Watch maker Martin Braun recently announced that he is going to go independent from the Franck Muller Group (who are financially in horrid shape right now). Why is Martin able to do this? Because his watches are popular enough and also a good value. Not sure about the minor details about his going independent, but is certainly happening, and the new batch of watches are coming out in about 6 months from now. I had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Braun personally once. He is a nice guy and really into watch making. Has a good eye for detail, and is more of an artist and technician than business man in my opinion (a good thing).
Most all of his watches are good to own. You might like some more than others, but here is a nicely designed good value timepiece that reminds me of a more refined Montblanc timepiece. Funny how both Martin Braun and Montblanc are often appreciated to “MB.” This is the steel and black version of the Brand Chrono watch. It is 42mm wide and has a Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic movement in it. I love the vertical column engraving on the side of the case – always a classy touch. You also have the Breguet style numerals on the dial as well as circular engraving in the middle of the dial. You can’t see it in the images here, but the back of the watch has an sapphire exhibition caseback.
Classic but stylish timepieces such as this are important to have in your collection Wearing them implies that you have taste, but aren’t too “out there” but also not stuffy. A nice mix of contemporary and traditional. Proudly made in Germany, on James List this watch is going for a bit under $4,000.
Technical specs direct from Martin Braun:
-Movement: Automatic mechanical ETA “Valjoux” 7750, 25 jewels
-Oscillations per Hour: 28,800
-Indications: Hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds, date, 12-hour totalizer, 30-minute totalizer, sweep chronograph seconds
-Power Reserve: Approximately 46 hours
-Case: Stainless steel with signature coined edge, 42 mm in diameter, screwed-down exhibtion case back
-Case Height: 14.5 mm
-Dial: Ebony-colored or German silver guilloché pattern
-Crystal: Sapphire crystal
-Hands: Leaf (feuille) hands, rhodium-plated (ebony-colored dial) or blued steel (silver dial)
-Strap: Black alligator skin, 20mm width at lugs
-Buckle: Stainless steel with engraved Martin Braun logo
-Water Resistance: 30 meters
See this Martin Braun Grande Chrono watch on James List here.