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Furlan Marri

1041-A

Name: Furlan Marri 1041-A
Brand: Furlan Marri

Entry-level Under $600

The Furlan Marri Mr. Grey (Ref. 1041-A) is a 38mm meca-quartz sector-dial chronograph launched via Kickstarter in 2021, drawing on 1940s–50s vintage aesthetics with meticulous case finishing. It won the GPHG 2021 Horological Revelation Prize and is now permanently retired.

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38mm

Case

50m

Water res.

11.5mm

Thick

46mm

Lug-to-lug

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Overview

Brand	Furlan Marri
Reference	1041-A
Category	Chronograph
Released	2021
Price guide	Entry-level · Under $600

Full specification

Specs

Case & dial

Diameter	38 mm
Lug-to-lug	46 mm
Thickness	11.5 mm
Lug width	20 mm
Water resistance	50 m
Crystal	sapphire
Case material	stainless steel
Bezel	fixed, tachymeter scale on rehaut
Case back	solid

Movement & furniture

Type	Meca-quartz
Caliber	Seiko VK64 →
Functions	Chronograph, 60-min counter, 24h subdial
Strap / bracelet	leather strap

On the wrist

The sector dial is where the 1041-A earns its reputation: light grey on the outer ring shading to a deeper grey on the counters, Roman numerals in the Henderson typeface, and raised applied indices that look better under a macro lens than most watches three times the price. Curved leaf hands in tempered steel, Tasti Tondi round pushers engraved with a sun-ray pattern, a decagonal caseback with perlage interior finish, an oversized Borgel-style crown — these are details you would consider unremarkable on a several-thousand-dollar watch, and they are confrontationally generous at the original CHF 460.

At 38mm with a 46mm lug-to-lug the case is compact and dressy; enthusiasts who prefer 40mm+ pieces will find it more convincing as a secondary or formal piece than a daily driver, while smaller-wrist collectors will appreciate how unobtrusively it sits. The Seiko VK64 meca-quartz deserves no apology: the sweeping seconds hand is a satisfying party trick and the snap-reset chronograph is crisp. What you are actually paying for — and what the GPHG jury recognised — is the design language and the finish quality, not the horological engineering.

Bottom line

An exceptionally well-finished entry-level chronograph that redefined what a sub-$500 watch could look and feel like — now a genuine collectible on the secondary market at several times its launch price.

Highlights

GPHG 2021 Horological Revelation Prize winner
Sector dial with tachymeter scale on rehaut
38mm / 46mm L2L compact vintage proportions
Seiko VK64 meca-quartz with sweeping seconds and snap-reset
Domed sapphire with 5-coat AR plus anti-fingerprint treatment

Who it's for

Vintage-chronograph enthusiasts and design-focused collectors who prioritise case finishing and dial craftsmanship over movement prestige, particularly those with wrists around 16–17cm who want a dressy 1940s-style piece that still functions as a working chronograph.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you require a mechanical movement, want a date complication, prefer 40mm+ cases, or are unwilling to pay steep secondary-market premiums over the CHF 460 original retail.

Before you buy

Retired reference — only available on the secondary market
Verify Seiko VK64 meca-quartz before purchase if expecting a mechanical movement
Case thickness varies across sources (11.3–11.5mm); confirm acceptable for your preference
Confirm original accessories (two straps, velvet-lined case, certificate) with any secondary listing

FAQ

Is the 1041-A automatic or quartz?

The 1041-A is meca-quartz. A battery and a quartz oscillator keep time, so it is low-maintenance and accurate to within seconds a month. There is nothing to wind, and a battery typically lasts a few years before it needs swapping.

What movement does the 1041-A use?

The 1041-A is powered by the Seiko VK64 from Seiko, a meca-quartz caliber. Being meca-quartz, it is battery-powered and keeps time to within seconds a month.

Does the 1041-A have a date?

No — the 1041-A has no date display. Some movements in this class can drive a date, but this one is specced without it, leaving a cleaner, more symmetrical dial. If a date is essential, look for a dated variant or a different model.

How water resistant is the 1041-A?

The 1041-A is rated to 50 m. That is enough for hand-washing, rain and brief swimming, but not for diving or prolonged submersion. Whatever the rating, avoid operating the crown or pushers underwater, and have the gaskets checked periodically to keep it reliable.

How big does the 1041-A wear?

At 38 mm across with a 46 mm lug-to-lug and 11.5 mm thick, the 1041-A wears as a versatile mid-size watch. Lug-to-lug is the measurement that really decides fit, since it sets how far the case spans the wrist — 46 mm suits most wrists, and smaller wrists especially should check that figure.

Is the movement mechanical or quartz?

Neither purely — the Seiko VK64 is a meca-quartz hybrid: quartz accuracy drives timekeeping while a mechanical module delivers a sweeping seconds hand and an instant snap-back chronograph reset, replicating the feel of a vintage mechanical chrono without the servicing demands.

Why did a sub-$500 watch win a GPHG prize?

The GPHG Horological Revelation category rewards outstanding design and execution irrespective of price segment; the level of case engraving, dial typography, crystal coating, and perlage caseback finish at this price point was considered without peer by the 2021 jury.

Will Furlan Marri reissue the 1041-A?

Very unlikely — Furlan Marri has been explicit that each reference is permanently retired once its batch sells out, making the 1041-A a genuine one-run limited edition.

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