Just as 2021 comes to a close I am in the process of finalising my 10th book about modern dress watches. I came up with the concept a couple of years ago at a gala ball I was attending. Fortunately, the idea resonated with my publisher Schiffer who saw huge potential in the project. Over the last few years, fashion trends have changed and males are now gravitating towards smarter attire. These days it is popular for a man to wear exceptionally tight fitted clothes. Therefore an extra-large timepiece isn’t the ideal choice for a tailored jacket. For that reason, more classically proportioned watches are having a renaissance period. In the book, I have included quite a few luxurious pieces that are well beyond most people’s budgets. However, there are some surprisingly affordable watches like the “Mr Grey” from Furlan Marri.
Impressively the “Mr Grey” won the ‘Revelation Prize’ at the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2021 awards. These awards are the watchmaking equivalent of the ‘Oscars’ and brands invest a lot of time and effort competing. For a small independent brand like Furlan Marri, this is absolute gold dust. Certainly, I don’t agree with all the judge’s selections. However, I do commend them for acknowledging a well-designed watch based on merit and not brand status.
If you are looking to purchase a beautiful dress watch that won’t break the bank. I would highly recommend the stylish “Mr Grey”. The watch exudes classical proportions and has a brushed 316L stainless steel case measuring 38mm. This makes it an ideal choice to wear with formal attire. What makes the timepiece so special is the matte grey sandblasted dial with raised polished indexes. Furlan Marri state they have paid particular attention to the legibility of the dial. For that reason, they used typefaces called ‘DECIMAL’ and ‘HENDERSON’. These typefaces are renowned for their lightness and uniqueness. Overall the modernistic composition is highly effective.
Powering the watch is a Japanese Seiko VK64 mechaquartz movement with a mechanical module. These calibres were first invented in Switzerland and Japan during the quartz crisis in the late 1980s. Essentially they were created to replicate the sweeping hand motion associated with mechanical watches. Functionally the “Mr Grey” hours, minutes, seconds chronograph with asthmometer (5 respirations) scale and 24 hours indication. The watch is also water-resistant to a depth of 50 metres. As a perfect final touch is a textured calf black colour strap with a complimentary stainless steel buckle.
