First Look: Héron Marinor Rainbow

Note: all photographs provided by Héron.

The Montreal-based company is releasing the third iteration of its popular vintage-inspired Marinor line this Wednesday, February 26th. I had the chance to review and dive with their first Marinor, and it proved a capable companion while working at a dive site or during a budget meeting. Like the second model, the Ghost variants, the new Rainbow editions take their inspiration from specific timepieces, this time spanning the 1960s and 70s.

Before dive computers, we divers relied on various decompression models, and watch companies attempted to aid our attempts in returning home to our loved ones alive. As seen below in their mood board, these watches were the Buler Aquarious Decompression Diver cal. 2454, Mido Powerwind Diver 5907 Rainbow, and the Vulcain Cricket-Nautical S 2322 B NOS. Currently, both Mido and Vulcain sell modernized versions of their historical prices. The Mido is a world timer, while the Vulcain forgoes the traditional colored scales for a more formal look while featuring their charming cricket alarm.

This is where the Marinor shines. It incorporates the brightly colored scales yet does it in a way only Héron could. A theme kept reoccurring in the previous articles I had written while covering the brand, and that was how small details were implemented. The two-person team at Héron knows how to execute traditional design elements with a degree of grace that makes their watches more versatile and wearable. The modern Mido may look too youthful in a formal setting, and the recent Vulcain will look too severe for most environments; the Marinor Rainbow sets an equal tone in all settings. Most importantly, the Héron undercuts the other two by a significant price.

Design elements such as the subdued broad arrow hour hand make even more sense here with the additional dial elements. The same is true with the wonderfully curved sapphire bezel, which now not only plays off the boxed sapphire crystal but also anchors the visual weight of the dial’s circular scales as they ripple outward. This is probably the best implementation of their vintage-colored lume since it contrasts the scales.

Like the original Marinor, the watch has the Héron staple of a wonderfully sculpted and appropriate caseback, a 1200HV hardened 316L stainless steel case and bracelet, and an extension clasp on the said bracelet. The Rainbow edition can also be optioned with a stunning tropical strap, making this watch look period-correct. We recommend buying the bracelet and a couple of the tropical straps.

Given the ease of wearability of the Marinor’s case and how genuine the vintage styling is here, this is our current favorite of the lineup. This was an unexpected and very welcomed release from the two gentlemen from Montreal. Thank you, Héron, for introducing a little color and class to this market segment.

Find out more about Héron watches here, read our review of the original Marinor here, and our first look at the Ghost Editions here.