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Watch Review: Magrette Moana Pacific Professional - PVD

51K views 97 replies 49 participants last post by  Maverick 
#1 · (Edited)


Reviewer: Mike W. aka UKWolfeman
Watch Being Reviewed: Moana Pacific Professional PVD

Company Website: http://www.magrette.com/index.php
Emai: info@magrette.com
Telephone: +64 9 889 0303
Newsletter: http://www.magrette.com/newsletter.php

History (Direct from Website at http://www.magrette.com/our-story.php): "My vision of Magrette from the start has always been long term. It is a business I want to work in till a ripe old age. Flexibility is important. My business is set up so I can work with all my key people remotely. These include case maker, movement supplier, dial maker, metal band supplier, leather strap maker, buckle maker, photographer, copy writer, graphic designer & technical advisor. This is how MAGRETTE will continue to grow into the future."

Specifications:
9015 Miyota Automatic
Automatic winding and hand winding
28.800 BPH
24 Jewels
Hour, minute and sweeping second hands
Date function
Second stop mode (hacking function) when setting time
Shock absorber for balance staff
Running time of more than 42 hours when fully wound
44mm
PVD (BLACK)
Black Ceramic Bezel with C3 Luminous Markers
Screw Down Crown
Sapphire Crystal (Double Domed) with AR Coating
C3 Super Luminova
Functional Pressure Escape Valve (HEV)
500M/1650FT WR
All New Black PU Rubber Strap with matching deployant buckle
Weight: 5.2 oz/147 grams
LE 750 Pieces
Price: $575.00 USD plus $30 shipping

Stock Photo:



First Impressions and Packaging: HOME RUN! At first glance seemed to be everything everyone was anticipating with this release. The box used by Magrette is as usual the nice branded pine box, with a sliding lid. Inside the pine outer box is the canvas pouch which contains the watch and any other accessories. The pouch has enough room the watch and some accessories or possibly even 3 small watches and would be a perfect option for travel. Perfect packaging and very useful.











Case (Crown Side): From this side of the cushion style case one can see the almost 8mm signed crown. The crown is the screw down variety and gear shaped for easy grasping. The crown on the new diver engages smoothly and is firm with no play. The case including the crown measures nearly 48mm.

The PVD finish of the case is evenly applied and looks great from any angle. There are both high polished and brushed surfaces of the PVD case which provide a great finish contrast on the diver. Either case side view provides a nice view of the coin edged bezel.





Case (Non-Crown Side): A Helium Release Valve (HEV) is positioned dead center on this side of the case. The HEV is just another upgrade illustrating how Magrette is raising their game with this new release. The diver has an approximate 52-53mm lug to lug measurement. The case thickness measures almost 16mm. One of the great aspects of Magrette timepieces is present on the Professional Diver model as well which is machined lug holes on each side of the case for much easier strap changes. I have always found this option highly preferable to standard screw bars or the under the lug spring bar option either of which seem to always result in lug scratches. Great case in every aspect.





Bezel, Dial and Hands: A 60 click unidirectional rotating bezel with a matte black ceramic insert sits atop the Moana Pacific PVD Professional Diver. The bezel is more coin edged than gear shaped around the outer edge and easy to grasp for rotation. There is a slight amount of play in the bezel but not enough to be a concern. The rotation is very crisp and precise. The bezel is the 15 sec/min variety with lume pip at the 12. C3 lume is painted on the bezel markers including the pip. I appreciate the matte finish as it provides another finish contrast on the diver not as much the painted markers.

The dial opening measures approximately 35mm. Beneath the AR coated 3mm double domed sapphire crystal rests a matte black dial. A black chapter ring surrounds the dial. The chapter ring is marked quite different than past models. The Water Resistance and select time indicators are highlights of the chapter ring(500m, 10min and the 30-35 min range). Minute markers painted in orange also surround the inner portion of the ring. As for the dial I would consider it extremely clean, organized and uncluttered. Lumed markers have been placed on the dial at every hour position with numbers at the 12, 03, O6 and 09. I have always really liked that Magrette chooses to place a Zero before the 3, 6 and 9 as that choice just provides a different appearance than many watch dials. The markers contain significant amounts of C3 Superluminova as you will see later in the review. The white date window is positioned between the 4-5 position on the dial. The window size combined with black numbers allows for great ease reading the date. The Magrette brand name and model are painted above and below center dial.

The hour and minute hands on the Diver are baton shaped. The hands are finished in black enamel. The hour and minute hands contain more than adequate amounts of C3 Superluminova. The second hand is finished in orange enamel with a slightly lumed tip. The second hand is color matched to the model name painted on the dial. I can not think of one aspect I would change in regards to the dial and hands. The bezel on the other hand while perfectly functional I will discuss further later when discussing the lume.





















Caseback and Movement: The case back is exactly what one should expect with a 500m dive watch. The stainless steel screwed in case back has specific specification information about the Diver such as water resistance, sapphire crystal, and serial number. The Professional Diver is the first model from Magrette to utilize the Miyota 9015 automatic movement. With the 9015 the second hand glides around the dial similar to what we see with ETA automatics. The movement has been as extremely accurate since arrival. I am very pleased that Magrette chose to use a better movement for this Diver. While the Miyota 8215 is more than adequate the Miyota 9015 is just far superior and more accepted now and another aspect illustrating Magrette raising the bar.



Strap: The standard straps for this diver are a 24/22mm black leather with PVD thumbnail buckle and a 24/22mm black rubber strap with custom dual deployant PVD buckle. The black leather strap is just under 4mm in thickness and the rubber strap measures in at just under 3mm in thickness.

The new PU rubber strap is fantastic. First and most important is the rubber strap is extremely soft and comfortable. The strap does not attract lint like silicon alternatives which is a huge plus. The Magrette name and logo has been molded on both sides of the strap giving it a Panerai strap type appearance. More than an adequate number of sizing holes have also been provided so almost anyone will be able to achieve that perfect fit. The included PVD deployant buckle measures 9mm in width and around 1.5mm in thickness at the edges. The buckle is nicely machined with the Magrette logo as the prominent centerpiece. I would like to commend Magrette for making such a fine custom machined buckle at this pricepoint because there are so many high dollar brands that only provide a standard thumbnail type buckle for much more cost.

The only possible issue would be diving. I'm not entirely certain the strap has an adequate amount of sizing holes for a wet suit and the clasp may not be durable enough for significant diving. I'd probably grab an Isofrane for any significant diving. However, it should be fine for snorkeling and standard every day use. I really like the upgrade overall compared to past options. I would like to see a diver's flip lock style clasp developed for this awesome strap in the future.













On the Wrist (7 1/2 - 7 3/4): Really nice case shape and size for a wide range of wrist sizes.





Lume: Magrette uses more than sufficient amounts of C3 Superluminova on the dial of the new diver. All dial hour markers and hands are lumed. The lume lasts through the night and the afterglow is still present early in the AM hours for viewing the time. The bezel has C3 Superluminova painted on at the pip and markers surrounding the bezel. As you will see below the bezel lume compared to the dial lume is quite weak and completely overshadowed. I can envision that at some point the bezel insert will most likely need re-painted or replaced. I'm not sure how much additional cost would have been incurred if the bezel was machined and filled with lume but it would have been great to see.



Summary: I'll say it again, for the most part a Home Run from Magrette. Magrette has produced a quality, bang for your buck professional dive watch. Besides producing their first model with the upgraded movement in the Miyota 9015, Magrette stepped up the quality of the rubber strap as well as including an awesome custom deployant buckle. The diver still has all the other quality specifications one would expect ranging from screw down crown, sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel, HEV, quality finishing, and outstanding dial lume. My only real criticism would be the bezel lume.

On top of all the quality specifications mentioned the Professional Diver is a Limited Edition with only 750 of the PVD model to be produced. The $575 price tag seems to be extremely reasonable based on the above observations and knowledge of other watch models available on the market. Thanks for reading the review and I look forward to your thoughts and comments as usual.


The Magrette Professional also comes in Rose Gold and Stainless Steel with a blue dial.

 
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#3 ·
Top review as always Wolfman - love the pics.

Loving all three in this series! Even the rose gold one! Was going to get one but moved my deposit to Regattare with a Swiss movement!
 
#15 ·
Thank you for a great review! I saw this a couple of months ago but didn't pay much attention. After this review and the pics posted yesterday, it's getting 2nd thoughts. The blue one is really nice.

Wonder if you put a bracelet on this, what should it be? Mesh or maybe something else?
 
#23 ·
Nice pics and review. I'm not a PVD person. I do like the hands and dial. The Rubber strap seems to show dust or other stuff sticking to it. I do like the leather strap not a fan of any rubber straps. Out of the three pictured I do like the blue dial best. The lume on the dial is nice but as stated the bezel lume or lack of it is disappointing.
 
#31 ·
I must be one of the last folks to come around and start liking this brand. This particular example is pretty cool.
 
#35 ·
Unless the chapter ring turns, which I presume it doesn't, I don't understand the point of having special markers at 10m and 30/35m. Can someone explain whether this has any point?
Ok I had to ask the source.......so direct from Dion....

"It was really for simple and selfish reason. When I am paddling out on the ocean and I want to see the time I have been training for I want to see it without having to stop paddling and lose my rhythm. Because your wrist is at an odd angle most of the time and you only have a split second to glance at the time these extra markers help me get a idea of timing."

Completely understand his point. His watch and his design. Whether functional or not it doesn't make the watch appear any less nice.
 
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