Occasionally, I encounter watch brands that pleasantly surprise me, each for its unique reasons. In the case of Pionier Watches, what intrigued me the most was the fact that they are a German brand that apparently offers watches assembled by-hand. I decided to purchase a watch of my own – New York – and also provide an overall review of their collections. Read on to learn everything you need to know about Tufina Pionier and decide for yourself whether this brand is worth your money.
Pros & Cons
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Overview
Brand: Pionier
Manufactured: Made in Germany
Included: Original Pionier box
Warranty: 2-year warranty
Water-Resistance: 3 ATM or 5 ATM
Packaging
Pionier is a great example of how every brand should do its packaging. Each watch is packaged by hand in a secure box made from a sturdy material that doesn’t break/bend. On the top surface of this container, the brand logo is prominently displayed. This box’s purpose is to provide utmost protection to the secondary box contained within. The innermost box, designed to hold the watch securely, is crafted from leather and meticulously sewn for a sophisticated touch. The brand logo is showcased in this box as well.
Package Includes:
- Engraved envelope from the company
- Greeting card
- Small note on their history
- Introductory booklet
- Warranty card
- Proof of diamond certification (where applicable)
The feeling of anticipation and surprise when unboxing their timepieces is great! Well done Pionier.
Design
Pionier presents us with some fresh and innovative designs. The dials are typically finely detailed, with different types of sub-dials accompanying them. You will find multiple watches with multi-patterned faces and even open-heart windows. This works great for those who prefer watches that stand out, although they may be a bit too “out there” for those who’d rather opt for a minimalist accessory. Nevertheless, they have some more toned-down watches such as the Basel Tourbillon or Boston which are ideal for a more fancy occasion.
What grabbed my attention upon discovering this brand was the use of architecture-inspired designs, such as in the case of Louvre. This square-cased watch has one of the coolest dials I’ve ever seen and as the name suggests, it’s inspired by the angular characteristics of the Louvre.
If you’d ask me to summarize their design choices in one sentence I would say “Modernity tailored to the classic gentleman”.
Quality
Short Summary
Overall, Pionier watches are extremely well-built. Their finishing is amazing which is a nice surprise considering some of their most affordable prices. All the components are nicely aligned and in harmony and you can even find the use of precious stones such as diamonds. All in all, their quality is definitely above standard in this price range.
Case & Crown
The cases of these watches all seem to have a very nicely brushed finish. There are no sharp edges and every curve is shaped properly. The bezels are also sharply polished and some models feature top screws (Newport, Hawaii, New York, Barcelona), countdown timer bezels (Dublin, Geneva Tourbillon) or tachymeter bezels (Tirona Chronograph).
The crowns are overall very easy to pull out and they all have that very satisfying solid click when being pushed back in.
Dial & Hands
The dials are well executed and everything is aligned. Most of these watches sport very detailed dials with day/night indicators, open heart windows, date calendars, etc. You will often find the Pionier logo nicely printed on the face. Although sometimes there might be a lot going on with the dials, every element is surprisingly perfectly balanced. Precise and fine, the designs manage to preserve a harmonious look so nothing looks too crowded.
The indices are nicely rounded and polished and they come in different variants including stick and baton indices. They often use skeleton hands that are well-finished with crisp edges. Sometimes, you will also see double-colored hands that add a touch of color to the overall design or even skeletonized pointers.
Strap & Buckle
Pionier watches come in either leather straps or stainless steel bracelets. The straps made of genuine cow leather often feature a crocodile skin pattern which I personally find quite stylish. I tested the New York and the black leather strap was so soft to the touch and it easily molded to my wrist after just a couple of wears. It didn’t irritate my skin at all which is a huge bonus since I have a bit of sensitive skin.
On the other hand, stainless steel bracelets often come as mesh bracelets. The stainless steel is pretty much the industry standard so expect fair durability and wear-and-tear resistance. Most models have standard buckles but some of them come with a butterfly deployment clasp.
Movement
Pionier watches feature movements that are either automatic or mechanical. They are hand-assembled in-house and thoroughly tested. All the Made-in-Germany manufacturing criteria are followed according to the EU laws. They have proven to be quite durable and they hold the time fairly well, with a tolerance of +/- 7 to 10 seconds a day which is quite impressive for mechanical watches compared to other popular movements in the industry. Plus, there is a 2-year warranty on the watches which gives me that extra peace of mind.
On the wrist
When I first strapped New York on my wrist I loved the look! The 48mm case was just right and the strap was in great proportion. I could already tell this would be a very versatile, easy-to-pair with anything watch. I was happy to find out that it was very light-weight. After wearing it all day I had absolutely no complaints with the comfort.
Price
Pionier watches provide models at different price points. You can find some amazing affordable pieces for only $300 but you can also go for a more expensive timepiece such as a tourbillon. Still, considering how even the Geneva Tourbillon can be found at a price of $2900, you can say they provide some of the most competitive prices in the market.
Seeing how these German watches are hand-assembled with nicely finished movements and unique designs, you get great value for the money with any of their timepieces.
Conclusion
Pionier watches come with some fascinating designs and high-quality movements at a reasonable price. Their models are a good blend of modern and dressy, with just the right amount of details, jewels and engravings. They are a joy to wear, easily styled with all outfits and overall a reliable accessory for all occasions.
In regards to quality, you really are getting a precious timepiece at an affordable price. Taking into account the custom designs and lengthy hand-assembly process, this brand offers quite an attractive option for those who want to make a cost-effective purchase. If you like modern German timepieces with a classic twist, Tufina is a solid choice.
