June 27th, 2025

Allow me to introduce you to the newest member of the TCM family, the Pilot Sorci Verdi. This watch just arrived last night so I thought it would be perfect for Tool Watch Friday!

“Inspired by the 205th Bombardment Squadron of the Italian Royal Air Force” The mice logo was what drew me to this watch initially. These three mice you see on the dial and caseback have historical significance to them as well. In March 1937, second lieutenant Aurelio Pozzi would have drawn. the three mice after hearing a non-commissioned officer exclaim in Roman dialect: “Tomorrow we annamo about Barcellona and je famo sees them green mice”, meaning causing an extreme fright. Three green mice standing on their hind legs were painted on the Savoia Marchetti SM.79 ‘Sparviero’ trimotors – nicknamed the “cursed hunchback” by their opponents which were used successfully in the Spanish Civil War, during the Second World War and champion of the entire podium, in 1937 in the Istres-Damascus-Paris aeronautical race.

The symbol appeared for the first time on the fuselage of a SM.79 of the XII group.
Vedere i sorci verdi, that is, seeing Italian bombers darting above one’s heads was enough to understand that a bombing raid was about to begin. With the Spanish Civil War, the expression therefore took on the meaning of announcing defeat. Today the meaning is changed to vedersela cattivo; while making someone see them is synonymous with threat.

https://terracielomare.it/products/pilot-sparviero

MOVEMENT:

Sellita SW200 Automatic Movement, Swiss Made

CASE:

Diameter 38 mm, Burnished 316L steel

THICKNESS:

10.50 mm

GLASS:

Sapphire

DIAL:

Anthracite grey

STRAP:

Italian leather with buckle

CASEBACK:

316L steel

WATER RESISTANCE:

10 ATM

July 10th, 2025

This watch is a perfect example of how case size should be irrelevant but I’ll touch more on the case later, I want to talk about this dial. The shade of grey is badass. TCM truly nailed the cohesiveness between an instrument of aviation and an instrument of time. The Pilot Sorci Verdi’s dial has a lot of details that I prefer on a watch.

The railroad track-style minutes is and has been one of my favorite details on a watch for decades. It fits this watch brilliantly and I can’t appreciate TCM’s design choice enough. Another detail or should I say lack there of that I think works well on this dial is the no date window. I don’t mind a date window but I definitely appreciate a dial without a date.

The grey is awesome as well. I have already established that but the matte finish of the dial is stunning. All of the details on the dial are ideal when it comes to a watch of this style. Dress watches are suited for polished finish details but pilot/field/dive/tool watches should not have polished finished details! Obviously this is my opinion and everyone can have their own opinions/preferences. The 2, 4, 8, 10 and the compass style vibe of the hour markers at the cardinal hour positions all work so damn well on this dial. TCM chose the perfect style hands for this dial. The style, the length and the proportions are perfect and these hands complement this dial how a handset should.

July 17th, 2025

This watch is simple, well made and purpose driven. The burnished 316L steel case nicely matches with the anthracite grey dial. It gives this watch a tool vibe. I was pleasantly surprised that the crown is a screw down style. Most of the pilot watches that I have experienced have push/pull style crown. I like the machining on the crown which is not only is aesthetically pleasing but also assists in the grip/ function of the crown.

The finish on the case is very well done. It is extremely uniform throughout the entire case. The caseback is a highlight of this watch. For me, it’s one of my favorite details because it not only ties into the dial but it also is much more aesthetically pleasing than if it was an exhibition caseback.

This watch is another example of how case size has truly become irrelevant for me. The 38mm x 10.5mm dimensions will definitely make some of you think that this isn’t a Stephen beast. I don’t seek out watches based upon case size, I seek out watches based upon design, quality and engineering. This TCM definitely fits my criteria. This sub-$700 watch is a nice value for your dollar.

July 24th, 2025

I have been admiring the brushed stainless steel case. The dark color of the stainless steel gives it the look of titanium but the hefty feel of stainless steel. The best of both worlds in my opinion. Something that surprises me about this watch is how much I am enjoying the Italian leather strap. The green is such a great color and compliments the darker case & grey dial. The leather is very soft and supple. It hugs the wrist well without that uncomfortable squeeze of rubber straps. It always makes me laugh when I read guy’s comments of how it’s too hot for leather but wear rubber. Rubber is way hotter and so fucking uncomfortable, especially in the heat of summer.

The Sellita SW200 ticking away inside the watch is not only a reliable movement, it’s also one of my favorite automatic movements. This particular SW200 in this watch has been averaging between +13 to +15 seconds per day while in multiple positions on my wrist.

I think this watch is a great value for $700USD. This is the second TCM I have experienced and they make quality watches. I was a fan of TCM for years before I actually got hands on with one. Yes, TCM is under new ownership but what I love is how they are holding true to the TCM DNA that I was a fan of for years. The part that impresses me the most is how they managed to keep the prices so affordable!

July 31, 2025

The TCM pilot sorci verdi may be smaller in stature, simple in detail but absolutely beautiful in execution! The way the light dances meticulously upon all of its details is quite mesmerizing. I wanted to capture that dance in these photographs. The matte gray hands are stunning and the way they cohesively match the edges of the numerals is an excellent example of TCM’s attention & devotion to detail. I also think these mentioned details highlight the astonishing fact that this is a sub $700 watch?!? That’s truly mind boggling. I have owned some $5000+ watches that did not carry this caliber of attention and cohesive design language.

TCM is definitely making waves in my sea of favorite brands of all time. The color of the dial is something else that I find mesmerizing about this watch. It’s a beautiful color that changes with the lighting. Sometimes it appears to be gunmetal grey and other times it appears to be slate grey/blue. It’s a dial that I often find myself getting lost in. I love the style, the font, and the raised detail of the numerals. It creates a fantastic depth of detail that is appealing.

This watch is a reliable and affordable option for anyone who is looking for a pilot watch that doesn’t follow the design of so many other pilot watches. This watch carries an air of arrogance about itself. Not in the manner of cockiness but in the manner of an experienced pilot whose skill has been earned from flying in an abundance of successful missions. It doesn’t take any of it for granted and realizes that any mission could be its last. The lesser experienced crew attributes the silence to arrogance but this flying ace knows the costs that have come with every single successful mission flown!

August 7th, 2025

The TCM pilot watch that followed its own design path instead of blindly following the same old tired pilot watch designs that we have seen over and over and over again. The dial for me is what makes this watch special. The compass style design, the modernized yet classic cathedral style matte grey hands, the raised markers, the numeral font and of course, those historical mice! This dial is functional and aesthetically pleasing without being over down. Its balance is its beauty. I would not change a thing.

This was one of those rare instances where it was hard for me to find something that would improve the experience with the watch. Honestly, the only thing that I would recommend is drilled lugs and solid screw bars for that increased security. The progression that I have personally experienced with TCM from the last watch of theirs that I reviewed to this watch is exactly what I want to see from a company. There’s nothing worse than a company that stays comfortable in being stagnant. TCM is on a great path, in my opinion.

This is definitely a piece that I would recommend to anyone looking for a pilot’s watch. The added bonus is if you are a history buff especially the WWII era, the history significance of the mice is something that you would appreciate. I really like what TCM did with this watch. I am quite surprised with how much this watch impressed me. It’s a well built watch that I have no doubts about its capabilities and performance, no matter what you put it through!