Just last week, I scored a BOLDR Voyager Macau from a private seller on Watchuseek. I reviewed a different version of the Voyager (the brown Caspian) some time ago and liked it, but to be honest, I didn’t know the Macau limited edition existed. I loved the green sunray sandwich dial, brass case, and embossed bezel. The fact that it was new in box with its protective film still in place, and considerably cheaper than new didn’t hurt either. In three days, it was mine.
BOLDR Supply Company created the limited edition for Bi-Timepieces of Macau. Only 50 were made. I’ve got number 4, as indicated by the engraving between the bottom lugs.
The Voyager’s brass case measures 42mm wide, 48mm long, and 13.5mm thick not including its AR-coated, double-domed K1 crystal. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the watch appeared somewhat smaller on my 6.75” wrist than the brown bezel Caspian, likely as a result of the Macau’s body color bezel, which focuses more attention on the dial.
Indeed, that bezel is one of my favorite features. Its raised index looks great right out of the box but I’m really looking forward to watching a patina develop, particularly in the recesses around the raised numbers.
Like the Caspian model I had reviewed earlier, this Voyager has a brushed case, accented by a soft-edged bevel running from lug to lug. Out back you will find a stainless steel screw down caseback decorated with Macau’s skyline. Behind that cover, beats the ubiquitous 24 jewel, 21.6 bph Seiko NH35a automatic.
Water resistance is 200m, aided in no small part by the dual-lock screw-down crown. It looks like a smaller version of the BOLDR Odyssey’s crown, and that is a very good thing indeed as its broad peaks make it a joy to look at and to operate. The Macau’s is set apart by a red gasket in the recess bisecting the head – a color accent that is repeated on the paddle tip of the second hand and the “Limited Edition” text.
The Macau’s green sunray sandwich dial is a rich olive green that complements the warm gold tones of the case, which are repeated in the brass hands, the printed index and text, and the Old Radium SuperLuminova. I like that BOLDR resisted the urge to use a Panerai-style typeface for the cut aways, opting instead for more stylized numbers, of which the 6 and 9 echo the shape of BOLDR’s logo.
The Voyager Macau ships with two 20mm straps: a nylon NATO, and a rubber tropic. The tropic is perfectly nice and fits the Macau’s retro dive style, but the basic black does little for the watch. On the other hand, I do like the signed 18mm brass buckle and will certainly use that when I swap the Macau onto some leather.
The NATO is heavyweight olive nylon with brass hardware, signed on the lower strap loop. It matches the watch perfectly. It is slightly shorter than most NATOs I have encountered, measuring 10.5” (about 266mm), so I did not have to tuck any excess tail back through the keeper. It is still a heavier look than most two-piece straps, but that does keep the bulk under control.
Really, I couldn’t be happier with this purchase. The Macau is my favorite of all the Voyager variations. Like it’s stablemates, the Macau exudes vintage charm while its green, gold, and red color scheme set it apart with a unique, pleasantly mellow look.
You can still purchase a new BOLDR Voyager Macau at Bi-Timepieces for $1980 HKD (about $252 USD), 30% off regular price. For more information or to buy one of the last remaining watches, visit BiTimepieces.com. ⬩
