Yes, its another unboxing...

This time its the MKII Hawkinge. The watch is a homage to the IWC and JLC Mk watches. In fact the watch is a mix of the design of the IWC and JLC Mk watches. 

The watch comes well packaged and protected. 

The usual MKII Pelican type box. 

 MKII logo and website address at the side of the box. 

Documents that comes with the watch. The certificate of guarantee and timing chart. 

Inside the box, you find the watch. It comes with extra slots to carry other watches if you need to carry other watches. How cool is that. It also comes with a couple more things. But  more about that later. 

Closer view of the watch. The front crystal is protected by a piece of blue plastic. Not the best but it works. 

The watch comes with extra spring bars, 3 sets actually and the tool to remove the straps. Not something you see in many micro brands or for that matter from more established brands. A nice touch no?

The back of the watch. The leather strap is Made in Germany. 

I do like the design of the watch. But then I have always been partial to the design of the Mk Pilots watches. 

On the wrist. :)

Lume shot...

USD700 vs USD7,000 watch...

MKII Cruxible

I know this a bit late (a lot actually) but MKII Watches have released their take on the A11 military watch. The watch is called the Cruxible. To be honest, I am indeed very tempted to get one as I have and had their watches before and can attest to the detail and build quality MKII Watches are known for.

From the MKiI website on the Cruxible...

Cruxible’s construction principle is guided by the Type A-11 issued watches but completely reconsidered for performance and serviceability. The mid-case has been strengthened and redesigned to accommodate a screw down crown providing 100 meters water resistance and modern take on the scroll lug inspired by the Patek Philippe reference 1463 and iconic CWC G10 field watch. Of all of the crown styles supplied on the watches from the war period we selected the oversized-type crown for its ease of use and singular ability to evoke the design’s origins, history and purpose.

The core elements of the iconic dial have been carefully reworked to deliver a more nuanced interpretation of the war time specification and improved readability. In allusion to period USN watches the Mk II logo and depth rating are printed in gloss black on the dial to provide this information for reference only as needed. The hands have been painstakingly restyled to make them visually stronger and more functional while preserving an American aesthetic. 

The case back is styled after the decagonal case backs indicative of the “waterproof” versions of the A-11 specification. In a departure from the vintage design Cruxible’s case back features a high-dome that is designed to allow the watch to sit more comfortably on the wrist.

Since the Type A-11 watches were non-luminous we incorporated the SuperLumiNova such that its presence is hidden in plain sight. Barely discernible to the unaided eye the dial is deftly coated with SLN on its four cardinal points to prioritize legibility but boldly announce itself in the dark. The fully luminous hands are constructed to recall their spartan origins through a modern approach that is more aesthetically cohesive with the dial. 

Photographs: MKII Watches

I do like the discrete scripts on the watch dial.

The specifications:

Case Width:  39.00 mm

Case Length:  48.50 mm

Case Thickness:  13.55 mm

Lug Width:  20.00 mm

Weight:  78 grams (without strap)

Crystal:  Double domed sapphire crystal, with anti-reflective coating on interior surface only

Luminous:  SuperLumiNova

Movement:  Made in Japan SII NE15 (Rotor features Côtes de Genève), quickset date, hack setting, automatic with manual winding capability. Movement origin: Made in Japan

Water Resistance: 10 ATMs

Case Finish: Bead blasted 316L stainless steel

The watch comes in two versions, one with date and the other without. 

Photographs: MKII Watches

For more information:

MKII Cruxible

Lume shot...

It has been a while but this is one I just got...

This is an interesting one. And no it is not an IWC or JLC but it is a homage to the Mk XI watches. It is from MKII and it the Hawkinge. It is part of their ready to wear collection. 

Fulcrum

MKII watches has released its newest watch in the Fulcrum. The Fulcrum is an amalgamation of a number of concepts or inspiration. Basically the Fulcrum could be what the "American Milsub" would ave looked like if it were issued to the US Military.

The Fulcrum features a "Tropic" domed sapphire crystal, a curved back, bead blasted finish (against the favoured Parkerized or satin finish) and a 12-hour GMT styled bezel (with a 20 minute elapsed counter). 

As with any of MKII creations, the watches they produced are 'modernised' with features like anti-magnetic shielding (up to 80,000 A/m), a date complication, Helium release valve, modern luminous material (Lume-brik technology) while preserving some of the old vintage design such as drilled lugs. 

The Fulcrum is built in the USA with a Swiss movement (Soprod A10) and will retail for USD 1,925.  MKII is however currently running a promotion and you can get the watch for USD 1,732. There are two models to chose from, the difference is the colour of the bezel insert. 

For more information:

MKII Fulcrum

The watch....

The Fulcrum is 42mm in diameter and is 15mm thick. 

The Helium escape valve. The watch is rated to 30 ATM. 

The MOD type sword hands and the 12-hour GMT style bezel insert.

The case back, screw down design.

The SuperLuminova BGW9 luminous material.

The Soprod A10 automatic movement with the MKII signed rotor. 

Photographs: MKII

MKII Stingray crown replacement

One of my favourite watch is from independent small manufacturer MKII in the Stingray 50. I like the watch because it is a homage to the very beautiful Blancpain Fifty Fathoms from the 50s. I am still hoping for MKII to release a larger commercial production of the TR1000, but in the meantime, the Stingray will do. 

Sometime back, while I was wearing the watch, some accidentally nudge me and the watch fell. My heart fell along with it. I quickly picked up the watch and looked and inspected the watch. I did not see any damage. Phew.... But was I so lucky? 

Sadly no. When I got home, I tried to unscrew the crown. I could not. I tried harder and it finally gave way. I thought it was all OK, but on closer inspection.....

The stem tube was seized to the crown and have gotten unscrewed instead of the crown. Heart sank. I tried to separate the crown from the stem tube but failed. Did not have the right tools. 

Another view. 

Sent the watch to my friendly watch guy, but he too failed. 

What to do. I thought and tried to contact MKII and see if they stocked parts for their watches. I did not expect much as they are a small company and I did not expect them to stock the parts. What more, the Stingray has long been discontinued. 

To my surprised, MKII responded and they have the parts. Happiness. A few days later....

The package....

The parts list....

The parts, very well protected in bubble wrap. 

The new crown. 

The stem tube and at the top of the photograph, the metal gasket. 

Since I do not have the right tools and expertise, I sent the parts and watch to my friendly watch guy.

The watch with new crown, stem tube and gasket. And WR tested. Happy I am.

The damaged crown and stem tube. 

The crown and stem tube together. 

I have to say that I am first and foremost surprised that a small independent watch company would keep stock of parts.  It is not cheap. I learn something new everyday. But this of course is not a blanket statement for all small independent watch companies. Secondly, the service rendered by MKII to resolve the problem was first class, as was getting the parts to me. I am indeed suitably impressed. 

Some good news

Good news coming out from MKII. It seems that there will be a new Stingray out this year but the best news of all is that the TR (Tornek Rayville) will see the light day in a second issue also sometime this year. I am really looking forward to this. I will keep you updated once I have more information.

MKII Cyber Monday Special Offer

I am not sure what is this Cyber Monday thing, but any special offer is a good offer, more so from MKII. On top of getting a great and extremely well made watch, for a limited time, MKII is offering to include the following items when you purchase their LRRP GMT 48 (HRV):

1. Maxmadco Pen

2. Maratac NATO strap

3. AF Strap Pin Tool

The MKII LRRP GMT 48 (HRV) watch:

Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date and GMT complication

Case: 316L stainless steel case, 42.50 mm diameter, 13.50 mm thick

Movement: ETA 2893-2 automatic movement

Crystal: double dome sapphire

Water resistant: 30 ATM

Price: USD 1,265

For more information:

LRRP GMT 48 (HRV)

The watch:

I like the case back design.

MKII signed movement.

Photographs: MKII

For those who are not familiar with the Maxmadco pen, or the company, the people behind Maxmadco are the people behind the very popular Marathon SAR watch. I do have to say that the pen looks good and very 'engineered'. 

For more information:

Maxmadco

MKII Seafighter Bund I-C (DLC)

MKII watches have released (perhaps a limited run?) of their new Seafighter Bund I-C with DLC. This watch is based on a watch that was originally issued to German combat divers during the 70s. I am not a fan of the over sized minute hands, but I have to say that in this iteration, it does look good. 

Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date complication

Case: 316L stainless steel with DLC, 42.35 mm diameter, 14.22 mm thick

Crystal: double domed sapphire

Movement: ETA 2824-2 Elabore grade

The watch retails for USD 1,095. 

For more information:

Seafighter Bund I-C (DLC)

The watch.

I like the position of the crown. It does prevent the crown from digging the owners wrist.

The coating looks very good.

The MKII signed movement.

Photographs: MKII

MKII Watches

The secret is finally out. Well not really, as most people who knows the brand already know the amount of love and attention Bill Yao puts into his watches. But, now he puts it up for all to see and understand why it takes a long time to get one of his pre-built watches. Enjoy.

MKII Pre-bulit watches

Even more lume shots....

This time it is the very popular MKII Stingray 50. I got this watch pre-loved, so the option of getting the luminous bezel was not there. It would be nice to get the luminous bezel, like the original, but beggars cannot be choosers. I am happy just to have one. 

I have to say that the lume is great. It is very bright and last a long time. I am a sucker for luminous Arabic markers. 

More macro photography

More macro photography, this time the model is the MKII Stingray 50 MOD 2C.

The crown, the operation of which is buttery smooth.

The case back. I wish the engraving/ etching were a tad deeper.

The hands. I love that it is white and not polished.

The 12 o'clock marker. As this is one of the Swiss made ones (not personalised by Bill), I could not opt of the lumed bezel insert.

The 50 bezel. There is the 60 and 70 bezel, corresponding with the bezel on the original Fifty Fathoms according to the decade it was issued. The 50 is from the 50s and so on.

The discrete date display, white on black background. I like.