Watch Review | Trintec Zulu-07 Pro

Watch Review | Trintec Zulu-07 Pro

Specifications:

• 47mm case of Stainless Steel, blasted and pvd coated
• 56mm lug to lug
• 24mm lug width
• 17.5mm thick
• 176 grams
• Miyota 9015 automatic movement
• 120-click bezel
• 200 meter water resistant
• Sapphire Crystal
• Silicone rubber strap
• Retail Price $699.00 USD

Trintec is a brand that has been around since 1984 and produces aviation inspired watches and clocks. They were the first company to produce an aviation inspired wristwatch that featured elements of an aircraft altimeter. Most of their watch lineup has consisted of quartz models in either 3 hand or chronographs with mineral crystals. While this is my first time having a Trintec watch in hand, I wouldn’t say they were bad watches; just not the type of watches that watch enthusiasts might gravitate to.

That might change with their newest release, the Zulu-07 Pro. Inspired by vintage aircraft clocks from the WWII era through the 70’s, it is a large and well built watch, that if you can pull off, should look very good on the wrist.

We can talk all day about inspiration and design influences, but at the end of the day, it’s how the watch is put together, the materials used and how it wears. And in all those categories, I feel Trintec hit it out of the park, with only a few minor quibbles from me.

Let’s get this out of the way first. This is a large square shaped watch, and the size is well above what I normally wear. And being honest, it is not something I would wear on a daily basis at all. But there are many who love a watch of this size, and just because it’s beyond my sweet spot. I don’t list that as a negative as watches come in all shapes and sizes and there is something for everybody. I also don’t feel it is massively oversized as some brands can be.

The outer case has that square shape that has become popularized by another aviation watch brand, but in a different way. While from corner to corner it does make a square, the middle of the case is round, giving the corners prominence. As with many of watches of this style, each corner has a flat head pvd screw. The reason for this is, is to give the appearance and feel of clock attached to the dashboard of a cockpit.

The version of the Zulu-07 I show here is the blasted stainless steel version, but also comes in an all blacked out PVD version. I think I like the stainless version better, because it is two tone, with the blasted case and pvd bezel, hardware and crown. With the dial markers, skeleton hands and case design, it is easy to see this is an aviation inspired timepiece, but you could easily use this watch as a diver as it is 200 meters water resistant and the bezel action is some of the best I have encountered on any watch. It is firm and clicks with authority but is easy to rotate with medium pressure. And because this model comes with a rubber and zulu style strap, it is water ready out of the box.

The large pvd crown does screw down and has a great feel, no play at all. It is also easy to set while on the wrist, not only because of the crown placement on the case, but also because the heavy knurling allows for a good grip. Powering the Trintec Zulu-07 Pro is the Miyota 9015 automatic movement. I could be wrong, but I believe this might be Trintec’s first automatic watch, at least for a good many years. And the 9015 is a great choice as it is accurate and dependable as I have covered many times before.

My favorite aspect would be the large easy to read dial along with the wonderful sapphire crystal with AR coating. The crystal almost disappears and allows you to see the dial as it’s meant to be, not making the dial color seem off or causing a lot of glare. Other brands should take note.

My least favorite aspect: The silicone rubber strap. It is soft and does not give enough balance to such a large watch and of course is a dirt and lint magnet. Fortunately if you are a fan of zulu style straps, it comes with your choice of black or orange and is another strap option. I personally would wear this on a nice Horween leather or an Isofrane rubber strap. And strap changes should be easy with the use of flat head screw bars for the lug attachment. It does not include screwdrivers though, something that I think was an oversight, especially considering they give you two straps.

Trintec did not slouch on the lume either. It is evenly applied to the skeleton hands, numbers, outer minute track and lume pip. It is as good as any Lumtec or Seiko, who are known for being lume kings when it comes to watches.

My wrist is 7 ½ inches and while I can pull it off, it is past my comfort zone. And that is ok. If the Zulu-07 pro was 44mm it would be more my style. But that is something else to remember, style. Watches are fashion and we all have different tastes. If you like a big, bold chunky watch that is made extremely well and makes a statement, this is your watch. Beyond the rubber strap, I have no complaints. The Zulu-07 is well finished back to front and is a damn good-looking watch. I hope this is a new direction for Trintec, because if it is, I am excited to see their next model.

Thank you for reading. You can see all of the models including this one at the Trintec website HERE. Please leave your comments in the field below.