An Affordable Chronograph with a Twist

Based in Göteborg (Gothenberg) Sweden, Tusenö is offering a new collection of smart looking chronographs at a very good price point.  This is the First 42, Tusenö's first collection.

Courtesy of Tusenö

A clean and easy to read bi-compax face and a diameter of 42 mm are the more obvious selling points, but beauty is more than "case deep", and it is what the First 42 has under the hood that caught my attention.

Courtesy of Tusenö

The movement in question is Seiko's VK64, a hybrid Mecha-Quartz.  So you get all of the accuracy of a quartz movement with some of the sensory feelings of a mechanical one.  For those of you looking for a good read on the topic of mecha-quartz, I refer you to an article from the folks over at Gear Patrol.  

The First 42 is available in four different versions.  A stainless case version with either a black or white dial (pictured above).  For the stainless models, here are the pertinents, 

straight from the source -  

Model Name: First 42

Case Size: 42 mm x 11,5mm

Dials: White

Case Material: 316L surgical grade stainless steel

Glass: Sapphire crystal, slightly convex

Movement: Seiko VK64, Hybrid Mecha-Quartz Chronograph

Strap: A black crocodile embossed leather strap and a mesh strap

Clasp: Butterfly Clasp

Water resistant: 5 ATM

And if gold is more your thing, fear not!  Tusenö's got you covered with a gold plate version -

Courtesy of Tusenö

A white dial (above), and a black dial (below) -

Courtesy of Tusenö

Here are the pertinents for the gold plate version, straight from the source -

Model Name: First 42

Case Size: 42 mm x 11,5mm

Dials: Black sunray pattern

Case Material: 316L surgical grade stainless steel (rosé gold plated)

Glass: Sapphire crystal, slightly convex

Movement: Seiko VK64, Hybrid Mecha-Quartz Chronograph

Straps: Brown crocodile embossed leather strap and a suede strap

Clasp: Butterfly Clasp

Water resistant: 5 ATM

Priced at $396, this is a great opportunity to lay hands to a neat watch at a good price.  To be clear, I have not held or tested one yet, but if all is as advertised, then this is an interesting alternative.