This is the Tsovet SVT-AT76, one of those rare pieces that manages to be functional as well as fashionable. Measuring 47.8mm by 14.3mm and weighing 140g, it’s sizable yet seems even larger due to the squared-off case and vertical sides. The high-contrast dial can be read across the room, though if you’re like me the ‘0’ instead of ’10’ might cause a double take. I’ve seen some dials that used zero-prefixed numerals for double digits all the way around; this is the first I’ve seen to abbreviate the ten.

Tsovet is less than three years old at this point, it’s a California-based brand and already producing some really nice watches. The SVT-AT76 series, available in five versions plus a mechanical special edition, is their best selling line at present. Powered by a Ronda 515 (Swiss) quartz movement, the AT76 is a ‘destro’ (left hand crown) case with styling cues that remind me of Panerai and Anonimo. The stainless steel case is PVD-plated, with 9mm screw-down crown and screwed caseback. It’s water resistant to 100m, though I’d recommend swapping out the very nice 22mm by 4.5mm Italian leather strap first. The screwed lugs should make for easy and secure strap changes.  The strap is unusually well made and detailed, complete with signed PVD buckle, color-matched stitching, leather keepers and tightly spaced holes for a perfect fit.

Arriving in an instrument-style box, the Tsovet gives the impression of military equipment from the near future. Low-key looks, black-on-black, very solidly made and just somehow… military.

See what I mean?

Sandwich-style case construction, brushed finish. Maybe it’s all the numeric markings that make it seem military.

Nice dial detail – note the stamped logo, model and depth rating. Subtle. Yep, Swiss made. The mineral crystal is anti-reflective coated on the inside.

On my 7.25″ wrist, it wears big. Not well suited to dress shirts:

This is, I think, more of a fun, sporty weekend or going-out watch. A bit flamboyant for a suit.

The lume is just on the hour and minute hand, so in the dark time becomes approximate. This might be a feature.

This is a fun watch to wear. Well-made, functional, bold but not blingy, this is a good one for grab-and-go-out. The 48mm case wears comfortably, and the destro crown keeps it from digging into the wrist. Impeccable Swiss quartz timekeeping, high-contrast dial and aircraft dial cues give you details to appreciate.

List prices on the SVT-AT76 is $595, which is good for the quality you get. Tsovet recently introduced a mechanical version with an ETA 2892, and hopefully they’ll do more mechanical watches in the future.

Thanks to Tsovet for the review unit. Opinions are 100% independent.