This could be my last watch review for the year 2020 and what better way to end it with MMI Watches latest model – Turret, a naval inspired dive watch concept. I was able to review their first collection, Dumbo when they first launch on kickstarter and now lucky enough to check out their second model, Turret 300m. I was loaned 2 sets of their Heritage collection. Let’s start off with the technical specifications…
- Case Diameter: 40mm
- Case Lug to Lug: 47mm
- Case Thickness: 13.8mm
- Case Material: 316L/DLC Surgical Grade Stainless Steel
- Bezel: 120 Clicks Uni-Direction Bezel
- Insert: Ion Plated Steel Bezel Insert
- Luminous: Swiss Super-LumiNova C1 Grade X1 / Old Radium Grade X1
- Dial: Horizontal Brushed Dial
- Movement: Seiko NH35
- Water Resistance: 300M WR
- Crystal: 3mm Sapphire Crystal (with anti reflective coating)
- Crown: Signed Screw Down Crown
Let’s start off with what are the changes expected for the mass produced version.
- Turret 300M will be upgrade to X1 as standard specifications (full lume BGW9 Standard Grade remain).
- It’s available on Sellita SW200.
- The lume pigment to be filled level with the bezel insert. Estimated lume brightness legibility will be up least 30%.
- Date display numeric will be “bold” to increase legibility of the number.
- Date “window” color will be change from initial red to “orange” to increase legibility.
- Full lume dial to use “silk print” then present spray print method, to give dial brighter and more uniform glow.
Here’s what I think of the prototype Heritage…
Case : Similarly to the previous reviews I have done for Vario, Reise and Dailos, smaller sizes watches are definitely making some sort of a comeback to the watch industry. Hence, I felt that Turret’s 40mm size is also hitting the sweet spot for watch enthusiastic like myself. The case itself is well balanced and I’m surprised that it comes with a 22mm lug width, which you don’t see it very often. It kinda fits onto my wrist nicely, and that is what I meant by a well balanced case design overall. The caseback is rather simple, with a very large brand logo in the center and some details / specs of the watch around it. The only thing that I didn’t like was that the caseback wasn’t DLC’ed and it gives a 2 tone perspective when I’m wearing it. Wish it was also DLC like the case to give it a much more balance aesthetically.
Dial : It’s somewhat simple but elegant enough as a dress watch and sufficient enough as a diver watch. No numeral minute and hour indexes on the dial. Standard diver bezel concept. The second, minute and hour hands are pretty common. But all these normal standard common combination actually brings out the simplicity of the watch, because too much can be destructive and too little can be boring, hence Victor was able to convey the dial in the simplest universal format to suit everyone’s taste bud, including me. The lume on the prototype is great, but it will be even better with the upgrade to C1 Grade X1 superluminova on the mass production.
Strap : They came in stainless steel bracelet and genuine thick leather strap. I wasn’t impressed with the bracelet because it isn’t user friendly when I was trying to adjust the length of the strap. According to Victor, if the stretch goal on the kickstarter campaign is met, he will upgrade them to from push to screw link which is a much better option. However, I really like that the straps comes with quick release pin on both the bracelet and leather strap. As for the leather strap, the material felt really good and comfortable. My only drawback is the hole for the buckle pin is a bit too tight, which was highlighted to Victor when I returned the loan prototypes.
Conclusion to my review : When this article is published, the kickstarter campaign have already reached its’ goal and will be ending in a few days time. I would definitely recommend you to go check them out and support them if you wish to end the year 2020 on a positive with a watch that is offering so much for so little amount of money. It’s definitely value for money for what the watch can offer and from what I read from backers receiving the first collection Dumbo, it’s nothing but positive reviews.
To all my readers, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. 2020 have been a year of COVID19 but let’s hope 2021 will be a much better year in terms of health, wealth and more watches for me to review…
