The story of Marvin dates back to 1850 when brothers Marc and Emmanuel Didisheim decided to create a watch company at St-Imier in the Bernese Jura. The name was derived from one of their business partners; an American pocket watch enthusiast. The brand has enjoyed an illustrious history producing a series of watches for airlines such as KLM and Air France. They have also had precious support from numerous celebrities including the legendary Stirling Moss.
In 2002 the dynamic husband and wife team Jean-Daniel and Cecile Maye bought Marvin. Recently I have had numerous telephone conversations with many key players in the organisation including Cecile. She was very optimistic about the company’s future and the critical acclaim their fantastic watches are receiving. At the prestigious Baselworld 2013 convention they unveiled many exciting new models including the superb Malton Cushion 160.
My first impression of the timepiece is how elegant it actually looks. Normally the images do not do these watches justice and this is a perfect case in point. Measuring 42mm x 42mm the Malton Cushion 160 isn’t a particularly large watch by present standards. The piece was pleasant to wear and sat comfortably on my wrists. This is primarily down to the delicate styling and skillfully crafted case. Realistically the classic design of the watch should appeal to a broad demographic. I also feel this timepiece would be a practical option to wear on a daily basis for either casual or formal occasions.
Visually the Malton Cushion 160 exudes elegant charm and refinement. Marvin has produced numerous models within this series with a variety of different facades. The model I tried on was the M119.13.94.67, which has a wonderful lattice green dial and leather strap. Essentially the layout of the composition is minimalistic and unfussy. Fundamentally I feel this is integral to the success of the cleverly conceived design. My favourite elements include the bold numeral and the large aperture positioned at 6 o’clock displaying the date. Overall the watch has a really cool retro appearance.
Underneath the watch’s impeccable exterior the company has equipped it with the technically adept Sellita SW 200. This Swiss mechanical movement comprises 26 jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) delivering a respectable 38-hour power reserve. Functionally the timepiece features hours, minutes, seconds, date and is water resistant to a depth of 50 meters / 160 feet.
Ultimately the Malton Cushion 160 is a decent watch with a realistic price tag of $1,250.
http://www.marvinwatches.com
