Introducing Makina, watches with a personal touch

We’d like to introduce you to a new watch brand that you’ll want to keep your eye on. The name is Makina, and it’s a Filipino company, is as new as they come, but we’re already excited about what they have to offer. In a few weeks they’ll be ‘officially’ launching the brand, however they are accepting pre-orders on their website. We had the chance to get an early look at their new watches (and we liked it!)

A Makina watch is crafted to feel as though it was built just for you. Makina’s goal is for every watch to have that human touch that separates the masterpiece from the mass-produced, suffusing every piece with character and quality. So what does this mean in practice? Makina manufactures each model in small batches, using parts custom-made for them. So when you buy a Makina, you’re certainly not buying the next run-off-the-mill watch. And although Makina prioritizes craftsmanship over fashion, we think you’ll appreciate their striking designs.

Makina has announced two models so far, the Uriel and the Mephisto, and each model is limited to 500 pieces. Here’s what we know about each.

Makina Uriel

The Uriel, scheduled for release in July 2017, is a daily watch that complements both your formal and casual attire. In keeping with Makina’s production philosophy, the Uriel will be limited to 500 units, so supplies will be limited. This watch comes in a 40 mm stretched cushion-shape case. The case is stainless steel with a sleek, hand-polished finish. The glass is domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. If you’re concerned about waterproofing, the crown is a screw-down type, and the watch is water-resistant to 50 meters.

The Uriel features a hand-assembled guilloche dial made of brass with a finely granulated texture. With tapered hands and applied metal indices, the watch face has a distinct, art-deco appearance.

At the heart of the Uriel is a Japanese automatic mechanical movement—the Miyota 821A. This is a 21-jewel design with a 42-hour power reserve. Even the case back is a work of art, featuring the Makina logo and decorative Geneva stripes.

While the straps on many watches can seem secondary in aesthetics and workmanship, the Uriel comes with a handsome strap you probably won’t feel like replacing. It’s 22 mm wide and made of sumptuous Italian calf leather.

The Uriel will actually be offered as two distinct versions, the Uriel I and the Uriel II. Both are limited-edition, and the only difference between the two models is the color of the dial—the Uriel I is cream-colored (or rather gold/salmon colored) , while the Uriel II is brown(ish).

Makina Mephisto

Makina’s other debut model is the Mephisto. Like the Uriel, it’s a limited-run model, with only 500 units planned for release. The Mephisto is another versatile watch that will look great with either your leather jacket or your business suit. Let’s take a look at what makes this watch tick.

The Mephisto has a 42 mm stainless steel case; the finish is hand-brushed in multiple directions for a unique texture and appearance. The glass is flat and made of the same scratch-resistant, anti-reflective sapphire crystal as the Uriel. But the most compelling feature of this watch may be its dial. It’s three-dimensional, sapphire-colored, and segmented in a sunburst pattern. The hour markers (some Arabic, some geometric) alternate between cutout and embossed shapes. Both the markers and the brushed-brass hands are lumed.

This watch also features a Japanese automatic mechanical movement with 21 jewels for accuracy. The power reserve is 40 hours. The back of the case has an engraved rotor design as well as the Makina logo. The Mephisto strap is certainly no afterthought, either: it’s made of thick, supple calf leather with hand stitching and a polished buckle to match the case. The watch is also waterproofed to 5 ATM.

The Mephisto will be available in August, but so far a price has not been announced.

Judging by our first looks at what Makina brings to the table, we’re sure this will be a brand to consider. With their commitment to individual craftsmanship and personal touches, each piece in their small-batch productions becomes a collector’s item.

Makina officially launches in June, and they’re online at makinawatches.com. The web site is a work in progress but offers information and pictures of upcoming products. Users are urged to subscribe for information on launch dates, pre-orders, and availability. Check them out here: www.makinawatches.com

This article is written by Matthew Catellier from Watchreviewblog.com