Tutima vs Fortis vs Glycine vs Certina vs Archimede

My own totally subjective ranking, based on my knowledge of each brand would be:

1. Archimede

2. Tutima

3. Fortis

4. Certina

5. Glycine

Based on my tastes: Fortis, Glycine, Certina, Archimede, Tutima. They're all pretty close.

Own a Glycine Combat 6 Classic, and paid less than $500 for it. The watch is solid, has a reliable ETA based movement (running accurate after 5 plus years), it is relatively slim at about 11mm, looks dressy or sporty depending on occasion and strap choice (leather or metal bracelet), Swiss made. Can't ask for more at that price, really. Unfortunately i dont have first hand experience with the others to rank. But Glycine = Solid watch.

Yup, they are. I was under the impression that Tutima had real heritage behind it but I could be wrong.

Tutima

Fortis

Archimede

Certina

Glycine

NOTE: I own 2 Tutima,1 Fortis, 1 Archimede, 2 Glycines, and have owned a Certina

They do. Here's a video that's a bit on the longer side, but the description pretty much covers it.

https://youtu.be/Eh8X7asfKFY?si=SN5qoDFKPTXI8RPK

I think a diver or field watch is the best choice for a beginning / smaller collection.

It's difficult to beat Certina divers at the price point (if his wrist is 7" or more the re-issues are fantastic) and field watches are Hamiltons department obviously - they'd be my recommendations.

Or a Mido GMT.

I’d go with my personal pref of

1.Glycine

2. Tutima

3. Fortis

4. Archimede

5. Certina

Out of the brands listed i only own a Glycine combat sub 200 in bronze. The watch overall looks and wears great and keeps good time. The turning bezel is quite stiff though and the lume is piss poor for a divewatch.

Never buy off glycine website as it is usually priced much higher. The person that i got my glycine from (my dad's friend) ordered it brand new from ebay. Much cheaper than the listed price on glycine website.

I’ve got the same bronze Glycene but can’t find the right strap, the brown rubber OEM was a bit underwhelming, got a two tone nato which is a bit better but I think there still something better out there, just don’t know what.

I’ve only got a Glycene & a Tutima don’t know first hand the others but both Tutima & Glycene have great finish with Tutima getting the edge in my opinion. Value for money though Glycene would be hard to beat I would think.

Mine came on black rubber strap that i find quite soft, smooth and comfortable. Hopefully it lasts long so i dont have to find a replacement for it anytime soon

I don't feel that Tutima and Fortis are even close to the others. Finding a Tutima or a Fortis for even close to 500 is nex to impossible.

Ooh that’s a nice colour combo, mine was the brown dial & copper coloured bezel, looked better in the pic than in person.If Inknew how to insert an image I would add it☹️

Theres a camera icon when you press on the comments bar. Nice brown dial matches the bronze case more.

Thanks Ryan.👍

I have a Tutima Pacific that I got around 20 years ago - cost around 900 AUD$ back then - I would get a Tutima again happily but they are expensive these days - if I am going I love Sinn and Fortis have some great models

Oh, exactly whom I needed )))) Are they all swiss, or...???

Thank you. Bill will tell us for sure ))) And yes, that is what I thought as well that among these firms, Tutima has the historical chops so to speak )

Thank you. I have a friend who, every time I tell him that I got another Zenith, asks me if it is better than Certina ) For my brother, no his wrist is not 7 inches. Chicken wrists must be a genetic thing lol

Actually just last night I saw a video on youtube by Just One More Watch. The guy destroyed Mido LOL (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5GvmLr5bVI)

Yes, brands always sell it for more, the infamous brand wth a crown logo probably being the only exception.

So tutima and Fortis are the front-runners? Honestly, Glycine looks to me like too much of a mall watch to be honest. Although some people here do love it.

Sinn designs are not for me despite all the accolades they get from the watch community.

In that case I'd look at Certina's 38mm Action Diver, particularly the Ti variant.

I'm not a huge fan of Mido either tbh but they use a 'flyer' GMT movement that's inexpensive compared to other Swiss options which gets them some love. There is a collab with that waning wannabe lifestyle mag (Hodinkee) that I like but but it's ~ $1K I think.

Given his wrist size and your mention of Tautima, Laco ect. you may want to look at these too:

https://praesidus.com/products/a-11-type-44-white

For me, I'm going with;

1. Aristo

2. Sternglas

3. Glycine

4. Steinhart

Glycine is an incredible valued watch. They are owned by Invicta, but fortunately have been left out of Invictas "styling" options. You can get one on Ashford for 200-300. Am automatic swiss made watch for that price is incredible. However, Tutima and Fortis are far better finished Products. Expect to pay 2-3k for a modern versions.

Tutima and Archimede are German Made

I have 2 Tutimas and can just say that they have an incredible built quality. I think they have Swiss movement which were modified by Tutima. Apart from the great reliability I am very much into the style and enjoy wearing them nearly day to day.

Can't say something about the other brands.

To me that equates to better quality than what Swiss make these days. Swiss simply trade on their reputation often times.