Watches and Tires? Seems like a common pairing when you think about it. Many replica watches use rubber in the seals and gaskets, and of course with bezels, pushers and most commonly, rubber straps. Tires are of course made of rubber. Some brands have been doing Tire inspired replica watches for years, most notably Chopard with their racing series.
That brings me to my latest review, the Tire’d Trail Blade. If you remember a few months back I did a review of the Tire’d Rapide, a big, unique and somewhat higher end model. This time I take a look at an upcoming quartz model that was done in collaboration with Atturo tires.
Atturo Tires, who loved the concept of the Rapide, contacted Tired to come up with a collaboration piece. The Trail Blade by Tired is named after the Trail Blade tires produced by Atturo. What they came up with was a Swiss Made replica watch that has the same quality and ruggedness of the tires they produce for offroad cars and trucks. The integrated band is designed after the Trail Blade M/T tire.
Full Specifications:
- 316L Stainless case (bead blasted)
- 44mm case
- 15mm thick
- Lug to lug 50mm
- 20mm lugs
- 123 grams in weight
- Sapphire Crystal
- Screwed Caseback
- Dial: Hydraulic Background, matte black dial and reflector.
- Applied Indexes with with superluminova
- Movement: Ronda 505 with date
- Rubber strap with fitted ends and green stitching
- Price $595
Please take a look at my video review below:
If you remember my review of the Tire’d Rapide, it was a beast of a replica watch at 49mm and while very unique, the design might not have been for everybody. So while the Trail Blade is a collaboration, it is also a more subdued design retaining some of the same elements of the Rapide.
One of those elements is the dial. You have the same checkered pattern dial and hands, the diamond date magnifier at the 10 o’clock position and same color scheme from the black Rapide. What’s different is the logo on the dial, which is the Atturo logo. Another thing that will be different for the production model is the color of the hands. What I have here for review is essentially the prototype, and with that said, the hands will be white, not red and will be better lumed. (The red luminescent paint does not glow well). There will also be a blackout version available.
Another element from the Rapide is the signature knurled crown at 10 o’clock. This is a non-screw down crown, though it is still water resistant to 100 meters. The case is all bead blasted, a very clean design and smooth look. The actual case is an all one-piece design made from a solid block of stainless steel, with the fixed bezel and case back screwed on. The case back is very much the same as the Rapide, with the Tired Watch logo, and is also bead blasted matching the rest of the replica watch.
The rubber strap is fitted to the lugs, and makes for a seamless transition. It has green stitching to match with the green second hand and logo on the dial. The pattern is a tire of course, as I spoke to earlier, which goes along with the theme of the replica watch. As far as comfort goes, it is nice on the wrist as it is a natural rubber. The buckle is custom made as well, and has the Atturo logo stamped into very subtly in the right corner.
I was very impressed with the Rapide, even when I didn’t think I would be. The Trail Blade is not the same over the top rugged design, but is still a well-made, sporty piece that looks different enough from what else is out there in the replica watch world. Meaning, while it might not be a design to set the world on fire, it is not ordinary by any stretch either.
It is still using high quality components such as the stainless steel case, sapphire crystal, fitted rubber and this time a Swiss Made 505 quartz movement as opposed to the auto in the Rapide.
If I am being perfectly honest, the Trail Blade is not really my style. I’m not sure if I can really pinpoint why, but you just know what you like and what you don’t. That said, it fits great on the wrist and with it coming in at $595 it is a much more affordable model from Tired Watch Company.
If you like a more classic size, and something with a unique but subtler design, the Trail Blade might be a good option. It is of course not a dive replica watch or pilot like we generally see, and it still has that rugged appeal to it.
The Trail Blade will be available soon from both Tired Watch Company and Atturo Tires. Both websites linked below: http://tiredwatchcompany.com/shop/ & http://www.atturo.com/moto/home
Thank you to Tired Watch Company for providing this model for review. Please leave your comments in the field below.
