A Closer Look at the Molnar Fabry Classic Gentleman Blue

Molnar Fabry is not a widely-known name in the watch collecting world. It is a relatively obscure brand, and not based in any of the watchmaking hotspots – such as France, Switzerland, or Germany. It is actually based in Slovakia, and was started by Michal Molnar and Igor Fabry in 2006. The duo began as jewelers, and they certainly bring many aspects of their former career into their horology. They specialize in one-offs, custom pieces, and complex embellishments, working with clients directly to create the perfect custom piece.

For example, one client owned a Porsche 911 and wanted a watch to match. Molnar Fabry delivered, creating a beautiful timepiece – the Time Machine Regulator – that incorporated many subtle aspects that served as a nod to the car itself. The most recent product from the Slovakian atelier is the Classic Gentleman Blue. It was created in a similar style to its predecessors, giving priority to beautiful engravings and tasteful gems. The watch is more a piece of art than a mere timepiece. It is also a unique piece – only one has been made, with a price (€36,400) to match.

The Case

The Classic Gentleman Blue takes up a sizable amount of space on one’s wrist, measuring at about 44mm. It’s not quite an oversized watch, but it does come in at the upper end of the spectrum. However, this large size allows for a good view of the elaborate engravings and other decorations that Molnar Fabry has included in this piece. The case is constructed out of pink gold, with sapphire glass, complementing the rest of the design quite well. It provides excellent contrast to the dial and gems, and even the genuine alligator leather strap. Overall, the case material and size are an excellent choice for a timepiece in this style.

The Dial and Hands

The dial of this piece is made out of silver, and features a partially-open design allowing the wearer to see the mechanism in action as the watch runs. In addition, the upper ring of the watch is engraved in the highly-complex (and gorgeous) banknote style – a testament to the silversmithing skills of the Slovakian duo. They have signed the piece in the lower ring, with Molnar and Fabry engraved on either side of the lower gear. The hands on this watch are made of blued steel. However, there are no numbers on the dial. This watch is not meant for readability as much as pure artistic value. On the other hand, it is still fairly easy to get the time. There are twelve pairs of white diamonds and blue sapphires that represent the numbers around the center ring.

The Movement

This watch features a highly-modified ETA Unitas 6497-1 movement. If you look at the caseback, you will find a skeletonized design with another sapphire panel, allowing you to see the movement in action. The movement itself is yet another tribute to the skill of the former jewelers. Each of the bridges has banknote engraving. Plus, the gold gears have been embellished with decorative engraving. Even the screws are blued steel, or 18k pink gold. This unique watch (and its skilled artists) doesn’t miss a single detail that could contribute to establishing the luxurious feel of the piece. The mechanism itself is proven, known for reliability and accuracy. Handcrafted pieces – like the swan neck regulator for micrometric adjustment, as well as the titanium balance wheel – ensure that this watch will keep time without fail, as long as it is wound every 46 hours.

The Strap

As mentioned earlier, the strap on the Molnar Fabry Classic Gentleman Blue is handmade from authentic alligator leather. It also includes 18k pink gold hardware, which adds a nice finishing touch to the watch. Truly, each part of this watch has been thoroughly thought out, ensuring a balance that cements Molnar Fabry as an up-and-comer in the luxury watch industry.

The Verdict

If you want a custom timepiece, and you have the capital to pay for the highest quality handcrafted items, Molnar Fabry is a fantastic atelier to check out. Just looking at this most recent offering, with its highly-customized, artistic style, proves that the former jewelers have stepped into the right game. Each detail of the watch complements the others, leading to great aesthetic appeal. It may not be the most practical watch, but it certainly would be a great addition to any collection. The obscurity of the name could lead to these watches becoming very collectible in the future – especially as we see Molnar Fabry rise to more prominence in the field.

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