Apparently New Zealand is the latest country I've learned about that has watch makers. This is a very cool thing from the land next to the land down under. The last surprise came from Iceland; and before that was probably a few years ago when I learned about the Bozeman Watch Company straight outta small town Bozeman, Montana. Magrette is based in New Zealand's largest city Auckland, which is really a wonderful place that I've had the pleasure of once visiting. If you are wondering what special character a New Zealand watch company can imbue into watch, think no further than a history of nautical adventure, and the right art and culture coming from the Maori people.
This watch is dedicated to the story of Kupe's Voyage, a Maori tale about Polynesian adventure and folklore. The story describes how Islanders first came to the New Zealand land mass to settle, complete with the trial and tribulations. It is almost like a Maori version of Columbus, but without all the controversy and killing of the natives. These were the real ocean adventurers who traveled for thousands of miles not in galleons, but canoes.
This particular watch is the very limited edition of 10 pieces Magrette Kupe's Voyage based on their Regattare model line. The reason it is limited is because each beautifully decorated bezel is hand engraved by New Zealand artist Andrew Biggs. The same artist also creates other limited editions for the brand that offer similar (but different) engraved bezels on the Magrette watch line, such as the Ta Manaia. The best part of all this is the price. How often can you get a limited edition mechanical watch with hand engraving for just $1,585? You'll also notice that the Magrette Regattare has a striking resemblance to Anonimo watches. Probably not a coincidence, but not a bad thing either as the Magrette watches cost at least half of the Italian Anonimo watches.
The watch case is 44mm wide, housing an ETA 2824-2 automatic movement, with a sapphire crystal on the dial. The watch also comes in a beautiful handmade wooden box that really sweetens the deal. All in all I think this watch is a great value, and I highly recommend checking out New Zealand's own, Magrette watches.
See Magrette and Anonimo watches on eBay here.
Anonimo Opera Meccana Militare Automatico Black Steel White Dial Watch 2010 $2,700.00 Time Remaining: 1h 32m Buy It Now for only: $2,700.00 Buy It Now |
Anonimo Polluce magnum 55 Limited Bronze Watch 100 NIB $3,799.00 Time Remaining: 10h 58m Buy It Now for only: $3,799.00 Buy It Now |
Anonimo Opera Meccana Militare Chrono Model 2007 $3,250.00 Time Remaining: 11h 14m Buy It Now for only: $3,250.00 Buy It Now |
Gorgeous Anonimo Automatic Opera Meccana Millemetri watch $1,785.00 Time Remaining: 12h 28m Buy It Now for only: $1,785.00 Buy It Now |
Anonimo Militare Manual Limited Last Edition xx 299 RARE 100 NIB $2,299.00 Time Remaining: 1d 47m Buy It Now for only: $2,299.00 Buy It Now |
Magrette Moana Pacific Automatic Watch $385.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 2h 44m |
[...] Magrette Regattare Kupe’s Voyage Watch: Engraved Bezel, From New Zealand Apparently New Zealand is the latest country I’ve learned… share: [...]