First off, who is Magrette Timepieces? Well simply put they are a New Zealand watch micro-brand based in Auckland and for those that don't know a micro-brand is a watch brand that makes a limited number of watches per year. They also usually used movements from the major brands, like Seiko or Miyota, or one of the Swiss brand movements. They then design their own dial, case, sometimes bracelet and straps.
From there they will decide whether a display back or not, what grade of lume to use, what grade of display crystal to use, whether they want a bezel and what to have it made of as well as style etc... most will get assembled in a factory and ship to the Brand HQ, though some (not many) will assemble their own as required.
So the movement may come from Japan, the dial made in Germany, the strap may be designed in Canada but made it Taiwan, and the crystal may come from somewhere in Europe and the case made somewhere else. The hands will come from somewhere else.
Magrette Time pieces is no different and Dion McAsy (Founder) has had his issues sourcing the different parts from suppliers and just laughing because he wanted such small runs. However Dion believes he has that sorted for the time being as you know things can change very quickly. Magrette pronounced Mar-gret-tee, (Mah-gret-tee) influences come from Dion's passion for 1940 military style of watches as well as 1970 dive watches and if you look it Magrette's current and past range you can see this influence.
You can read the story here how and why Margrette started.
This brings me to the watch itself the Magrette - Moana Waterman Titanium the following is from their website.
Latest addition to the popular Waterman lineup, and the first Magrette series to feature a “flyer” or “traveller” GMT complication with jumping local hour hand. This reference features a smaller 40mm case for enhanced wearing comfort, polished ceramic bezel, and a detailed three-dimensional case back showing world time offsets.
Another first for the Waterman series — the case and matching bracelet are milled out of lightweight Grade 2 Titanium. A low-profile and signed butterfly clasp adds a touch of elegance.
The new Waterman GMT Titanium is equipped with the Miyota Cal. 9075 automatic GMT movement. This movement features a jumping local hour hand rather than independent GMT hand, allowing for quick adjustment while traveling. The fully-lumed ceramic bezel allows for convenient tracking of a third time zone.
Movement: Miyota Cal. 9075 automatic GMT with jumping local hour hand
Case Dimensions: 40mm excluding crown, 49mm lug-to-lug, 14mm tall, 20mm lug width
Case Finish: Grade 2 Titanium, brushed, with deeply engraved case back illustrating world time zone offsets
Bezel: Polished black or black+red ceramic, fully lumed with Swiss Super-LumiNova® C3 green
Crown: Screw-down crown, signed with Magrette shield
Crystal: Sapphire (box style), anti-reflective coating
Dial, Hands & Bezel: Contrasting Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 blue (local time) and C3 green (GMT time)
Water-resistance: 200M water resistance. Viton® gasket used on case back.
Strap: Grade 2 Titanium bracelet, brushed, with signed butterfly clasp.
The Moana Pacific Waterman GMT Titanium you get to choose the dial face colour black or White, the Bezel colour just black or Black and red as well as the option to buy an extra rubber strap as the watch comes with a standard titanium bracelet.
Overall the watch is well made and stylish with its brushed finish. The ceramic bezel has no movement once set and is fully lumed as well with LumiNova C3 which is a nice touch. The Miyota Cal 9075 movement gives a nice smooth sweep of the second hand although some people complain about it noise, but for me it is nothing. I don't have any major complaints or niggles about this watch.
