Introducing: The Makina Cassiel II — A Brutalist Chronograph From The Philippines
Philippine microbrand Makina returns with the Makina Cassiel II. This second iteration looks nothing like the original Cassiel. However, it looks much more like a Makina now, and that’s a good thing. Join me for a closer look at a distinctly brutalist, design-first chronograph.
The Makina Cassiel II goes on presale today, priced at US$1,850. Preorder customers can expect their watches starting August 10th. After the presale, Makina will raise the price to “US$2,100 or more,” which sounds ominous. In other words, if you like what you see, you’d better move quickly.
Makina
Makina has always done things a bit differently. Rather than drawing inspiration from vintage tool watches or familiar luxury sports pieces, the Philippine brand approaches its offerings from an industrial design perspective. That has resulted in some genuinely distinctive watches over the years, and the new Makina Cassiel II continues that trend.
What struck me immediately was how different this watch looks from the original Cassiel. The name remains, but almost everything else has changed. The Cassiel II feels more aligned with Makina’s current visual language. If you are familiar with the brand’s angular cases and architectural approach to dial design, this watch makes sense the moment you see it.
Reading Makina’s bio on the website, one sentence stood out to me: “With a subtle lean toward form over function, our design language fuses industrial grit with quiet elegance.” Form over function is a rather contrarian idea. Even if many watch brands work this way, being forthcoming about it feels bold. Most watch brands will bend over backward to justify form through function. This feels oddly liberating.
The new Makina Cassiel II
The Makina Cassiel II is the brand’s new flagship model and its first automatic chronograph. While we recognize the typical 7750 layout, Makina takes great design liberties with it. The result is a watch that looks more like a piece of industrial equipment than a traditional chronograph. Sharp surfaces, contrasting finishes, and an unconventional display layout define the overall character.
The watch’s 42mm case has a 40mm bezel diameter and a 48mm lug-to-lug length. Those numbers suggest a substantial watch, but Makina has worked to reduce the visual bulk. Angular flanks and a tapered case back help break up the thickness, while sandblasted surfaces give the Cassiel II a distinctly sculptural appearance. Polished accents provide contrast without softening the overall design too much. I am eager to go hands-on with one to see if this indeed conspires to reduce the perceived proportions.
One of the more interesting details is the integrated rubber strap. Rather than mirroring the upper and lower halves, Makina deliberately gave each side a different pattern. That asymmetrical approach could easily have felt contrived, but it fits the watch’s broader design language. The strap looks like an extension of the case.
The specs of the Makina Cassiel II
The Cassiel II uses a 316L stainless steel case with a sandblasted finish and polished accents. A domed and beveled sapphire crystal with triple antireflective coating sits on top. You operate the watch through a screw-down crown. Makina promises water resistance to 100 meters. As mentioned, the Cassiel II comes fitted with an integrated rubber strap, which features quick-release spring bars and a matching sandblasted buckle. An exhibition case back reveals the movement inside.
Inside ticks a Valjoux/ETA 7750 automatic chronograph movement. Introduced in the 1970s, the 7750 remains one of the industry’s best-known chronograph calibers. It beats at 28,800 vph and offers a power reserve of 44–48 hours. Functions include running seconds, chronograph minutes and hours, central chronograph seconds, and a day-date display. The layout with the day-date window at 3 o’clock and the sub-dials at 6, 9, and 12 is universally recognizable. Makina adds a custom black rotor with a sunburst finish visible through the display back. I am unsure, at the time of writing, who produces the caliber, since ETA no longer provides it to microbrands.
The dial is where the Makina Cassiel II separates itself from most chronographs. Instead of traditional sub-dials, the watch uses rotating discs and cut-out displays integrated into a layered dial structure. The matte black surface is a subtle graphite gray and effectively avoids reflections. Short, polished applied indexes offer some contrast, while ample lume ensures nighttime legibility. Overall, the layout creates a lot of visual depth.
Closing thoughts on the Makina Cassiel II
The strongest aspect of the Makina Cassiel II is that it does not look like anything else. Plenty of independent brands talk about originality, but many still end up following familiar templates. Makina takes more risks than most, and this watch clearly reflects that approach.
That also means the Cassiel II will not appeal to everyone. Its angular case, industrial aesthetic, and unconventional dial layout leave little room for neutrality. The different-for-different’s-sake approach also risks looking a bit contrived. Then again, why blend in when you can stand out, especially in the saturated watch market?
At US$1,850 during the presale period, the Makina Cassiel II sits in a competitive segment. Whether the design speaks to you will likely determine your interest more than any spec sheet. For collectors looking for something genuinely different, however, this latest offering from Makina deserves a closer look.
What do you think of the Makina Cassiel II? Let us know in the comments section below!
