, that reminds me of the Omega lugs. The Speedmaster lugs for example, make the watch really comfortable to wear. The same can be said about the Typsim 200m. Add to that, drilled lugs and you have a really sweet combo.
A few components I would like to group together here are the crown, the bezel, the crystal and the dial. The crown, embossed with the Typsim logo, tricked me after the initial adjustment and setting of the time and date. It can feel big and tall, if you consider other watches with the same dimensions. Worth noting that I only noticed because I thought the crown was unscrewed, after adjusting the time. After double checking, I realized the dimensional differences. Despite the size, it is useful and not obtrusive. It pops out just enough out of the bezel for you to unscrew it and use it.
The bezel reminds me of a Blancpain, on the shape and the markers. The rotation and alignment are perfect. I mean, it is not a Seiko. It has a unidirectional bezel that it is also lumed (SuperLuminova)… it looks GREAT! The crystal, we have a hesalite crystal with a cyclops over the date window. Will it scratch, very likely, at the same time you can polish it with Polywatch. A deterrent for some a cool feature for others. Without going any further, the legibility of this watch is pretty amazing. The combination of all these components make up for a watch that is visible in pretty much every angle, more on this later.
The visibility of the watch cannot be mentioned without talking about the dial. The dial is great because of the sum of its parts. The hour markers, the gilt accents, its unique lume. The hour markers are big and remind me of planets, the legibility is so good against the light and in the dark. The lume actually lasted from 9PM up until 6AM, yes, I tracked it. The guilt accents, make the watch be visible even when the sun is hitting it straight on the face. The hour markers and the symmetry of the dial make it extremely legible. You can tell that aesthetics and balance have been considered here. Legibility and symmetry, if not the biggest highlights for me, definitely within the top five.
The Bracelet
Elegant and a combination between polished and brushed. Although, due to my initial mistake, I was not able to share all the intended time with the watch, the bracelet came JUST in the perfect size. This helped that I did not have to size it. One, very appreciated detail, is the fact that the bracelet uses screws. More and more independents are using this and it is a detail that, in my opinion, should not be overlooked. Big thumbs up to Typsim for this. The bracelet was sized on the lower end of my fitting taste. Meaning, on a cold day, it would fit just fine. If the day gets hot, not so much. For the couple days I used it, it worked perfectly fine. Before I forget, the bracelet is a five-link bracelet. I am double grateful for not having to adjust it. At times, multiple link bracelets can be “fun” to size. The clasp is milled, foldable with three micro-adjustment settings and signed with the Typsim logo. No complains here about the bracelet. Yes, I can always ask for fast release and on the fly micro adjustment. In that case, I’m sure we would have to add a few hundreds to the price.
The movement
The movement inside the Typsim is a Chronometer grade Sellita SW300-1, rhodium decorated with blue screws. If your heart so desires, you can actually get the Typsim 200m Chronometer certified. The 200m is offered in two iterations, the 200m and the 200m-C (Limited quantity). The second version is a certified Chronometer with gold gilt accents. The gild color being one of two details that differentiate this watch from the non-certified version. The second detail is also on the dial, “Chronometer” written under the “Typsim” at the 12 o’clock position. Personally, I have a couple of watches with Sellita movements, and they have been great. Besides, you shouldn’t have issues finding someone that can work on it, if needed. If you are interested in learning more about this specific caliber, you can visit Caliber Corner here.
Now What?…
Honestly, there is not a lot about this watch that I personally don’t like. The 200m took two days to convince me. I have been firmly against polished cases, not so much hesalite crystals. In this case I definitely would not mind adding my own scratches or “story” to my own Typsim. In this case the polished case matches the watch, and its character. Matt, who is behind Typsim, is also an architect, and it shows. All the details, the gilt dial, the circular hour markers contrasted by the sword hands, the changes in textures, brushed and polished, all these details make the 200m a very unique watch. Individually, you might think these details, textures and choices are not what would best suit a tool watch. But in this case, these combined, and in a very attractive and unique way if I must say, make the Typsim 200m a one of a kind.
DL
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