Marloe Haskell

Marloe Watch Company has only been around since 2015, but found a quick way to reach customers with successful Kickstarter campaigns. The Haskell is their first Swiss Made offering. This review provides the details in brief, a review video, and pictures of the unpacking with some commentary.

The details:

• Watch: Marloe Haskell
• Diameter: 40mm
• Height: 9.4mm
• Weight (w/out strap): 67g
• Movement: ETA 2804-2
• Power: Hand Wound
• Power Reserve: 42 hours
• Jewels: 17
• Lume: Superluminova BG-W9
• Frequency: 28,800Hz
• Crystal: Sapphire, Flat w/AR
• Case: 316L Stainless Steel, Polished, Barrel
• Water Resistance: 100m/300ft
• Strap: Barenia Leather, Tan Camel
• Retail Cost: $876*

The review video: [https://youtu.be/2yRGJwFbkwo]

Some background:

As I try to remember where I first learned about the Marloe Watch Company, things get foggy. What I believe happened was I came across some information on a watch forum about an upcoming Kickstarter for a watch dubbed “Horizon” by a new company by the name of Optik Instruments. After doing some searching, I discovered that Optik Instruments is a subsidiary (they call it a “sister” company) of Marloe. So, naturally I started looking into Marloe.

Regardless, I ended up at Marloe Watch Company. I perused their offerings and was quite intrigued by the designs. Their first few watches contain reasonably selected movements such as the Sea-Gull ST36 and Miyota 6T33, which helps keep the price points low. The Haskell is their first Swiss Made watch which features the ETA 2804-2.

We all have triggers when it comes to watches…characteristics to which we are drawn. The “Sand” dial had me in an instant. A subtle layer of textures was perceivable in the pictures, but not enough to prepare me for what the Haskell looked like in the flesh.

I had an open tab in my web browser for most of a month. I kept thinking about it. I knew I would get it, I just did not know when. I closed the tab a couple times and always found myself reopening it. Finally, I decided I needed this watch. Buying into a new brand is something I am willing to do, if the company story and designs warrant the leap.

The unpacking and review:

The box arrived promptly from the UK via DHL and it was nice to see thought put into the actual box, inside and out. The “Haskell” name is on the outside along with their goto hashtag #BEYONDEXPECTATION. Open the box and you are met with a change of color and more sentiments.

Buried in the crumpled black shavings you find another box and the receipt envelope. Within the box is the watch case and a very high-quality booklet that details the story of the Haskell and technical information. The booklet is so well done I actually looked through every page and read it in its entirety. A great touch I did not expect.

Push the button on the front of the case and welcome to style. For a world that uses a lot of leather for watch case interiors, this again was a unique design choice and the woven material was a welcome change from the norm.

Usually, when I think of a color like “sand” I just associate it with a particular shade of brown. Pictures cannot translate the glittering sand-like texture of the dial that strikes instantly on first sight. Maybe you can see it a little in pictures, but the surface has the light-catching quality of sand with the right amount of roughness. Flip the watch over and you have a polished edge with a slightly-domed and sandblasted view of Antarctica. When you purchase the watch they let you choose the serial number, I chose 316 for no specific reason other than it sounds nice. The detail in the design is inspiring, down to the spiral crown.

Something I noticed on the Marloe website when looking at pictures, and one of the characteristics that intrigued me most, was the hands. Depending on the scenario the hands shift between looking matte grey, silver, and black. I have been wearing it for a week and I am still unsure what color they actually are! These are perhaps the best-designed hands I have seen on a watch. As the booklet claims, the dial is Dynamic, and this extends to the hands. You tell me what color they are…

Matte Grey?

Silver?   Black?

The dial truly is a superb design, constantly changing in appearance. The time is quickly perceivable. The hands shift between shades. Hour markers tipped with white lume against the smooth scooped minute/second track against the textured sand dial gives what is actually a round dial the look of a polygon with depth. Raised numerals that, like the hands, are color chameleons in a beautiful font. The encircled date window uniquely highlights a sometimes mundane feature on other watches. This watch face constantly shifts but always looks sophisticated. The Haskell is constantly giving something back and not just the time.

The case weighs in at 67g, but due to the circular design and rounded lugs it wears like it is not a gram over 50. Though the Haskell is quite slim at 9.4mm (the slimmest watch in my collection) and easily and naturally slides under cuffs, the polished barrel case looks taller than it is, a deceiving illusion. I discuss the case more in the video and compare it to a more standard style case.

And as a final touch, the buckle has an engraved M to match the crown.

I cannot believe how excited I am about this watch. I smile every time I put it on. Currently, I consider the Marloe Haskell the best-designed watch in my collection. I love hand wound watches, and so the ETA 2804-2 is an excellent and sturdy choice for a movement. It has a great sweeping motion and beats that keep your eyes and ears entertained. And although automatics are great and I like them, this is better.

Lume Pictures

With Optik Instruments being a subsidiary of Marloe, I look forward to seeing the Horizon.

* If you want to save a little money, I recommend placing a watch in your shopping cart on the website, start the checkout process, and enter your name and email in the form. Then just leave it. Do not enter credit card or bank information. Within a day or two you might receive an email reminding you that you have an item in your cart along with a discount offer. Many watch companies use this tactic, and it is something I recommend trying. In this case the discount was 10% minus VAT.