Just bought a Kiwi watch today.

I have been looking for a real diver’s watch for a long time. The one I really like, my holy grail watch, which is I believe the grand-father of all modern diver’s watch, the iconic LIP Blancpain fifty fathom, is, at close to 30K a bit over what I’d like to spend for a daily watch.
The top of the line modern descendants of the fifty fathoms, from Blancpain, Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoutre etc. are very nice but I am worried of the negative connotation vis-à-vis my customers – the “if he can afford such a watch, he must be charging us too much!” syndrome.

I could of course have made a pretty decent fifty fathom “homage” as they say based on a Seiko for about $300 or an exact copy of a submariner with an ETA movement for $5 or 600 but, even though they would not have been tagged Rolex or Blancpain, I don’t like replicas, period.

In my peregrinations over the Ferrari Chat watch section, I finally found a watch that I like, which is apparently made by a true enthusiast using genuine parts of his design. The manufacturer’s name is Magrette. The Vintage Style roll case is made in Auckland. The straps are made by a specialist in Canada, graphic design work done by a Kiwi in Taiwan & dials supplied from Germany.

Some of the movements are from ETA, other from Mitoya. Prices vary accordingly of course.
When I receive it, probably by the end of January, I will post pictures and comment on the watch. At its price point, $575, it looks like a real great buy.

And thank you Ferrari chatters for the information leading to that purchase!

PS: I also bought a RALF TECH today but I shall review it in another thread.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

If I like it, it will become one of my daily watch, replacing my Carrera which I will have restored to pristine condition. The other daily will be the Pebble Steel, which I ordered yesterday.

https://d3rrgxxoyz0alr.cloudfront.net/assets/landing_pages/steel/steel-silver-front-400-786fdb056101d49721da42b3d5243efa.png

 

The Magrette Maona Pacific Pro finally arrived. I didn't get it yesterday because of MLK and almost didn't get today because of the snow storm.

It arrived in an original wood box including the watch, a pouch for the watch and two straps.

The Manoa has a beautiful matte black PVD finish. The bezel clicks nicely (120) and the watch was easy to start and set up with a firm and positive control from the crown.

I didn't like the feel on the silicone strap on my skin and had the hardest time operating its deployment buckle. So I mounted the included black leather straps which, being new and 4 mm thick are still quite stiff.

I shall surf the net to look for a nice NATO band which should compliment nicely the style of the watch.

In conclusion, a very nice addition to my modest watch collection.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Yes, it's the first batch of this model. Mine is #72 out of 300. The 2nd batch will ship soon though: 1st of February 2014.

I just ordered three 24mm 5 PVD Ring Nato straps: black, grey and black with grey stripes in case I can't decide between the two.

I am also considering this one:

http://www.watch-band-center.com/shop_cfg/watchstrap/Fc-LC103-gruen24-Uhrenarmband.jpg

I kind of like it but I am not sure it will fit the Magrette.