Magrette is an interesting new watchmaker, based in New Zealand. They offer all of their watch collections in limited editions of 500 or less. This particular wristwatch is actually limited to only 10 pieces worldwide. Prices range from under $500  for watches with a Miyota 8215 movement, to over $4,500  with an ETA 2824-2 movement.

The Magrette “Tane” (pictured) is powered by a swiss made ETA 2824-2 and features beautiful hand engraved artwork on the case, caseback , buckle and rotor. The box is even cool, it is handcrafted from timber milled from the Kauri tree, a protected New Zealand native.

The Gods: Tane, Lord of the Forest

Ranginui and Papatuanuku were the first gods and they were joined together. Because of this the world was in darkness. Their offspring lived in crevices in a dark universe. Tane, the oldest son and perhaps the most powerful, forced his parents apart and separated them and in doing so, brought light into the world and the earth and sky were formed. Ranginui was eventually forced up and became the sky father and Papatuanuku became the earth mother.

There was a time of great chaos during the separation and many struggles ensued between the offspring of Ranginui and Papatuanku as the siblings fought for domination of everything around them.

The God Tane, the greatest of all the children, brought life into the world and created all the forests and birds. His brothers and sisters once released into the light went on to become the Gods of war, water, fertility and other things………..but that’s all another story.

When a mighty tree is felled a prayer (karakia) of thanks is made to Tane. Thereafter the life force of Tane resides within the timber even after it has been crafted into other treasures (taonga).