Australian microbrand Hz Watches debuts its third model line, a dressy daily inspired by the famous 1972 photograph of the Earth taken aboard Apollo 17.
It pairs a titanium case with a trio of enamel sector dials (as well as an aventurine dial) sporting a small seconds that utilises our planet as an indicator.
Like all Hz Watches, it’s powered by a quartz movement, in this case a Seiko VD78.
Hz Watches’ founder Matt Zillman might be the nicest guy in the Australian watch scene. The young founder of Hz Watches and emerging microbrand retailer WatchPoint is clearly someone who values community – giving microbrands other than his own a platform to succeed – but he also leads by example. What do I mean by this? Well, Hz Watches represent some of the best-value and most interesting microbrand watches on the market, offering extremely impressive specs and levels of finishing for the price while unashamedly celebrating their quartz movements in a way that most brands, small or large, are afraid to.
Hz Watches’ first two collections, the straightforwardly titled HZ.01 Everyday and HZ.02 Chronograph, are now joined by a more poetic third model line, the HZ.03 Blue Marble, which further establishes the brand’s reputation for quality watchmaking at a great price.
“The Blue Marble was the first full portrait of our home, and across the world it made us pause and reflect about our perspective – to be able to see the bigger picture,” Hz Watches explains. “We wanted to capture that feeling with the HZ.03, with the tiny Earth orbiting the seconds sub-dial. The next time you look down to check the time, we hope you might pause for a moment, and be reminded that we are all connected, and a part of something bigger.”
The case
Like the HZ.01 Everyday and HZ.02 Chronograph before it, the HZ.03 Blue Marble features a grade 5 titanium case with predominantly brushed finishing, save for polished bezel sides. As enthusiasts, we’re used to paying a (often significant) premium for titanium, so to see a sub-A$400 watch sporting a titanium case is very cool. Also like the HZ.01, the HZ.03 has an enamelled Hz logo medallion adorning its caseback, which is a nice touch.
At 36mm in diameter and 43.5mm lug-to-lug, it’s the smallest Hz model yet, as well as the lightest – it’s positively breezy on the wrist, and will fit just about anyone. It is a little thicker than you might expect at 11.5mm, but 1.6mm of that is thanks to the noticeably domed crystal: the shape of the crystal means it’ll slide nicely under a cuff, and it also reminds me subtly of the planetary theme it’s going for.
The dial
The HZ.03 Blue Marble’s dials are the collection’s most impressive feature, though. Four options are available at launch: three enamel dials in white, blue and black, as well as an aventurine dial model that feels particularly fitting – resembling a night sky, or the expanse of space. The enamel models are adroitly executed, with the white enamel easily my favourite of the bunch: it looks positively milky, and again, it’s very impressive to have enamel and aventurine dials of this quality at this price point.
Materials aside, the design of the HZ.03’s dial is clean and inoffensive. I’d describe it as something of a sector dial, with the line-demarcated hour markers running in a broad track around the dial’s periphery. A small applied Hz logo can be found at the expected 12 o’clock position, with long, elegant feuille hands hovering above the rich expanse of enamel or aventurine below.
At 6 o’clock, you’ll find a small seconds made from a section of black enamel, with a little graphic of the Earth – the eponymous Blue Marble – serving as the indicator. It’s a sweet, subtle and playful touch that could’ve very easily come off as cheesy or chintzy but feels quite classy in its restraint.
The strap
The HZ.03 comes mounted on a genuine leather strap with a titanium pin buckle: the white dial gets a beige strap, the blue dial gets a blue strap, the black dial gets a black strap, and the aventurine dial gets a grey strap. Really, the strap is the only criticism I have of the HZ.03: the colour choices are great and Hz gets points for a titanium pin buckle, but the leather itself is on the cheaper side, and I’d personally swap it out for an aftermarket solution. But the buck’s got to stop somewhere, and I’d rather Hz compromise on the strap rather than any other element of the watch. Thankfully, the supplied straps have quick-release spring bars to facilitate easy exchange.
The movement
All Hz Watches use quartz movements, and the HZ.03 is no different. Where the HZ.01 uses a Swiss Ronda 507 and the HZ.02 uses a Japanese Seiko VK63A mechaquartz movement, the HZ.03 goes for a different movement still, the Seiko VD78. A known quantity in the microbrand space, it’s known for its robustness, ease of service, and accuracy to within ±10 to 20 seconds per month, with some owners reporting accuracy to within ±1 second per week.
Hz Watches HZ.03 Blue Marble pricing and availability
The HZ.03 Blue Marble is available now online directly from Hz Watches, having made its debut at WatchFest in Sydney on the 1st of November, and at SpringSprangSprung in Singapore on the 8th-9th of November. Shipping will commence on the 11th of November, with all watches complete and ready to be shipped. Price: £179/€199/US$239/A$349 (enamel dials), £209/€239/US$279/A$399 (aventurine model)
Brand
Hz Watches
Model
HZ.03 Blue Marble
Case Dimensions
36mm (D) x 11.5mm (T) x 43.5mm (LTL)
Case Material
Grade 5 titanium
Water Resistance
100 metres
Crystal(s)
Sapphire front
Dial
White, blue or black enamel, or aventurine
Lug Width
20mm
Strap
Genuine leather strap, titanium pin buckle
Movement
Seiko VD78, quartz
Battery Life
~3 years
Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds
Availability
Available now
Price
£179/€199/US$239/A$349 (enamel dials)
£209/€239/US$279/A$399 (aventurine model)