Licence to dazzle
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The Second Hour Mandala got a lot of attention upon release. Here was a watch with a face like nothing we had ever really seen, and on photos at least, looked like an absolute home run. As it turns out, it both was and is since if you want one now, you’ll simply have to wait. Most of the colour combinations proved so popular for this small Melbourne, Australia brand that day jobs were put on hold and future plans were made.
Sounds like a perfect microbrand approach. Design and build a unique watch, get it out there to all of the reviewers and run a successful Kickstarter campaign for a low risk, pre-paid launch. So when some of the early watches shipped and there were issues with the hardness treatments and the screws becoming locked, in the middle of a pandemic…and this all happening in one of the most locked down cities of the world, Melbourne. |
Imagine the heartache and agony for a small team. I witnessed some YouTubers in particular that seized the chance to go into attack mode. Everyone loves a controversy and it’s a sure way to get attention. Kickstarter backers are also not known for being of the patient kind. I’ve been one, I relate.
I’ve had some experience with Kickstarter campaigns that were not fun (and plenty of good ones too). I backed a Liv campaign that took over a year to fix, I even got stung by the Hamptun saga (although I secured a refund from Ross unlike many others). So when I say that how Peter and Akira dealt with this was exemplary, it comes from a place of experience. The issue was fixed, all affected bracelets replaced so we can now concentrate on admiring this watch. So let’s do that. |
My impressions after some time with the watch
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So what is Mandala exactly. It means circle in Sanskrit and has come to represent complex geometric designs of all kinds. From Wikipedia: In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid to meditation and trance induction.
Don’t worry though, you won’t go into a trance whilst checking the time. But you will be dazzled since this is one pretty watch. To my eyes, it’s more like jewellery than a time keeping instrument, which recognises that we mainly wear watches these days for that purpose than any other. We’re surrounded by machines that tell us the time after all...constantly. |
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I have two Mandala’s on loan, the coveted salmon colour and my all time favourite, the lightest shade of blue version you’ve ever seen. There’s no getting around the fact that the first thing you notice is that intricate dial. It is gorgeous. It’s almost impossible to not draw parallels to Seiko’s attractive Presage models.
They feel very similar in hand and are no less intricate. Where the Mandala stands out is all of the extra details. The triangular pattern for instance, the extra indeces at 12, 4 and 8, that serves no other purpose than being decorative and being a bit of a signature for Second Hour watches. The hands also stick out, these are no off the shelf hands. The top of the minute and hour hands have two ‘horns’ which is one of those details you only notice upon closer inspection, they look particularly interesting on the gold versions. |
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There’s a high polish bezel that holds the bevelled flat sapphire crystal in place, which has 6 layers of anti reflective coating on the underside. This bezel transitions down to the alternate polished and brushed case.
I’m not normally one for ‘pretty’ dress watches such as this, it’s not my thing. My Grand Seiko Snowflake is as far as I go for myself. However, I have so much respect for this achievement. It’s such an intricate design with so many elements and the fact that they all work together is quite astonishing. Sometimes looks can be deceiving too since as pretty as it is, the scratch resistant coating takes the hardness all the way up to a Vickers 800HV. Flipping the watch over we get a good view of the Miyota 9039 with a custom designed rotor that again, fits the pattern on the front. Another detail I love is that if you ordered a no date version, your movement is the right one with no ‘ghost’ position. That’s attention to detail right there. I also commend the ability to order with our without date since I personally prefer no date dials. Mainly since I can’t see small date windows without my stupid glasses (damn you, aging). |
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This movement is relatively thin too which means the height of this watch is only 10.5 mm. The lugs and sides of the watch have also been designed in such a way that it appears even slimmer than that.
The crown protectors flow nicely from the case and the knurled, signed, crown is easy to grip. Depending on your generation (latter), your crown could be lumed too which serves no other purpose than being fun. |
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In the unlikely event you’d want to remove this bracelet with its excellent fitted end links, the 20mm lug width ensures you can fit the majority of straps. I say unlikely since again, I feel this intricate bracelet fits the watch perfectly. They are not all individual links which makes it much easier to change and adjust. The alternate brushed and high polish design is lovely. Depending on your generation, which again proves that the team listens to feedback, you’ll have 3 or 4 micro adjust holes on the push button clasp, which features the Second Hour logo embossed. The clasp is good quality for this price range.
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Now to a slightly subjective topic. How does it wear? I have a 19cm wrist which is slightly larger than normal. At the 40mm diameter, it’s at the threshold for me in terms of wear, I don’t like anything smaller. Since it’s so slim it feels smaller and moulds to your wrist. It’s a very comfortable wear. For me personally, this is a dress watch and always would be for me. I couldn’t imagine wearing it walking the dog, but who am I to say doing an every day chore wouldn’t bring a bit of glamour to your day?
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Movement
Miyota 9039 high beat automatic – dedicated no date, 24 jewel movement (9015 for date versions) Strap & Bracelet
Case
miscellaneous
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Final Words
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The Second Hour Mandala is quite the achievement. I feel Microbrands that carve their own niche are the successful ones. I’d say it’d be much harder to do this through intricate and unique dial designs, for example, than pushing out era homages, referencing some forgotten explorer, sunken ship or the likes.
I know there are plenty of other designs in the pipeline that are both brave and fun. |
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Every brand needs a ‘bread and butter’ model that sells consistently and well and I hope that the Mandala is exactly that for Second Hour. This will allow them to keep releasing more watches, keep taking risks and keep sticking their chin out!
Whilst most of the models are currently sold out, I would highly recommend reaching out to the team since I’m reliable informed that there will be more Mandalas in 2022. If you liked this review, please share it with your communities and feel free to check out my YouTube channel if you haven’t already. Cheers Esbjorn |
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