In this continuation of the article on the California model which we see the relationship with the Urban Club models and which has a diameter of 39mm and the crown on the right. I would then recommend the models with the
Another detail of the short horns: they are also plunging – which has no impact on wearing comfort, on the contrary. In addition, you notice the pierced horns which allow you to change bracelets quickly and above all which allow you to use reinforced pumps, much more resistant than the majority of usual pumps which can give way following too strong traction.
I chose a model with a very interesting blue dial . As in clothing, “blue is the new black”: blue has become the predominant color in watch dials in recent years, so, to differentiate itself from other blue dials present in other brands, MAT Watches uses a another shade of blue, a steel blue, sunny
We find the very readable dial and hands of the MAT Watches with very visible numerals and indexes accompanied by sword-shaped hands which recall the professional/military origin of the brand. With the application of SuperLuminova on the numerals and large indexes, it is the watch of the selection which will allow the best reading of
However, we are not dealing with a military watch. When worn, I feel more of a lifestyle inspiration. Moreover, the sport side is present with a watch tested and waterproof to 200M, the greatest waterproofness of the entire selection . Also, the watch will not only be waterproof against rain as is the case with watches waterproof to 30/50 meters but it will even be able to accompany amateur divers without being part of the category of divers which they must include among other things a unidirectional rotating bezel.
Brushed steel case, polished steel bezel, domed sapphire crystal. The crown is located on the left for reasons of comfort, an adaptation from the military models of the OPS collection by MAT, to prevent the back of the hand from coming into contact with the crown when you perform physical exercise
The sapphire crystal is a double domed dome with anti-reflective application to allow better visibility underwater. While on the Tissot PRX and the March Lab AM69, the crowns are not screwed down, on the MAT Urban Club, the crown is obviously screwed in to guarantee water resistance. The lugs are pierced as on all the brand's watches to facilitate quick changes to the two other excellent bracelets provided.
It is also a constant in this field and a mark of quality, the brand offers as always 3 high quality bracelets which stand out compared to the competition: a very beautiful leather from a French saddler, thick and flexible, a rubber strap from Italy and a very solid nylon strap in two branches, of much better quality than traditional natos.
As such, the lug is 24mm, and, I repeat, it is very well chosen and suits this watch very well while giving a different feeling compared to the competition which generally prefers smaller lugs.
Change of look! Here with the brand's official strap in blue leather, the appearance is much more modest, the watch can be worn on occasions other than summer
On the movement side, MAT Watches is one of the brands that remains most attached to the ETA 2824 . We no longer present this
HOW TO WEAR THE URBAN CLUB?
In terms of looks, for me it is the versatile watch par excellence : with a blazer and a white or blue shirt or even with a polo shirt and colorful chinos: the model exudes the desire to remain chic and casual. This model goes very easily under a more formal shirt if necessary.
Change your look with the different bracelets offered by the brand, feedback from BonneGueule readers has indicated that the brand leaves a lot of freedom in choosing these on the brand's website
OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA
Omega remains for me one of the most beautiful brands in the watch sector . Being one of these great brands which have fully participated in the great hours of watchmaking and have been doing so ever since
Throughout its history, the brand has multiplied beautiful original designs – which have since become classics – without neglecting innovation and especially in terms of movements. The brand has been positioned at the high end and, in many respects, is in my opinion one of the best positioned in the watch sector.
With its steel bracelet alternating between polished and brushed steel, the watch goes very well with a preppy look with for example a Teddy from Gant in the purest Ivy League tradition
AQUA TERRA: THE SEA AND THE LAND
If the Seamaster collection is rich in divers, Omega wanted to develop watches to bridge the gap between the marine world and that of dry land via a particular family of models, the Seamaster Aqua Terra collection. How to make a sporty watch that nevertheless remains chic to wear for occasions other than nautical?
Rather than repeating an existing design, the Aqua Terra model is one that is not inspired by Omega's immense catalog of historic watches. The design work was special for this hybrid watch. What we first notice is the particular structure of the dial: rather than a classic sunburst, the brand has opted for a dial reminiscent of the teak wood of boat decks .
It brings a specificity specific to this watch. The best-known Seamaster Aqua Terra model is the one with the teak blue dial. For my part, I chose the green model which, moreover, is not an emerald green or British Racing Green but rather a more sober and dark green which allows you to obtain a more discreet effect while bringing a more original shade to the the watch.
The horns are elegantly designed and feature alternating polished steel and brushed steel contrasting harmoniously. I really like these polished chamfers which are very well done on this watch. The case itself is also very well designed to reduce the thickness of the watch which is also contained with 13.3mm thick for 41mm in diameter. If this diameter does not seem suitable for testing then I cannot recommend enough to try the Seamaster Aqua Terra in 38mm .
This case also hides a non-magnetic movement which allows it to resist the vast majority of electromagnetic currents likely to be encountered during your life.
A MAGNETISM-RESISTANT WATCH
We live in an environment where electrical currents are increasingly present due to the proliferation of electronic equipment. Who says electric current says magnetic current so be careful: from television sets, to mobile phones, from airport metal detector gates and hospital MRIs to induction hobs in your kitchen, it is recommended not to bring your mechanical watch near too close to these electronic equipment. For MRIs or induction plates, this is absolute NIET. Unless you have a watch that is extremely resistant to magnetism, which is the case with the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Co‑Axial Master Chronometer.
Reminder: The problem of magnetism
Magnetizing your watch leads to a sometimes very significant loss of precision: the watch will accelerate by approximately several minutes per day and the source of this problem is the magnetization of the hairspring.
The hairspring is an essential element of a watch, it is a very small spiral spring allowing the regularity of the oscillation frequency to be maintained. A defective or magnetized hairspring will cause a loss of this regularity and as a result the watch will lose its precision.
Besides, if you want to properly maintain your watches, I wrote a complete article on the issue:
SO WHICH?
This will depend on your budget, technical characteristics and the style you prefer. The Tissot PRX is obviously unbeatable in terms of price: Tissot takes full advantage of the Swatch Group's war machine, which makes it possible to offer an excellent offer at a very low price.
The March Lab AM69 is an integral part of an aesthetic delirium claimed by the brand which seeks to stand out in this field rather than trying to face excessive competition in terms of prices.
MAT Watches changes the register of professional watches to attack the field of more lifestyle watches while maintaining a perfectly controlled quality/price/style ratio.
Omega offers a very solid offering compared to the competition at the high end.
And what do the members of the editorial team think?
Editor-in-chief Christophe and I have a preference for the MAT Watches Urban Club out of personal taste and for the quality offering and style offered for this price range. Benoît likes the Tissot PRX and its 70s trip. Photographer Jason and our community manager David appreciate the March Lab for its smaller diameter and its champagne dial. The Omega arrived a little later and, although it was tested, it could not be presented to the other members of the editorial staff.
It remains for me to wish you all a wonderful summer, relaxed and chic, with lots of sunshine and great encounters. See you soon.
