Magrette MPP Diver Steel | Watch Review

Magrette MPP Diver Steel

Magrette has released their updated version of the MPP Diver, (Moana Pacific Pro), which has a slightly new look and an upgraded Swiss movement. A few years back I reviewed the first version and overall I was quite satisfied with it. I think I can say the same for this new version, though I think the makeover could have been a little more extreme. The Magrette MPP Diver Steel is the version being reviewed here today, another version with a black bezel insert and a brushed/polished case is also available. Currently they are both up for preorder (at the time this review was published) with delivery in April. The first batch has been sold out.

Magrette MPP Diver Steel Specifications:

• CASE DIAMETER: 44MM EXCLUDING THE CROWN
• CASE LENGTH: 53MM
• CASE THICKNESS: 15MM
• LUG WIDTH: 24MM
• CASE FINISH: STAINLESS STEEL (BRUSHED)
• BEZEL: STEEL (BRUSHED FINISH).
• CROWN: SCREW DOWN CROWN.
• CRYSTAL: SAPPHIRE (DOUBLE DOMED), AR COATING.
• DIAL AND HANDS: SUPER LUMINOVA C3 (GREEN IN COLOR)
• MOVEMENT: SWISS MADE STP1-11 AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT WITH HACKING SECONDS
• WATER-RESISTANCE: 500M/1650FT WATER RESISTANCE. VITON GASKET USED ON CASE BACK.
• STRAP: ALL NEW BLACK PU RUBBER STRAP WITH LOGO, NAME AND CUSTOMIZED DEPLOYMENT BUCKLE. OTHER STRAP OPTION WILL BE LEATHER.
• LIMITED EDITION: 500
• PRE-ORDER PRICE: $545.00 PLUS $35.00 USD SHIPPING       WORLDWIDE.
• PRICE AFTER PREORDER: $645

http://www.magrette.com/the-timepieces-moana-pacific-professional-steel.php

The case of the Magrette MPP Diver Steel is the same as its predecessor in dimension, style and overall aesthetics. It is the same 44mm cushion shape that many have come to love from Magrette and a style they have only deviated from once or twice. This case shape is of course nothing new in the world of watches, but it is what brought Magrette to the dance so to speak. While of course they did not invent this case style by any means, in the microbrand world they have become synonymous with it. For this variation, the case has been all brushed, including the stainless steel bezel insert. Some might remember the original versions from a few years back had issues with the bezel lume paint and it wearing off or fading. The new bezel inserts of the Magrette MPP Diver Steel are engraved and filled with C3 Superluminova as opposed to just painted markers.

When I said I wish the Magrette MPP Diver Steel had more of an extreme makeover, I was specifically talking about the dial. While there are some other significant changes to this version, the dial stays the same with the exception of a new color combo. This one sports a black dial with grey accents and the chapter ring with its quirky timing highlights. One change I would have liked was the removal of the date. I know some might disagree with me, but I have been appreciating a no date dial more and more. Especially when a dial is a little cluttered or busy, such as this one. Plus it is right at the 4:30 spot, which creeps into the lower text on the dial.

 One of the biggest improvements is the use of the Swiss Made STP 1-11 automatic movement. This movement was announced just about 2 years ago by the Fossil Group and is essentially a clone of the ETA 2824 but with an extra jewel. This is my first experience with this movement and I can say I have seen no issues. The second hand sweep is smooth as is the winding and overall accuracy has been very good. Only a few brands outside of the Fossil group have used this movement so far, with a few others coming out this year. This movement has been notably used in Fossil’s flagship line Zodiac as they are trying to gear the brand more to watch enthusiasts then they were the past decade. It is great to have another movement option and I am glad Magrette used it here in their latest model. For more info about this movement, check out this link-http://watchguy.co.uk/review-stp-1-11/.

Another upgrade, one which I consider minor, but does change the look of the Magrette MPP Diver Steel, would be the molded PU rubber strap. This strap is very similar to the one seen on previous versions of this model but now has fitted ends for a seamless attachment. As it is, I am not a big fan of it. Looks wise, off the wrist, it does look nice. My issue, one that I have with almost any strap with fitted ends, is how it looks and feels when on the wrist. It makes the watch bow out even further, and with a length of 53mm before the strap, it is noticeable. Now, I seem to be in the minority when it comes to this, at least from what I have seen so far in online posts. Be that as it may, the brown leather or an Isofrane would be my choice for a strap on the MPP. Also included is a grey NATO.

7 1/2 INCH WRIST FOR REFERENCE

I am in the camp of that feels that a lumed bezel is not necessary. For decades all you needed was the lume pip to help track a dive in the water, but now you have to have all numbers and markers lumed and as the internet WIS say, they better glow bright! Well, I personally only care if I can see the actual time in the dark and lumed bezels do not help with that. As I stated earlier, previous versions of the Magrette MPP Diver Steel had issues with the lume paint coming off. This new version looks to be improved to my eye, but as you can see the lume itself is still weaker than the dial lume, something that does not really bother me but I wanted to point it out. The dial lume is fantastic though as you can see. Lumed bezels to me are a gimmick and nothing more and I hope brands will realize this soon and stop catering to the guys who think it looks cool and use that time and money on improving other parts of the watch.

I will say Magrette is always on point (on fleek?) when it comes to attention to detail. Take a look at the screw down crown and the engraving, it is just beautiful and not a sharp edge to be found.

The Magrette MPP Diver Steel is another solid offering from the New Zealand based company. It might sound like this one is not blowing my skirt up, but that is actually not the case. Well, that and the fact I don’t wear skirts. Moving past that I love the case shape, I always have, and for someone wanting this style but not wanting to pay Panerai Submersible money this is a great option that is inspired but by no means a ripoff. It is a true diver and feels solid all around and even includes the not needed HRV on the non crown side. Kidding aside, this is one hell of a good looking dive watch and though I would have preferred an updated dial (or a no date option) and the new fitted rubber strap is not for me, it is a nice upgrade for the Magrette MPP Diver Steel. From my understanding, once the current preorder batch is sold out, that will be it for this run of the MPP’s. So if you want one brand new and sealed instead of having to go pre-owned and getting one with stranger DNA, order yours now.

Thanks to Dion and Magrette for the review model.

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Zenith Introduces New Pilot Extra Special Chronograph Bronze

Famous and renowned watchmaker Zenith is well-known for its watch designs that reflect inspiration drawn from the aviation industry.  In this regard, Zenith has recently gone out announcing its new Pilot Extra Special Chronograph, that will be a part of its famous Heritage Collection.

This new edition watch is adorned with bronze casing giving the watch a faded look without at all compromising on its elegance.

The Zenith Pilot Extra Special features a bronze casing with 45mm of the dial size, two long serrated pushers and a large fluted crown which is a typical signature of the pilot watches. The watch is powered by the El Primero  claibre that offers a self-winding high-frequency movement. This claibre is responsible for driving all the hour and chronograph functions and offer up to 50 hours of power reserve.

The unique feature of this watch is its dial that features over-sized Arabic numerals giving it a vintage style look and feel. These numerals are made out of the block of Super LumiNova, which can emit green light under low light conditions. This makes it easy to read the dial. The Chronograph movements are placed at the 9’0clock counter reading seconds and other at the 3’0clock counter reading minutes.

The vintage and over-sized hands of the watch add the additional charm to it making it easy to read time just with a mere glance. The titanium back-case of the Pilot Extra Special Chronograph features an image of the plane Louis Blériot that flew across the Channel in 1909, having a Zenith around its wrist.

The strap of the Pilot extra Special Chronograph comes in oiled nubuck, khaki-green color. Overall, we feel that Zenith has put quite a decent amount of effort by keeping up the vintage style patterns of pilot watches and giving it a feel of elegance and premium quality.

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Gavox Avidiver | Watch Review

Gavox Avidiver

I have had the opportunity to look over watches from Gavox in the past. I have admired each model and thought the company did a pretty good job overall with aviation themed watches. Solid looks and solid components were a given but I was wondering when the company would release an automatic watch and maybe a dive style watch. Well now I have the opportunity to examine just such a watch model from them with the Gavox Avidiver. The Gavox Avidiver doesn’t pose the problem that some micro-brand watch companies face, tired designs and in some cases poor quality. The Gavox Avidiver might just be one of my favorite dive style watches that I have reviewed of all time.  The watch model comes in two different case finishes and three dial colors so pretty much something to suit everyone. I was afforded the opportunity to look over all three versions with the standard stainless steel case. Each version has its own appeal but I will focus on the blue dial model as it caught my attention more so than the others.

Gavox Avidiver Specifications:

Surgical 316L stainless steel case 

Case diameter:  43mm

Case Length (Lug to Lug):  50.8mm

Case thickness: 12.8 mm

Between lug (Strap Size): 22mm

Crystal: Double domed Sapphire with bottom antireflection layer

Luminescent hands and dial

Gavox molded silicone strap

Water resistant: 20 ATM (600 feet)

Price $690 USD

http://gavox.com/

Now as I mentioned at the beginning, Gavox is best known for producing aviation style watches and at first glance one might expect the Avidiver to be another flashy colorful aviator watch. Guess what? The Gavox Avidiver is much more. I want to start off by focusing on one the most unique aspects of this watch, the bezel. While most would assume that one of the crowns would rotate an inner bezel, that is not the case exactly. Standard dive style watches are typically fitted with a unidirectional rotating bezel to track elapsed time for a dive. The Gavox Avidiver has an unique construction that allows for the orange triangle seen at the top of the dial to be rotated bidirectionally for setting a secondary time zone or to keep track of elapsed time for a dive. Only the orange triangle is rotatable by using the upper crown. The greatest advantage that I have discovered is most certainly dependability. What is one of the biggest problems with external bezels? Well, quite simply they can potentially be knocked out of place. Once the orange triangle is set and the crown locked down, failure of tracking elapsed time without error is significantly reduced. I am thoroughly impressed and sold on the rotating orange triangle! The Gavox Avidiver is so much more unique than the typical dive style watch with a world of aesthetic appeal.

So, what else do I like about the Avidiver? Just about everything. I said just about so it isn’t perfect but I will get to one little aggravating aspect later. The crystal and dial are outstanding. Sitting atop the case, regardless of the version, is a large 36mm double-domed sapphire crystal with an interior anti-reflective coating. I am very pleased with the excellent quality coating as the dial regardless of color is extremely vivid with minimal distortion. The dials are sandwich style with luminous surfaces beneath the primary markers and numerals. The lume on the black and blue models is BGW9 while the white dial version comes with C3 superluminova. While I’m not a huge lume guy, I love it when it is done right. The Avidiver lume is equal to or better than a lot of micro-brand dive watches on the market that I have had the opportunity to examine. No worries about these watches glowing for hours with an adequate charge. Overall I have to give the Gavox Avidiver a solid A on the lume.

Of course crystal, dial and luminous aspects are not going to seal the deal for many people because the case better be aesthetically appealing and comfortable. The Avidiver doesn’t have my favorite case design of all time but it is very simple, perfectly sized and comfortable on the wrist with the right strap. The dual crown setup is cool. Both crowns are screw down which unless a superior gasket system is installed, they better be. The crowns are solid and their operation has absolutely zero play or feel of flimsiness. I love the use of the orange triangle on the upper crown which corresponds perfectly with the interior orange rotating triangle. The triangle crown can be a bit tricky so just use caution when setting for elapsed time as the triangle can move ever so slightly when screwing the crown back down.

Powering the Gavox Avidiver is the Miyota 9015. Until now Gavox watches used only quartz movements I believe. So it was quite refreshing to see the company step out and use something different. The display case back shows off the movement which I have never found quite necessary with the 9015, however, at least the rotor has the Gavox aviation logo etched on it providing some appeal. Still, I would have been just as if not more so satisfied with some sort of highly stamped case back.

So what was my one issue with the Gavox Avidiver? The strap just doesn’t quite measure up with the rest of the watch. The straps that come with the Avidiver match some aspect of the dials either orange, black or blue silicon. The strap is soft but extremely uncomfortable which can be somewhat attributed to the length. On my 7 ¾ inch wrist I have to use the next to the last sizing hole. I enjoy having a good amount of tail left on any strap for tucking under the keeper or keepers. If you have a wrist my size or slightly larger you will be looking at just barely getting the tail under the first keeper. Someone with a smaller wrist may very well enjoy these straps but as you will see in the video I have opted for an Isofrane style strap to really test out the watch. I have to say the orange strap with the white dial probably pops more than the others.

If you are looking for dive style watch that is a bit more unique than every other micro-brand diver on the market you really can’t go wrong with the Gavox Avidiver. The watch is quite simply aesthetically appealing from top to bottom for the most part. The case design, great looking dial, lume, Miyota 9015 movement, and sapphire crystal will be pleasing to anyone in my humble opinion. Grab an aftermarket strap if the stock strap ends up not working for you. I consider the Avidiver to be an overall solid value. I look forward to seeing where Gavox goes next.

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