The dials and hands are relatively simple, but effectively done. Even though the dials are flat, the printing is of a high quality and the luminant application is thick and useful. Likewise, the hands are painted with Super-LumiNova and are the correct size when it comes to length and proportions. Legibility is excellent, and style also gets high marks thanks to the refined nature of the dials. You’ll notice that the AG5 Air watch is a bit more traditional in that it offers only the dial with a no-date display. The AG5 Terre has a date display at 6 o’clock. Again the price for these two watches is identical (which I think is fair) so the one which is best for you is really a matter of personal taste.
Given the large size of the crown, MAT decided to make the cases “destro” (lefty), which puts the crown and the sizeable crown-guards on the left side of the case. This is still meant to be worn on the left hand, but the placement of the crown is designed so that it is less likely to dig into your hand. Lefty watches are a fun form of niche-watch, and I think they are going to be increasingly desirable for collectors in the years to come.
Inside the MAT AG5 watches are reliable Swiss ETA 2824-2 automatic movements, which is totally fine for this application. These are supposed to be sturdy and reliable mechanical sport watches. Thus, use of these movements is a correct choice for sure. The movements have 42 hours of power reserve and operate at 4Hz (28,800 bph).
The attractive presentation cases that MAT supplies with the watches also come with two additional straps. That means each MAT watch comes with three sets of straps – each of which are designed to match that particular design. The straps are not only different colors, but also different materials. Each of these pieces comes with a rubber strap, leather strap, and a canvas strap. I really like that MAT includes three high-quality straps that each offer a unique and welcome wearing and aesthetic experience.
MAT watches offer their own visual take on the sexy military-esque sport watch. Yes, the brand makes some pieces for actual military forces in France, but what is more important is that the people behind MAT seem to really care about design and quality. They successfully go for an appealing and familiar look, offering a slightly different take on these popular aesthetic themes. Price-wise, you have a lower cost than most of the competition, and the brand has a nice boutique vibe to it that I know resonates well with a lot of watch lovers.
Most importantly, I’ve loved wearing these watches. I have a real soft spot for functional, bold sport watches with very legible dials. Knowing that, you can imagine how happy I was to wear each of these “adventure” timepieces which are exactly the type of high-quality timepiece toy I love to include in my life. Pricing also makes them easy to digest for many watch lovers looking for a look and quality above a well-known brand. I will easily recommend MAT to anyone who communicates to me that they are keen on watches that look like this who want a good deal. I’ll be a happy MAT wearer even though I tend to regularly wear watches from larger, more well-known high-end brands. It is a credit to the watch industry that brands like this exist. Prices for both the MAT AG5 Terre and Air is $1,687.50 USD. merairterre.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: MAT
>Model: AG5 Air & AG5 Terre
>Price: $1,687.50 USD
>Size: 44mm wide
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Independent watch brand lover wanting a clean and attractive (albeit bold to wear) military-style sport watch.
>Best characteristic of watch: Welcome attention to detail with high-quality construction and fair pricing. Overall good looks and a focus on theme execution and style.
>Worst characteristic of watch: One can make a legitimate observation that the designs aren’t original enough to merit enough brand identity for MAT.
