ReviewUnlimited Scope: Introducing Titoni’s Seascoper 300 Series
Following closely on the heels of the sporty Seascoper 600, the new timepieces from Titoni’s Seascoper 300 represent a classic ‘dive watch’ aesthetic with a slimmer case, but are built for high resistance under extreme conditions
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There is a sea of dive watches out there on the market and it’s easy to drown in the depths, while looking for something that really floats your boat. With so many established players holding dominant positions in this segment and rightly so, it can become a daunting task to navigate this world (for starters, a generous water-resistance helps) but more on that later. There are of course the highly coveted dive timers from brands like Omega and Rolex that offer phenomenal water-resistance ranging between 6,000m and 11,000m but they also fall in a certain price bracket and may not be suited to someone who is looking for more economical options that uphold the Swiss fine watchmaking values. So, when the independent player Titoni, launched their Seascoper 300 in November last year, we couldn’t help but notice how seamlessly the brand had filled this void, while luring younger watch enthusiasts with their reinterpretation of a classic dive watch.
This is also interesting as it comes from a brand that’s been in the business for over a century, so one can be assured that quality is paramount here. For the uninitiated, Titoni was established by Fritz Schluep in 1919—under the name Felca, and the company is still run by the same family, now with the fourth generation at the helm and Daniel Schluep as CEO. Headquartered at Grenchen, Switzerland, the company has been manufacturing timepieces that combine traditional horology practices along with innovation as the guiding force. The brand stays true to its philosophy of crafting fine timepieces where ‘precision and quality stand out first and foremost’. The company started using the ‘Titoni’ name in 1952, using the meihua or the plum blossom, as its logo to further its business in China and the Far East. All their creations are guided by the philosophy of producing ‘Swiss-made mechanical watches of the highest quality at affordable prices’.
The Seascoper model—launched in 1979—was the brand’s own version of a dive timer, during an era that witnessed a surge in the popularity of these watches. Water-resistant to 200m, it stood out for an edgy yet practical design with a cushion-shaped case, fitted with a black dial topped by a bezel with markings and a red insert. It became an instant hit with professionals for its underwater reliability, thanks to a compressor-shell design. And this has served as an inspiration for the contemporary Seascoper models as well.
Another distinguishing feature of all Titoni watches is an elegant, classic design, incorporated in all their collections, and the new Seascoper 300 is a perfect example of this aesthetic and cuts a fine figure on the wrist. Let’s take a closer look at the watches in this series.
A Classic Dive Watch Aesthetic
The Seascoper 300 follows in the footsteps of the Seascoper 600 series and also comes in a 42mm stainless-steel case, however, it leans more towards a sophisticated aesthetic when compared with its sportier predecessor. That’s probably why even though both versions have the same case diameter, the timekeepers in the 300 series are reminiscent of typical dive watches, and one can even say are not strikingly different but that’s not really a negative. In fact most horology enthusiasts prefer this design for dive watches—that’s one way to tell them apart—else the essence is somewhat lost. The bezel rotates and snaps in a clean manner, making it extremely easy to use, and the brand have done away with numerical markings on it as found on the Seascoper 600. This is definitely a watch that is meant for a younger audience with a more accessible price point but that also simply means it’s for anyone who likes a clean, clutter-free, functional, accurate, and a value-for-money proposition. Another stark difference is on the dial, which now features elongated trapezoid and circular hour markers, instead of Arabic numerals.
The Seascoper 300: Distinguishing Features
This 42mm watch is equipped with a flatter case and fairly straight lugs, lending the watch a light yet sporty appearance. The design elements on the dial and bezel are minimalistic in order to stay in line with the overall concept. The winding crown is fitted with a special gasket system to ensure the watch remains absolutely waterproof up to a depth of 300m. The robust construction also guarantees that the movement is protected against not only water, but also pressure and impact underwater as well as any dust that may hinder optimum performance.
The dive time scale on the ceramic bezel is marked in striking and contrasting colours with a signal triangle at the 12 o’clock position. Inside the triangular zero mark, a luminous dot makes it easy to read the time, even in dark and murky water. The bezel can be rotated anti-clockwise. Its outer edge is serrated so that you can effortlessly grasp it when setting and adjusting the dive time.
One of the highlights of this watch is the variety of straps (steel, rubber or NATO) that can be paired with various dial and bezel combinations, totalling 13 versions, to be precise. One can choose from options of: a blue dial and bezel; a black dial and bezel; a green dial and bezel; a black dial with blue bezel; or a black dial with green bezel. The straps make the watch highly versatile and can go with a casual outfit or a formal ensemble.
Beating inside this robust framework is the Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement that guarantees 38 hours of power reserve. It operates at a frequency of 28,800vph and measures 25.6mm with a total of 26 jewels for smooth functioning. Considering it is COSC-certified, makes this watch even more attractive when it comes from a buyer’s point of view. It is protected by a solid caseback, which showcases an interesting design element inspired by a porthole. It is centrally located and is smoothly polished for a mirror-like effect. The Seascoper 300 is built for high performance and rightfully represents the brand’s new generation of dive watches that are suitable for all terrains and outdoor adventures.