Tutima ZUZ, Sterile dial.
Discussion
Yawn-fest ahead. You have been warned.
Here is a bit about the ZUZ from Dave S. at ATG Vintage Watches:
And so on to the one that is mine, DK XXXX-028
You can just make out the lightly engraved DK number (under 'TUTIMA GERMANY')
First of all, this is a watch that was issued to an active team in 2001, has probably been worn most days in a number of very active circumstances for a decade and has been treated as a normal everyday functional watch, just as it should be. I know this from the even, light wear on the crystal (the outer A/R has mostly come away although the crystal is perfect still); the bracelet is lightly worn almost to a shine on some of the high-points and when you look closely there are light scuffs and small knocks all over it and there is a layer of gunk hidden evenly in the bracelet links.
You notice all this when looking at it in certain light, with the attention to detail of 'examination' levels; when you look at it normally it looks as fresh as a daisy though. The wear (such that it is) is totally even and is camouflaged so well with the matt titanium finish to all parts that you actually barely notice it consciously, you just note that it looks 'worn in'.
It has recently been serviced, but nothing cosmetic has been altered, spruced up or even cleaned. Thank god for that. It looks exactly as this watch should look. Used, honest and functional. Not like jewelry or a show-piece, but like a hammer or an old pistol.
Anyway, well-documented provenance aside....
I've always felt that at some stage I 'had' to get a Tutima, they are, after all, driven by the 5100 and have added to that movements story by being used in the BUND watches since 1983. I've sort of delayed this as even though I liked what they had done to the crown/pushers, I remained to be convinced about the percieved size and stature of the watch - to be honest it didn't look like it would be a favourite. A lot of this is off-set by the bezel I think, a crucial addition over the Commando II civilian version both in this sense and from a practicality point of view. I use mine - both chrono and bezel - fairly regularly, it's one of the things that makes a watch 'come alive', (one of the reasons that nearly all my watches are at least chronographs), and be a useful timing tool rather than just telling the time of day.
So the bezel offsets what I thought would be quite a bulky watch; which in fact isn't that bad anyway, but the rise from lugs to crystal now has a purpose in housing and protecting the bezel. Another aspect i wasn't sure about was the 'flower petal' design of the bezel grip, however once again I'd judged too quickly as it works a treat and looks much better in 3 dimensions than 2. A last point being the minute hashes extending all the way around the bezel, in proper 'mission timer' style. Spot on.
Those pushers. I've a lovely picture somewhere with some disassembled pushers and the gunk that can collect in them and I'm mindfull of that aspect, but they work beautifully; press-pressure is firm to start, creamy-click to stop and positive and light to reset. There's no feeling of being at the wrong end of lever to them and their integration and the semi-recessed crown gives a sleek, smooth look and an un-snagability that is undeniable.
The 5100 gives a manufacturer the most readable and commonsense way to present a chronograph, we all know that, (
), and it's then down to the manufacturer to use it commensurately with the purpose of the watch. This is one of those watches that takes full advantage of the idea of the centre minute chronograph but enhances it even further with the dial-side presentation. Stripped of everything bar the 12 hour counter (which extends the timing abilities into a zone which will be very useful for me on extended hill work), the time hands stand out when you look for them and the chrono hands stand out when you look for them. No clutter or artistry, just function. Perfect.
The date is nicely tucked away but legible when you look for it, there are no 1/5 sec interval hash marks at the edge of the minute track, just clear, minute divides extended up the chapter ring. The lumed hour markers, (which are still quite bright in the dark but nicely tinted now with age), are set symetrically and logically - just like the EZM1; the 12 o'clock differentiator is the double-hash, again, logical and functional.
If I were designing a Commando III, I would perhaps replace the numerals on the chapter ring with hash marks, I would perhaps drop the half-hour interval markings on the hour counter and perhaps do the chrono hands in lume; but these are small observations/alternatives indeed.
Finally, this is another of those very rare watches that are completely dull; it's so hard for manufacturers to steer away from polish and a bit of shine, even in the conext of an 'operational' watch. The EZM1 does this very well indeed, and so does the Tutima. The titanium of course helps greatly but as with the movement, Tutima has leveraged the desirable aspects of the material and presented it to its best advantage within the context of the watches purpose. It feels lovely and 'worn smooth' too, with that warm titanium feel to it.
Here's the ZUZ on a TV documentary, if you look you will see that most team members are wearing the Tutima: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va5lNNmGqPA at 2:14, 2:36, 3:07 and 5:08.
So anyway, very pleased with the latest one, both from a provenance point of view and just a watch point of view.
Wake up now....
Here is a bit about the ZUZ from Dave S. at ATG Vintage Watches:
DaveS said:
"This watch was specifically commissioned by the ZUZ unit. ZUZ stands for Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll.
They are a small unit specifically designed for mil-style armed raids for the German customs authority. I understand that previously, the customs used the GSG9 unit for more military interventions, and they were, from the early 1990s, encountering more and more armed culprits during their raids, so in 1994 they began setting up the ZUZ to make the customs authority autonomous in regard to armed interventions.
It reported for duty, trained and prepared, in 1998. 4 teams of 9 are included, a roster of 36 personnel.
Many reporters in WIS universe also hold the ZUZ responsible for the design of the Sinn EZM1. I am not sure I agree, I think the GSG9 probably get that honour, but the two are intimately linked with shared selection and training criteria, as well as officers.
However, ZUZ signed EZM1s do exist, as well as ZTZ ones (ZTZ effectively being the investigative/technical arm of ZUZ).
This places the unit high up in watchmaking folklore (and incidentally makes it, with this Tutima and EZM1's issued to them, just about the best horologically-supplied unit ever, as far as I can tell).
The ones I have got were bought in 2001, and they are the earliest use of a bezel on what was already Tutima's NATO and Luftwaffe-issued Lemania-powered chronograph (issued by the Luftwaffe since 1983).
And this is a 0-60 bi-directional 60-click bezel.
The watch has undergone a similar paring down of functions that the Sinn has, but it retains the 12-hr register, something that is readily readable, and doesn't obscure the legibility of the main H&M hands. I think it adds functionality. The only "downgrade" from the EZM1 is the absence of lume on any chrono-hands.
Some of these have a ZUZ-signed dial. These do not, but they do have the procurement contract number on the rear, and the issue numbers are low (late 20s) and contiguous with ZUZ-signed ones. I have no idea, they may be service replacement dials, but they may also be the covert version*."
(*We subsequently found out that the ZUZ were issued both logo-d and non-logo'd dials from origin)They are a small unit specifically designed for mil-style armed raids for the German customs authority. I understand that previously, the customs used the GSG9 unit for more military interventions, and they were, from the early 1990s, encountering more and more armed culprits during their raids, so in 1994 they began setting up the ZUZ to make the customs authority autonomous in regard to armed interventions.
It reported for duty, trained and prepared, in 1998. 4 teams of 9 are included, a roster of 36 personnel.
Many reporters in WIS universe also hold the ZUZ responsible for the design of the Sinn EZM1. I am not sure I agree, I think the GSG9 probably get that honour, but the two are intimately linked with shared selection and training criteria, as well as officers.
However, ZUZ signed EZM1s do exist, as well as ZTZ ones (ZTZ effectively being the investigative/technical arm of ZUZ).
This places the unit high up in watchmaking folklore (and incidentally makes it, with this Tutima and EZM1's issued to them, just about the best horologically-supplied unit ever, as far as I can tell).
The ones I have got were bought in 2001, and they are the earliest use of a bezel on what was already Tutima's NATO and Luftwaffe-issued Lemania-powered chronograph (issued by the Luftwaffe since 1983).
And this is a 0-60 bi-directional 60-click bezel.
The watch has undergone a similar paring down of functions that the Sinn has, but it retains the 12-hr register, something that is readily readable, and doesn't obscure the legibility of the main H&M hands. I think it adds functionality. The only "downgrade" from the EZM1 is the absence of lume on any chrono-hands.
Some of these have a ZUZ-signed dial. These do not, but they do have the procurement contract number on the rear, and the issue numbers are low (late 20s) and contiguous with ZUZ-signed ones. I have no idea, they may be service replacement dials, but they may also be the covert version*."
And so on to the one that is mine, DK XXXX-028
You can just make out the lightly engraved DK number (under 'TUTIMA GERMANY')
First of all, this is a watch that was issued to an active team in 2001, has probably been worn most days in a number of very active circumstances for a decade and has been treated as a normal everyday functional watch, just as it should be. I know this from the even, light wear on the crystal (the outer A/R has mostly come away although the crystal is perfect still); the bracelet is lightly worn almost to a shine on some of the high-points and when you look closely there are light scuffs and small knocks all over it and there is a layer of gunk hidden evenly in the bracelet links.
You notice all this when looking at it in certain light, with the attention to detail of 'examination' levels; when you look at it normally it looks as fresh as a daisy though. The wear (such that it is) is totally even and is camouflaged so well with the matt titanium finish to all parts that you actually barely notice it consciously, you just note that it looks 'worn in'.
It has recently been serviced, but nothing cosmetic has been altered, spruced up or even cleaned. Thank god for that. It looks exactly as this watch should look. Used, honest and functional. Not like jewelry or a show-piece, but like a hammer or an old pistol.
Anyway, well-documented provenance aside....
I've always felt that at some stage I 'had' to get a Tutima, they are, after all, driven by the 5100 and have added to that movements story by being used in the BUND watches since 1983. I've sort of delayed this as even though I liked what they had done to the crown/pushers, I remained to be convinced about the percieved size and stature of the watch - to be honest it didn't look like it would be a favourite. A lot of this is off-set by the bezel I think, a crucial addition over the Commando II civilian version both in this sense and from a practicality point of view. I use mine - both chrono and bezel - fairly regularly, it's one of the things that makes a watch 'come alive', (one of the reasons that nearly all my watches are at least chronographs), and be a useful timing tool rather than just telling the time of day.
So the bezel offsets what I thought would be quite a bulky watch; which in fact isn't that bad anyway, but the rise from lugs to crystal now has a purpose in housing and protecting the bezel. Another aspect i wasn't sure about was the 'flower petal' design of the bezel grip, however once again I'd judged too quickly as it works a treat and looks much better in 3 dimensions than 2. A last point being the minute hashes extending all the way around the bezel, in proper 'mission timer' style. Spot on.
Those pushers. I've a lovely picture somewhere with some disassembled pushers and the gunk that can collect in them and I'm mindfull of that aspect, but they work beautifully; press-pressure is firm to start, creamy-click to stop and positive and light to reset. There's no feeling of being at the wrong end of lever to them and their integration and the semi-recessed crown gives a sleek, smooth look and an un-snagability that is undeniable.
The 5100 gives a manufacturer the most readable and commonsense way to present a chronograph, we all know that, (
), and it's then down to the manufacturer to use it commensurately with the purpose of the watch. This is one of those watches that takes full advantage of the idea of the centre minute chronograph but enhances it even further with the dial-side presentation. Stripped of everything bar the 12 hour counter (which extends the timing abilities into a zone which will be very useful for me on extended hill work), the time hands stand out when you look for them and the chrono hands stand out when you look for them. No clutter or artistry, just function. Perfect.The date is nicely tucked away but legible when you look for it, there are no 1/5 sec interval hash marks at the edge of the minute track, just clear, minute divides extended up the chapter ring. The lumed hour markers, (which are still quite bright in the dark but nicely tinted now with age), are set symetrically and logically - just like the EZM1; the 12 o'clock differentiator is the double-hash, again, logical and functional.
If I were designing a Commando III, I would perhaps replace the numerals on the chapter ring with hash marks, I would perhaps drop the half-hour interval markings on the hour counter and perhaps do the chrono hands in lume; but these are small observations/alternatives indeed.
Finally, this is another of those very rare watches that are completely dull; it's so hard for manufacturers to steer away from polish and a bit of shine, even in the conext of an 'operational' watch. The EZM1 does this very well indeed, and so does the Tutima. The titanium of course helps greatly but as with the movement, Tutima has leveraged the desirable aspects of the material and presented it to its best advantage within the context of the watches purpose. It feels lovely and 'worn smooth' too, with that warm titanium feel to it.
Here's the ZUZ on a TV documentary, if you look you will see that most team members are wearing the Tutima: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va5lNNmGqPA at 2:14, 2:36, 3:07 and 5:08.
So anyway, very pleased with the latest one, both from a provenance point of view and just a watch point of view.
Wake up now....
Edited by andy_s on Wednesday 4th July 11:34
Excellent 
Always good to read contributions like this, they show a real passion and knowledge for the watch as a complete article, and the fact that you wear them and benefit from the design characteristics as well is quite 
I'm hoping that you've since ridden it of all that provenancial gunk though!?!
Always good to read contributions like this, they show a real passion and knowledge for the watch as a complete article, and the fact that you wear them and benefit from the design characteristics as well is quite I'm hoping that you've since ridden it of all that provenancial gunk though!?!
NeMiSiS said:
Fantastic, you are obviously obsessed pleased with it.
My only minor criticism would be the poor finish on the ends of the outer links.
I think you mean the pins at the side of the bracelet lugs? Mainly down to the fact that the bracelet is titanium and the pins are steel; plus 'fine' finishing isn't really high on the list for these - the base model was designed for military issue/luftwaffe use.My only minor criticism would be the poor finish on the ends of the outer links.
CardShark said:
Excellent Always good to read contributions like this, they show a real passion and knowledge for the watch as a complete article, and the fact that you wear them and benefit from the design characteristics as well is quite
I'm hoping that you've since ridden it of all that provenancial gunk though!?!
Chars - I could have rambled on about it a lot more, but even I have a threshold! (The bund contract ones, the prototypes for the French GIPN (not GIGN), the rare US issued ones, the orange dial bezeled Commando IIs, the ZUZ connections with the EZM1.....blah blah!) Always good to read contributions like this, they show a real passion and knowledge for the watch as a complete article, and the fact that you wear them and benefit from the design characteristics as well is quite I'm hoping that you've since ridden it of all that provenancial gunk though!?!
This will definitely get worn though, and yes, the functions are perfect for me, but the Sinn will still be my mainstay.
Mmmm, I'm without a spare toothbrush at the moment, so am living with the gunk; I also snapped my pin tool so again, will have to wait until I get back to UK to get it properly sized. The lug pins are solid, they aren't going anywhere unless you have a punch, vice and hammer, so it'll be the first watch I'll be wearing on the bracelet without the normal security of a NATO, which is will be good - and I don't have to worry about it getting knocked about, that's for sure - the a/r is madly crazed but it's funny as you only notice this in direct reflected light - as you can see from the pics...
...Oops - there I go again....
LukeBird said:
Cracking write up (as usual!) Andy, thanks for taking the time to do it.
I do love the issued watches you have, they make a great collection.
Ha - no worries, I've got a half-arsed blog so just cut 'n' paste really; the Orfina Porsche Design BUND is a big hole in the collection really, but I'm skint 'til next year I think, still, slowly slowly catchy monkey...I do love the issued watches you have, they make a great collection.
NJH said:
Me likey a lot. I have the standard NATO chronograph on the titanium bracelet as my daily wearer. The bracelet is covered in marks but none of it is noticeable from 3 feet away and doesn't effect the watches function which is what these are all about.
Yes - definitely a functional watch, no question... I really hate to use the word but unfortunately it really is a 'tool watch'; I had swithered about the titanium NATO for a while, in fact nearly got one (with an all-lume handset) from the US for a very good price just before I got a sniff of these. Great chronos, for sure.
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