It is hard to believe it is December already, but it is, so it is time to roll out our weekly edition of Watching the Web. Here, we highlight interesting articles we come across on other sites, as well as identify which of our own recent articles were the most popular over the last week or so. For this week’s article, I have an ultra thin tourbillon, a new brand from one of the men behind Magrette, and a Damascas steel watch from GoS. From our pages, the posts about new Magrette models, the Lew & Huey Phantom and the Crowdfunding Round Up topped the list.
Finding out about new watches from brands we like is especially fun. You get to learn about what is new and changed on existing models, and sometimes even see something brand new being introduced. A lot of that sort of information happens in dribs and drabs, or in the giant flood known as BaselWorld. Well, Magrette likes to do things their own way, and they simply sent out an email detailing what was coming for 2016, to give those interested a chance to pre-order. So, with that background, let’s have a look at what is in the cards for Magrette next year.
Earlier this year I was attending an alumni event and the subject matter turned to watches (how I turned it there I don’t recall). One of the group asked what I would recommend for her to get her boyfriend as a gift. My first question was how much money she wanted to spend. When she said roughly $1,000, I immediately recommended a Weiss. Her question also got me thinking about how I could organize the 2015 holiday gift guide. So for this iteration, I will recommend my favorite watch (or watch related gift) in each of several price ranges. Chances are, if I like it, especially if it under about $1,500, we have covered it in the past, since that is the kind of people we are; but there may be watches here (especially at the high end) that have not graced our pages.
I was introduced to Magrette through a good friend, who found the brand before I started writing for WWR. Of course, Patrick has been a fan for a while, and I have also covered a few of their watches here. If you follow me on Instagram, you will see that I occasionally post wrist shots of my hand wound Moana Pacific Chronograph, which I love. So when I see new additions to the Magrette Moana Pacific Pro line, especially ones as pretty as the blue dial version above, I want to spread the word.
Welcome once again (or just welcome if you are a first time reader) to our regular Saturday post, Watching the Web. Here, Patrick and I take turns scouring the internet for interesting watch related articles we can point you towards, and we get a chance to crow about our own more popular posts over the last week or so, just in case you missed them. For the external links this week, I wanted to point out a review of the Seiko Spirit SCVE003, an essay on not owning a Rolex, a review of a single hand MeisterSinger watch, and a little wrist time with the MB&F Legacy Machine 1. From here at Wrist Watch Review, the most popular articles were the Deep Blue Sun Diver 1K, the Torgoen Scorpion, and a look at a pair of EDC posts.
If you are not familiar with Magrette, you need to be. I was presented one as a most unexpected gift this last holiday season, and it has become my most worn watch of the year (yes, I am tracking what I wear on a daily basis). The brand is from New Zealand, so that alone gives it a different feel, but they produce really nice looming watches that generally feature cushion cases and very readable designs. A Panerai for the masses, but not an homage to the Italian watch maker. Right now, there is a sale of Magrette Watches on Touch of Modern, a members only sale site that I have used from time to time (join through this link if you are not a member).
Magrette is offering fans a chance to order a new watch from them, the Leoncino (Little Lion), an automatic that takes its design cues from the styles of the 60s. The case is a squared off cushion style, with lugs that taper from the edges of the case to the strap. The finish is polished stainless steel (brushed on the sides), perfect to go with bright chrome fenders. The dial, however, that is pure Magrette DNA with a clean modern look.
For long-time readers of our site, Magrette is a brand that needs no introduction. Hailing from New Zealand, their cushion-cased watches have been favorably received, offering a great combination of styling and price. Today, we’ll be looking one of their latest iterations of the Moana Professional, the Vintage Brown. Along with offering a new colorway, it also serves to introduce their new travel wallet.
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