Have Tutima got Lemania 5100s to waste??

[DaveS]

Having a look on Ebay.de today, I came across this



Huh?

Tutima released the whole yachting chronograph line after production of the 5100 was supposed to have halted, with rumours that spares support was still going to be offered by Swatch to those companies still supplying military contracts with 5100-powered watches (that'll be Tutima, and, er, Tutima, theoretically).

But now they offer a ladies' version in purple and pink with a white resin strap.

Now I am not against ladies versions of anything, but surely if these movements are in short supply, this slightly defeats the object doesn't it?

And it is ferociously priced too.....

I am beginning to wonder.....

And also beginning to wonder when they will see sense and re-introduce the Tutima Commando II with a bezel, which only briefly saw the light of day in bright orange, like this


pic from right time

The 750-46 (as above) but in black, would be a very marketable proposition, don't you think?

Dave

[andy_s]

Totally agree about the commando II; in theory this should be on my 'want to buy' list, I like the idea of having the hour chrono timer, the recessed pushers are a good idea and the movement is, of course, very appealing but the current version has no bezel but indeed a, to my mind, superfluous 12 hour unmoveable counter and I also would prefer the chrono hands to be lumed. The case shape isn't my favourite either if I'm honest.
A Commando II with a bezel (again, I'm not too struck with the Tutima style bezels), would go a long way to selling it to me.

Sinn say they've enough 5100's to service aggressively for 20 years their 5100 models and I was hopefull they would develop their own column driven movement based on the Lemania to extend their range but to date they've just offered DD modules.

As far as I know Tutima are the only company to offer new 5100 based watches but I have always assumed these were ones they still had movement old stock for and weren't getting new movements in for them. I think the Tutimas are slowish sellers (not helped by the huge price they ask either I think...)

[andy_s]

...and I'd never seen the 750-46 orange before either, so thanks for that!

[DaveS]

Well, I like the Commando II (I would say that, I've got one).
To me it adds functionality over the EZM1, in that the chrono is 12-hr, not one, and the date is actually legible (unlike the EZM1's dark red, which is not really that clear in anyhting but bright light).
But a bezel would really top it off.
Personally, I do like the case shape on Tutima's, it is one of the truly original designs out there, and the faired in hinged pushers are inspired.
The 12-hr chapter ring is not really needed, but it compliments well, I think.
I agree on the chrono-lume, but I suspect the design pre-dates nice funky lume colours (and I think some dinstinction between time and chrono lume would be good).

Perhaps they are still working dead stock, it is hard to tell. I have asked them outright, but I don't expect an answer any time soon.

I have also asked them about re-doing the 750-46 in black, but again, I am not sure I expect an answer....

And they do charge too much

Dave

[andy_s]

Oh don't get me wrong Dave - I sounded negative but I'd love a sec/min/hour chrono - in fact I was seriously looking at getting the Commando II for my longer stints on the hills (I do a bit of long-range orienteering) where stages are often 2-3-4 hours apart, and I'll probably end up with one sooner or later as I think the chrono arrangement is perfect. I also think the pusher design is a very clever, simple engineering solution to keep them out of harms way and to prevent accidental pressing, so it does get a thumbs up.
It was just the price (relative) and bulk of the case (I'm a skinny wristed bugger) that were the main probs for me.
I really like the layout of the one you've posted though, and agree that the lume is a bit of a moot point, and as you say, a bezel would be the icing on the cake.

I remembered reading about a conversion someone wanted doing and dug up the thread - I think for 300 Eu Tutima were prepared to modify the NATO to this (excuse the hand-made colouring on the hands)



The thread is here - http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic...1645&view=next

[DaveS]

Yeah, I remember that. His would have been the cheaper mod to make, as he already had a bezelled case (although a lefty).
Doing the same starting from a commando is tougher, the dial-crystal is smaller, to accommodate the bezel ring, so when I enquired I was informed that I needed a whole new case, not nearly as cheap a thing to do!!
But (although a little crude) it does show what a good watch it would be......
Dave

[danomar]

Interesting observations. I used to find the bezel on the TL out of place with the rest of the case design. You have gotten me to look at it again. While I like it a little more, I think I still prefer the clean lines of the regular T version.

I've nearly bought a Commando II on several occasions, but the huge case turns me off. But then I remember my Bell & Ross Space 3 and how well it wears despite using a similarly-sized case:





I would posit that the B&R is a truly innovative design when compared to the Tutima. Shame they never put a Lemania in side!

I wonder if the titanium case really does offset the Commando II's bulk...

[DaveS]

It does offset the bulk, I can vouch for that.
As a Commando II ownder, and ex Tutima Military (in steel) owner, the difference is huge.
However, the case is not that huge (not really), and its homologous shape reduces its effective size. It doesn't have extending lugs, and no crown or pusher dimensions to add onto the case. Sure, it is not small, but overall, it is not a large watch.
Of course the Space 3 post-dates the Tutima design by about 10-15 years, and the last time B&R put a Lemania in their watcehs, it was done for them by Sinn (or more correctly, Guinand, unde rhte name of Sinn)

Dave

[flugzeit]

On the question of Tutima and a supply of Lemania 5100 movements, I was talking to a Tutima dealer about this very issue a few months ago. He told me that (as far as he knows) Tutima took a huge stock of movements when Swatch finally limited their availability. He mentioned a figure of ca. 20,000.

This struck me as strange at the time. I thought, why stockpile the movements when, in theory, they are still being produced (but not being sold outside the Swatch group) and could be supplied as needed under contract? Perhaps the company was forced to take a huge order under whatever arrangements they already had with Swatch.

Given the astronomical prices of their current military line with the Lemania in it, it doesn't surprise me that they have movements to burn.

-flugzeit

[DaveS]

I guess that would explain it, very well in fact as such a huge stock will have cost them a bundle, and so increasing the 5100 model range to start getting their money back would make sound financial sense.

I just shudder a bit that these great movements may get frittered away on tat that no-one wants, when there is potential for some really cool new models.

D