Recreating a ‘lost’ calibre, Tutima have completely redesigned the UROFA Calibre 59 that once powered their Fliegerchronograph watches from the 1940s and in doing so, have heralded a new era for ‘made in Glashütte’ chronographs. Debuted in the 1940s, the flyback feature of the ‘Tempostopp’ enabled pilots to start, stop and reset the chronograph seconds with a single push allowing for quick, successive timing. Entirely fabricated at the Tutima facility the all new in-house Caliber T659 Tempostopp model has been created without the advantage of the lost blueprints of the original calibre, and while it speaks volumes for the innovation that is at the heart of Tutima’s contemporary portfolio, it also pays an impressive tribute to their historical portfolio

Manufactured from 18ct rose gold,  the case of the Tutima Tempostopp watch is sized at 43mm diameter, with a height of 12.95mm. Its rounded form is enhanced with a polished finish, and it is fitted with a fluted crown protected by a sleek guard, while the two pushers have a pert mushroom-like profile. The dial is presented in a multi-level arrangement with a sunken centre into which the counters are recessed further still, and with concentric finishing on both the central section and also on the 30 minutes chrono counter, giving added depth and interest to the elements. The hand painted arabic numerals for the hours are generous in proportion, and are joined by a traditional railtrack on the periphery on which the diminutive red double digits are an excellent contrasting feature. From the centre, golden hour and minutes hands complement the casing, while the central chronograph hand is of blued steel adding legibility.

Viewable through the sapphire crystal caseback, the Manufacture Cal. Tutima 659 is gloriously complex. Comprising of 237 components, and with its column wheel start-stop reset mechanism fully visible, the movement is immaculately finished with fine frosting on the mainplate and lower bridges, and with straight graining and hand bevelled details on the upper. Beating at a rate of 21’600 vib/h, the movement has a power reserve of 65 hours when fully hand wound.

Presented in a 90 piece limited edition, the Tutima Tempostopp watch wears on a leather strap secured with an 18ct rose gold pin buckle. Since their founding in 1927, Tutima watches have had an intimate connection with Saxony’s Glashütte, seat of the German watchmaking industry, and the story of the company is one of extraordinary perseverance in the face of economic challenges and the disruption and devastation brought by the ravages of war. Today the company whose name in its Latin version ‘Tutus’ means ‘secure’ are safely back in Glashütte, having opened a state-of-the-art facility in 2008 close to their original factory, where development of their own in-house calibres and precision modules continues in the innovative spirit which is at the heart of the brand.