Melbourne Watch Co have been a staple part of Watch It All About for the past few years – I’ve reviewed many of their timepieces such as the Flinders, the Hawthorn, the Portsea, and most recently the Sorrento. They’re always the same – solid, dependable watches with decent specs at a reasonable price.
I’ve now got the opportunity to advance my knowledge of their collection yet again with the Collins. One of their very latest releases; it’s a well-priced and smart offering that rocks all the right boxes as ever. Let’s take a closer look.
The specs
- Dimensions: 38mm diameter x 9.7mm height x 46mm lug to lug
- Weight: 60g
- Water resistance rating: 50m / 5ATM
- Movement: Miyota 9015
- Lug width: 18mm
- Accuracy: +4.0 s/d
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price: $679 AUD / £390
- Available from: https://www.melbournewatch.com.au/collins-cl-38-a-3hd-05/
The dial
The dial of the Melbourne Watch Co Collins is available in 4 variants: silver, black, charcoal and blue. This is the charcoal, and each variant features the same sunburst effect that catches the eye.
Melbourne Watch Co have proved that they are a dab hand at producing smart, classy designs and the Collins is no exception.
The dial features slightly domed polished hour markers, which is a welcome take on the standard flat batons as they work the light really well based on the angle. At the base of these hour markers reside small, unassuming round steel pips. These are a lovely touch as you honestly don’t notice them at a glance, but they’re a subtle minor example of close attention to detail that strikes you once you do.
Bold and striking pitched dauphine hands sit proud in the centre of the dial. The seconds hand has the usual M acting as a counterweight, one of the many little touches that feature on all Melbourne Watch CO’s timepieces. All hands are very well machined and finished.
The dial has minimal printing: really there is just the logo in the centre of the top half, and the model name Collins in the bottom. This keeps the dial uncluttered and classy. The date window has a lovely polished border to it – it displays flawless manufacture even at close range.
Personally I think the font family used on the date wheel isn’t quite matching, but a great positive is the background colour matching the dial.
The case
The fully polished, and is a simple barrel shape. Just like the Sorrento, the quality of finishing is very good and they both demonstrate a massive improvement from all their previous models. I’m not saying that the older models are bad, not at all – but rather that these two new models are a much higher level of quality than expected.
It’s a lovely size for smart wear; 38mm in diameter and a height just shy of 10mm provide an easy wear whilst being able to make a statement.
I like the dumpy lug shape on the case – it makes the watch as a whole more compact.
The flat sapphire crystal is very clear and has a good layer of anti-reflective coating on the underside.
I think the crown is a little on the large side – it looks to me to stick out a bit too much and appears ever so slightly out of ratio. However, this does mean that it’s really easy to use, and it also feels reassuringly sturdy in the hand. It has the Melbourne logo etched in the end.
The exhibition caseback has sapphire crystal too which is good. Various engraved watch details surround the exhibition window.
The strap
The leather strap has a smart matte finish and has a traditional crocodile print pattern.
A soft underside results in a comfortable wear on the wrist. I have found it to be quite stiff even after wearing it for a while, so this is the one aspect I’d like to see improved. It would feel a lot better if the leather was soft and supple.
The tang buckle is the usual affair for Melbourne Watch Co – a style that is on all of their models. It’s an unusual shape, thanks to the bulge to house the round logo. It’s very well finished (fully polished to match the case) and easy to use.
The movement
The Miyota 9015 is such a popular movement now, it’s almost as if every other watch has one in. Of course, the popularity is thanks to the specs and reliability it offers as an affordable price – it provides a similar performance as some Swiss movements if regulated correctly. I find the main drawback is the appearance: it is very industrial, plain, and uninspiring.
The accuracy of this specific movement, using my Lepsi Watch Scope, is coming out as +4.0 sec/day. This is within COSC specs and is proof that with a little bit of tinkering, the 9015 can play with the big boys.
The main specs include 24 jewels, 42 hour power reserve, hacking seconds, hand wind capabilities and the fact that it runs at high beat of 28.8k bph (8 ticks per second).
I have found this 9015 to be a bit on the noisy side; you can hear it free wheel every so often. Melbourne Watch Co have customised the rotor with a print of their logo.
Final comments
Once again, Melbourne Watch Co have produced a lovely timepiece in the Collins. Whilst on the upper end of the price scale for a Miyota 9015 watch at $679 AUD / £390, it’s still a beautifully crafted watch. I said it in my review of the Sorrento – these latest two models have seen a drastic increase of quality in their watches. The fit and finish is on a higher level than all their previous watches (not that they were bad!), which in my eyes supports the price tag.
The Collins is splendid both in looks and construction, and I for one am pleased to see the direction Melbourne Watch Co are headed. I just hope their prices don’t keep on creeping up and they remain well priced.
Greg Newby
17 May, 2017 at 6:41 pm
A lovely looking piece from Melbourne here.
Its total simplicity really appeals. No fuss, just function.
A great review once again, thanks