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With all the pilot’s watches out there, it’s hard for a newcomer to stand out. It takes something unique visually or technically to be noticed. The designers over at SaStek clearly had this in mind when creating the Time Speed Indicator, the brand’s first watch. Based on “Machmeters” or “Air Speed Indicators,” the Time Speed Indicator (TSI from here on out) utilizes a system of disks and on-sapphire printing to create something genuinely novel and attractive. Powered by the Miyota 9015 and set to have a retail of $399, it’s also value minded.
We got one in to play with, and it makes an immediate impression (please note that the watch in the photos is a prototype, so some changes will be made for production). The case is big, but flat, measuring 44 x 52 x 9.5mm (the height is what was listed by the brand, though our samples measured a bit thicker). While I definitely prefer smaller watches, the size doesn’t feel inappropriate for the watch, as the dial does well with more real estate. Also, they place the crown at 4, preventing it from digging in.
In terms of design, the case is a two-parter consisting of a mid-case and case back, no bezel. The mid-case is a straight cylinder with slab sides and funky, faceted lugs coming off. The lugs are pretty straight, tapering just a bit, but have an aggressive angle in them, giving the case some needed personality. Flipping the watch over you have a snap on case back with a pretty cool etching of a pilot with full helmet and mask in a cockpit.
