Farer has consistently carved out a niche for itself by injecting vibrant design, impeccable Swiss mechanics, and compelling stories into their timepieces. Their watches are built for adventure, both on and off the wrist. The Farer Maze III Watch stands as a testament to this philosophy, representing the third generation of their popular GMT model and a timepiece that directly connects to the very origins of global timekeeping.
Named after Maze Hill, one of the roads surrounding London’s historic Greenwich Park – famously home to the Greenwich Observatory and the international standard prime meridian – the Maze watch draws inspiration from this pivotal location. It was from the Greenwich meridian that the concept of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) originated, a crucial step away from highly localised timekeeping.
With the advent of the Jet Age in the 1950s, the need for watches capable of displaying multiple time zones exploded, solidifying the GMT complication as a cornerstone of modern horology and taking its name from the Greenwich Mean Time itself. The Maze III embodies this heritage, serving as a modern tool for the contemporary adventurer navigating a connected world.
Powering the heart of the Farer Maze III Watch is a Swiss Made Sellita SW330-2 movement in ‘Top Grade’. This signifies a higher level of finish and regulation, ensuring excellent accuracy and performance. This automatic calibre beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), contains 25 jewels, and offers a robust power reserve of approximately 56 hours when fully wound. It provides hours, minutes, sweep seconds, and a 24-hour display for the GMT function, featuring a stop second device for precision time setting and quick date correction at six o’clock. Visible through the exhibition glass on the rear of the case, the movement’s finishing can be appreciated.
The Maze III is housed in a brand new 40mm stainless steel case (316L marine-grade), a versatile size for a modern tool watch. Measuring 12.5mm in depth including the crystal (10.75mm without) and 44.8mm lug-to-lug, it features the distinctive “ski slope” lugs first seen in Farer’s Chrono-Contempo collection.
The case is meticulously finished with brushed lugs and sides, complemented by highly polished chamfers, showcasing attention to detail. The screw-down stainless steel crown features a unique solid bronze cap insert with an embossed Farer ‘A’, adding a touch of material contrast and brand identity. As a thoroughbred tool watch, the Maze III boasts a substantial 200m / 20 ATM water resistance, providing serious capability for water-based adventures.
The dial is a visual treat, featuring a distinctive pearlescent white engraved grid pattern. Mounted onto this base are oversized dot and dash hour markers in gloss black (with the Farer logo shaping the marker at twelve). These markers and the black straight sword handset are generously filled with ice-blue X1 Super-LumiNova, guaranteeing legibility in darkness.
A printed light blue minute track encircles the dial, while the silver seconds hand is tipped with a bright blue Farer ‘A’. The GMT hand is presented in a bold “postbox red” with X1 Super-LumiNova infill, easily distinguishable for tracking a second time zone. This is done in conjunction with the bidirectional 24-click rotating bezel, which features a sapphire insert protecting the 24-hour scale underneath. The watch is topped with a boxed sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating, adding a touch of vintage character while ensuring modern durability and clarity.
Offering this blend of historical narrative, distinctive design, robust construction, and a highly capable Swiss ‘Top Grade’ automatic GMT movement at a price point of £1325, the Farer Maze III Watch is a compelling choice for the modern adventurer seeking a stylish, functional, and meaningful timepiece.
