The Mauron Musy GMT Sport reference MU04-203 is a luxurious watch that’s 100% Swiss-made. We’d hate to burst anybody’s bubble, however there’s a superb probability a scary-large portion of Swiss luxurious watches couldn’t (and certainly don’t) make the identical declare. This five-man staff, armed with a stable engineering background and a discerning alternative of Swiss suppliers, has been within the sport for eight years, making sluggish however regular progress in fine-tuning their wares. Let’s see the place they’re at proper now.
Slicing to the chase right here, the Mauron Musy GMT Sport watch is priced between $12,900 and $13,900, which is bold not as a result of it doesn’t have the to assist it (it does, and we’ll get to that quickly), however as a result of that’s massive cash for a small model. However think about this: Some three a long time into the renaissance of Swiss luxurious watchmaking, it’s very probably there are extra disillusioned or simply flat-out bored luxurious watch patrons on the market than ever. A few of them had three a long time of experiencing all the massive names they cared about – whether or not or not the massive names “cared again” in return is one other appreciable issue. And so a flurry of high-end small manufacturers has been on the rise lately, confidently aiming on the excessive four-figure, low-tens of 1000’s market of watches. Their hopes? To supply one thing that may save saved bored watch lovers from making one other misguided buy at a duty-free store the second issues open up.
From our first overview on the origins of Mauron Musy, established by two engineers, Eric Mauron and Christophe Musy: “The 2 met within the late 1990s when Eric was the managing director of Régis Mauron SA, an organization that specialised within the machining of mechanical elements, and Christophe was serving an internship as a mechanic. It was extra just lately, in 2012, that they got down to create one thing new and that the Mauron Musy firm in St. Aubin, Switzerland, was born. That ‘one thing new’ was to be primarily based on their in depth data and expertise in precision engineering – a prowess you may truly sense and really feel while you decide the Armure up…”
About nO-Ring Expertise & 300m WR
Try that overview to be taught extra about their very own “nO-Ring expertise” that permits Mauron Musy watches to do with out O-ring gaskets fully. Lengthy story quick, the two-man staff accountable for machining (Eric Mauron and Olivier Cantin) have taken their data and expertise in high-precision elements manufacturing and used it to craft case elements which can be so extraordinarily exact of their match and end that it eliminates a necessity for gaskets.
Moreover, the nO-Ring expertise does away with clamping screws to keep away from any danger of deforming the case elements’ flat surfaces. Due to this fact, the entrance and the again are clamped down by satellite tv for pc springs positioned across the whole perimeter, compressed and tensed by the closure of the case-band, bezel, and hinges. In essence, the expertise is predicated on the elements’ surfaces being machined and becoming along with extraordinarily excessive precision, held collectively by the managed stress achieved by the springs and hinges.
The crown pulled all the way in which out. Discover the shortage of threads and O-ring gaskets.
How a lot do you see, really feel, or expertise from this when sporting the Mauron Musy GMT Sport? A notable plus over different 300m WR watches is that though there isn’t any screw-down crown on the GMT Sport, it stays waterproof when winding the watch and even when setting the time. This addresses that widespread concern we ceaselessly hear from viewers members – they fear watch with no screw-down crown is vulnerable to water intrusion ought to the crown by chance be pulled out when within the water. The exactly engineered gasket-free design by Mauron Musy, the model says, gives peace of thoughts whereas getting rid of a screw-down crown.
Having no screw-down crown eliminates the dire risk of messing up threads in a short second of carelessness and provides an additional degree of consolation in that winding and setting the watch is fast and straightforward. A plus on a GMT watch designed for frequent journey – as soon as life permits for that. That mentioned, it offers me the fallacious form of chills to consider setting the time on a $13,900 watch underwater, so I personally would slightly think about this an additional layer of security versus a toy to play with.
The rest for the wearer to sense from the nO-Ring tech? From the way in which the crown appears, feels, and features, there aren’t any oddities in anyway. The truth is, the crown is remarkably clean to wind and jumps into well-defined notches – although these are extra a complement of the motion than of the gasket-free system.
The one seen reminder of the nO-Ring system is the slightly cool-looking hinges within the 4 “corners” of the watch. What makes these elements “cool” regardless of their static nature (you may’t open them for apparent causes) is that they do seem like tension-closed latches in hermetically sealed doorways, like these on ships or submarines. Taking a look at them, one will get the sense of how the lug construction and the case profiles after which the opposite lug buildings are pulled shut, tightly wrapping the bezel and caseback, and the sapphire crystals inside.
The truth is, you may see into the case for your self. It’s exceedingly uncommon for the wearer to be supplied any type of perception into the internal workings and development of a watch case. Simply by these aforementioned 4 hinges, the internal case is revealed, and that’s all of the extra pronounced on this black-cased model that its internal construction in grey. On the caseback facet, one may even see the “double” crystal as is highlighted in blue on the picture beneath: it’s a slender prime set on a wider base, and it’s the wider base that’s clamped down by the outer flanges towards the peerlessly flat metallic floor of the internal case.
Case High quality Value A Nearer Look
Though the truth is totally different, it’s true that theoretically, each watch case on each $13ok watch must be a factor of magnificence and excessive complexity, one thing one can admire identical to a finer mechanical motion. As I mentioned 4 years in the past within the first Mauron Musy overview, this model’s degree of case manufacturing nicely and really is at a degree that’s harking back to the precision seen in high-end watch actions. A serious (and optimistic) distinction is that issues are blown as much as better proportions and you may truly contact, see, and recognize them at a better scale with a case versus a hermetically sealed motion.
The case is crafted from light-weight titanium, machined to a degree that’s really extraordinary when one compares it to a lot of the competitors, such because the potato-like titanium circumstances by Panerai or Breitling (I’ve a titanium-potato Breitling so I converse from expertise – and with nice fondness). You probably have a developed style and eye for clinically well-made issues, you’ll in all probability recognize the case high quality right here. It isn’t as romantically stunning as high-polished circumstances or lengthy, sweeping polished edges are. However there’s a sure tangible magnificence to extraordinarily precisely crafted elements becoming collectively in virtually uncanny precision.
It’s true that almost all luxurious watches on the market are machined and put along with amazingly small tolerances (5-15 microns, usually), however there nonetheless appears to be a means for the human eye and hand to understand a distinction achieved by imperceptible enhancements. It simply works that means, and the precision engineers of Mauron Musy apparently know how you can get to this degree. Simply choosing the GMT Sport up and feeling its sharp (however not too sharp) edges and many odd-for-a-case angles and shapes is sufficient for one to grasp that this isn’t titanium case high quality you’re getting anyplace within the four-figure vary.
I’ve raved on concerning the case for lengthy sufficient – however that’s solely as a result of it does, certainly, deserve it. The problem watches with a trademark part face is to make sure the remainder of the elements are as much as par. It’s a tragic factor to see dials or actions or straps or buckles present indicators of budgetary limitations. I believe the Mauron Musy GMT Sport may have had a noticeably lower cost tag had it had a decrease hire dial and motion, finally permitting it to compete within the sub-$10ok phase, versus within the mid-teens. However low-rent elements and low(er) price ticket it has not, so let’s see how the remaining holds up.
Dial & Legibility
The textured dial appears like melted lava up shut. From afar, the rugged texture higher enhances the general look than a shiny black lacquered dial probably would. From up shut, the feel is suitable however not wonderful. The general dial high quality stays excessive although due to a mixture of floating islands (these carry the texts and indices) and what automobile designers would name “adverse areas” – and also you or I probably would consult with as “holes.” These openings are properly made and are positioned on the 1, 5, 7, 9, and 11-hour positions and, in actual fact, reveal the date disc beneath.
Once more, from afar, one couldn’t inform what made for the feel/fill inside these openings, however a more in-depth look reveals fractions of the numerals printed over the date disc. For sure, because the date disc advances, each 24 hours the “texture” of those rectangular indices modifications, including a minute playful aspect to the dial — a classier means of taking part in with the date than these wholly uncovered date discs on TAG Heuer 01 fashions or the oddly prolonged date apertures on some Parmigiani (and different) watches. For a model debuting solely its second sequence of watches, that is an impressively elegant means of taking part in with watch design components.
The overview unit is claimed to have had a prototype bezel. All different elements (remainder of the case, the dial, motion, strap, buckle) are closing high quality.
Whereas daytime legibility is nice due to the clever use of huge, shiny arms over a matte dial, the standard of luminescence doesn’t fairly attain the identical degree. Positives embrace a vibrant and homogenous glow, no blotchy areas or weak glow to report. Even the skinny edges of the rectangular cutouts have lume utilized – once more, usually the type of element we ceaselessly see others low-cost out on by simply luming the primary/common numeral indices. The lume’s shortcoming is within the comparatively transient interval of the highly effective glow when in comparison with another items. In different phrases, the lightshow doesn’t final lengthy, however there may be sufficient luminescence to help legibility in absolute darkness for hours after a cost with a strong gentle supply.
The MM01 Caliber By La Joux-Perret
Mauron Musy is happy with the truth that the GMT Sport’s MM01 motion is made by La Joux-Perret, the extremely superior motion manufacture that stands behind the fashionable iterations of Arnold & Son and Angelus. LJP is famend for supplying a bunch of high-end Swiss manufacturers looking for bespoke options in comparison with what a modular, tarted-up or in any other case modified ETA or Sellita caliber may present.
And certainly, one needn’t be a scholar of haute horlogerie to see that this isn’t your atypical degree of ending. With hand-refined anglage, loads of complicated plates and bridges, and glossy metal wheels, this does fulfill the necessities for watchmaking jewellery. The grey colour utilized all through to bridges and plates provides a contact of great modernism and helps spotlight the polished edges and wheels much more.
In brief, the MM01 is up proper there with the finest-looking actions on this worth phase. Specs aren’t too shabby, both: The trendy and steady Four-Hz working frequency comes with a weekend-arching 55-hour energy reserve. Extra to the purpose, the Four-Hz frequency is mixed with a steadiness wheel of the dimensions extra generally used with a decrease Three-Hz frequency – the added mass of a bigger steadiness wheel brings positives to the speed consistency and timekeeping efficiency of a mechanical motion. Nevertheless, actions must be engineered from the bottom as much as assist a bigger steadiness wheel at this increased frequency – proof that La Joux-Perret shouldn’t be sprucing motion designs a number of a long time previous however has been busy creating ones from scratch within the final decade.
One criticism I might have with the MM01 issues the marginally audible rotor. It isn’t the loudest on the market, however I do want motion rotors obtained to a degree the place they may function in absolute silence. The MM01 caliber is extra complex-looking and extra refined than what you’ll find in nearly any $13ok watch from any of the massive names on the market. And so, whereas Mauron Musy shouldn’t be a motion maker, it has managed to extract prime work from top-of-the-line Swiss suppliers on the market.
Sporting Expertise Of The Mauron Musy GMT Sport Watch
On the wrist, unusually sufficient, the primary issues that stood out to me have been the eight polished, Y-shaped screw heads performing like tiny flickering mirrors, wanting like cat’s eyes set contained in the black case flanges, one other costly element that’s actually obvious in low gentle, the type of stuff we’d point out even on six-figure-priced watches.
Flick your wrist, and the beneficiant thickness of the Mauron Musy GMT Sport turns into obvious. Whereas its titanium development may assist maintain bodily heft down, the visible heft stays. Particularly the thickness of the bezel stands out with its vertical wall standing over the case profile. When you don’t like thick watches, you’re higher off with a extra formal GMT watch with a much less complicated case and decrease water resistance. Through the day, the thickness doesn’t turn out to be cumbersome or annoying so long as you put on it such as you would any thick watch and never count on it to be proactively crawling beneath the sleeve of shirts or jackets.
Titanium is a giant assist, although. Similar to my hefty titanium Breitling, the GMT Sport gives all the advantages of this lustrous transition metallic. The watch sits flush towards the wrist with no metal case’s heft wobbling it round and it feels heat to the contact quickly after placing it on versus the ice-cold really feel of metal. I wouldn’t be saying this have been it July, however because it’s December, it is a plus.
Every bit comes with a rubber and a leather-based strap within the field with tool-free quick-release pins constructed into each to make altering straps simple. Regardless of the complicated case design, the Mauron Musy GMT Sport has an everyday lug construction that ought to accommodate all normal straps. The combination is deep towards the case however the cutout depth-wise is slightly shallow, so tremendous thick straps will not be a great match. However, the deep integration is all the time a really noticeable help in reaching sporting consolation and a wobble-free match, plus it makes for a tidier look. On a private observe, I definitely would select one of many coloured leather-based straps (brown or inexperienced being a very good match) and a black rubber strap to get essentially the most versatility out of this bundle.
All through every day put on, the 44mm-wide case feels good for all of the aforementioned causes. It measures 14.6 mm thick and 51 mm lug-to-lug. As for that latter measurement, the strap doesn’t flip totally downward by the top of the lugs, so add one other Three-4mm to that lug-to-lug to get a correct concept. On my 17.5cm in circumference wrist, I may do with a barely shorter rubber strap than provided.
Abstract
Mauron Musy selected to play with the massive boys within the dear $13,000 phase of luxurious watches, clearly an bold objective for a comparatively new model. Nevertheless, with an annual output capped at 600 watches, Mauron Musy isn’t a small model anymore, and the truth that its rising pains are over is mirrored not solely by that quantity but additionally by the completely and genuinely spectacular high quality it has managed to achieve. We’ve seen a lot, a lot better manufacturers flounder at getting each final darn element proper from dial by circumstances and motion ending to straps.
In contrast, the Mauron Musy GMT Sport does look, really feel, and put on like a watch solely two shrewd engineers would settle for. It’s a product made by product guys – and at a time when fancy crimson carpet occasions and different nonsense appears to be reserving an alarming capability of a few of the best names within the enterprise, that may simply suffice to maintain this small model.
Hefty however handsome and proportionate, and fitted with a novel waterproofing system and superbly crafted case and motion, it is a remarkably low-compromise watch any model could be proud to name its personal. It’s also a testomony to what might be carried out with 100% Swiss-crafted merchandise. The Mauron Musy GMT Sport as examined right here is priced at $13,900 USD, whereas the opposite 4 variations value $12,900. You may be taught extra concerning the nO-Ring system and the GMT Sport assortment on the model’s web site.
Obligatory Knowledge
>Model: Mauron Musy
>Mannequin: GMT Sport Reference MU04-203
>Worth: $13,900 as examined
>Measurement: 44mm vast, 14.6 mm thick, 51 mm lug-to-lug
>When reviewer would personally put on it: Every day, if I may swap it out for one thing skinny and small each every so often.
>Buddy we’d suggest it to first: Not simply impressed, searching for high quality from off the radar.
>Greatest attribute of watch: Robust bundle. Superbly engineered, inside and outside, a lot in order that it turns into an essential aspect of the sporting expertise. Loads of small and distinctive particulars.
>Worst attribute of watch: The bezel may use some cut-outs or different small particulars to assist disguise its peak and make it mix with the remainder of the case. The lume may last more.
