All Dressed Up

MMI has had a successful run of four Kickstarter launches and five pre-order campaigns since 2019. The Turret Marine Chronograph, the Turret 300 V2, and the Sky-Hunter 38–which we have had the luck to review–all struck gold for the brand. However, the latest success comes in a very different form from these previous tool watches. The NOR-LIGHT, while still a stainless steel sports watch, has a much dressier feel and comes in a wide variety of references. Here, we take a closer look at the sharp MMI NOR-LIGHT Date.

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Key Features of the MMI NOR-LIGHT

The NOR-LIGHT is a collection inspired by the Aurora Borealis. Like that electromagnetic phenomenon, the timepieces in this series offer up a variety of colourful dials which harness light in different ways. The NOR-LIGHT Date, for example, employs a beautiful piece of translucent purple sapphire glass. Through this window, we can see the inner workings of the movement–specifically its unique Rota-Date wheel.

The Rota-Date Complication

The Rota-Date Display has been an emblematic design element in many of the MMI watches. In the latest collection, only the NOR-LIGHT Date inherits the complication, and it does so in a clever manner by backlighting the numeral with a colourful (and lumed) tab. This takes advantage of the diaphanous sapphire and enhances legibility over earlier models.

Contemporary Sizing

The MMI NOR-LIGHT Date has a conservative and contemporary sizing. It measures 39.5mm in diameter and only 46.5mm lug to lug. It is 12mm thick, which should allow it to be worn in a variety of settings–including with a cuffed shirt and jacket–and sports a 20mm lug width. The bezel is polished to a high shine, but the lugs have been brushed across the tops with fine polished chamfers along the edges.

Because of the fixed bezel, the dial itself occupies a lot of real estate and adds to the sense of wrist presence. Depending upon the light, the dial can look almost black one moment and iridescent the next. It is unfortunate that the Miyota movement on the inside does not expose any of its gear train from the top end, which would only add further visual interest.

Miyota Movement

For a better view, you need to flip the watch over and stare through the screw down display case back. There, we also find a lumed print of the Northern Lights. The Miyota 9015 on the other side is a 4Hz movement with a 42-hour power reserve. It offers up and accuracy of -10/+30 seconds/day. The watch, for its part, promises 100m of water resistance.

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The MMI NOR-LIGHT Date is equipped with a 5-Link Stainless Steel bracelet that suits the watch in style and finish. It tapers from 20mm at the lugs to 18mm at the milled clasp, alternating between brushed surfaces on the outer links and polished down the centre. The clasp has five increments of micro-adjust and the bracelet is fitted with screwed links.

Specs

Case	316L Stainless Steel 39.5mm Diameter 46.5mm Lug to Lug 12mm Thick 20mm Screwed Case Back 50m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Sapphire Glass /w AR Tinted Sapphire Dial Printed Index BGW9 Super-LumiNova
Movement	Miyota 9015 28 800bph 24 Jewels 42-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	5-Link Stainless Steel Bracelet /w Milled Clasp

MMI NOR-LIGHT Date

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Final Thoughts

The MMI NOR-LIGHT is the brand’s first foray into something a little less toolish, and it is definitely a strong beginning. It is difficult to put a new spin on the stainless steel sports watch, and yet they have done just that. The case shape and finishing, while being relatively standard fare, do look good with the bracelet. And clearly the dial is the highlight here. With the inclusion of the Rota-Date, MMI haven’t exactly lost themselves here either. It will be interesting to watch the brand evolve into the future–particularly to witness whether they can settle into a visual aesthetic beyond the aforementioned complication. For now, they have moved repeatedly from strength to strength.

The fact that the Kickstarter Campaign was fully funded within the first hour, also demonstrates that the brand has developed a devoted following, as well as a reputation for quality.

Pricing & Availability

The MMI NOR-Light Date retails for $352 USD until the end of December. This is a savings of 30% off the eventual retail price of $500 USD. Delivery is estimated by the end of May 2024. For more information, please visit the brand website for details.

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About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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