Heads up Magrette fans, your favorite New Zealand watch maker is about to release a new limited edition model – their first diving watch. Being an enthusiastic lover of diving watches, I am thrilled. Best part is that in addition to the watch being a new model, the case and dial are much upgraded, taking the brand to yet another high level. The watch is the Magrette Moana Pacific Diver, the a new diving watch version of the Moana Pacific watch that I reviewed here. I continue talking about Magrette watches because I keep hearing from my reader that you love them – good thing I share the same sentiment.
One thing that became apparent to me as I studied this watch is that Magrette is finally getting a distinct character – which is a good thing. Branding is a complex endeavor (for new and old brands alike). In addition to getting a signature look, Magrette is getting real character. This is a type of personality that we mentally attribute to certain items and products. What personality do you give to Magrette watches?
Inside the watch is the same automatic Japanese Miyota workhorse movement that the initial Moana Pacific had. It has proven to be reliable and hardy. As well as cost effective.
The Moana Pacific Diver is in a 44mm wide brushed and polished steel case with a unidirectional rotating diver’s bezel. The case is water resistant to an impressive 500 meters! Really good for a brand’s first dive watch. Of course the watch has a screw down crown and thick double-domed sapphire crystal that is AR coated.
New for Magrette is a totally SuperLumiNova lume covered dial along with the hands. The retro chic looks of the Moana Pacific dial will proved easy to read in all light conditions. The mix of colors and textures really make the 1950’s era look more modern. There is black and yellow on the dial, while the thick leather strap is black and red. Magrette also throws in a rubber strap cause it is a diver’s watch after all. Price for the watch is very reasonable at $485. The watch is a limited edition and the first 100 pieces will be available starting in late January 2010. Magrette indicates that these initially available pieces will only be offered to its mailing list clients – and the remaining 400 will be offered more generally when that are released in April. If you are dying to get one, you should contact them now to pre-order. Below are more details (and some repeated information) about this great looking new Magrette Moana Pacific Diver watch.
Model: MOANA PACIFIC DIVER
Movement: 21 jewels (Miyota 8215) Automatic
Case diameter: 44mm excluding the crown
Case finish: Brushed sides and back with a polish finish on the top, crown and bezel.
Crown: Screw down
Bezel: 120 clicks unidirectional rotating with 12H lume
Crystal: Sapphire (double domed), AR coating.
Water-resistance: 500m/1650ft Water resistant
Strap: 24mm Leather (black with red stitching) plus rubber.
Buckle: Brushed stainless steel
Vintage Style Roll Case: Canvas
Limited Edition: 500 pieces
Price: $485.00 USD plus $30.00 shipping worldwide.