The Makina Azazel_I Outgrows Local Time And Adds A GMT Complication

A little over a year ago, I reviewed the Makina Azazel_I. This futuristic-looking watch from the young Filipino brand features clever design tricks that make it hard to forget. And now, a year on, Makina is presenting a new version of the Azazel_I that keeps the same concept but integrates a GMT complication in a fun, smart way. I had a chance to learn more about the Makina Azazel_I GMT to see whether it is as cool as the inaugural Azazel_I.

As I explained in last year’s review, the first thing that stands out about the Makina Azazel_I is, of course, the way it looks. But I was happy to conclude that it doesn’t just look different; it’s also an absolute joy to wear. I firmly believe that while looks draw you in, comfort and wearability keep you holding on to a watch long term. Makina did a great job on all of those fronts. Granted, the design is an acquired taste. But if you are a fan, it offers a distinct, affordable alternative to the many microbrand watches that take a far more conventional design approach. With the new Azazel_I GMT, Makina proves that the same design style works well even with complications.

The details of the Makina Azazel_I GMT

Let’s start with the specs of the new Azazel_I GMT. The watch has the same sandblasted stainless steel case as the time-only model, with a 40mm diameter, 12.2mm thickness, and 46mm lug-to-lug. It is great to see that the additional complication hasn’t affected the case’s size or proportions. Just like last year’s model, the watch case features a unidirectional 120-click bezel with a 60-minute scale and a lume pip at 12 o’clock. The first 15 minutes on the scale are dark gray, and the remaining 45 minutes are a lighter shade of silver.

Thanks to the knurling and textured finish, the bezel is super easy to grip and turn. The build quality is superb, and the soft, reassuring clicks are a nice detail when you turn the bezel. Interestingly, the case design feels angular but has no sharp edges. All its edges and corners are rounded, which significantly softens the industrial presence. The case also has relatively short lugs, enhancing wearability and giving it character. The relatively small crown is also super easy to grip. Despite its modest size, the material and finish do the job nicely.

The distinct dial of the Makina Azazel_I GMT

The dial of the new Azazel_I GMT follows the same design principle as the previous model, using rotating discs. While the time-only model had a rotating disc for the running seconds, the new version integrates windows for the date and another time zone. The base is still a similar multilayered brass dial with a sand-textured finish. It uses white, blue, black, and bright orange to indicate the different functions and create a stylish color palette.

Like the previous model, the dial features a white luminous circle divided into six parts, with three on each side. Here, though, instead of black, the background is blue. The ends of the lumed components form markers at the even hours. Located inside the circular track is another blue ring with white minute hashes and bolder orange luminous markers for the five-minute sections.

At 3 o’clock, you will find the date window, and at 6 o’clock is the Makina logo. The date is printed in black on a white background. To the right of the window is a larger orange marker with a blue triangle pointing to the date.

A GMT display and plenty of lume

The center of the dial is a black rotating disc with two cutouts. The outer display shows a range of hours for the second time zone. As you can see, the disc has the classic day/night division, with white printing on black for nighttime and black printing on black for daytime. The circular cutout points to the current hour on the 24-hour scale. As the disc rotates, the large cutout rotates over the 24-hour disc underneath. The circular cutout follows the day/night division, appearing orange during the day and white at night. It’s a fun way to display the time in a signature Makina style.

Hovering over the dial are modern hour and minute hands. These are very similar in design, with the minute hand slightly longer. Both have luminous tips, and most of the seconds hand (minus the tip) has lume as well. We also find lume on the 24-hour scale, which makes the day/night division easy to see. Additionally, all the dial’s orange markings light up green in the dark, while the white ones, including the logo, glow bright blue.

The Miyota 9075

Hiding behind the steel case back is the Miyota 9075 caliber. This 24-jewel automatic GMT movement runs at 28,800 vph and has a 42-hour power reserve. The 9075 is a well-known flyer-style GMT caliber that lets you adjust the 12-hour hand independently when traveling through time zones. Operating it is super easy. After pulling the crown out to the first position, simply turn it to move the 12-hour hand and change the local time in one-hour increments.

If you pull it out to the second position, the hour and minute hands will move, as will the 24-hour disc and day/night indicator. The only hand that will stay still is the seconds hand, which will stop as the balance hacks for a more accurate setting. After setting the local and home time, just screw the crown down, and you’ll be ready to go. The Miyota 9075 has a standard accuracy of -10 to +30 seconds per day.

Wearing the Makina Azazel_I GMT

On the wrist, there were no real surprises, just the confirmation that the Azazel_I GMT wears really nicely. Since it has the same case as the time-only model, I was reminded that it is pleasantly proportioned and very well built. I have reviewed several Makina watches, and the build quality has impressed me every time. This new Azazel_I GMT was no exception.

The watch has a pleasant heft that nicely complements its visual presence. I must admit I would love to see the same watch in titanium, as I think the material would suit the look perfectly. Still, thanks to the wide but flexible 22mm silicone strap, I find the steel Azazel_I GMT perfectly balanced on the wrist.

The strap has quick-release pins, so switching the look is easy. However, I like the standard strap, as it complements the watch well. It features a brushed stainless steel buckle. It would have been nice if it also had a sandblasted finish to match the case, but that detail didn’t really stand out.

Final thoughts on the new Makina Azazel_I GMT

As a fan of GMT watches, I was happy to spend some time with the new Makina Azazel_I GMT. It’s always nice to explore watches that display another time zone in a distinct way. While I prefer the more traditional GMT hand and 24-hour scale, it was fun to try this new Makina. It proves that the characteristic Azazel_I design lends itself perfectly to additional complications. The rotating-disc concept works very well, and this is strong evidence that Makina can explore different complications based on the same idea.

For now, this Makina Azazel_I GMT is a great addition to the brand’s lineup, and I’m sure it’ll land well with people who loved the first model in the series. The new Azazel_I GMT is now available on Makina’s official website for US$990, excluding taxes for most of the world. However, for customers in the United States and the Philippines, the price includes import taxes. It’s a very friendly price indeed, especially since it is only $90 more than the time-only Azazel_I.

If you get a chance to check out the new Makina Azazel_I GMT, I suggest you try it. This watch is completely original and very different from the many microbrand offerings we see nowadays. It’s also further proof that Makina is creating some really well-made watches that stand out for their quality and looks. In today’s saturated market, that is an impressive achievement.

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