Furlan Marri aptly named their collections “stories,” a reflection of the multitude of narratives Andrea Furlan and Hamad Al Marri sought to convey. These stories were not just ordinary tales but rather a deliberate endeavor to redefine the perception of a timepiece’s value, offering remarkable quality at an affordable price.
Their inaugural narrative unfolded with the introduction of a mecha-quartz chronograph, which caused a seismic shift in the realm of watches. It exceeded all expectations, swiftly surpassing its funding goal on Kickstarter and setting a new benchmark for micro-brands. Whether an ardent watch collector or a novice enthusiast, the chronographs resonated deeply with their exquisite aesthetics, premium components, and enticing pricing. After just over a year, Furlan Marri is ready to reveal the next exciting installment in their story. Continuing to challenge limits, this brand is introducing the Furlan Marri Black Sector, a remarkable three-handed mechanical watch.
Overview
The Black Sector serves as the opening chapter of the “three hands mechanical story.” Enthusiasts lauded the Mecha-quartz pieces from the previous tale for their exceptional case finishing, particularly the captivating blend of finishes adorning a watch that remained within the realm of a few hundred dollars. In this stainless steel case, we find echoes of vintage-inspired design, meticulously crafted with multiple components and adorned with a harmonious combination of brushed and polished surfaces. The thin bezel exhibits concentric brushing on its top, complemented by a polished outer-facing ring and stepped case-side.
A rich satin-brush adorns the caseband, nestled between the polished outer bezel ring and a polished ring that gracefully transitions to the caseback. The lugs assume a captivating cow-horn shape, attached to the case after the meticulous finishing process, with the bridge that secures them visible between the lugs at 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock. These lugs present a mirror-polished surface on their exterior facets, while the rest boasts a rich brushed texture. In the realm of Furlan Marri, each watch emerges as a distinct narrative, and the Black Sector signifies the inception of their mesmerizing mechanical chronicle.
The Size
With meticulous attention to detail, the internal components of the timepiece have also undergone careful craftsmanship, including the concealed areas beneath the bezel and within the caseback, embellished with perlage. Inspired by vintage aesthetics, the watch boasts a 50-meter water resistance and embraces favorable proportions, measuring 37.5mm in diameter, 10.5mm in thickness, and 46mm from one wrist lug to another.
Named after its distinguishing feature, the Furlan Marri Black Sector showcases a dial divided into four quadrants by a central medallion, all elegantly adorned in a black hue. For those who value precision, the minute hand can align flawlessly with the corresponding hash marks every 60 seconds, aided by two rows of hash marks as reference points. Initially, this abundance of marks may seem excessive, but ultimately it maximizes the dial’s potential and prevents it from appearing excessively minimalist.
The Design
The Breguet numerals applied to this timepiece are crafted from polished stainless steel and positioned at the 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock marks. Watch enthusiasts and vintage aficionados will undoubtedly appreciate their sophisticated design and elegant typography. In terms of appearance, the black surface displays a textured grain achieved through the utilization of electrical discharge machining, resulting in a thin and finely textured finish. Given the more formal nature of this watch, it maintains its aesthetic integrity by not incorporating SuperLuminova for nighttime visibility, which may not be suitable for individuals requiring illumination in low-light conditions.
The Strap
The Furlan Marri Black Sector watch comes with a pair of premium French leather straps. The first strap is curved and black, featuring black stitching, while the second one is a straight honey-brown strap. You may wonder why there are curved and straight options available. Furlan Mari, known for their meticulous attention to detail, has incorporated two sets of holes on the inner sides of the lugs. One set is designed to accommodate curved straps, such as the included black strap, which fit snugly against the case. The other set is intended for more commonly used straight straps, which leave a small gap between the strap and the case. Both sets of straps feature quick-release tabs, enabling effortless swapping. Moreover, the two sets of lug holes provide the flexibility to explore various aftermarket strap options, whether they are curved or straight. This thoughtful feature offers great versatility for watch enthusiasts.
The Movement
Furlan Marri has taken a significant leap by introducing a fully mechanical calibre, though they have chosen to conceal the automatic movement beneath a solid brushed caseback, which adds an element of intrigue. The calibre, supplied by the esteemed movement supplier and manufacturer La Joux-Perret, is beautifully adorned and boasts an impressive power reserve of approximately 68 hours, making it ideal for a weekend getaway. While most watches in this price range typically opt for a more common ETA or Sellita calibre, Furlan Marri has gone the extra mile in their pursuit of pushing boundaries.
Final Notes
As an owner of the Havana Salmon Mecha-quartz, which they released last year, I can personally attest to Furlan Marri’s ability to deliver impressive aesthetics. However, I must admit that the mecha-quartz calibre had its flaws, and I was particularly bothered by one aspect of it. Nevertheless, I understood the cost considerations involved. Using a fully mechanical chronograph movement would have undoubtedly increased the price, so I was eagerly awaiting the pricing of their inaugural fully mechanical creation.
To my delight, they have managed to offer a handsomely constructed and meticulously finished three-hand watch, equipped with a La Joux-Perret movement boasting a 68-hour power reserve, all for the price of CHF 1,250. This accomplishment certainly deserves recognition. I anticipate a substantial number of pre-orders for this timepiece and eagerly look forward to Furlan Marri revealing the rest of their captivating “three hands mechanical story” in the upcoming months.