Channeling the golden age of chronograph designs, Méraud Watch Co introduces its latest in the new Antigua model. Serving as an ode to the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta race in the Caribbean, the watch follows-up on the 2019-introduced Bonaire diver, which like today’s model was itself a 1960s vintage-inspired timepiece.
In design, the new Antigua channels early diver chronograph styles with a vintage regatta twist via its “big eye” aesthetic, recalling historical styles like those seen produced by Nivada Grenchen, Croton, Yema, and others. These vintage models were purpose built for yacht-racing and sailing, pairing equal parts chronograph utility with dive sturdiness, and the latest from Méraud matches the style with its own modern flair.
In dimensions, the Antigua opts for moderate sizing, making use of a 40mm by 13.5mm steel case, with contrasting brushed and polished finishing throughout providing a nice combination of textures to elevate the sporty look. A pair of pump pushers and a slightly domed crown add to its vintage credentials on the right side, while a Bakelite insert produced with a faux patina colorway is put to use for the watch’s dive scale for its unidirectional bezel. A 100m water resistance ensures its aquatic wearability when secured to the wrist via its tropic rubber strap or triple link steel bracelet.
Heading underneath the domed sapphire crystal, we come to the vintage-inspired design code of the Antigua’s dial. Available in a glossy “Miho Black” or warm “Soft Sand” colorway, the display is outlined via an outer tachymetric scale, with a smart use of line work adding some chic sectoring to the look.
Dots of lume are placed at each hour position, with faceted, applied hour markers matching their placement at most positions. At the 3 o’clock, a stepped 60-minute chronograph counter with its sizing and coloration adds firmly to the model’s vintage recall, while in parallel at the 9 o’clock a compass-inspired running seconds counter is at work. Sweeping overhead are a pair of lume-filled, dauphine hands for the hour and minute counters, while a lollipop-style chronograph seconds counter adds one more pop of orange pastel to the aesthetic.
Inserting a piece of real history to the vintage-inspired look of the model, Méraud added new old stock Landeron 248 caliber to power the Antigua. Refreshed, overhauled, and engraved with the brand’s logo on its largest bridge, the vintage caliber powered a generation of historical chronographs, with the use of the manually-wound caliber helping connect the new diver chronograph strongly and authentically with its source material. Capable of a 41-hour power reserve, the mechanical caliber is visible via an exhibition case back, adding a modern visual touch to the historical intrigue.
The Méraud Antigua is presented on a French nubuck leather strap and comes with an additional tropic rubber strap option as well. Notably the leather strap was produced in partnership with strap maker Molequin, a popular maison which like Méraud is also Belgium-founded. The Antingua “Miho Black” and “Soft Sand” models will each be produced in a run of 100 pieces, with pricing marked at 1,750 euros (approximately $1,900 USD). Pre-orders begin today, with shipping expected to begin late summer 2023.
To learn more, visit Méraud here.
