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The past couple of months I have spent my time looking through pilot watches and I stumbled upon Tsovet. Their designs were not ground-breaking but unique enough to warrant a second (or third as in my case) look. Prices are discouraging (at least for me) because 500+ for a Quartz is just too much; even a Miytoa automatic would justify it (heck, Tauchmeister carries the 3215 in some of their models retailing at a 100 odd).
Chance came my way and I came across their Father’s day sale and I decided to treat myself to two and I picked the third off Ebay on a good deal.
SVT-NM85
Here you have a Ronda movement in a 50mm 316L SS PVD finish case. The watch sits nicely on my small wrist despite its size and the 11mm crown doesn’t dig into my wrist (not in the least). Finishing is top notch, no complaints there though the crown doesn’t stay put long enough to change the date and simply screws back in.
Well thought out hands; the minute hand is left empty so that it doesn’t overlap the hour markers. I don’t really like the face; there’s something off which I can’t put my finger on but maybe that’s just me. The lume is ok but not befitting of the actual 475$ tag.
The Italian rubber strap is too stiff and doesn’t have a premium feel to it and not too comfortable either. A good strap is one which you forget about the moment you wear it – no such luck here.
SVT-AT76
Easily the most beautiful of the lot; especially the ‘sandwich’ layered effect this particular combo has. A wee bit oversized for my wrist; the lugs are almost at the precipice. I love the dial; well thought combos but zero lume on the markers though Tsovet claims differently “DIAL: SILVER BDL/877u SILVER LUMINOUS MARKERS”.
The lume on the hands is great. Despite the 48mm size, I still love it. Now what I hate is the so-called Italian leather strap. It’s absolute crap. It’s too stiff; too hard to put on and take off. They retail this for 50$; not worth 5$. I have leather straps which melt around my wrist but this one definitely needs to be thrown out the window. Just because it is a large watch doesn’t mean the strap has to be unwieldy.
Get another strap and you’ll love this watch though a $595 tag is too much to swallow. I am keeping this one; don’t know why but I love it though I need to replace the brand immediately. Edit: I have been wearing the watch for a few days now and the strap feels a little better though a far cry from what it ought to be. The strap looks great but it doesn't feel comfortable as it should.
SVT-AX87
This one sits on my wrist just right. Perfect size. The PVD finish is superb though I don’t really understand the 2 prongs which overshadow the 11mm crown but it goes with the flow.
The lume is absolute rubbish. MATTE BLACK BDL, CHARCOAL LUMINOUS MARKERS Tsovet needs to stop misleading people especially on a $725 sticker price watch. I am not saying the dial or the hands are bad in any way: how much would it cost to put a lume on it; a better part of a 1000 dollars and you can’t read the time in the dark. Sad but true. Edit: I earlier mentioned that the strap on this was crappy but I wore it a couple of times and I must admit it is quite good actually. I love this watch but a $10 chinese watch has better lume on it so this is out of my collection. A blackout edition is fine but not so black that you can't read the time.
Wrapping up, I got these at a very low price but have already found new homes for two of them. I am getting a fourth one next week; it is a used one off Ebay and the seller was reluctant to part with it so I am guessing it is a keeper; will post when I get it. I had great hopes pinned on Tsovet and I do feel a tad let down. My biggest grouse is the straps; I buy better ones for a fraction on Ebay; don’t know what Tsovet has been smoking.
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Originally Posted by Perseus
