The Patria will not be an inexpensive watch. In fact, the era of the sub $2,000 Tutima is over. If you want one of those there is probably some stock still out there, and I recommend that you pick one up. Only available (for now) in 18k rose gold, the Patria watches are 43mm wide and 9.7mm thick. The cases are conservative, yet pleasant looking. Properly-sized hands help the dial achieve a proper “Glashutte tone” of functional conservatism.
While the Patria is not going to be Tutima’s most popular timepieces, it is important to the brand’s overall strategy. Why go upmarket? Well, for one thing they probably can’t get Swiss ETA movements any longer (so many cannot get them actually), and they are trying to chase the Glashutte Original and A. Lange & Sohne dragon. If you can’t keep prices down by using and adjusting excellent ETA movements, you need to make your own. That probably made sense being in Glashutte, and while you are at the task of making your own movements, you might as well raise prices.
It is unclear what the upmarketization of Tutima will do it its market. It will probably take some time to adjust. Not that Tutima was ever a budget brand, but for $3,000 – $4,000 you could get one hell of a watch. While the brand’s entry-point will be just over $2,000, the new average price for Tutima watches will increase to about $4,000 – $8,000. That is a pretty big jump, but Tutima feels that it can compete in that market.
So what about the movement in the Patria? Well, inside the watches are either the Tutima produced caliber 619 in the Patria Dual Time or the caliber 617 in the Patria Small Second. The movements are manually wound and look beautiful being gold-plated. They operate at 21,600 bph and have a power reserve of 65 hours. Gold plays a role in more of the movement, being used for the chatons and some of the screws. Overall, the Patria watches are nice, though not as exciting as some of the Tutima Flieger or other more activity-based watches in my opinion. I guess I just see the brand as a tool watchmaker first and foremost. Price for the Patria watches starts at $18,900 for the Small Second up to $19,900 for the GMT. tutima.com
