As should be no surprise to anyone who’s read this far, wearing the Magrette Dual Time in day-to-day scenarios was enjoyable. I appreciate the more compact case and reduced weight immensely, and found that I had no issues telling the time, day or night. I would not mind seeing the lume strip on the hour hand a touch longer, but the hands themselves are appropriately sized to the dial (it’s just tougher to see those edges with the color blending to the dial itself). It is worth noting that, when you view the watch in the dark, things are spot on in terms of sizing, with no issues telling the hands apart. Along with the ease of wearability, the Magrette Dual Time is a flexible watch in terms of pairings. On the included black leather strap, it can be a somewhat dressier piece; pair it to a brown strap, and it works just as well with your khakis and jeans. So, as with the Regattare 2011, I feel that the Magrette Dual Time is really a solid every-day sort of watch, and can go from jeans to a suit without an issue.
I do want to call out that, for all my comparisons between the Magrette Dual Time and Regattare 2011 (see below for a full chart), it looks like we will be seeing the a reissue of the 2011 in this new, more compact case, sometime next year. So, if you find yourself liking this new style, but more in the mood for an elapsed time on your bezel (rather than dual time zones), then you will want to keep an eye out for the new Magrette Regattare 2011. It is expected to be available early next year, with pre-orders going on now.
That’s the future, though, and for now, it’s the Magrette Dual Time that is available. If you want to pick up the same black dial in a stainless case that we reviewed, you’ll need to bring $575 to the table (plus another $35 for international shipping). If you instead find yourself preferring some of the more colorful dials Magrette has had on other models, you can opt for either a brown or a green dial Magrette Dual Time (both of which are set in a PVD case) for a price of $605 plus shipping. There is a fourth model in the mix, a white dial in the steel case, but that is currently out of stock. Whatever the color combination, I would have no hesitation recommending the Magrette Dual Time. Along with my own personal watch, I have had a number of their watches cross my desk, and they have all been solidly built, offering a great combination of style, function, and value. In my opinion, this new cushion case is a great step for the brand, and gives a great option for those who like the style of case but had been holding out for something more compact. magrette.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: Magrette
>Model: Dual Time
>Price: $575 – 605
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes. While it would not dethrone the 2011 (given its sentimentality), this is a great watch to wear regularly.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: You missed out on the 2011 when it was first offered, and find yourself preferring a second time zone to elapsed time.
>Worst characteristic of watch: This is grasping at straws, but I’d point to the buckle. It is just a bit too large.
>Best characteristic of watch: How compact it manages to be, while still retaining that cushion case Magrette heritage.
