The Makina Mephisto III is worthy of a deal with the devil
Buffy Acacia- Makina has revisited the Mephisto for the first time in seven years, bringing new sophistication to the devilish design.
- The Mephisto III is Makina’s first watch with an integrated bracelet, with sculpted, concave edges.
- It’s powered by the Sellita SW200-1, with a 38-hour power reserve and 4Hz beat rate.
When I reviewed the Makina Andras back in January, I predicted that Makina had finally hit upon a style which utilised its unique aesthetics in an accessible way. With the release of the Mephisto III, seven years after the previous version, it looks like I was right. It manages to honour the traits which made the original so special, but in a way that even conservative watch fans could enjoy. The level of sophisticated detail is backed up by great specifications, and it neatly slots into a few current trends.
Makina is a Filipino watch brand with naming conventions based on angels and demons, and the Mephisto is no different. Mephisto was in F.W. Murnau’s 1926 silent film Faust, an adaptation of Mephistopheles from the German Faust legend, and popularised by Christopher Marlowe’s c.1592 play. The case is actually fairly normal by Makina standards, at first appearing to be the same sharp-angled, ‘70s-inspired style that we’ve seen a bunch in the last year or two. However, the polished edges actually aren’t just chamfered, but ground in a concave way which bends the light in unique ways. This extends all the way down the bracelet, up the case sides, and even around the bezel. It’s also wrist-friendly at a compact 38mm in diameter, 45mm lug-to-lug, and just 11.15mm thick.
The dial itself is almost unrecognisable from the first Mephisto, but the spoked appearance and experimentation with depth couldn’t have happened without it. From front-on, the dial almost looks like a simple finishing technique which highlights rays of light in a similar manner to sunburst brushing. Hold it at an angle, and it transforms into a multi-dimensional wonderland. The applied indices almost appear to be floating as they sit on the crests of black ridges, themselves jutting out of cuts in the rehaut. The logo is left small at 6 o’clock, allowing the dial to embrace a sense of the ethereal, and the dauphine hands are never blocking anything. Considering the total 11.15mm thickness and the 100 metres of water resistance, it’s amazing to see a dial with this much depth.
Considering that this is Makina’s first watch with an integrated bracelet, the brand has done a fantastic job. The brushing on the sculpted H-links looks great, and the polished centre-links bring a bit of dressy balance. Powering the watch is the ubiquitous Sellita SW200-1, visible from an exhibition caseback with a customised rotor. It provides a reliable 38 hours of power supply with a smooth 4Hz beat rate, and it’s well-renowned for both accuracy and affordability of servicing.
Makina Mephisto III pricing and availability
The Makina Mephisto III is now available for pre-order from the brand’s website, with shipping expected in October 2024. Price: US$750 (pre-orders)
| Brand | Makina |
| Model | Mephisto III |
| Case Dimensions | 38mm (D) x 11.15mm (T) x 45mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Black |
| Strap | Integrated steel bracelet, folding clasp |
| Movement | Sellita SW200-1, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Available for pre-order, shipping expected in October 2024 |
| Price | US$750 (pre-order price) |