Martin Design Watches Supernatural “Taranis” (Review) – Affordable F.P.Journe

Founded in 2017 by Martin Iglody, a Slovakian designer now based in Cork, Ireland, MD Watches stands out with a unique blend of artistry and precision. Martin’s deep-rooted passion for horology, paired with his background in graphic design, drives each creation from initial sketch to full-fledged prototype. Working closely with skilled watchmakers and trusted manufacturing partners across Europe and Asia, Martin brings his visions to life—balancing bold design with affordable performance. His hands-on approach ensures that each piece reflects a commitment to quality, functionality, and standout aesthetics. With MD Watches, Martin’s mission is clear: to craft distinctive timepieces that combine precision, style, and durability—making fine watch design accessible to enthusiasts around the world.

In a market saturated with microbrands offering the usual fare of divers and chronographs, it’s genuinely refreshing to encounter something that breaks the mold—like a bold, classically inspired regulator. Today, we’re taking a closer look at one of the standout pieces from the Supernatural collection. This collection features nine distinct models, each with its own dial color and unique character. The lineup includes Silver, Green, Red, Black, Purple, Aquamarine, a vibrant Multicolored design, and several variations of Pink Salmon—one with black accents and another with silver accents. I opted for the Pink Salmon dial with silver accents. Choosing just one was no easy task; each dial variant has its own distinct charm and visual appeal. The watch also draws inspiration from Celtic culture, both in its naming and design elements. The names are derived from Celtic deities—such as the example we have here is called “Taranis”, the god of thunder—reflecting the powerful symbolism and mythological depth behind each piece.

The watch arrived in book-style packaging, which I found quite appealing. That said, I would have appreciated the inclusion of a travel pouch—something more compact and practical. While the box can be tucked neatly onto a bookshelf between actual books, it still takes up a fair bit of space. Inside the box, you’ll find the watch itself, documentation, and an additional mesh bracelet kindly included by Martin Design Watches. A particularly thoughtful touch is the interior detailing: subtle engraved lines that mirror the strap design. These lines aren’t just decorative—they represent the Ogham alphabet, also known as the Celtic tree alphabet, where each line corresponds to a specific letter. It’s a clever nod to the Celtic inspiration behind the watch. First impressions were strong. As I unboxed it, my immediate thought was how much it reminded me of something from F.P. Journe—a good sign. The dial color is excellent, continuing the current trend of salmon dials, which seem to be popping up more and more in the pieces I’ve reviewed lately.

The watch case is crafted from 316L stainless steel and showcases a sophisticated blend of brushed finishing with polished accents on the bezel, case back, and edges. The machining is precise, and the overall finishing reflects a high standard of workmanship. With a case diameter of 40mm, a lug-to-lug distance of 46mm, and a thickness of 12mm, the watch strikes a well-balanced profile that should suit a wide range of wrist sizes. Personally, I find the dimensions ideal—it wears perfectly on my 18cm wrist and complements the design nicely. That said, a 38mm variant would have been a cool addition also.

A polished bezel sits atop the case, adding a touch of elegance. Positioned at the 2:10 mark is a signed push-pull crown featuring the MD logo. The crown offers excellent grip and makes time-setting effortless. While the 2 o’clock position offers a unique aesthetic, I would have preferred a more traditional placement at 3 o’clock for better symmetry and familiarity. Turning the watch over, the exhibition case back features a satin-brushed finish and a flat sapphire crystal, offering a view of the Miyota 82S7 automatic movement. While the movement itself is relatively utilitarian, it’s still enjoyable to observe its mechanical workings. Engraved around the perimeter of the case back are key specifications of the watch. The timepiece offers a water resistance rating of 50 meters (5 ATM), which is more than adequate for everyday use and casual wear.

The dial is undoubtedly the highlight of this timepiece—it’s where the watch truly sets itself apart. Some may see it as a subtle homage to F.P. Journe, and I can’t deny that it shares a similar aesthetic appeal. Surrounding the dial is a sloped chapter ring in crisp white, featuring a finely printed black minute track for precise readability. The main dial surface showcases a beautiful grainy, almost frosted texture in an elegant salmon pink tone, adding both depth and visual interest. This is a regulator-style layout, meaning each timekeeping function—hours, minutes, and seconds—has its own dedicated sub-dial. The central minutes hand anchors the design, while the hour and seconds sub-dials are elevated slightly with polished metallic frames. These sub-dials contrast nicely in white and silver tones, accented with hints of blue that tie the whole dial together.

The hands are polished and finished in a vibrant blue. It’s unclear whether they are thermally blued or simply lacquered, but either way, they harmonize beautifully with the rest of the dial’s palette and add a refined touch. The applied MD logo sits proudly at the 12 o’clock position, finished in polished metal for added dimensionality. Just below, between 1 and 2 o’clock, is a metal nameplate secured with two screws, featuring the model name “Taranis” in crisp blue print—a tasteful design cue that gives the dial a distinctive personality. Legibility is excellent, though as with most regulators, it takes a little time to adjust to reading the time at a glance. Once you become familiar with the layout, it becomes second nature. As far as the dial is concerned, I find it absolutely stunning. Every detail feels intentional, balanced, and beautifully executed. I wouldn’t change a thing.

The Miyota 82S7 isn’t aiming to compete with high-end Swiss calibers—but what it offers is solid performance, unique functionality, and an ideal match for the Supernatural Taranis’s striking regulator design. Part of Citizen’s 8200-series family, the 82S7 is a reliable, Japanese-made automatic movement featuring a regulator layout—central minutes, with separate sub-dials for hours and running seconds. It’s a configuration rarely seen at this price point, and one that gives the Taranis a ton of visual intrigue. The movement ticks at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and offers a respectable 42-hour power reserve. It includes both hand-winding and hacking seconds, allowing for precise time-setting—an appreciated feature, especially for a regulator watch where each function has its own display. The rotor winds bidirectionally and operates smoothly, though with minimal decoration—what you see through the sapphire case back is a no-nonsense machine, not haute horology, and that’s part of the appeal.

Accuracy-wise, my particular example runs at +7 to +9 seconds per day, which is quite good for a non-chronometer movement in this segment. It’s dependable, consistent, and doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. Is the Miyota 82S7 going to wow movement snobs? Probably not. But for enthusiasts who appreciate unique dial layouts and honest engineering, it’s a great fit. Its simplicity lends itself to reliability, and its quirks—like the off-center hour and second displays—are what make the Taranis stand out. All in all, the 82S7 does exactly what it needs to do: keep time reliably, look cool doing it, and power one of the most fun and distinctive microbrand watches on the market today.

When purchasing the Supernatural Taranis, you’re offered a choice of seven different straps and bracelets: dark grey fabric strap, bright blue fabric strap, dark blue leather strap, black leather strap, mesh bracelet, solid-link stainless steel bracelet, and a bright blue leather strap. I didn’t specify my preference when placing the order—but I have to say, Mr. Iglódy absolutely nailed it by pairing the bright blue leather strap with the salmon pink dial. In my opinion, it’s the best possible combo—it really makes the dial pop while giving the watch a stylish, modern edge.

The strap itself is crafted from soft blue leather, with a beige suede-like lining on the underside that feels great against the skin. It’s padded for comfort and features matching blue stitching for a clean, cohesive look. Additional details like the MD logo and Celtic tree alphabet embossing add a thoughtful touch of personality. It tapers nicely from 20mm at the lugs to 18mm at the signed stainless steel buckle, giving it a refined silhouette. Quick-release spring bars are included—now fairly standard, but still appreciated—especially considering how uncommon they were when I first got into watches. On the wrist, the Taranis feels very comfortable and proves to be a great daily wearer. While the leather strap is initially a bit stiff, it begins to break in after just a couple of days, becoming noticeably more supple and comfortable with wear. As for the mesh bracelet, there’s not much I can say—I’m just not a fan. Like many mesh options, it tends to pull hairs, which is a dealbreaker for me. It appears to be a standard, no-frills mesh bracelet, included for those who like the style, but it’s not for me.

In a world overflowing with homage-heavy microbrands and design-by-committee timepieces, the Supernatural Taranis is a bold breath of fresh air. It’s a watch that dares to do things differently—offering a thoughtfully executed regulator layout, a stunning salmon dial, and a clear sense of identity that’s rooted in both Celtic mythology and modern design sensibilities. It’s not trying to mimic anyone—it’s carving out its own niche. Martin Iglódy’s vision for MD Watches clearly shines through in the Taranis. From the case finishing to the dial layout, and from the strap options to the meaningful symbolic details, it’s obvious this watch was born from passion, not spreadsheets. It’s one of those pieces that gets more rewarding the longer you spend with it. And while there are areas where personal preferences come into play—like crown placement or bracelet styles—the overall execution is impressively cohesive.

The Miyota 82S7 may not be a showstopper mechanically, but it offers reliable performance and supports the unique dial layout without compromise. The movement’s real strength lies in its character and dependability—something that perfectly complements the Taranis’s artistic and slightly rebellious spirit. For the price, you’re getting a watch that punches well above its weight in terms of design, originality, and build quality. It’s not just another microbrand release—it’s a conversation starter, a design piece, and most importantly, a joy to wear. If you’re looking for something that feels genuinely different, while still delivering everyday functionality and wrist presence, the Supernatural Taranis deserves a spot on your radar. It’s a reminder that watches can still surprise us—and that thoughtful, independent design is very much alive and well.

Price 459€ at martindesignwatches.com

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