Marvin Watches - The Loeb Special Edition
WORLDTEMPUS - 8 November 2010
- www.monochrome.nl
Marvin takes another step in the revival of the brand with the release of two new watches. The new Loeb Special Edition is available with a mechanical or quartz movement. Seven-time world champion rally racer Sebastien Loeb lent his name to the Loeb Special Edition. Loeb also co-designed the watch with Jean-François Ruchonnet, known for his work with the TAG Heuer Monaco V4 and Cabestan, and Sebastien Perret, who designed all recent Marvin models.
The 44 mm watch has a sandblasted steel case with shaped sides, which gives it a technical appearance. Both versions are available with a black or white dial featuring many racing style details. The mechanical version has an automatic chronograph Valjoux 7750 movement and is limited to 777 pieces. The quartz version's chronograph is accurate to 1/10th of a second.
An exceptional watch with racing style elements
The Loeb Special Edition features many details of professional rally racing that extend past the dial. The chronograph pushers resemble the pedals of a racing car and even have a similar pattern. The flexible lugs are mounted on red-colored spring suspensions, again a reference to rally cars. These flexible lugs make this 44 mm watch very comfortable to wear as it wraps itself around the wrist.
With the Loeb Special Edition, Marvin has a promising new watch in its collection; the entire watch breathes rally racing in its design. Several other elements are directly inspired by rally racing: the shaped counters designed like dashboard instruments; the dial composed of riveted plates on different levels; and the openworked hands that suggest a rally car's reinforcing bars.
Loeb was involved in every step of the design process
After the press conference Sebastian Loeb told me he was involved in every step of the design and production of the new Loeb Special Edition. Loeb's friend Ruchonnet approached him with the idea to create a watch. He liked the idea and one thing lead to another. Loeb tells me he's owns several watches and likes them, but he wouldn't call himself a serious watch collector. The fact he has several watches made it easier for him to discuss his ideas with designers Ruchonnet and Perret. Perret made many sketches from which Loeb could choose and base decisions on what to keep and what to lose on. In this manner the essence of what Loeb wanted to see in the watch was narrowed down to finally provide a final design. Even in the final stages of the design process, Loeb remained critical about details.
Loeb says he is very proud of his watch and pleased with this cooperation. He already has ideas for another watch.