Charming and rare- Furlan Marri Nero Sabbia

We all know a bit of the story about Furlan Marri, born in Geneva, winners of the GPHG in 2021 and a brand that it is very passionate about vintage watches. I will spear you all the full details, not because they are not worth highlighting, but because I manage to spend a good long time with one of the three watches from the permanent collection, and in my opinion the most interesting one: the Nero Sabbia. There is much to cover and hope you enjoy it.

This is not the first Furlan Marri I handle, I was lucky to see firsthand the new Disco Volante (very high on my wish list) and also, one of their first chronograph iteration the Lacatto Nero. The Nero Sabbia or Black Sand which I might add it’s a great name, it’s an evolution from their first mecaquartz line offers, a different face but very similar case dimensions with only the glass being a tad different.

The Nero Sabbia is the odd brother from the 2 other chronographs in the line-up: the Castagna and the Rosso Grigio. The main reason of this oddness is the layout, it has a single register at 9 o clock with a black dial. At this point, you might be wondering why there are 2 identical designs with similar colour palettes and another one with a completely different layout, well I do to, but I am thankful for the final product.

I’ve tried to find any history when it comes to the single register chronograph layouts but couldn’t find anything. From Seiko, to Stowa and Patek Philippe, the single register is something that pops up here and there and to make matters more complicated, the Nero Sabbia doesn’t derivate from a particular vintage reference. In other words, everything it is getting more and more interesting/intricate.

The specifications

The watch keeps most of the original dimensions from the first references offered by Furlan Marri. It has 38mm in diameter with a lug to lug of 46mm, the crystal is a bit different adding 0.7mm but if I recall correctly with the Nero Laccato the new glass distorts the edges a bit more which I enjoy. The elegant case inspired by Francois Borgel’s designs, it is sharp and slim with good curves on the lugs contrasting with the flat midcase. The whole composition is topped up by the lovely ‘’Tasti Tondi’’ chronograph pushers, which is a nod to the waterproof watches from no other than Patek Philippe, a very ‘’geeky’’ but lovable detail. The Nero Sabbia also has a water resistance of 50 meters, echoing a true vintage feature.

If you are still with me after the number of details described well, the dial is no less than the stainless-steel case in terms of inspiration. The lacquered black is deep, and it contrasts clearly with the beige almost gilt printing and the 60-minute register. It all matches and despite not being the most minimalistic dial (there are lots going on) the watch manages to remain elegant by mixing vintage military looks highlighted by a pulsometer scale and elongated curved leaf hands, a good result.

The Nero Sabia is powered by a Seiko VK64 Mecaquartz movement which I quite enjoy, it has the accuracy of quartz but then it gives the watch a sweeping chronograph hand and that ‘’click’’ mechanical feel of the pushers which we all love. Another reason to be happy about this particular engine, is that the watch can remain thin with period correct proportions. Then we have the affordability as we are talking about a watch cost 550 CHF, this is where the value proposition starts taking shape.

On the wrist

The wearing experience of the Nero Sabbia is quite good, and I am restraining here. The short lug to lug adds versatility and then the lightness also adds to the comfort. The lugs do hug the wrist as they are bended downwards, the extra added heigh of the glass, does not bother me one bit, it wears just like the previous non-permanent counterparts but add an even more vintage flair.

I wore the Furlan Marri mostly in an office environment, long sleeves, and a shirt underneath, probably where it fits the most as the watch is elegant by default, tastefully executed. That said the watch is a chronograph too, so in theory is a sports watch, a true tool that can time events at ease, but event if you decide to change the strap and take it to a race track, you will be doing a disservice to what I think is one of the most graceful watches I’ve tried this year, it is a stylish one.

The legibility is not impacted by the amount of text, edges of the sapphire crystal nor even the lack of lume. it feels as a well thought out process as the final product can deliver the time but also sophistication to the wearer.

The Nero Sabia comes with 2 natural Italian tanned leather straps, one being beige and the other black with stitching, they match well the look of the watch and change the personality quite a bit. Another attention to detail to note is that the buckle for each strap includes the reference of the watch, very cool.

Conclusions

The fact that there is a watch that can spark (at least to me) so many emotions mean that the brand is doing something right. Before writing this article in order to mention the ‘’Tasti Tondi’’ pushers, I’ve ended up in the Patek Phillipe rabbit hole from the 40’s and waterproof watches. Then, the same happened with the single register layout, I’ve spent at least an hour looking for similar references, couldn’t find anything but learn quite a bit about chronographs. Basically, I got excited about watches again, and isn’t this what we should feel? Interest, admiration and also in this case, value.

What Furlan Marri comes with up next is a mystery, so far with their ‘’flying saucer’’ they democratize the price of hand finished movements, with their mecaquartz line, they brought vintage details to the mases and now with their mechanical line more specifically the Sector, the brand is expanding to what value proposition is all about. It has been an interesting journey, and they are just getting started, but to me the Nero Sabia is where I wanted to arrive.

Technical specifications:

·         Case reference number (20203)

·         Material: 316L stainless steel.

·         Diameter: 38 mm diameter case.

·         Thickness: 12 mm (with glass).

·         Lugs: 46mm lug to lug.

·         Finishes: Perlage, mirror polish, satin-brush, engraving and deep-embossing.

·         Glass: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with five layers of anti-reflective coating and one fingerprint-resistant coating.

·         Functions : Chronograph with pulsometer (15 pulsations) scale, 60 mins counter.

·         Finishes : Lacquered and matte finish with double printed indications.

·         Hands : Curved and domed hands.