Magrette Regattare 11 | Watch Review

Magrette Regattare 11

With similar specifications to the Waterman, the Magrette Regattare 11 is not a huge change for the lineup of the New Zealand brand, though it does have a different look, and a different appeal. The Waterman was more vintage inspired with its dial and hands, and especially the protruding sapphire crystal.  The Regattare 11 is an updated version of their 2011 model, coming in now at 42mm and both a leather and Tropic style rubber strap.

Magrette Regattare 11 Specifications:

• MODEL: REGATTARE 11
• CASE FINISH: BRUSHED SIDES, BEZEL AND BACK WITH A POLISH                 FINISH ON THE TOP OF CASE AND BLACK PVD CASE.
• MOVEMENT: 9015 MIYOTA WITH HACKING SECONDS
• CASE DIAMETER: 42MM EXCLUDING THE CROWN
• LUG WIDTH: 22MM
• LUG LENGTH: 51.5MM
• CASE THICKNESS: 13MM
• CASE FINISH: 316L STAINLESS STEEL
• CROWN: SCREW DOWN.
• CRYSTAL: SAPPHIRE (DOUBLE DOMED), AR COATING.
• WATER-RESISTANCE: 200M/20ATM WATER RESISTANCE
• STRAP: 1X LEATHER STRAP, REMBORDE EDGE, LORICA LINING

PRICE $585 USD

http://www.magrette.com/the-timepieces-regattare-11.php

For me, the Regattare 11 is a more pleasing watch, both in looks and readability. My biggest issue with the Waterman was the crystal. Had it been flat as this is, my stance might be different. Following the trend of smaller cased watches, the 42mm Regattare 11 is a sweet spot for many, and the dual crown allows you to have diving functionality with a larger dial opening.

When it comes to timing though, there is a bit of an issue, not only with the dive bezel but also with the regular timekeeping. As you can see, there are no hash marks for the minute/seconds, so having the Regattare 11 be accurate to the second is a little difficult, just as timing with the bezel will be, unless you are doing increments of 5. This is not the first time Magrette has left off this important function, and while I know many of us do not actually dive, the fact that you can not actually set it to the second is a little bothersome.

Both crowns do screw down to help with the 200 meters of water resistance and yet we have another exhibition or see through case back in play. As I stated in the Waterman review, I miss the days of solid case backs with the stamped or engraved logos. Maybe it is just me, but seems many brands are doing glass backs on mundane looking movements.

The Miyota 9015 is a fantastic movement that has become of cornerstone for many microbrands. I have no issues with it, and have not personally encountered any problems, be it this Regattare 11 model or other brands, with the exception of a noisy rotor, which seems to be the calling card of this Miyota Series.

Sandwich dials were used again on the Regattare 11, and I have to say, Magrette does a hell of a job with the dial cutouts. They are clean and precise and give a great depth to the dial. Sandwich dials are not personally my favorite, though I do like them a lot, applied markers are at the top of the list for me, with sandwich coming in second, and printed dead last. As a matter of fact, I wish printed markers did not exist at all, unless used on watches $100 and under.  Not only are the cutouts precise, but the lume compound applied is thick and cleanly applied, for some long lasting lume, which you can see a few sections below.

In the travel case was the Tropic style rubber strap and also a black leather with red stitching and red Lorica backing, which gives it some water resistance. Both the leather and rubber look good, the rubber seems to be a little less stiff than my first example and the leather is also a touch longer. Each one has the Magrette CNC logo buckle as well.

The lume is spectacular, no other word for it. Magrette might not be on the top of everybody’s mind when it comes to strong lume, but they should be. They have showed with each release for the past few years that lume is important to them, and they did not disappoint on the Regattare 11 at all. The sandwich markers and hands glow equally bright and even and the C3 Superluminova will continue to glow for a few hours.

I love this watch on the wrist, where it resides most times, unless I am taking photos. The cushion case shape has always been a favorite of mine, and at 42mm, it is much more wearable for me these days. I still get a chuckle at times, how with anything in life really, we adapt and change our preferences. Years ago, it was 48mm or larger, nowadays I rarely go beyond 44mm, at least not with something that I want to wear for a few days in a row. The Magrette Regattare 2011 is comfortable on either of the included straps and of course if you have a leather, canvas, or rubber of your own, it will be equally at home on this dual crown diver.

I have never shied away from the fact that I am a big fan of Magrette Watches. The styles and case shapes appeal to me, and the owner of the company comes across as passionate and willing to go the extra mile for his customers. Magrette is not the cheapest microbrand, nor the most expensive.  They have also stayed in business while many brands have come and gone through the years, so that tells you they are doing something right. The watches are well made, and even though they have done some questionable things when it comes to dial details over the years, the Magrette Regattare 2011 is another model I would recommended without hesitation, especially if you are looking for a solidly built watch from a brand that stands behind their product.

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