The Fun & Affordable Batavi Marina Chronograaf

Batavi is a burgeoning microbrand in the Netherlands and no stranger to fresh designs with models like the Atelier and Architect, the latter being a slick integrated sports watch. Style and accessible pricing really define the brand, and the latest Marina Chronograaf collection is no exception. Four bi-compax chronographs with fun nautical colours are perfect for summer days on the water or after-hours beach nightlife, and the attention to detail goes beyond just fresh colourways. Multidimensional dials, compelling finishing and a workhorse column-wheel chrono movement highlight Batavi’s ongoing commitment to affordable excellence.

The stainless steel case is compact at 38mm in diameter, but to some might just be a bit on the tall side at 13.5mm in height (lug-to-lug is 46mm). That said, it wears very well on the wrist, and the dial design adds to the height, which is a worthwhile tradeoff. The Marina Chronograaf has classic chrono pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock with a signed push/pull crown at 3 o’clock. Water-resistance is 50 metres. A domed crystal protects the dial (with retro distortions at angles), and an exhibition caseback displays a well-decorated movement that belies the accessible price. A polished bezel and accents extend to the three-link bracelet, which features a signed folding clasp with tool-free micro-adjusting.

The dials are the real standout of these yacht timers with four distinctive colourways: Sunrise with a gradient two-tone finish of pink and light blue; Night with a black dial and purple accents; Sand with an off-white dial and orange and turquoise accents; and Mist with a white dial and cool blue tones. Sunrise is perhaps the most interesting with a Miami Vice vibe and traditional Arabic numerals, while the others are a bit more conventional with solid base dials and standard (Western) Arabic numerals.

The dials have a sandwich-style design with a sapphire top layer and circular cut-outs over the sub-dials. The top layer holds the numerals, outer railroad track and dial text that cast a shadow on the base dial below, where the two sub-dials are recessed. All four have very distinct personalities. There’s a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock, and the central chronograph seconds hand has an open-worked triangular tip. The syringe-style hour and minute hands are filled with lume.

Powering the new Marina Chronograaf collection is the hand-wound Seagull ST1901 column-wheel chronograph with 21 jewels, a beat rate of 21,600vph (3Hz) and a power reserve of 50 hours. Functions include central hours, minutes and chronograph seconds, a 30-minute counter and small seconds. This is the same calibre used by familiar brands like Studio Underd0g and Mercer, and is a proven, reliable workhorse for accessible chronographs (Studio Underd0g uses a custom variant, ST1901B, that features a black mainplate). Seen from the exhibition caseback, decorations include Côtes de Genève, perlage and blued screws, and it’s a decidedly striking movement, regardless of price.

A bonus comes in the form of a complementary fragrance, Marina, inspired by long days at sea and afternoons on the shore. Specific scents include sea salt, sweet sunscreen and sun-warmed wood. As Batavi puts it, “Scent is memory in motion”, and Marina unites two passions of the brand, timepieces and fragrance. All of this starts at EUR 599 on launch day, which is quite a bargain for such stylish chronographs and a fragrance to boost the spirit of marine life. Prices rise to EUR 649 and then EUR 699 over time, so the early bird gets the worm, as they say.

For more information, please visit Batavi-Watches.com.