Today, we’re welcoming another CT Scuderia model back to our pages, the Master Time. In our review of the Salt Flat Racer, I noted that the case, with it’s crown layout, evoked a stopwatch. The Master Time, by contrast, brings that association to the forefront, with the pushers flanking the crown up top, as well as a “lanyard loop” on the step of the crown. In some ways, it also puts me in mind of those early “trench” watches that were pocket watches with lugs soldered on so they could be put on a strap. Obviously, CT Scuderia has a much more polished offering for us than something with a strap hacked on to it.
If you read that earlier Salt Flat racer review, you’ll remember that I liked the overall look of the case, with it’s bolted-on matte-finish lugs paired to the highly polished main case. As before, the watch presents and wears a good bit larger than it’s dimensions might suggest. Ok, so, other than some protrusions up at the top of the case, we’re talking about a watch that’s quite visually similar to the Salt Flat Racer. Of course, that’s the benefit of a unified design language across the lines. That said, it’s time to explore the differences.
Obviously, the addition of those pushers means we’ve gone from a simple three-hander to a chronograph, which the addition of the subdials reflects. You’ve got the sub seconds at 6, 30 minute chrono register over at 9, and then the chrono hours over at 3. Interestingly enough, the hands on these subdials have a similar shape to the main handset, which is quite nice touch. They also carry the same finish, which appears to be a glossy enamel. Unfortunately, that finish is not luminant at all, nor are any bits of the dial.
The dial itself is a deep black, which presents a sharply readable contrast to the white handset, indices, and numerals. You’ll also note that, for the numerals, they’ve gone with the same 0-60 scale that we saw previously, keeping things in touch with a sense of speed. While this really has no practical implications in daily wear (or reading the time), it’s something that I know folks have a personal preference as to what they like to see for that scale. Here, for the Master Time, I think it works well within the overall scheme.
The movement contained within also is a different one, containing the necessary complications for the chronograph functions. We also see a change over to a PVD-coated rotor; past that, we’ve still got a 40-hour power reserve paired with a 4 Hz frequency, and a movement that functioned as accurate as I would expect in the time we had with the watch. With this all paired to a three-link bracelet, we’ve got a watch that in some ways is a classic chronograph style – with some obvious tweaks to the formula to make this a watch that’s distinctively CT Scuderia.
Coming in at a price of $3,295, we’ve got a moderately higher-end piece (depending on what you’re comparing it to) that offers a good mix of styling and function. This is, of course, assuming that you’re on board with the overall design language that CT Scuderia puts in to it’s pieces. If you find yourself in that camp, I think this is a distinctive piece that will garner attention on your wrist, and you can pick yours up here. Just please don’t try to hang anything goofy off of that loop, alright? ctscuderia.com
Review Summary
- Brand & Model: CT Scuderia Master Time
- Price: $3,295 (bracelet)
- Who’s it for?: Someone who digs the overall look of the CT lineup, but wants a more literal interpretation of the stopwatch layout
- Would I wear it?: As with the Salt Flat Racer, probably not – it’s just bigger (diameter and height) than I personally prefer
- What I’d change: It would be great if we could see some lume showing up at least in the handset, if not in the dial as well
- The best thing about it: As before, I’m definitely a fan of the built up lugs bolted on to the rounded, polished case – just an overall interesting look.
Denim in some of the backgrounds is, as always, from the team at Gustin
