Mauron Musy Armor MU03-103
The Mauron Musy Armor MU03-103 is 100% Swiss, housed in a Grade 5 titanium case and, by virtue of the brand’s limited production, very exclusive. Recently, while sitting in a cafe, sipping a cup of green tea, Angus Davies spotted an example of this watch affixed to a friend’s wrist. And it’s there where this story begins….
Watch spotting
One characteristic that all horophiles share in common is an inability to meet a person without looking at their watch. Indeed, I’ve obsessed over timepieces all my adult life and I can’t help surreptitiously looking at someone’s wrist, initially seeking to identify said timepiece and then categorising the person based on their chosen watch. I’m not proud of this behaviour, but then I suspect many of my fellow watch obsessives do exactly the same.
It was while chatting to a friend in a cafe, that I spotted his new timepiece. ‘What’s the watch you’re wearing?’. A broad grin appeared on his face, ‘Mauron Musy’ he replied. Despite writing about watches for many years, I was unfamiliar with the brand. The usual ritual ensued. The watch was handed over for inspection, viewed from a myriad of angles and then placed upon the wrist for a temporary hands-on evaluation (what’s a few skin residues between friends).
Often, I acknowledge the merits of a watch, hand it back to its owner and the conversation moves on. However, the Mauron Musy, or to be precise, the Mauron Musy Armor MU03-103, provoked a lengthier evaluation. Notes were made, pictures were taken and I vowed that I would write about this watch in detail. As for the reasons for my unbridled enthusiasm? Well, allow me to elaborate.
Who is Mauron Musy?
The eponymous company Mauron Musy was founded in 2013 by Eric Mauron and Christophe Musy. Based in Saint-Aubin, in the district of Broye within the canton of Fribourg, the company is located close to many producers of watch components. This was clearly important to the brand as it procures all of its components from within a 60km radius of its production facility and places much emphasis on producing ‘100% Swiss Crafted’ watches.
Another facet of the brand’s DNA relates to its unique nO-Ring® waterproofing technology. Typically watches are fitted with rubber gaskets to prevent harmful ingress of dust and water. Indeed, it was the use of rubber gaskets that led to watches becoming suitable for diving. One of the limitations of using rubber gaskets or o-rings is that they ultimately become less effective and perish, compromising a watch’s capacity for underwater action. Certainly, on the face of it, the nO-RIng® waterproofing technology makes a strong case for itself (pun intended), however, without the means of age testing the watch, I can only accept the brand’s claims at face value.
Nevertheless, what became obvious during my brief encounter with this watch was it’s beautifully made and feels incredibly robust.
Mauron Musy Armor MU03-103 Grade 5 titanium case
Housed in a 44mm case formed of Grade 5 titanium, the Mauron Musy Armor MU03-103 is not unduly heavy and it feels smaller than its stated dimensions. The watch is available in a variety of calf skin options and also comes with a choice of rubber straps. The example I saw was presented on a calf skin strap and it suited the model very well. Moreover, the strap had quick release fittings allowing the wearer to easily exchange the strap without the need for tools.
Having visited several casemaking facilities over the years, I know that Grade 5 titanium is a challenging alloy to work with. Firstly, it is very hard, wearing out CNC tools more readily. Secondly, drilling speeds need to be reduced to prevent the alloy becoming damaged by heat or even catching fire.
However, Grade 5 titanium does offer several benefits. For example, it is light, strong, corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic. Furthermore, unlike cheaper Grade 2 titanium, Grade 5 titanium can be polished to a brilliant gleam. Indeed, the case has been ennobled with a tasteful blend of brushed and polished surfaces. Due to the cost of making a case in the lightweight alloy, several prestigious watch brands are pitching Grade 5 titanium as an alternative to noble metals rather than ubiquitous stainless steel.
Four segments form the caseband. They are intricately formed and retained with purposeful bolts. These components and the steadfast means of uniting them, contribute to the overall hewn from granite appearance of the watch. Indeed, in a post-apocalyptic world, I suspect there will only be insects and Mauron Musy watches. Flat sapphire crystals feature front and rear, affording views of the self-winding movement.
Armor MU03-103 – dial detail
Mauron Musy has not overburdened the dial with too much detail which could inhibit understanding when exploiting the model’s underwater talents. The Swiss brand has restricted the inventory of functions to hours, minutes, small seconds and date display. The small seconds display is positioned at 9 o’clock and the date display sits at 4:30. Everything is neat, crisp and straight to the point.
However, don’t misconstrue, Mauron Musy has not skimped on detail. The hour and minute hands feature a grained finish, the central area of the indexes is recessed and the brand’s name is presented in relief on an arcing cartouche. The central area of the dial is snailed, as is the small seconds display, albeit in finer form, another cartouche resides at 6 o’clock and the hour track is slightly inclined. It’s only when you look at this watch at close quarters that you realise the Swiss marque expended much time finessing each detail.
Mauron Musy Armor MU03-103 – Calibre MM01
The Calibre MM01 is produced by La Joux-Perret, a Manufacture I hold in high esteem. In this instance, the Swiss brand has shunned traditional finishes, such as Côtes de Genève, in favour of contemporary sandblasted and grained components. The transmission wheel and ratchet wheel are adorned with a sunray decoration and various components are pared back to reveal further movement parts.
The rate is adjusted with a raquette and the balance has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz). The oscillating weight is bidirectional and the movement contains 25 jewels. Assuming the mainspring is fully tensioned, the watch will run autonomously for 55 hours.
Mauron Musy – is definitely a brand worthy of attention
We increasingly live in a world where components are not only made in Switzerland but also sourced beyond its borders from the likes of China, Vietnam etc. I don’t condemn companies seeking to procure components overseas if this is reflected in the final sales price and openly declared. Sadly, ‘Swiss Made’ does not mean 100% Swiss and some prices are unjustifiably high. With this in mind, I applaud Mauron Musy for stating ‘our watches are 100% made in Switzerland’. No smoke and mirrors, just a sizeable dose of refreshing honesty.
The retail price of the Mauron Musy Armor MU03-103 is CHF 12,700 (RRP as of 19.1.2023). This is not an inconsequential sum, however, considering the watch is housed in a Grade 5 titanium case, has an attractively appointed movement and the overall execution of the watch is to a high standard, it deserves to be judged against some of watchmaking’s more established brands. The company’s website states ‘our production is exclusively limited to 600 pieces per year’, indicating that you are unlikely to see another Mauron Musy while sitting in a cafe. Clearly, I was lucky to have spotted this example, but I suspect it won’t be the last time that I affix a Mauron Musy to my wrist.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Mauron Musy Armor MU03-103
- Case: Grade 5 titanium, diameter 44mm, height 14mm, water resistance 30ATM (300 metres), sapphire crystal to front; sapphire caseback
- Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, date
- Movement: Calibre MM01, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), 25 jewels, power reserve 55 hours
- Strap: calf leather strap with folding clasp in Grade 5 titanium. Also comes with a rubber strap.
- Price: CHF 12,700 including VAT (RRP as of 19.1.2023)