Paulin makes a splash with its first dive watch, the Mara
Russell Sheldrake- Design-forward indie brand Paulin introduces its first dive watch, the Mara.
- Connecting with the brand’s Scottish roots, the name comes from Scots Gaelic, meaning ‘of the sea’.
- It combines Paulin’s creativity with true dive watch specs, such as 300m of water resistance and a unidirectional bezel.
Our friends over at Scottish independent brand Paulin have just released their first attempt at a diver with the Mara. To mark this watch out as authentically Scottish, the brand opted for the Scots Gaelic term for ‘of the sea’ to name it, and as this is the brand’s first go at making something capable of taking on a deep sea dive, they consulted with the number one expert in this arena, Jason Heaton – described by The New York Times as a “test pilot for some of the world’s most illustrious underwater timepieces” – to ensure the details were just right. So, let’s take a look at this debut diver from a brand that is known for its design over its tool watch capabilities.
While there are plenty of key dive watch characteristics here, it is still unmistakably a Paulin, and it’s nice to see a brand with such a strong visual identity maintain it while exploring new territory. The Mara carries over the case shape that we have seen from Paulin’s Modul line, with its rounded lugs giving the appearance of a classic turtle-shell design (as made famous by many Seiko dive watches). The case measures 39.7mm across with a substantial thickness of 13.5mm, but a conservative 48mm lug-to-lug makes it fit for most wrist sizes.
Sat atop this is a domed sapphire bezel with a fairly minimalist scale underneath, printed in Paulin’s own Wim typeface, that rolls into the double-domed sapphire crystal covering the equally minimalist dial. Rather than the standard dot or baton markers we would expect to find on a dive dial, we find a series of whimsical repeating squares, circles, and triangles, all made from hand-applied Super-LumiNova.
Of course, if they have been talking with Mr. Heaton, then you know this watch will be capable of taking some serious strain, and its 300m water resistance rating is proof of that – as are the strap choices you have with this watch. First, we have a custom, injection-moulded rubber strap, a necessity for any dive watch, and next, a rather special fabric strap that is lined with faux suede for extra comfort and sewn together by anOrdain’s in-house seamstress. Both of these straps are available in either blue or black.
While Paulin is perhaps more commonly associated with quartz movements, the Mara is powered by the La Joux-Perret G101 – a more premium third-party calibre option that has a pleasingly long 68-hour power reserve. Ultimately, this watch brings the best parts of Paulin into the dive watch world in a way that doesn’t go against any of the major principles of a standard dive watch. Paulin has utilised its creativity in a way that makes this watch extremely legible, functional, and aesthetically pleasing all in one go.
Paulin Mara availability and pricing
The Paulin Mara is available now from the brand as well as in our Time+Tide Discovery Studios in London and Melbourne. Price: £1,200, US$1,650
| Brand | Paulin |
| Model | Mara |
| Case Dimensions | 39.7mm (W) x 13.5mm (T) x 48mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 300 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Flat sapphire front |
| Dial | Black |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Rubber or two-piece fabric with suede backing, both with pin buckles |
| Movement | La Joux-Perret G101, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 68 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, unidirectional diving bezel |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | £1,200 US$1,650 |