Méraud Watch Co. presents the Antigua, a stunning mechanical manual-winding chronograph with a New Old Stock Swiss Landeron 248 movement.
Limited to pieces, this new timepiece comes with distinct design details that evoke a maritime racing heritage. The Antigua follows the resounding success of the Méraud Bonaire, launched in 2018 by the Belgian watch firm.
The Antigua takes us to the golden age of chronograph designs, the 1960s. The name is an ode to the Antigua Classic Regatta, and the subdial located at 3 o’ clock can even be used to time a moving start of a yachting race.
This hand-wound chronograph watch is available in two dial variants, deep Miho Black and cream Soft Sand. The serrated unidirectional rotating bezel is lumed and contains a scratch-resistant sapphire insert.
Landeron Calibre 248
The Swiss Made Landeron 248 was one of a family of cam switching chronograph movements widely used in the 1960s. Sourced from a well-preserved New Old Stock, each caliber has been completely overhauled.
Visible through the exhibition case-back, each movement comes with a unique “Méraud” engraving on the bridge. With this release and by manufacturing in Switzerland the brand is now able to move up a step. It’s a positive evolution for Méraud as a brand according to the founder.
The regatta timer on the Antigua is used by yacht crews to count down to the start of the race, allowing boats to build up speed close to the starting line.
Dial
As with all Méraud watches, this new timepiece fuses vintage classic design with modern innovations. The two-layer dial epitomizes this dichotomy, with its stepped dial referencing the past, while the subdials have a distinct modern look. A tachymeter on the outer step features Art Deco numerals and returns in the “big-eye” 45-minutes subdial.
Case
The Meraud Antigua Chronograph has a slim and sleek profile, with a case thickness of 13.50mm. Made of stainless steel, the elegant case measures 40mm at the bezel and 39mm at the case.
In addition, the case is finished with a mix of linear, circular, high-polished and brushed finishes. The refined chamfers on the lugs, drilled lugholes, and dodecagonal caseback shape are elements that reflect the same design language as the Méraud Bonaire diving watch.
Straps and Bracelets
The Antigua’s leather strap is made in collaboration with Molequin, the Belgian watch strap maker known and recognized for its outstanding quality, craftsmanship and ‘less is more’ approach.
The Antigua comes on a quality top-grain buffed nubuck strap. Along with this, the brand is also offering an additional rubber strap and optional steel bracelet, which can be interchanged easily thanks to drilled lug holes.
The Méraud Antigua watch is waterproof up to 100 meters.
Technical details
Model: Méraud Antigua
Versions
Available in “Miho Black” and “Soft Sand” dial versions
Case
316L stainless steel case
Case diameter: 39mm (40mm including bezel)
13.5 mm in height
Finishing: Brushed sides, circular brushed lugs with polished bevels, and lug holes for easy strap changes. Outer bezel edge and caseback are polished
Bezel: Scratch resistant Sapphire “Bakelite” insert with luminous numerals and indicators.
Crystal: Both crystals (front and back) are made out of sapphire and treated with a colourless double anti-reflective coating.
Crown: Low-profile polished crown (no crown guards).
Water resistance: Pressure tested up to 10atm/100m.
Dial
Double layered dial finished in either gloss black (“Miho Black”) or a warm grainy cream color (“Soft Sand”). Applied dial indexes, faceted and polished. Lume dots finished with “Old Radium” Swiss Super-LumiNova®
Hands
Large dauphine minute and hour hand combined with an orange “lollipop” seconds hand. All filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova®. Pastel-colored running seconds hand at 3h, inspired by the shape of a nautical compass. White or black colored minute hand at 9, for better legibility
Movement
Swiss-Made, new old stock Landeron 248 caliber. Each caliber has been completely overhauled. The bridge of each movement has been engraved with the Méraud logo. Manual chronograph caliber with 41h power reserve. No longer in production.
Strap
Two straps included. Comes on a MOLEQUIN leather strap made of French nubuck. Soft and silky to the touch but equally resilient. There is an additional tropic rubber added to the package. A stainless steel bracelet is separately available.
Edition
Antigua “Miho Black”: Limited to 100 pieces
Antigua “Soft Sand”: Limited to 100 pieces
Retail price (excl. VAT)
EUR 1,750
Availability
Pre-order: 7th of February 2023
Deliveries: August/September 2023
