Makina has built its identity around watches that look more engineered than decorated, and the Cassiel_II pushes that language into chronograph territory for the first time.
The new flagship keeps the family-run microbrand’s industrial attitude intact, but adds a layered automatic chronograph display with rotating disks, a hexagonal time scale and a familiar workhorse movement beneath the surface.
At a glance
- Makina has introduced the Cassiel_II, its first automatic chronograph and the new flagship of the range.
- The watch uses a 42mm stainless steel case, a layered black and graphite-grey dial, disk-style chronograph displays and a Valjoux/ETA 7750 movement.
- Pre-orders open June 10 at $1,850, with deliveries expected from August 10 and retail pricing starting at $2,100.
A case shaped by industrial architecture
The Cassiel_II is not trying to soften the chronograph format.
Its stainless steel case leans into large flat planes, sharp transitions and a mix of blasted and polished finishing that makes the geometry feel deliberate rather than merely oversized.
At 42mm across, 15mm thick including the sapphire crystal and 48mm lug-to-lug, it sits firmly in contemporary tool-chronograph territory.
That thickness is partly a consequence of the automatic chronograph movement inside, though the overall footprint should still be manageable for wearers comfortable with a watch that has real wrist presence.
The screw-down crown and 100m water resistance give the design some practical credibility, while the rubber strap keeps the watch aligned with its utilitarian character.
A chronograph dial built around disks and geometry
The dial is where the Cassiel_II feels most distinct.
Makina uses a matte black base interrupted by graphite-grey recessed channels, creating a layered display that looks closer to a machined interface than a conventional chronograph dial.
Instead of traditional subdials, the chronograph indications are shown through windows by rotating disks.
The 30-minute chronograph counter sits at 12 o’clock, the 12-hour counter is placed at 6 o’clock, and running seconds appear at 9 o’clock.
A day-date display balances the layout at 3 o’clock.
The outer time scale is another defining detail, since Makina has swapped the usual circular track for a hexagonal structure.
That angular frame makes the central chronograph seconds hand and the brand’s two-pronged hour and minute hands feel integrated into the architecture of the dial rather than simply placed over it.
The Valjoux 7750 gives it familiar mechanical footing
Inside the Cassiel_II is the Valjoux/ETA calibre 7750, one of the most widely used automatic chronograph movements of the modern era.
Its appeal here is straightforward, offering a known platform with a 4 Hz frequency, a 48-hour power reserve and the complication set needed for a full day-date chronograph.
Makina has fitted the movement with a black rotor, keeping the industrial character visible through the mechanical side of the watch as well as the dial.
For a microbrand chronograph with this much visual personality, the movement choice gives the Cassiel_II a reassuringly established foundation.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Makina |
|---|---|
| Model | Cassiel_II |
| Case size | 42mm diameter, 15mm thickness, 48mm lug-to-lug |
| Case material | Stainless steel |
| Crown | Screw-down crown |
| Dial | Matte black with graphite-grey recessed channels |
| Movement | Valjoux/ETA calibre 7750 automatic |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph, 4 Hz |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, day, date |
| Power reserve | 48 hours |
| Water resistance | 100m, 10 bar |
| Strap | Rubber |
| Price | $1,850 pre-order price, retail price from $2,100 |
| Availability | Pre-orders from June 10, deliveries expected from August 10 |
The Cassiel_II will make the most sense for collectors who want a chronograph that doesn’t look like another motorsport or pilot-watch derivative.
It’s technical, angular and unapologetically architectural, which is exactly where Makina seems most comfortable.
