Get ready to set sail with a splash of colour! Batavi, a Dutch microbrand known for shaking things up with cool designs like the Atelier and Architect, is back with a fresh collection perfect for summer adventures. The new Batavi Marina Chronograaf series brings four vibrant, nautical-themed watches that pack a surprising punch for their accessible price point. These aren’t just pretty faces; they blend eye-catching style with a reliable mechanical engine inside, making them a standout option if you’re looking for an affordable chronograph.
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What’s the big deal? Think compact size, unique layered dials with awesome depth, and a proper hand-wound movement usually found in pricier watches, all wrapped up in a fun, summery vibe. Plus, there’s a unique bonus you won’t find with most watches.
Batavi Marina Chronograaf watch collection laid out
A Compact Case with Detail
The case of the Marina Chronograaf is made from stainless steel and feels nice and compact on the wrist at 38mm across. While it sits 13.5mm tall, which might sound a bit high on paper, the 46mm lug-to-lug measurement helps it wear comfortably on many wrists. The height also adds to the visual presence, especially with the dial design (more on that in a bit), which feels like a fair trade-off.
You get classic chronograph pushers at the usual 2 and 4 o’clock positions, and a signed crown that you pull out to set the time. The watch offers 50 metres of water resistance, which is fine for splashes but not swimming. Protecting the dial is a domed crystal that gives that cool, slightly distorted vintage look when viewed from an angle. Flip the watch over, and you’ll find a clear caseback showing off the mechanical heart, which is nicely decorated – a great touch at this price. The polished accents on the bezel and the sleek three-link bracelet with a signed folding clasp and tool-free micro-adjustment complete the package, making it easy to get just the right fit.
Close-up view of Batavi Marina Chronograaf on wrist showing case details
Dials That Pop: Fun Nautical Colours and Layers
The dials are arguably the star of the show here, capturing that yachting timer spirit with four distinct colour choices:
- Sunrise: A cool gradient blend of pink and light blue with traditional Arabic numerals, giving off definite ‘Miami Vice’ vibes.
- Night: A classic black dial with subtle purple accents.
- Sand: An off-white base dial with lively orange and turquoise details.
- Mist: A clean white dial paired with cool blue tones.
While Sunrise stands out with its gradient and unique numerals, the other three offer equally appealing, more conventional looks with standard Arabic numerals.
What makes these dials special is their “sandwich-style” construction. Imagine a sapphire top layer with cut-outs placed over a base dial. The numerals, minute track (that outer “railroad” ring), and text are on the top layer, creating a subtle shadow on the layer below. The two sub-dials – a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock – are recessed into the base dial, adding depth and dimension. The central chronograph hand has a cool open-worked triangular tip, and the main hour and minute hands are shaped like syringes and filled with lume for visibility in the dark. Each dial truly has its own personality.
Close-up showing the layered dial of the Batavi Marina Chronograaf with sub-dials
Powering the Fun: A Reliable Hand-Wound Movement
Under the hood (or rather, behind the exhibition caseback) is the hand-wound Seagull ST1901 movement. For those new to watches, “hand-wound” means you need to manually turn the crown to power it up – a cool, interactive part of owning a mechanical watch. This movement is also a “column-wheel” chronograph, which is a sought-after feature for its smooth pusher feel and is often found in higher-end chronographs.
The ST1901 is a proven performer and a popular choice in the world of accessible mechanical chronographs, used by brands like Studio Underd0g (though they use a variant). It runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and offers a power reserve of 50 hours when fully wound. Functions include the main time display, the central chronograph seconds hand, the 30-minute counter, and the small seconds display. As mentioned, it’s nicely decorated with patterns like Côtes de Genève and blued screws, looking much more expensive than the watch’s price suggests.
View of the Seagull ST1901 hand-wound chronograph movement through the exhibition caseback
A Scent of the Sea: The Marina Fragrance
Adding a unique twist, each Marina Chronograaf comes with a complimentary fragrance also named Marina. Inspired by days spent by the sea, the scent blends notes of sea salt, sweet sunscreen, and sun-warmed wood – designed to evoke memories of coastal life. It’s an interesting bonus that ties back to the collection’s nautical theme, uniting two passions of the brand: watches and fragrance.
The Price Tag: Surprising Value
Now, for the best part: the price. Batavi is launching the Marina Chronograaf collection starting at just EUR 599. This is an incredibly competitive price for a stylish, compact mechanical chronograph with a column-wheel movement and unique dial design. The price will increase gradually to EUR 649 and then EUR 699, so getting in early definitely pays off. Considering the design details, the mechanical movement, and even the included fragrance, the value proposition here is very strong.
Two Batavi Marina Chronograaf watches side-by-side on a wrist
Final Thoughts
The Batavi Marina Chronograaf collection is a fantastic example of what microbrands do best: offering distinctive designs, solid mechanicals, and great value that larger brands often can’t match. The fun, nautical colours, the cool layered dials, the compact size, and the inclusion of the reliable Seagull ST1901 hand-wound chronograph movement make these watches a compelling choice, especially at the launch price. If you’re looking for a stylish, affordable mechanical chronograph with a twist, the Marina Chronograaf is definitely worth checking out.
For more details and to see all the colours, head over to the official Batavi website.
