Until recently, I had only heard of Machina watches, so I hadn’t had the chance to give it a try. But that all changed when the Philippine brand offered the opportunity to try out its latest production, the Mephisto_III GMT. Mephisto was the brand’s debut model in 2017, so it’s not necessarily a new watch. However, due to GMT complications and new dial colors, today’s version of Mephisto_III offers a lot. I had the opportunity to wear a watch for a week and discover what this modern style of GMT is.
When I began checking out Machina’s past releases, I discovered how much Mephisto has changed over the years. When the first iteration was announced in 2017, it was a remarkably different watch. The case shape remains, but today’s Mephisto_iii looks almost worldwide. The Machina people first made the third generation (where this GMT is part of) with integrated bracelets. In addition to that, they added a lot of refinement compared to the first two generations. This has given us the surprising view of a modern integrated bracelet sports watch that undoubtedly stands out. With this latest version, Makina shows that adding a GMT function will make Mephisto_iii an outstanding, affordable traveler watch.
Details of Makina Mephisto_III GMT
Let’s take a look at the details of Mephisto_III GMT. This watch has a 38mm stainless steel case, 11.55mm thick and 45mm from lug to lug. The case is 100 meters resistant and shows the distinct influence of the 1970s classic. It features a combination of brushes and polished finishes that beautifully accentuate the angle lines. The way Machina designed the flow from the case to the bracelet is very good. It feels natural and the bracelet has a great taper that gives the watch an overall elegant style.
The case is paired with an incredible multi-faceted dial. This dial is conceptually similar to the dial in the first model, but there is a world of difference during execution. It has a pattern of facets, which is definitely an acquired taste. Honestly, the blue dial almost overwhelmed me with its visual luxuries when I first saw it.
However, if you give it a little time and check it up close, you will see that there is a clever design with a blue dial with sharp, angled indexes. The GMT hand matches the brushed silver background of the Rehout.
The integrated bracelet perfectly complements the watch
The overall feel of the dial is very angular. However, the soft shape of the bezel balance gives the watch a clear and outstanding look. This case is combined with an integrated bracelet featuring one of the famous Patek Philippe Nautilus. The H-Link design combines a sophisticated central link with a brushed outer link.
The visual influence is consistent with the case’s impact, making it suitable for watches. Like I said, the bracelet has a nice taper that ensures an elegant look. It is also equipped with a butterfly clasp with the brand’s logo.
Inside the case, Makina is equipped with a Miyota Caliber 9075 on the Mephisto_III GMT. This automatic GMT movement is extremely popular among micro brands as it is a flyer-style GMT movement for affordable watches. The caliber operates at 28,800VPH and offers a 42-hour power reserve. As you can see, this movement has a customized gold electroplating rotor. This is a clever trick to make your watch look better through the display case. The 9075 is not a visually impressive move in a standard run. So a closed caseback or customized rotor is the best solution to that “problem”.
Makina Mephisto_iii I’m wearing a gmt
The first thing that stood out on the wrist is the very amazing 38mm size. We often see larger watches with integrated bracelets, but as most of you know, they tend to feel bigger. A watch with an integrated bracelet is perfect for ensuring a small case size, as it has a greater visual impact. Furthermore, the Mephisto_III GMT wraps itself nicely around the wrist.
Thanks to the angled “rugs”, the bracelet is positioned diagonally and fits well on your wrist. And I have to say that the quality of the watches is also excellent compared to many of its competitors. The bracelet is sturdy and is very well machined in various parts.
On the wrist, the dial also takes a little more context. Slowly, I got used to the radial triangle pattern, which certainly helped me that the dial didn’t feel bigger compared to the case or bezel. Visual balance ensures that the watch does not show clear collisions of shape. Another thing that stood out was that the angle dial is not as prominent on the wrist as it first appears. The effect of the dial structure is very interesting, especially in natural sunlight. Because the dial changes texture and color slightly depending on the angle. It was certainly an interesting experience.
mephisto_iii gmt has no date
The movement is easy to operate. Because it is a flyer-style GMT caliber, pulling the crown into its initial position allows you to adjust your hands to 12 hours local time in an hour’s worth of time. Typically, you can adjust the date by pointing your hands twice around the dial. However, Mephisto_III GMT does not have a date.
In my opinion, this is an opportunity I missed as GMT prefers to date as a proper traveler watch. I haven’t traveled much in time zones, but if that’s the case, it would be a problem. Plus, the red GMT hands are very small. It didn’t interfere with reading the time properly, but a slightly larger hand would have been more practical.
Makina Mephisto_iii Final Thoughts on Gmt
Makina offers an interesting watch with this Mephisto_III GMT. Mephisto’s design certainly shows that it fits the GMT version. Design is not for everyone, but I appreciate the courage of the brand and creating something that doesn’t immediately please the crowd. You need to love it immediately or be intrigued by the design to give this a chance. I was part of that second group and enjoyed the design a lot. The small details that showed how much work was done to create the watch stood out to me.
So was the quality of the build and the overall sturdy feel of the watch. It’s much better to compare it with many brands. The Makina Mephisto_III GMT is available for an affordable price of $850. This can be a great purchase for anyone looking for something a little off the beaten path. If you love the modern look of a sports watch with an integrated bracelet, then Mephisto_iii might be for you. But if you enjoy the GMT feature on top of that, this new Machina could be the perfect option.
The new Makina Mephisto_III GMT is now available on the brand’s website.
