Friday, September 24, 2010

Bracelet adjustment on my Tutima

I finally got myself the Tutima Military NATO Chronograph TL watch. Actually I wanted the Tutima Military NATO Chronograph T watch but never got it. Maybe the price was not right or one never came up or there were issues with the watch. I was once offered the stainless steel version of the watch (the T not TL), but I wanted the titanium version. There is another shop that has the T version but the price was a tad high. Before we go one, what is the difference? Well the Chronograph T is the version without the bezel (lunette). So the Chronograph TL would be Titanium Lunette? 

However I manage to get one at a good price and the condition of the watch is pretty good. It comes with the box and papers. It has also been last serviced by Tutima in 2008. Thank you to those involved. Why I like the watch? The Lemania 5100 movement that powers the watch and the size, 43 mm diameter. I have another watch with the Lemania 5100 in the Revue Thommen, but it is 'small'. In fact I believe it is the smallest Lemania 5100 powered watch.


The watch has been adjusted by the last owner and it is too small for me. Lucky for me, the owner still had all the links. So out with the tools.


The extra links. 


The back view. Note the arrow, showing the direction to 'punch' out the lock pins.


The link in the holder. I need to do this to push out the lock pins as it was in the link.


The lock pins. It is held in place by the offset tab. You can just see it here. The tab is formed by pinching the lock pin. 


Another view of the lock pins. You can see the tab.


The bracelet, as said earlier was adjusted for a smaller wrist. There is no adjustment links on this side of the bracelet.


The fine adjustment on the clasp. There are only three adjustment holes on the clasp. It is currently in the middle.


The other side of the bracelet has two adjustment links. Notice the wordings 'TITAN'? The bracelet is made of solid  titanium.


What I like about the watch? The bracelet has the diver extension. I never consider this watch to be a diver watch. It can't be as the Chronograph T does not have a bezel to measure dive time and the TL, although it has a bezel, it can rotate both ways (which is dangerous for divers). I always consider this watch a pilot watch. By the way, the watch is water resistant rated to 20 ATM.


The first thing I do is to put the fine adjustment to the smallest setting. This so that (in-case) I get fat, I have 2 more adjustment points.


The 'balance' check. This is to check that the clasp is 'balance' to the watch. Basically both sides of the bracelet are about the same length. If the lengths are not the same, the watch can rotate on your wrist. As can be seen below, it is not very balance.


Splitting the bracelet to put in the extra links.


You can see the lock pin in the link. 


The extra link is added. 


Now the other side is split.


The other side ready for the extra link.


The clasp waiting to be reattached to the bracelet.


Everything is done. Before you push the lock pins in, check for fit and balance.


The balance check. Looks better and more balance.


Fit and comfort test. I have to say that the bracelet is one of the most comfortable bracelet that I have tried on.


Once everything is fit tested, push the lock pins in.


I used a 0.8 pin to push the lock pins out. It is important to chose the correct pin size. Too thin and you damage both the push pin and the lock pin. To large and you damage the hole in the link.


I use the size 1 pin to make sure the lock pins are flushed with the sides of the link. And there you have it, how to adjust the bracelet on the Tutima Military NATO Chronograph.


2 comments:

  1. Just found out about your blog and this post is really helpful! Keep it up!

    Sell My Rolex

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  2. Hi JeonAddict,

    You have posted on the blog before, so you could not have just found my blog. Please remove your link to your website. I am trying to keep the blog ad free.

    Thank you.

    Best regards,

    Ivan

    ReplyDelete