Tiret Gotham Watch Hands-On
These Tiret Gotham timepieces are some rare watches. The brand itself is a unique entity placed to serve rich rappers and alike. Not only those people but you get the idea. In a sense is a competitor to Jacob & Co., but they don't like to see it that way. Tiret is based in New York City and this watch is called the Gotham - imagine that.
I first covered the Gotham watch collection back over here. Clearly I needed to include a host of Batman references when discussing a watch with the name "Gotham." The design of the watches is also pretty wild. The large square case is full of details and interesting segments. If you like complex case designs, you'll be at home here. One of the more interesting elements are the individual columns on the side of the case. These are in metal or ceramic I believe and stand in front of a sapphire viewing window of the movement. There are also unique screws and of course the system which connects the strap to the case.
Tiret told me that there are two sizes for the Gotham watch. I tried them both on. I think one is either 42-43mm wide and the other larger one is 45mm wide or more. I don't recall the exact figures. I preferred the larger case of course - imagine that. It is a tall watch as you can tell, with a steeply protruding look that will not get old fast. Despit! e the si ze the way the design wraps around your wrist is impressive. It is a very comfortable watch on your wrist provided you don't smack it into things (or people).
Version of the Gotham include a GMT, Chronograph, and Power Reserve model. Perhaps others. If you like you can of course get diamonds on the bezel. Tiret is first and foremost a jewelry watch brand. On their other pieces which feature stones more I can attest to the fact that they use pretty good quality diamonds. This is something to look out for if you are getting a watch with precious stones. Not all diamonds are created equally!
The movements these watches use aren't particularly rare, but work horses. Tiret makes them a bit more fancy with custom automatic rotors. The chronograph uses a Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750, while the others use various 28xx series automatics. You can see the movement through the rear of the case where another Tiret "T" is there to meet you. Can you try to count all the "Ts" on the case? There are plenty of them.
Whether or not you like the look of it, detailing on the case is really good. The dials are complex and wildly designed. I actually like how they look, but Tiret pieces do suffer in the legibility department. Skeletonization of the hands in most cases is a bad idea - and Tiret loves skeletonized hands. Sometimes they blend in with the dial so much you can't even see the hands. At least they aren't too short. Just a sacrifice of weari! ng a wat ch such as this - which I would still actually do. Just not on days when I want a highly legible watch.
The straps come in black or white, and are done in a nice rubber. You'll notice that on most versions matching rubber is applied on the bezel. Are you a white or black Tiret Gotham kind of guy? I could pull off both. Timepieces such as this are like the exact opposite of an Omega. These are not tool watches. These are showy watches that are expressive and character rich. They are unapologetically loud and meant to call attention and either impress or annoy your friends.
I don't even know where to buy Tiret watches aside from contacting them directly. Though they are nice honest people that prove positive to communicate with. I really can't say this about many brands of this type. Most of these Gotham watches are highly limited in production. They are among the few Tiret watches that appeal to me, but in an odd way I really like these watches. Though I can't fault you if the concept seems repugnant. For me the wearing comfort and case design really make these interesting and fun - a rare exotic species in a world of timepieces that too often play it safe. I think these are in the $10,000 $20,000 range if I recall correctly.
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