Tandorio pilot's watch review
Tandorio is one of the brands of Guangzhou Sehai Trading Company, alongside Parnis, Corgeut and Bliger. I didn't know that but it became obvious when I received the watch in a box of precisely the same shape as the standard Parnis box.
Anyway, as a brand it produces watches mostly in the £50-80 range, many after military specs from the past, but also original ones, like this particular pilot watch. I cannot give you a reference number: there is none on the watch, none given in the AliExpress listing of the Tandorio store.
The base price for this watch is now [sadly I bought it when that was higher] £55 with a NH35A movement, for an extra £30 you upgrade to a PT5000 (which is what I did). This choice is a common option across their range.
What do you get for the money? We have a 38mm diameter, domed sapphire crystal, loomed indices and hands, a screw-down (unsigned) crown and 200m water resistance. The price for that is a noticable thickness of 14.2mm. The loom does not last long and sits mostly on indices. The watchband this comes with is rubber and also unsigned.
While the watchband is comfortable, its rubberiness tempts one to pull it a bit too tight, which you will feel after a while as this is a substantial clump of metal. Lugwidth is 20mm, and we have drilled lugs, so replacing the strap ought to be easy.
Stylewise, Tandorio tried to emulate a Sinn vibe. Like some Sinn watches this has not truly made up its mind whether it wants to be a pilot or diver, like WW2 Kamikaze artists who missed the boat. Interestingly, the Tandorio store thinks that dive pilots is a genuine category of watch. Anyway, while this watch carries off that Sinn vibe in general the hands are a bit odd: the hour hand is noticeably short, and the minute hand looks rather emaciated. There is a newer version of that watch where hours and minutes hands are less at odds with one another, but that was achieved by emaciating the hours hand too.
Overall you are getting decent value for money but a muddled design.
Tandorio pilot's watch review
Yes
No
- domed sapphire crystal
- original design
- good size
- haggard minute hand
- loom is weak
- rather thick
UK-based German expat. Likes cheap watches. Not bothered about brands.
Balthazar, thank you for putting out a review on this watch. I had seen these Tandorio's as they are close to the tool watch vibe I like. Getting a first hand perspective is greatly appreciated. It sounds like they are close to a good bang around level watch where you get the look, if not the highest quality for your dollar and you are not too upset if it gets knocks and dings. I'd be interested to know how it lasts after a year or two of use.
Balthazar, thank you for putting out a review on this watch. I had seen these Tandorio's as they are close to the tool watch vibe I like. Getting a first hand perspective is greatly appreciated. It sounds like they are close to a good bang around level watch where you get the look, if not the highest quality for your dollar and you are not too upset if it gets knocks and dings. I'd be interested to know how it lasts after a year or two of use.
Well, I got myself a lot of watches last year, so this won't get too much wrist time. Notice that I did not recommend the watch overall, and that is because even tandorio itself makes watches at this price with a more coherent design.
Yes, I did notice and I think that is fair. You were providing an assessment, not an advertisement or recommendation, letting anyone judge for themselves. Well done.