Most dive watches follow the same tired playbook: black dial, white markers, aluminum bezel. Paulin’s debut diver tosses that formula out the window. The Mara brings geometric hour markers, dual-color lume, and a sapphire timing bezel to 300m of water resistance, proving that functional doesn’t have to mean formulaic.
For over a decade, the Glasgow-based brand has built its reputation on design-forward dress watches and creative timepieces like the modular Modul collection. Since launching in 2013, the Paulin sisters have focused on accessible quartz movements paired with bold typography and architectural aesthetics. But the Mara is so stunning you would never have guessed that it was Paulin’s first.
A Dial That Actually Works
Available in blue or black, with a matching bezel, the Mara (Scots Gaelic for “of the sea”) feels different from the typical dive watch formula. Instead of standard indices, they’ve deployed a mix of geometric shapes — circles, triangles, and squares — alongside Arabic numerals at 6 and 12 o’clock in their custom “Wim” typeface. The triangles are uniquely oriented as up and down arrows that also serve as functional markers.
The mint green minute track provides excellent contrast, interrupted only by the brand name and “Glasgow” designation. This high-contrast color combination was specifically tested underwater to ensure legibility when light conditions deteriorate. The lume setup is also pretty thoughtful, with blue Super-LumiNova on the hour markers and green on the timing elements, creating clear distinction between timekeeping and elapsed time functions.
Sized Just Right
The case borrows heavily from Paulin’s existing Modul design but adds the necessary robustness for diving duty. At 39.7mm in diameter and 13.5mm thick, it strikes a reasonable balance between presence and wearability. The thickness figure includes a substantially domed sapphire crystal with triple anti-reflective coating. Without it, the case measures just 10.8mm.
The unidirectional bezel deserves particular attention. Rather than standard knurling, Paulin opted for hemispherical drilled holes that provide surprisingly effective grip. The bubble bezel itself is crafted from domed sapphire with luminous markings printed on the underside. This is admittedly expensive but a durable solution intended to maintain legibility far longer than painted aluminum alternatives.
Scottish Provenance
Recently, Paulin has been collaborating with fellow Scottish brand anOrdain, which has influenced the Mara’s development. The watch ships with two straps, including a custom-molded rubber option and a fabric strap constructed from recycled fishing nets and lined with Italian Alcantara. The latter is hand-stitched in Glasgow by anOrdain’s seamstress, adding a local manufacturing element to the package.
Under the hood, the watch features a La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement in soigné grade, giving you 68 hours of power reserve at 28,800 vph. For a brand known primarily for design-forward quartz pieces, the Mara is a confident step into serious tool watch territory.
Spec Sheet
Model: Paulin Mara
Case Material: 316L stainless steel
Case Size: 39.7mm
Case Thickness: 13.5mm
Lug-to-Lug: 48mm
Crystal: Double-domed sapphire with triple anti-reflective coating
Movement: La Joux-Perret G101 automatic
Water Resistance: 300m
Straps: Injection-molded rubber and recycled fishing net fabric
Limited Edition?: No
Pricing & Availability
Priced at $1,683, the Paulin Mara is available now directly from the brand. While not a limited edition, production remains intentionally small.
Recap
Paulin Mara
Glasgow-based Paulin, known for design-forward quartz watches, has launched the Mara, their first dive watch, combining 300m of water resistance with geometric hour markers, dual-color lume, and a sapphire bezel.
