Belgium based watch brand Méraud has launched a Kickstarter online crowd funding campaign to raise funds for the initial mass production of its debut watch collection, the Bonaire Dive Watch.
Méraud Watch Co. was founded by vintage watch collector and one of the leading members of the Belgium Watch Club, Stijn Busschaert.
Méraud’s mission is to create exceptional, yet affordable vintage-inspired timepieces. Each Méraud watch is designed in-house. To realize the production of the watch, the company has partnered with some of the world’s top luxury brand suppliers such as movement manufactures based in Switzerland and premium manufactures of hand-finished leather straps, rubber and NATO-style straps.
The company’s inaugural model is the Méraud Bonaire dive watch. The name Méraud is derived from the French word for emerald (émeraude), symbolizing something precious. Bonaire is a Caribbean island that’s also known as ‘Diver’s Paradise’.
Inspired by dive watches from the 1960’s, the Méraud Bonaire combines a classic style with contemporary practicality. The Bonaire’s unidirectional diver’s bezel design was inspired by the Bakelite bezels from the 1950s and 1960s and is finished with a scratch-resistant sapphire to complement the active lifestyles of our time.
Staying true to the watches of that era, the elegant 316L stainless steel cases measure a perfect 39mm. In addition, the cases are finished with striking contrasts thanks to a mix of linear, circular, and high-polished brushed finishes. The Méraud Bonaire is water resistant to 200 meters of depth.
The Bonaire’s onyx black dial variant includes the patina-like Swiss SuperLuminova luminescence, emphasizing classic retro aesthetics. Meanwhile, the Bonaire’s graphite grey and marine blue dial options are finished with C3 SuperLuminova. Each dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal that’s reminiscent of vintage dive watches.
The watch features lug holes for easy strap changes on the watch case. In fact, each Méraud Bonaire watch comes with an extra rubber strap and NATO-style strap to accompany the selected leather strap or steel bracelet.
Buyers will receive a handy strap changing tool as well. The complete set –watch, straps, and tool – is presented in a beautifully finished wooden box. The steel rivet bracelet will be a stretch goal on Kickstarter.
The Méraud Bonaire watch is powered by a modified Caliber STP1-11, the Swiss made watch movement that operates at 28,800 beats per hour and offers a 44-hour power reserve. The movement has a “perlage” finish, while the rotor has the “Côte de Geneve” finish and Méraud signature.
Kickstarter price starts at €645.
Technical details
Model: Bonaire (available in Onyx Black, Marine Blue, and Graphite Grey)
Case
The 316L stainless steel case is 39mm in diameter x 12.5 mm in height and was pressure tested to 20bar/200m. It has brushed sides, circular brushed lugs with polished bevels, and lug holes for easy strap changes. The case’s outer bezel edge is polished while the caseback is brushed and sandblasted with the Méraud logo. The different finishes were carefully selected to give the watch unique character and contrast.
Dial
The watch dial is either a painted gloss black (Onyx Black model), a warm deep blue sunburst (Marine Blue model), or graphite grey sunburst (Graphite Grey model). Each option contains high-contrast printed white text and applied polished indexes filled with Super-LumiNova®. The Onyx Black dial is finished with patina-like Super-LumiNova, while the blue and grey sunburst dials are finished with C3 SuperLumiNova
Hands
Index hands are polished and lumed for excellent legibility
Movement
Swiss-made STP1-11 automatic caliber (can be modified upon request to a no-date movement). Constructed with two crown positions – winding & setting the time – to avoid the dead position
Bezel
Scratch resistant Sapphire “Bakelite” insert (black or blue) comes with luminous Swiss numerals and indicators. The bezel of the Onyx Black model is finished with patina-like Super-LumiNova, while the blue and grey sunburst models are finished with C3 SuperLumiNova
Crystal
One-sided, anti-reflective, and scratch resistant sapphire with a slight dome
Crown
Low-profile polished crown (no crown guards)
Lugs
Profiled lugs with polished bevels and drilled spring bar holes
Bracelet
Comes on a premium, textured cognac, blue or grey leather calf strap fit with anti-allergenic lining
Each strap is hand-finished and saddle-stitched to embody a classic style. Customers may choose between a leather strap or a steel bracelet (riveted) as standard.
There is an additional tropic rubber and NATO strap added to the package, including a strap tool
