Marloe Sceptre October Hands-On Review

Marloe Sceptre October

The Marloe Sceptre October is one of the latest watches from Malroe Watch Company, a British-based microbrand that popped on the scene in 2015. Since then, they have created quite a few models and have their own distinct style, and have created their own niche. You see, Marloe doesn’t really have a standard dive watch most brands produce, they make watches that can go in the water, but their style leans more towards boating or sport watches, or in the case of the Atlantic models, pilot style watches, but even those have Marloe’s distinct twist. This new Sceptre model is quite interesting for a few reasons. It has a bezel and a screw-down crown but isn’t a dive watch, but more like a watch one could wear every day when you are out boating, hiking, or just casually, and this particular one, the October, has a funky periscope sight dial, along with a Miyota 9039 movement, all for under $500.

Specifications:

• 42mm Diameter

• 22mm Lug Width

• 48mm Lug to Lug

• Dual Textured Bespoke Designed Case With

• Screw Down Crown

• Bi-Directional Bezel with 60 Clicks

• Sapphire Crystal With Dual Side Anti-Reflective coating

• Multi-layer dial with floating luminous pontoons

• Divider hands, hairline running seconds hands

• Luminous hands and markings

• Miyota 9039 Automatic Movement

• 76g

• 20 ATM

• 2-year warranty

• Country of Origin- China

Price $430

https://www.marloewatchcompany.com/collections/sceptre

There are four versions of the Marloe Sceptre, but I will mostly concentrate on the October version here, as that is what I have in hand, but if you do go to the website, you will see the other versions all have matching dials and the case finishes to get changed up depending on which dial you choose. This version is all blasted, as is one other I believe and the other two are mostly polished with some brushed accents. This case is definitely unique, and it follows the Solent model I reviewed a few years ago, but they took this model in a more rugged direction, both the more aggressive sloping lugs and turbine-inspired bezel grip, and like I said, on this one, all bead blasted finish.

The bezel is bi-directional and the grip allows for easy purchase, and the crown does screw down as well. I wish the crown grip matched the bezel, but both function very well, and the crown is large enough at 6.7mm to use, even with bigger fingers I like how they did a brushed finish on the top part of the crown, just to make the logo stand out a little better. The top of the crown is also concave, which does nothing for functionality, but it is quite attractive looking. The case feels very solid and while it looks simple, it does have some nice lines, and that turbine bezel is probably just the best-looking aspect of the case, it is hard not to stare at it and admire its beauty. And no, nothing is sharp about that bezel at all, it is very smooth to the touch.

Now when it come to the dial of the Marloe Sceptre October, I’m going to take some text from the Marloe website, to explain what their intentions were with this particular piece.

The design of the October’s printing on the main dial is different from the other designs, featuring a reticle sight with a subtle gloss print at the cardinal points on the main dial. This mimics the measurement scale of the periscopes used by submarines to remain sub-surface but observe what’s happening above the waves.

Now for the most part, because of the domed sapphire crystal and the blue AR coating, you don’t see the lines on the dial unless you are really looking at a certain angle to are up close with to the dial. It is very subtle and to that point, I almost wish they were more prominent, as it really does look like a clean minimalist dial most of the time, which is fine and is a good look, but knowing there is something printed on the dial you can’t always see, it’s a bit of an annoyance. That is very subjective of course. The rest of the dial is very nice, I love the orange text, it contrasts nicely with the black/brown hue of the dial, and the floating indices and the white chapter ring, really set this dial off, and the contrasting white and black hands make this dial very easy to read.

On the back, you will see the Miyota 9039, yes, can you believe it, a microbrand actually put in a no-date movement, in a no date watch, and this unique case and dial design, coupled with the great finishing, still comes in at $430, so yes it can be done. No phantom date position on the crown, and even though I find Miyota movements to be awfully plain looking and would prefer a solid case back, I know many love to look at the movement no matter what it is, and for you folks, here it is.

But, as usual, not everything is perfect and my one little gripe about the Marloe Sceptre October is the strap you see it on. Before I get to that, let me state that you can choose from 12 different straps on their website for this watch. Yes, 12. 2 different colored worn canvas straps with leather backings (mine is olive canvas), multiple colors of rubber straps, horween leather straps with the ribbed design, thick, rough-looking leather straps, and even a metal bracelet (though the metal bracelet doesn’t seem to be blasted and it looks kinda generic). But back to my gripe. It is simply too short. It’s 110/80mm, I am in the last hole on my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist, and I just wish it was around 120 or 130/80, as then it could fit a larger wrist, and more importantly a wider range of wrists. This isn’t exactly a small wearing watch either, and in the world of the guys out there with wrists even larger than mine who still want a 42mm and upsized watch, this strap size would be very disappointing to them, especially because it is an extremely well made and attractive canvas strap.

And lastly, we get to the lume and I didn’t expect much here, and while the hands glow bright enough, those small floating indices are just that, small, and there is not a lot of room for lume compound to be applied, so the glow is nice and the lume looks nicely applied and even, just don’t expect a torch here.

As I stated at the beginning of this Marloe Sceptre October review, this is a very cool piece, it is unique and distinct and really sets itself apart from so many other microbrands, especially competing brands at this price point. At $430, you mostly see very inspired or homage pieces, or just another dive watch, so when you see a brand really going outside the box, yet still making a wearable and attractive piece, it definitely attracts attention. I do wish they would add a few other dial options, maybe somewhere the dials are more vibrant or sunburst or even a gravel textured dial if you will, and of course, yes I want to see longer straps, at least longer canvas straps, as I can not confirm the length of the other straps offered. One more thing, yes, the brand is in based in Britain, yet to my knowledge, they are not made or Assembled there, only designed. Manufacturing takes place most likely in Asia, as is the case for many microbrands.