by Brent Robillard
Dress watch with a party trick
There’s something undeniably charming about a dress watch that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Sure, you can chase the classical three-handers and ultra-thin hand-wound fare. But every now and then, a watchmaker dares to slip a little mischief beneath the cuff. With the Mirabel GMT, Canadian brand Héron has done just that—taking a complication typically found on sportier pieces and delivering it with the poise and polish of a formal timepiece. It’s not a hybrid. It’s a reimagination.
This is the GMT you wear to dinner, not the one you wear through security at Heathrow (but you do you).
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Check out the MIDO Ocean Star GMT in Gold PVD
Key Features of the Héron Mirabel GMT
Montreal meets la tradition
Based in Montreal, Héron is a relatively young name in the watchmaking world, but one with growing weight. Their Marinor Collection, launched in 2023, earned them respect among enthusiasts who appreciate vintage charm fused with modern build quality. The Mirabel marks a thoughtful evolution—not just a step forward in complication, but a confident pivot into new stylistic terrain.
At just 37.5mm in diameter, the Mirabel lands squarely in vintage territory. The C-shaped case adds personality and mid-century flair, reminiscent of designs from the ’60s and ’70s. Yet, it feels fully contemporary—streamlined, precise, and refreshingly compact by today’s standards. With its mix of polished and brushed surfaces, the case offers dynamic light play while remaining refined enough for formal settings.
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The Dial: Understated Drama
But let’s not bury the lede: this dial is something else. The gloss enamel finish has a depth and softness that feels closer to a grand feu piece than anything at this price point. In low light, it takes on a milky opalescence. In full light, it shimmers with clarity and grace.
Beautifully capped alpha hands float elegantly above the surface (gold in this iteration; thermally blued in others), complemented by applied Roman numerals that enhance legibility without crowding the composition. The GMT hand, black with with a gold-tipped arrow head, adds just enough panache to catch the eye, acting as the “party trick” that differentiates this from your typical time-only dress watch.
Framing all this is a box-shaped sapphire crystal, lending vintage charm while offering modern scratch resistance. It’s a subtle nod to acrylic-topped watches of the past but with none of the fragility.
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Strap Game, Elevated
When it came time to choose a strap, Héron didn’t settle—they collaborated with Delugs, one of the most respected names in high-end aftermarket straps. The result is a Baranil calfskin leather strap, sourced from Tanneries Haas in France and customized to Héron’s specifications.
It’s the sort of strap you’d normally reserve for a Lange or Voutilainen—fine-grained, hand-stitched with linen thread, sealed edges, and a supple-but-structured feel that elevates the entire experience on-wrist. This wasn’t an afterthought. It’s part of the story.
Mechanical Confidence, Complication Clarity
Inside ticks a Miyota 9075, one of the most accessible “true” GMT movements on the market. Unlike caller GMTs (which adjust the GMT hand instead of the local hour), the 9075 lets you jump the local hour hand independently, a feature frequent travelers will appreciate. This was once a rare find in watches under $1,000 and gives the Mirabel a level of functional legitimacy that backs up its good looks.
The crown, set with a cabochon insert, adds a final flourish—decorative, yes, but also a tactile treat. Like so much of the Mirabel, it’s a detail you might not expect at this price point, but once it’s there, it feels essential.
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SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel (Gold PVD) 37.5mm Diameter 43.5mm Lug to Lug 11.8mm Thick (10.6mm w/out dome) 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Case Back 50m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Boxed Sapphire Crystal Enamel Dial Applied Indexes Alpha Hands |
| Movement | Miyota 9075 24 Jewels 28 800bph 40-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Baranil Calfskin Leather from DeLugs |
Héron Mirabel GMT
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Final Thoughts
The Héron Mirabel GMT doesn’t shout for attention. It speaks with quiet conviction, confident in its design language, thoughtful in its execution, and refreshingly free of gimmicks. It’s a dress watch, yes—but one with depth, functionality, and just the right amount of surprise.
Whether you’re booking a table or a flight, the Mirabel is more than ready. And in a sea of overwrought travel watches and hyper-masculine tool timers, that’s something worth celebrating.
Pricing & Availability
The Héron Mirabel GMT retails for $690 USD. For more information, please visit the brand website.
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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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