Martin Design Supernatural: Sub-$300 Regulator! Irish Micro lets you choose - Celtic or Subdued Dial
Vložit
- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- Drawing clear inspiration from their Irish roots, the Martin Design Supernatural allows you to lean heavily into Celtic styling or choose a more conservative option. Either way, they're offering an exceedingly affordable Regulator Complication to the microbrand community.
Find me on Instagram: / jonathan_t_reviews
If you'd like to collaborate on a review, my email is: jonathantreviews@gmail.com
Kickstarter Campaign - www.kickstarte...
Tool Kit, Spring Bar Tool and Potential Strap Pairings:
Bergeon Spring Bar Tool - amzn.to/3O0xqM7
Inexpensive Watch Tool Kit - amzn.to/3hLpIqI
Helm Canvas Strap - Excellent quality and sufficient rigidity for heavier watches. Highly recommend and several colors and 20/22mm available: amzn.to/3ddWD60
Helm FKM Rubber Strap - Another fantastic bang for buck offering from Helm. Available in several colors and 20/22mm: amzn.to/3fKK438
Ritche Canvas Strap - Many colors and sizes: amzn.to/3vyo4PO
I did not receive compensation for filming this review. As mentioned in the video, I don't have to return this prototype to Martin Design. The statements contained within are only my opinion.
*Pic of the colorway belongs to Martin Design.
Included Amazon links are affiliate links and may qualify for compensation. Using these links helps to support the channel (even if you buy different items), doesn't cost you anything, and is greatly appreciated!
Looking to make any purchases on Amazon? You can help support the channel FOR FREE by using my affiliate link:
amzn.to/3O0xqM7
Using this link may earn a small commission for any items purchased, not just the one linked. Thanks for the support!
I have the red Celtic Legacy from this brand, and it is gorgeous. I will definitely be picking up one of these.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Cheers
Last comment. I think this watch is gorgeous, I’ll be grabbing one in the future. One thing that just hit me after watching this twice is how much an integrated rubber or leather strap would have made it look even more luxurious and even more F.P. Journe vibes.
It is a great looking piece!
Great to see this MD Triskel on your channel. Right off the bat, you say that the celtic pattern is printed. I had usapected that would be some level of three-dimensional relief to it from how it looks, but that is nit the case? I still think it actually looks really good and nicely intriguing without becoming a total gimmick. It works with the unusual layout of the regulator style, which actually I wasnt particularly aware of before this and I wonder whay purpose it actually serves. I do like that it involves a 24hr scale though. The subdials look rather smart, as does the rehaut and the hand style is well chosen. Definitely from the front there is a lot to like and therefore for the price one might just go for it to add some unexpectedly colourful fun in the collection. For me, I think the celtic pattern also wins from rhe Caturix. When going for this style it would make sense to me to go all in and to make use of that dial real estate that is opened up. Now, I do have my doubts as well, though. First, the movement I'm not familiar with but series 8 is down from 9. If all the reliability and accuracy from the 9 series stays the same in this, it's not a significant downgrade thanks to the small seconds, but I don't know if that's the case. Second: why have a dusplay caseback? It's needlessly expensive and for me anything they could to bring the height further down would be welcome. Third, despite the good choice of a polished sandwich, I think the slab construction doesn't do the watch any favours. It looks fairly high and blocky from the side and that's where it reveals perhaps it's low price. Fourth, you say it is a slightly domed crystal, I thought it wasn't. As long as it doesn't add height it would suit this watch, same as that the side could have been slightly more curvaceous. Fifth, I am not a fan of this strap at all. I think a tumbled or textured leather might well ne the way to go, but this doesn't please me. Sixth, and this is arguably one of the biggest doubts: why are the lengths of the hour and second hands not proportional to their respective dial? It looks almost as if both hands are literally the same size. The second hand slightly oversized, and the hour hand undersized, which also affects legibility furhter in the case of the latter. I liek their style, but don't grasp that decision. Back to the positives: the framing and font for those dials looks attractive, as does the crown and the crown position. I also don't might the logo, especially as it's not actually an hour marker there and fits the celtic pattern. I might have thought the 40mm is just a little oversized, but it actually looks to wear smaller in the comps, which is great. Whether the sheer point of difference this watch makes would be enough for me to part with cash and expand a collection where I have been pushing slightly for quality more than quantity lately, I am not sure. Resolve my strongest doubts, and the price point would form little obstacle.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! The printing has a touch of depth at the edges but isn't what I would call 3D. Like you said, I think it works very well though. While I don't have much experience with this specific 8 series movement, I've had great luck with other 8 series and personally am unconcerned with the choice. I believe they're planning modest refinements to the case but don't expect anything dramatic. While it's not a shining star of the design, I found it to be just fine as well, particularly at the price. The hand length likely comes down to MOQ's but I could be mistaken. While I see what you're saying, it wasn't something that stuck out to me in use and it does bring a degree of symmetry. Hope this helps. Cheers
I'm all in on this... May snag both!
Nice! They both work really well for a more casual and fun and dressier (but still fun) option.
Definetely a quirky little watch, but the Caturix is the winner in my book, I'm curious to see the other colorways!
It is, though just the right amount of quirky without becoming a novelty IMO. I'm anxious to see them as well. Cheers
Awesome review Jonathan. Excited to be backing this!
Thanks so much! Which one are you planning to snag?
So glad you pulled out the Roto! I have that watch and it looked about the same size as this one so I know how it will fit.
Happy I could help! Thanks for watching. Cheers
Thank you! Take care.
Very art nouveauish design, looks super good.
It is a very pretty dial with a great flow. Cheers
I reckon it’ll look great with lume on both hour and second subdials for Triskel would light up the party at night🤩 Also, if it’s possible to have a salmon/gold/champagne colour way for Caturix’s textured dial would be fantastic
That would be a fun bit of pop having lume on the subdials. If the campaign is successful enough, maybe they'll expand the color stretch goals. Cheers
Nice review, thanks. Love the pink !!
Thanks for the support! Definitely, it looks slick. Cheers
Very beautifull watch
Glad you like it 😊 I think it is too. Cheers
I almost want to buy one of each.
Nothing wrong with that! Very different aesthetic to each and the price makes it an easier pill to swallow getting multiple. Cheers
I think it's generally a mistake to not give any biographical information about a microbrand when you present them. Like, this bloke isn't Seiko, I don't know him from Adam. Do they have any connection to Ireland/the Celts? Is this their first watch? Have they had multiple failed Kickstarters? Have they had successful ones but had massive blowouts on fulfilment? There is actual risk involved with Kickstarter projects, so I think at least sketching out the basics of the microbrand's identity is a must.
Otherwise, it's a great review.
Thanks for sharing your feedback. I struggle with balancing everything I'd like to cover with the watch (and otherwise) while keeping the reviews to what most think is a reasonable length. They are an Irish microbrand and have previously released a few models, with positive feedback from what I've seen. They're a newer brand to me as well. Cheers
Unless you want the video to be 20 minutes longer while not everyone wants this information i'd recommend going to their site where you can see their previous watches and their story.
But a TL;DR: The founder lives in Cork, Ireland and has 4 previous kickstarter projects which of 3 were succesful.
@@Kciroyright on.
I love this colourful design , but Is the movement loud ?
Miyota movements (both 8 and 9 series) have unidirectional rotor winding. As a result, they can occasionally get fast spin in the non -winding direction. This can result in increased noise. In practice, I don't find it to be bothersome or even noticeable. I've had many Miyota movements over the years and only had a couple that were more annoying. It's one of the only minor downsides of a great movement.
@JonathanTReviews I also saw too much glare, are they considering at least a one layer of antireflective coating ?
I don't believe they're making any AR adjustments but the application is respectable in real world usage. Domed crystals always pick up more reflection, as you can't light typically control from every angle. I didn't experience any issues with legibility from glare.
Not sub-300 anymore :/. As of today. Pre-order is about $390 and without a pre-order will be almost $500.
Yeah, that was the Kickstarter earlier bird pricing. Still not a bad price at all IMO. Not many regulator options on the market in the territory. Cheers
Alaunus methinks🩷
The bold color really makes those subdials pop! Cheers
I know its not a diver, but anything without screw down crown is a no thanks. Gorgeous though
Out of curiosity, have you experienced issues with push/pull crowns, or is it just preference/peace of mind? I generally don't submerge any of my watches but haven't experienced any issues personally. Cheers
I'll never understand people wanting a screw down crown on a dress watch
@@Kciroy maybe they're going to dive with a dress watch on their desk.
That's the most action my divers see too 😂
@@JonathanTReviewsikr and some people ask for diver on a dress watch 🤦♂️🤦♂️
The watch is 300 dollars. That doesn't even GET you a meal at a great restaurant. Why are all THESE questions being ASKED about quality and stuff. Let me put that in perspective. You can find A SINGLE PAIR OF SOCKS for 1,500 dollars. I'm not rich by any means, however, I ground myself in the lost art of REALITY!! AGAIN, IT'S 300 DOLLARS!!
It's definitely a very solid value IMO, especially considering the uncommon regulator complication anywhere near this price range. From what I've seen, most seem to be very supportive of the project. It had an excellent campaign. Cheers