On October 1, 2021, Mitch Mason Watches will launch the Maelstrom, a dual-crown diver. Shortly thereafter, they will launch a Maelstrom special edition in partnership with the Microbrand Watch (MBW) Facebook Group, the dandy little number I am reviewing in prototype form today. Fellow Time Bum Mike Razak was pretty impressed with this Singapore-based brand’s first offering, The Chronicle, so I had high hopes for the new model. I’d say the maelstrom exceeded my expectations.
The Maelstroms, whether MBW or not, are fully capable dive tools. They are rated for 300m water resistance. Both of the signed, diagonally-textured crowns screw down. A Miyota 9015 automatic labors inside, humming along at a smooth 28.8k bph. Bright SuperLuminova lights it up in the murky depths. A double-domed sapphire crystal with ten layers of AR coating inside tops it off. I personally tested it only to the extent of washing dishes in the kitchen sink but it is fair to say the watch will handle just about any aquatic adventure you care to attempt.
Strapping it on my 6.75″ wrist, I was impressed by how compact the watch seems. Not small, mind you. The Maelstrom is a proper mid-size, measuring 40mm wide, 47mm long, and 12mm thick with 20mm between the lugs. As with most Super Compressor-inspired cases, the dual crowns add some visual heft as well. When I say compact, I mean there is no fat on this case, no needless bulk. Sloping lugs fall away from the tall fixed bezel, terminating in tightly clipped ends. The case sides are curved and cut down with a polished bevel that bends the light around the otherwise brushed surfaces. The bracelet, which I will discuss in more detail later, radically tapers to just 16mm at the clasp. These design elements work in concert to shrink the watch at its extremities, accentuating the strong dial and giving the watch a lean, purposeful stance.
Mitch Mason will offer the standard Maelstrom in a range of dial colors but the MBW edition will be one of only three sunray colors: burgundy, brown, or light blue. The final choice will be determined by a poll conducted on a protected page, accessed with a password to be posted on MBW group Facebook page. Polling starts on September 16. They all look fantastic, but for my review, I requested the brown, a rich, lustrous color that paired nicely with the vintage lume that graces every major element on the dial: handset, hour markers, cardinal numbers, and yes, all the engraved numbers on that internal bezel. I found it lit up quite well, but I hear they are amping it up even further for production. The remaining dial elements are printed in white with a light stroke that recedes slightly into the deep brown behind it. I prefer this to a heavier typeface or brighter white that would have called more attention, although it does mean you might squint to see the secondary indexes.
Internal bezel watches already have a leg up in the dial dimension department and the Maelstrom’s sandwich dial takes it even further. There isn’t a no-date option, but the disk is color-matched and neatly framed in the 6 o’clock position, so I really find no cause to complain. The polished hand set is exactly the right length; the hour hand reaching right to tips of the bar markers and the minute hand second hands nearly grazing the bezel. Like the Chronicle before it, the Maelstrom wears a handsomely detailed arrowhead hour hand.
This is a truly lovely dial, detailed and tailored without any loss of utility. The bezel operates smoothly in both directions and the screw-down crown – an absolute must for any internal bezel that is not a mere ornament – keeps it secure. For the MBW edition, the 9 is replaced by the Greek letter µ (Mu), which is also the metric unit prefix “micro” for one millionth. It’s quite the cool touch. You will also find it on the 4 o’clock crown (Mitch Mason’s is on the other) and the amazingly detailed caseback where it is stamped in high relief, entwined by tentacles, and surrounded by marine life. Let me tell you, for the part of the watch that will be squished against your wrist, they really went all out.
A brushed H-link bracelet comes standard. I’m sure the Maelstrom would look right at home on a black tropic rubber strap but as mentioned above, the bracelet is a key component of this watch’s character. It also happens to be very well executed, with solid end links, polished and beveled edges, and a signed flip-lock clasp. That said, if you want more presence out of this watch, switching to a straight-cut 20mm strap would be the easiest way to beef up the look, and the drilled lugs will happily assist.
Mitch Mason does fine work and the Maelstrom is a prime example of it. The MBW edition is equally lovely but also just a tad more special if limited in color. Both versions will retail for $599. Of course, early shoppers will get better deals. Standard Maelstroms will hit Kickstarter at $449 while MBWs ordered before the end of October will be slightly more at $499, but note that only 100 will be produced and 10% of all MBW edition sales will be donated to Kids Kicking Cancer Canada.
For more information and to sign up for announcements, head over to Mitch Mason Watches.
