In the Kickstarter age, watch micro-brands are everywhere. To stand apart from the pack, many attempt to do something akin to a circus act that plays about on a wrist like a juggling jester. These oddballs are more novelty jewelry than timepiece, eliciting eye-rolls and maybe a few laughs. Occasionally there are a few marbles in the rough that offer a fresh take – where form is able to coexist with function. In case that shameful pun skirted the eye, take MRBL Watches as one of those up and coming micro-brands that demand a more serious eye.

Watch designers Bryan Binno and Thomas O’Connor founded MRBL Watches just a year and a half ago. According to the two friends, the idea for MRBL Watches came to be from a trip across the Atlantic. Like doe-eyed tourists, they gawked at the marble structures found all about Rome and the rest of Europe’s romantic attractions. The idea went with them stateside where it sprouted wings, from sketching process to working prototypes. The result of their work is a surprisingly elegant, yet functional timepiece for the stylish traveler.

The Specs

• Case Size: 44mm
• Strap Width: 20mm
• Case Thickness: 13mm
• Movement: Seiko (SII) NH35 Automatic
• Crystal: Domed Sapphire
• Case: Carrara Marble
• Dial: Carrara Marble
• Clasp, Lugs, and Crown: 316L Surgical Stainless Steel
• Hands: Diamond Cut Super-LumiNova hands in Gold, Silver, or Rose Gold
• Strap: Genuine Italian Black or Brown Leather
• Warranty: 1 year

At the moment, backers can choose from three styles; White marble with silver, black marble with gold, or black marble with rose-gold. The silver, gold, and rose-gold detailing on the case (bezel, strap attachment, and crown) harmonize well with the marble case and dial. The team hopes to feature several additional variations once they hit their funding goal. The marble dial as well as the case is machine-cut for a perfect 360 degree fit. 316L stainless steel helps bolster the strength and durability of the outer marble enclosure, offering a comfortable weightiness to the timepiece.

The MRBL’s workhorse is a Seiko NH35A – a Japanese-made automatic movement. The team chose the NH35A for its prized reliability and robust quality in many other respected timepieces (think Caliber 7S26 in Seiko divers with hacking). An exhibition caseback offers a transparent view of the watch components. Choice of genuine brown or black leather straps complete the MRBL’s distinctive look and feel.

MRBL Watches are now available for funding on Kickstarter with a goal of $32,000 and pledge pricing starting at $229 USD. Help support the project and get early bird pricing on your very own marble timepiece delivered in June of this year. mrblwatches.com

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