The Tusenö Shellback V2 is a microbrand full package diver

Time+Tide

Let’s face it, we live in a time when an entire segment of the watch community is more concerned about specs than anything else. As long as the watch has the best specs for the money, it’s a no-brainer. It’s “the best diver” or “the field watch Rolex should have made.” But I would argue that what many of these brands are missing is originality in design. Part of the reason we love independent brands today is their freedom to try new things when it comes to how a watch has to look. Today we’re going to take a look at a diver that comes in a full package – original design, great specs, and good price – in the Tusenö Shellback V2.

The case

Alright, there are actually many things we could argue about when it comes to watches. For example, what constitutes the ideal dimensions? I’m a small watch kind of guy (as in 32 to 35mm in diameter), however, when looking at divers, my requirements change. The Tusenö Shellback V2 comes with a diameter of 40mm, a length of 47mm, a thickness of 12.9mm and a 20mm lug width. Paired to my 6.50”/16.5cm wrist, it wears great and is extremely comfortable. And the latter is thanks to the way the case was designed as well as its bracelet.

Overall, the Tusenö Shellback V2 has a modern and angular profile. Long, horizontally brushed case flanks separated from the upper sections of the lugs by wide and fully polished chamfers. At least, that is so until the centre of the case where the chamfers disappear. The lugs come with straight-cut ends which are quite imposing, while the fully-polished crown is both large—7.2mm in diameter—and thin—3.2mm—a great size ratio for a crown. Both the crown and caseback screw down, giving the Shellback V2 200 meters of water resistance. The caseback is itself very pleasant to look at as it showcases an embossed and fully polished star logo.

The crystal, which the brand did not include on its website when listing the Shellback’s dimensions, is a piece of double-domed sapphire crystal complete with inner anti-reflective coating. I measured the total thickness of the case + crystal at 12.9mm which means the crystal only adds 1mm in thickness which is quite reasonable for a diver with a 20ATM depth rating. Lastly, the bezel comes with 120 smooth and precise clicks and the fully lumed insert is made of polished black ceramic.

The dial

So yes, I did talk a lot about the specs of the Tusenö Shellback V2 as there was a lot to be said. However, what sets this diver apart from many other ones currently available in the micro and independent watch market, is its design. The secret ingredient I referred to in the introduction. The Shellback comes with an aesthetic I would generally describe as being original and that is in great part what you pay for here. First things first, it comes with a sandwich construction which means that the BGW9 lume glows brightly and evenly on all hour markers. The markers are mostly circular in shape except at the 3, 9, and 12 o’clock where they look more like rounded batons. The hour marker at the six is absent to make space for a framed date window. However, as you will see in our photos, the date aperture is also framed by the lumed disc which means it is very legible.

The handset we find on the Shellback is quite handsome too. The hour hand comes with a lumed and hollowed-out element which perfectly frames the word “Shellback” below the pinion. The sign-post minute hand is long and reaches the thin, and fully lumed, minute track. (Yes it is fully lumed!) While the seconds hand, even thinner, is equipped with a small, lumed arrow-shaped element at its tip. All three hands are fully polished which looks great paired with the glossy ceramic bezel insert. I further appreciate the minimal branding and text crisply printed on the highly polished black enamel dial (yes, you read that right!) While the white and blue versions offer a great texture on the brass blanks. Perhaps now you’re starting to see my point-of-view when I claimed, in the title of this article, that the Tusenö Shellback V2 is a full-package diver.

The strap

At the time of writing this article (July 2024), the Shellback is offered on a fully articulated metal bracelet and a complimentary tropic-style rubber strap. The bracelet has a “flat link” construction where each link is bevelled and where the outer ones are endowed with polished chamfers that match the polished accents found on the case. The links are held together with screws and the entire apparatus tapers from 20mm at the lugs to 18mm at the clasp, the latter being equipped with an on-the-fly micro-adjustment mechanism. The rubber strap is also quite neat and both options come with quick-release spring-bars.

The movement

To ensure that the Shellback V2 will tick accurately and thus for a long time, Tusenö put a Sellita SW-200 calibre inside which beats at 28,800 BPH (4Hz) and comes with 38 hours of power reserve. The brand opted for the standard version which is known to be solid and reliable out-of-the-box as well as being easily serviceable by any decent watchmaker.

Tusenö Shellback V2 availability & pricing

As of publishing, the Tusenö Shellback V2 is available for pre-order directly from the brand’s website for the discounted price of US$649. Three colours will be available – Silver, Blue, and Black – in date-only variants. For that price, you do get the complimentary tropic-style rubber strap. Delivery is estimated for the end of 2024. The regular price thereafter will be US$699.

Brand	Tusenö
Model	Shellback V2
Reference	N/A
Case Dimensions	40mm (D) x 12.9mm (T)
Case Material	Stainless steel
Water Resistance	200 metres
Crystal(s)	Sapphire front
Dial	Black is enamel, white and blue are brass
Strap	Matching metal bracelet and rubber strap
Movement	Sellita SW200 base, automatic
Power Reserve	38 hours
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Availability	Pre-orders now open
Price	US$649 until pre-orders close, then US$699

Made in partnership with Tusenö. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.