We rely on our watches to help us keep track of the passage of time. We may even use them to track some celestial happenings (moon phases, for instance). Sometimes, we may have a special watch that signifies a special day in our lives. What if you could combine all of those things into one package? Well, that is precisely what the MMT Ephemeris wants to do for you.
You see, the MMT Ephemeris is actually a watch you customize to your own particular desire. No, you are not picking out case finishes or handsets. You are, however, giving input into the customization of the dial. You see, those nine concentric rings are more than just a repeating pattern. They actually represent the eight planets (with the ninth ring being the hour track). So, how are you customizing it? When you order up your watch, you provide the brand with your a date of your choosing, past, present, or future. They input that date into their software, and calculate the relative positions of the eight planets, and then engrave it on to the dial. In this way, you have a sort of celestial map of the solar system that represents your chosen day (and should you forget that date, it is engraved, subtly, at the 6 o’clock position).
I see the MMT Ephemeris as a very welcome change of pace in the world of slim, quartz-driven, two-handed watches we have seen as of late. Many of these are all-but-carbon copy clones of each other. With the MMT Ephemeris, you are actually getting something that gives you the aesthetic of the slimline quartz, while still offering you something a bit more unique, and unique to yourself. The 39mm case of the MMT Ephemeris is available in either a silver or gold finish, with a black or brown strap. Powered by a Miyota GL-20 quartz movement, the 6.3mm thick MMT Ephemeris is available for a reasonable price of around $150 on Kickstarter (the project closes April 25th).
While I might wish to see some color utilized to indicate the planets on the dial of the MMT Ephemeris, I think the overall idea is a clever one, particularly for someone who finds themselves drawn to astrology and the like. The world of slim quartz two-handers has become overcrowded in the last year, and the MMT Ephemeris certainly stands out from the crowd. I do not know that I would find myself ordering one, but if any of our readers do, please do let us know (mailto:[email protected]?subject=MMT Ephemeris Review) your thoughts on the watch itself. mmtstore.com
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: MMT Ephemeris
- Price: $150
- Who we think it might be for: You want something to commemorate a date without it actually advertising the date itself
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: Probably not – I don’t find myself that drawn to astronomical items of this nature
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Lets get some colored pips in there to differentiate the planet (red for Mars, for example)
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: How subtly the dial can represent a date – and space – while looking like a simple concentric pattern
Tech Specs from MMT
- Diameter: 39mm
- 316L stainless steel case
- Custom-engraved dial plate
- Ultra slim case – 6.5mm (with a perceived edge of 3mm)
- 20mm vegetable tanned leather strap
- Japanese movement
