While doing my research on another great affordable timepiece from this manufacturer, the M108 automatic model, I came across this beautiful Marvin M109.54.43.64 with a trendy open-heart design. While I still plan to write a small review of the M108, I just can’t help to stop for a moment or two and make a piece regarding this affordable, yet expensive-looking model.
Probably inspired by the square-shaped Edox Class Roayle Open Heart, this rectangular model also features a round cut-out at 12 o’clock providing an unobstructed view at its balance wheel that beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour.
With its balance cock decorated with some circular graining, the component of the self-winding ebauche fails to make your breath away, and, frankly, for a watch that retails for around €1000, we have a right to expect something more complicated.
Even laser engraving or some nice Geneva Stripes would look a lot better than the plebeian perlage that we see here, although not as inspiring as the real thing done by a skillful hand of an artisan, would do a better job. Well, perhaps the committee that overlooked the timekeeper’s creation decided that (1) the dial looks flashy enough to distract attention from the way the thing is decorated and (2) that at a price below €1000 they just don’t have enough profit to sacrifice to make the product look only a tiny bit better.
I, however, have nothing against the whole ‘open heart’ concept per se. Of course, some sort of snobs may find this solution cheap, calling it a ‘poor man’s tourbillon’, however, I don’t see anything criminal in this concept. It’s just another means of decorating the watch, making the dial look more fascinating. Or at least less boring.
Like the better part of Marvin’s current product range, the M109.54.43.64 offers a highly-legible and well-balanced dial layout.
However, in this particular case they a little bit overdid it with the over-sized Arabic numerals for the minutes and seconds indication. Staying on the same track with the four “hour” numerals, they compete too energetically to get our attention making the dial look a trifle too cluttered.
And can anyone please tell me why the “40” mark is colored red?
This version of the M109 is powered by the Sellita SW 200 automatic movement, which is, in fact, a slightly improved clone of the well-known ETA 2824 caliber. Besides an extra ruby, Sellita’s ebauche also offers about four more hours of guaranteed power reserve. The Swiss-made movement is neatly packed inside a 41?41 mm stainless steel case.
Coming in a square shape with nicely rounded angles, the body is PVD plated with pink gold and offers a water resistance rating of 5 ATM (50 meters.)
The brand is still unavailable in the United States and about 90 percent of the rest of the world, but you can try to find an authorized dealer in your country at the company’s official website.
Update from 2018: the brand’s official web presence is currently limited to a sort of “under construction, but we’ll be back (maybe)” type, so I am removing the link to their home page.
Update from 2022: Well, I think they are officially gone. That’s a pity, but you still can find some of their watches on eBay and Chrono24.com.
See also: Revue Thommen Airspeed Instrument RT1920
WWR Verdict
Originality 3/5
Build Quality: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 3.5/5
Value for Money: 3/5
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Photos: Marvin
Marvin M109.54.43.64 specification
Movement: Caliber Sellita SW200, automatic (self-winding,) Swiss Made
Jewels: 26
Cadence of balance: 28,800 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Stainless steel with pink gold PVD coating, transparent case back
Size: 41.00 x 41.00 mm
Dial: Black and gray, sunray motif
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Black leather on rose gold PVD-treated pin buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Solid, circular transparent cutout in the center