Hello everyone, and welcome to another of my reviews. In this article, I’ll review TACS’ new ATL Lite Watch.
Based in Hong Kong, I’ve previously reviewed several TACS watches, including the Automatic Vintage Lens II, the ATL, the Mask Player, the Architecture, and, most recently, the Automatic Cassette. All the watches share the same design ethos – they are inspired by analogue equipment.
The watch microbrand recently released a slew of new designs, and sent over three for me to review. In this article, I’ll take a look at the ATL Lite, which is billed as the slimmer, more wearable version of the brand’s iconic ATL watch. Let’s see if it’s any good.
TACS ATL Lite – Build Quality
For ~S$400 (after the promo code below), I’ll say that the build quality of the ATL Lite is decent for the price.
Firstly, the TACS ATL Lite uses a curved K1 glass. While not as durable as sapphire, K1 glass is still substantially more scratch-resistant than regular mineral glass. There’s also an anti-reflective coating applied on the underside of the glass, ensuring clarity from all angles. The ATL Lite also has a water resistance rating of 100M, making it robust enough for a variety of everyday activities that don’t involve prolonged submersion.
The ATL Lite is powered by the automatic Miyota 8N24 movement, which is unsurprising as it’s one of the few affordable skeletonised movements out there. It beats at 21,600 bph, hand-winds, has about 42 hours of power reserve, but does not hack. Though unassuming and undecorated, the 8N24 is a robust movement with a reliable track record.
Interestingly, the ATL Lite comes fitted with a rubber strap by default, rather than the leather strap found on the standard ATL. It’s thick, comfortable, and feels premium to the touch. I can also see the rubber strap being the more practical choice for actual photographers, offering greater comfort than leather, especially during long shoots.
The ATL Lite also features Swiss Super-LumiNova. While TACS does not specify the exact lume formulation used, it appears BGW9 has been applied to the hands, while C3 is used for the markers and camera motif. Lume performance isn’t especially strong—which is understandable, given that the ATL Lite is not a sports watch—but the lumed camera motif is a thoughtful and distinctive touch.
TACS ATL Lite – Design
That being said, the strength of TACS’ watches has always been their retro-inspired designs.
Like the original ATL, the ATL Lite draws inspiration from the twin-lens reflex camera, which rose to prominence during World War II. The layered dial—said by the brand to be hand-assembled in Japan and composed of 11 components—offers impressive depth, enhanced by its varied textures. Yet the dial’s most striking feature is undoubtedly the dual open-heart design, a clear nod to the twin lenses found in vintage viewfinders. In fact, the photography theme is so pronounced that several watch enthusiasts have asked whether the ATL Lite is a Leica collaboration.
As compared to the original, the design of the ATL Lite is more pared back, which I prefer. In my original review of the ATL, I noted a few superfluous details that detracted from the overall aesthetic. Here, the ATL Lite expresses its photographic ethos more coherently, with a clean, legible design that is visually pleasing. It’s offered in either white or black (our review model) – I prefer black as it references vintage cameras more closely.
The rest of the watch is predominantly finished in polished surfaces, though the front of the lugs features brushing for a touch of contrast. There’s also a signed crown, a thoughtful detail that is not always guaranteed at this price point. It is adequately sized as well, making hand-winding easy for those who prefer to do so.
However, the ATL Lite’s greatest strength is undoubtedly its new compact dimensions. TACS states that it is a substantial 40% lighter than the original ATL, weighing just 87g, while its case size has been reduced from 46.5 mm to 42 mm. Although thickness remains largely unchanged—the ATL Lite is only 0.2mm thinner—it wears far better on my 7-inch wrist than the original ATL. TACS says the new ATL Lite was designed with everyday comfort in mind, and that intention clearly comes through.
Conclusion – so the TACS ATL Lite “shiok” or not?
The TACS ATL Lite may be my favourite watch from TACS yet. Its retro photography inspiration comes through clearly, but what makes it especially compelling is how that distinctive design is now housed in a compact, streamlined case that is genuinely comfortable for daily wear. Compared to the original ATL—with its 46.5mm case and substantial 130g weight—the ATL Lite is far more wearable. At just ~S$400+ (with the promo code below), it also offers solid specifications for the price, making it an appealing proposition for photography enthusiasts and anyone with an appreciation for retro-inspired design.
Those interested in purchasing the TACS ATL Lite can use the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 15% off all TACS watches store-wide. After the discount, the ATL Lite can be purchased for US$340, or ~S$430. That also makes it substantially (~S$250) cheaper than the original ATL, making it a better value proposition.
View the ATL Lite here.
View the rest of TACS’ watches here.
Specifications:
Case Size: 42mm
Case Thickness: 14.6mm
Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
Movement: Citizen Miyota 8N24 Automatic (Open Heart, 21 Jewels)
Luminous: Swiss Super-LumiNova
Strap Material: Breathable Rubber Strap
Strap Width: 22mm
Weight: 87g
Water Resistance: 10 ATM
Warranty: 24 Months
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P.P.P.P.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
