After a decade on the front lines of watch sales, Sandor Mezei was unable to resist the itch to design a watch for himself. The eponymous Mezei watch brand was the result and one their debut timepieces, the Mezei Arctic Blue, is next watch being given away as part of the OT Club membership. As a reminder, being an OT Club member automatically enters you into our quarterly giveaway as well as giving you access to 10 print issues of the magazine each year along with exclusive discounts and invites to exciting events, such as our recent Christopher Ward showroom takeover. Let’s take a closer look at the Mezei Arctic Blue.
Opening the box, you are first greeted by a lovely hand-written note from Sandor himself. It’s written to the eventual winner of the giveaway and as such I shall leave the contents of that note for the winner to read themselves. However, it’s immediately a sign of the down-to-Earth thought, care and attention that Sandor has paid to the brand which bears his name, taking the time to add an extra personal touch.
On the wrist, the Mezei Arctic Blue is a really well-sized dress watch. It measures 40mm in diameter with a thickness of 11.7mm, which is slim enough to sit beneath a cuff while also having a good amount of presence. It features a smooth, polished bezel above a brushed case middle and matching brushed lugs. The lugs themselves are nice and thin with a swooping curve leading into a comfortable grey leather strap. The giveaway also comes with the Milanese steel bracelet, which is normally an optional extra.
The most dramatic feature of the watch is its dial. Presented in the titular arctic blue with an engraved pattern that radiates from the centre with a sort of pleated texture, but with slightly smoother curves rather than sharp pleats. It makes of a striking display that catches the light in interesting ways with the way the raised sections are highlighted while the recesses fall in shadow. It reminds me a little of the Czapek Promenade Plissé, but I actually prefer the uniformity of the Mezei. For timekeeping, it has central hour, minute and seconds hands with a date window at 6 o’clock.
Beneath the dial is the Miyota 8215 automatic with 40-hour power reserve and an accuracy of -20/+40 seconds per day. It’s a very standard third-party movement used by microbrands across the world. It’s not a heavy hitter when it comes to its specs but that’s balanced against its ease of repair due to how common it is, as well as its accessibility that lets projects like this get off the ground. It’s protected by a solid caseback that depicts an image of a ship called the Mezei approaching a glacier, in keeping with its Arctic Blue theme – the other colours in the debut collection feature alternative casebacks that match the theme of their colour.
For a debut collection from a young microbrand, the Mezei Arctic Blue feels like a very mature release. It’s not too extravagant or over-the-top while feeling distinct and attractive. Dress watches feel underexplored by microbrands where sports watches and divers tend to be king. So, it’s fun to see a brand have the confidence to do something a little off the beaten path – especially when it means having the confidence not to put a logo on the dial of your first watch, putting the integrity of the watch’s design above even brand recognition.
To be in with a chance to win the Mezei Arctic Blue, which normally costs £395, you need to become an OT Club member by March 31st, 2026. Learn all about the membership here.
Price and Specs:
More details at Mezei.
Insightful and well structured article about an aesthetically tasteful watch.