Triwa HU39 Automatic (Hands on) Reivew: a Watch Made of Molten Guns
Who is the TRIWA HU39 Automatic Watch for?
- Someone who is after an everyday, reliable 39mm automatic dress watch
- People who wants to make more than a fashion statement, but a statement of peace: the HU39 is constructed with the Humanium metal - melted down illegal firearms
- The eco-conscious will enjoy the 20 mm canvas straps that are made from recycled PET, and also has great sweat resistant property
A gunmetal finish is normally just that - a finish, a tone of color on your favorite device. But TRIWA's Humanium series has taken the word 'gunmetal' to a whole different level. The case on these watches are made of metal that used to be part of illegal firearms, which has been melted down and given a new purpose. As awesome as that sounds, there is even more to the HU39 Automatic than what it's made of.
Wearing a statement
The TRIWA HU39 Automatic has an overall simple aesthetics but is full of attention to detail. The Humanium casing is matched with a brushed metal face that has a sandwich construction - similar to what can be found on the Bell&Ross BR 03-92 MA-1. The hour markers are cut outs exposing a lighter tone layer underneath. The end result is subtle, and perfectly legible.
Other design choices that stood out to me are complementing elements in its details: the red second hand complimenting the date and the red dot accent on the crown; the polished finish on the minute and hour hands, polished chamfer around the lens, around the date window, and the polished crown. The attention to detail makes the HU39 Automatic simple but a concert of craftsmanship.
The polished stainless steel back seems to be a deliberate design choice, chosen over a see-through back for it's durability. The signature statement engraved across its centerline: 'TIME FOR PEACE', brings us to the unique statement that this watch makes.
The fact that the HU39 Automatic is made of Humanium metal is not marked in one, or two, but three places, a clear emphasis of what this watch represents. These markings are an indication that the steel used in this watch is no longer part of an illegal weapon that would otherwise be used to take people's lives - and that is mind blowing to think about. Certified by IM Swedish Development, apparently you can even trace the metal back to the exact weapon destruction program it was taken from.
TRIWA also donates 15% of the profit from the Humanium range back to the effort to find and destroy more firearms. So more than a mere statement, the existence of this watch is in a way part of the action to destroy more weapons.
A compact automatic
The HU39 Automatic packs a Miyota 9015 movement from its premium automatic range, has a sweeping second hand, and a 42 hour reserve. Wearing the watch for over 2 weeks, I have only had to wind it once, a testament of the movement's efficiency.
Packed with an automatic movement, the HU39 has a solid heft to it. Together with the straps it measured 66g on my scale, roughly equivalent to 3 alkaline AA batteries. Holding that weight in a compact 39mm form factor, this is a watch that has a nice premium feel to it.
The HU39 Automatic also has a screw-down crown, which I did not expect given its small size. Though small, the ribbed crown is easy to unscrew to allow the winding of the watch and the adjustment of time and date.
Eco-friendly straps
Though the strap is considered secondary to the watch, it was one aspect of the TRIWA HU39 that I was looking forward to checking out. Being the first time for me to use recycled PET canvas straps, I wasn't too sure of what to expect. And it turned out to be a great strap.
It has a fine weave and the texture is exactly what I expect canvas to be. Being made of PET, the strap never had odor or discoloration issues with sweat, which is quite important for anyone with sweaty wrists like me.
The straps have been so good that I wish more watchmakers would use straps that are made of this recycled PET canvas. I would personally choose these straps over leather any day.
Final remarks
Aesthetically the TRIWA HU39 Automatic is a rugged dress watch, equipped with both a compact, elegant minimalist design and a heavy duty steel casing that gives its user the confidence that it will last a lifetime. The Humanium metal however is what gives this watch a back story that makes it not only a great automatic watch, but a meaningful one that is a good conversation starter with friends, perhaps even to your children when the watch is pass it down to them.
Find out more about the TRIWA HU39 Automatic on its website
David is a tech enthusiast/writer who is often on the move and is on a mission to explore ways to make his overhaul flights more enjoyable. This is a contribution to an ongoing IBTimes review series on gadgets for Business Travellers.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.