I always love reviewing Melbourne Watch Co’s offerings. I’ve been a fan and have more or less reviewed every one of their watches since their very first watch, the Flinders.
Now, we are presented with their latest timepiece – I make it their 9th (which is mightily impressive considering they only started early 2014) – the Sorrento. Just looking at it you an tell what kind of watch this is – a sturdy diver with a delicate and classy dial (ceramic, like the Portsea). A very nice concoction in my mind. The price, however, is their most expensive to date – costing $949 AUD / ~£588. Lets see if it’s still a good buy.
The specs
- Dimensions: 42mm diameter x 14mm height x 50mm lug to lug
- Weight: 198g
- Water resistance rating: 200m
- Movement: Miyota 9015
- Accuracy: 12 s/d
- Lug width: 22mm
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price: $949 AUD / ~£588
The case
The case is a real beast. Chunky in size, appearance and weight; it provides a genuine sense of quality.
The shape is simple enough and the finishing is primarily brushed, to ensure resistance against scuffs and to make it hard wearing.
I always find Melbourne Watch Co have slightly too small crowns in ratio to the case, and I think it’s the same on the Sorrento. It is impeccably machined and finished and has the M logo engraved on the end, as is their custom. The case also has decent crown guards which will provide good protection.
The double-layered engraved bezel is pretty special: the wave pattern is striking and is moulded to a very high level of quality. The hour markings are cut out accurately, but it’s a shame they’re not filled with lume though – they’re screaming out to be! Literally, the only issue with the watch I have been able to spot is the alignment of the pip in the triangular marker at 12. The bezel has great grip around the outer edge and a lovely silky action to boot.
The caseback has deep stamped detailing in the centre; that of a scuba diving headpiece. It’s precise and intricate.
The flat sapphire crystal has great clarity and an anti-reflective coating, allowing the various reflective surfaces of the dial to do all the talking.
The dial
The multi-layered ceramic dial is very intricate and dispenses a number of reflective surfaces and elements.
The base level has a lumpy / linear finish to it, after which there’s a glossy ring around this at higher level. Finally there’s one more higher level with the minute track on. These layers bestow depth and visual diversity.
The printing of the logo and “Sorrento” on the base level are on little platforms to make sure the printwork is on a flat surface.
The hour markers are all applied discs – apart from 3, 6 and 9 – which are delicate adjoining batons that link the glossy ring with the lower level.
The hands are an interesting shape, with a polished channel down the centre and brushed edges. There is a lumed strip along the centre too, towards the top.
The seconds hand is a straight point with an elongated block near the end. The usual M logo has been used as the counterweight.
The lume strength is slightly above average.
The bracelet
The bracelet is of great construction, to match the case. The links are smooth, accurately machined and flawlessly finished. They have a polished centre link, and brushed side links which have polished edges. They are also brushed on the underside to allow for a comfortable wear on the wrist.
The bracelet comes fitted on a double locking deployant buckle. The polished top locking strip has the M logo engraved in the centre, and the rest is brushed.
It’s easy to adjust thanks to the screw pins – the entire thing is also easy to remove thanks to the quick release pins. I’ve not seen these on a bracelet before, so a neat job by Melbourne Watch Co including these in.
The movement
The movement used is the Miyota 9015, one that’s used a lot in microbrands nowadays. And no wonder really, as it boasts the same specs as many Swiss Made autos (40 hours power reserve, hacking seconds, hand winding) and has the potential to be as accurate and reliable too.
The accuracy of this one in particular, measured with my Lepsi Watch Scope is 12 s/d out. Whilst this is fairly reasonable for a non-COSC movement, I have seen 9015’s regulated to within COSC specs.
Final comments
The Melbourne Watch Co Sorrento truly is a delightful watch, there’s no denying that. The quality of this timepiece is easily the best I’ve seen yet from the Australian brand. The quality of finish to the case, bracelet and dial – everything really, is superb. The only thing I can see that needs noting is the pip in the marker at 12 in the bezel insert.
But, unfortunately – and being completely honest, I personally feel the price is a little too high. For $949 AUD / ~£588, we’re talking about the same price as well established Swiss Made watches. That just might be too much for a watch with a Miyota in, but at least the quality is most definitely there.
