When the news showed up in our inbox for the Méraud Bonaire pre-order, we were pleasantly surprised. We have not written about the Belgian brand before, and that oversight is on us. They’ve created some rather lovely designs, the latest of which is the Méraud Bonaire.
As it turns out, this is actually the second version (aka MKII) of the Méraud Bonaire. The prior version was a limited edition, and this new one is the start of their permanent collection – in other words, this is the foundation for the brand, and will be a design that should be broadly available. Though it’s a new take on their design, it’s still a very vintage look.
Looking at the Méraud Bonaire, you can definitely see how it’s been inspired by vintage dive watches. You’ve got classic sword hands, lumed triangles and pips for the indices, and then the lume-filled 12 at the top of the dial. Further reinforcing the vintage vibes, they’ve gone with a domed acrylic insert for the bezel (to mimic the look of Bakelite), as well as a domed sapphire crystal, giving you that bubble-in-a-bubble look.
Méraud Bonaire: Modernized
Their bracelet also reinforces that theme, as they’ve made one that is truly riveted, just like they used to do. While it’s vintage, things are still fully modernized. They’ve slimmed the case as much as they can (just over 12mm thick) while still maintaining a very health 200m WR rating. All of this protects the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement within the case, which is visible through the exhibition caseback.
Méraud Bonaire: Price
In our book, it’s an absolutely lovely take on this design concept, and we’re happy to see another domed diver bezel hitting the streets. Pricing for these nouveaux vintage designs starts at $996 (on the rubber strap) and goes to $1,100 for the version on the bracelet (these prices are exclusive of VAT). Check out details, and pre-order your own (delivery is anticipated for June 2024), over at meraud-watches.com
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Model name: Bonaire (available in “Onyx Black”, “Marine Blue” and “Moss Green”)
- Case
- 40mm in diameter (bezel) – 39mm at the case.
- 12.2 mm in height.
- Lug to lug: 48,60mm.
- 316L stainless steel case and finished with a display caseback, coin-edge bezel, brushed sides, circular brushed lugs with polished bevels, and lug holes for easy strap changes. The case’s outer bezel edge and caseback are polished.
- Dial
- Chapter ring dial finished in either gloss black (“Onyx Black”), a refined blue sunburst dial (“Marine Blue”) or a warm glossy green color (“Moss Green”). Each option contains high-contrast printed text and applied polished indexes filled with Super-LumiNova®. The “Onyx Black” dial is finished with “Old Radium” Super-LumiNova, while the blue and green dials are finished with BGW9 Super-LumiNova®.
- Hands: High polished baton minute and hour hand combined with a “lollipop” seconds hand. All filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova®.
- Movement
- Leveraging the expertise of one of the foremost movement manufacturers, the Bonaire MkII is equipped with the robust and revered La Joux-Perret G101 “soignée” automatic calibre. The self-winding mechanism is energized by a tungsten oscillating weight, amassing an impressive 68-hour power reserve. Comprising 24 jewels, it operates at a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour (4Hz), featuring a hacking movement for precise time setting.
- Bezel: Old-school Acrylic “Bakelite” insert with engraved numerals and indices filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova®.
- Crystal: Top hat sapphire crystal a the front, flat sapphire crystal at the back, both treated with a colourless anti-reflective coating on the inside.
- Crown: Low-profile polished crown (no crown guards), completely redesigned vs the Bonaire MkI.
- Water resistance: Pressure tested up to 20atm/200m.
- Strap: Méraud rubber tropic strap or a stainless steel riveted bracelet (true rivets) with a quick adjustment clasp.
Author Expertise / Author Experience
Patrick Kansa
A big data developer and leader with a penchant for gadgets, books, watches and beverages. You can find my work on WristWatchReview. If you’re on Twitter and/or Instagram, you’ll find me there as @PatrickWatches.
