Just in time for Black Friday, MMI Watches is launching their second collection on Kickstarter, the Turret 300M, a naval-inspired dive watch concept. First established in June 2019, the Singapore-based microbrand successfully launched their debut collection - the Dumbo 500M - on the crowdfunding site last summer. Now they're looking to go 2-for-2.
Founder Victor Wee established MMI Watches on three design principles: modernization, modification and innovation. Modernization in transforming traditional watchmaking using a modern touch, modification in redefining watchmaking design, and innovation via a constant injection of new ideas and methods to improve watch design.
The MMI Turret is both a dive watch and dress watch; a watch for every occasion if you will. The concept behind the watch's design comes from an "ironclad" naval warship, the U.S.S. Monitor. First built during the American Civil War, its warship technology was state of the art at the time, and completely transformed and revolutionized naval warfare - a legacy MMI is hoping to follow with the Turret 300M.
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Here's a little history lesson for you: the U.S.S. Monitor's newly designed iron-hulled ship structure was very different from earlier iterations, thanks to a 360-degree rotatable turret with two internal cannons mounted in the middle of the ship. While other warships were restricted by the need to maneuver their target in-line with its onboard cannons, the U.S.S. Monitor could instantly rotate its turret, aim and fire, no complex maneuvering necessary. In other words, it was a revolutionary upgrade, one which MMI Watches hopes to mirror by injecting similarly innovative design elements into their watches, with the goal of standing out from the competition.
And so, the Turret 300M was born. For the new collection, MMI Watches incorporated three modern design elements: first, an aesthetically-pleasing Special Date Display in the style of a sub-dial, positioned centrally within the dial.
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Second, MMI experimented with an Ion Plated (IP) stainless steel bezel insert, in place of the traditionally used anodized aluminum bezel insert. Ion Plated surfaces are five to eight times more durable and resistant to corrosion and wear. When Ion Plating is combined with stainless steel, you end up with a heavy-duty, durable result that can withstand the rigors of daily use. Also, from an aesthetics standpoint, the blue stainless-steel insert mesmerizes with its color-changing qualities, going from light blue to blue to dark blue to black depending on the lighting of its environment.
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Third, the Turret case design differs somewhat from traditional dive watches. Typically, the rotating bezel is mounted flat onto the watch case. However, with the Turret, the rotating bezel has been mounted slightly into the case, in a similar fashion to the turret on the U.S.S. Monitor. Due to this design deviation, the rotating bezel is guarded by the four angular sides of the watch case and, at the same time, is (to an extent) protected from accidental moves or rotations - a quality sure to be appreciated by those looking to use it as a diver.
![15569372]()
![15569373]()
The Turret case wears 40mm on the wrist, 47mm lug to lug and measures 13.3mm thick. Cases are available in 316L surgical-grade stainless steel and diamond-like carbon (DLC) black 316L surgical grade stainless steel. The 120-clicks uni-directional bezel features Swiss Super-LumiNova C1 Grade A/Old Radium Grade A/BGW9. The dial has been horizontal brushed and the hands and indexes are coated with Swiss Super-LumiNova C1 Grade A/Old Radium Grade A/BGW9. Atop sits a 3mm sapphire crystal with multilayers of anti-reflective coating on the underside. The watch is sealed with a signed screw-down crown and is water resistant to 300 metres. Within beats the versatile and reliable 21600ph/3Hz Seiko NH35 movement, making this watch a powerhouse that would do the Monitor proud.
The MMI Turret is teamed with a 316L stainless steel bracelet with dual quick-release milled clasp, and a tropic rubber strap is issued as standard. Otherwise, a genuine brown leather strap accompanies the DLC model.
![15569374]()
In total, there are four series within the collection to choose from: Special Date, Contemporary, Heritage and Full Lume, which special Kickstarter pricing starting from $279 USD. All prices stated on the campaign page are inclusive of shipping charges; however, please note that every backer is responsible for their respective country's custom/import duty tax, VAT or GST.
Visit the MMI Turret 300M Kickstarter page today!
Founder Victor Wee established MMI Watches on three design principles: modernization, modification and innovation. Modernization in transforming traditional watchmaking using a modern touch, modification in redefining watchmaking design, and innovation via a constant injection of new ideas and methods to improve watch design.
The MMI Turret is both a dive watch and dress watch; a watch for every occasion if you will. The concept behind the watch's design comes from an "ironclad" naval warship, the U.S.S. Monitor. First built during the American Civil War, its warship technology was state of the art at the time, and completely transformed and revolutionized naval warfare - a legacy MMI is hoping to follow with the Turret 300M.
Here's a little history lesson for you: the U.S.S. Monitor's newly designed iron-hulled ship structure was very different from earlier iterations, thanks to a 360-degree rotatable turret with two internal cannons mounted in the middle of the ship. While other warships were restricted by the need to maneuver their target in-line with its onboard cannons, the U.S.S. Monitor could instantly rotate its turret, aim and fire, no complex maneuvering necessary. In other words, it was a revolutionary upgrade, one which MMI Watches hopes to mirror by injecting similarly innovative design elements into their watches, with the goal of standing out from the competition.
And so, the Turret 300M was born. For the new collection, MMI Watches incorporated three modern design elements: first, an aesthetically-pleasing Special Date Display in the style of a sub-dial, positioned centrally within the dial.
Second, MMI experimented with an Ion Plated (IP) stainless steel bezel insert, in place of the traditionally used anodized aluminum bezel insert. Ion Plated surfaces are five to eight times more durable and resistant to corrosion and wear. When Ion Plating is combined with stainless steel, you end up with a heavy-duty, durable result that can withstand the rigors of daily use. Also, from an aesthetics standpoint, the blue stainless-steel insert mesmerizes with its color-changing qualities, going from light blue to blue to dark blue to black depending on the lighting of its environment.
Third, the Turret case design differs somewhat from traditional dive watches. Typically, the rotating bezel is mounted flat onto the watch case. However, with the Turret, the rotating bezel has been mounted slightly into the case, in a similar fashion to the turret on the U.S.S. Monitor. Due to this design deviation, the rotating bezel is guarded by the four angular sides of the watch case and, at the same time, is (to an extent) protected from accidental moves or rotations - a quality sure to be appreciated by those looking to use it as a diver.
The Turret case wears 40mm on the wrist, 47mm lug to lug and measures 13.3mm thick. Cases are available in 316L surgical-grade stainless steel and diamond-like carbon (DLC) black 316L surgical grade stainless steel. The 120-clicks uni-directional bezel features Swiss Super-LumiNova C1 Grade A/Old Radium Grade A/BGW9. The dial has been horizontal brushed and the hands and indexes are coated with Swiss Super-LumiNova C1 Grade A/Old Radium Grade A/BGW9. Atop sits a 3mm sapphire crystal with multilayers of anti-reflective coating on the underside. The watch is sealed with a signed screw-down crown and is water resistant to 300 metres. Within beats the versatile and reliable 21600ph/3Hz Seiko NH35 movement, making this watch a powerhouse that would do the Monitor proud.
The MMI Turret is teamed with a 316L stainless steel bracelet with dual quick-release milled clasp, and a tropic rubber strap is issued as standard. Otherwise, a genuine brown leather strap accompanies the DLC model.
In total, there are four series within the collection to choose from: Special Date, Contemporary, Heritage and Full Lume, which special Kickstarter pricing starting from $279 USD. All prices stated on the campaign page are inclusive of shipping charges; however, please note that every backer is responsible for their respective country's custom/import duty tax, VAT or GST.
Visit the MMI Turret 300M Kickstarter page today!
