More than a decade ago, the world of microbrand watches was a very different beast. Swimming in those yet uncharted waters among some of the other Australian micro OGs was Melbourne Watch Company, but it’s safe to say they’ve come a long way since those crowd-funded beginnings. Exactly a decade ago, MWC launched their Sorrento diver, combining a sportier aesthetic with the fashion-forward look that informed much of the brand’s early design choices. So, what better time to bring the Sorrento back in force, with a design subtly nodding to what came before, but improving in pretty much every aspect imaginable.
The changes that make a difference
As Melbourne Watch Co has been in the game for a little while now, they’ve had the time to change and adapt, and that’s really obvious with the changes made for the new Sorrento. While its first iterations had some funky features like a wave-engraved bezel and some fancy, faceted hands, it didn’t really present the way you’d expect a 200-metre diver would. MWC has kept some of that quirkiness for the new Sorrento – the horizontally patterned dial and fine script logo are still here, as is the M-counterbalanced seconds hand – but everything else is new.
The two-tone model and its inky black dial perhaps keep some of the elegance that imbues many of MWC’s designs, but when we look at this bright yellow number, you can clearly see that the brand prioritised legibility. The hands are now more distinct, with a broad arrow hours and fencepost minutes, matching the black-outlined markers that almost appear to float above the dial pattern – another nod to the original. I’m also a big fan of the new logo, which incorporates the MWC “seal”, without the full name below it. It makes for a much cleaner look, as does the bezel, which now sports a simple, black ceramic insert that you’ll actually be able to use for timing dives should you wish. In my case, it’ll more likely end up as an egg-timer – an equally noble purpose, no doubt.
Flying the big diver flag
One thing that has remained constant is the sizing. Much like the rest of the Melbourne Watch Co catalogue, you’ll notice that this isn’t a brand that follows diameter trends too closely. In a time when smaller watches are all the rage (to the delight of us puny-wristed), they’ve remained steadfast in their preference of 40mm+ examples. As such, the Sorrento still measures in at 42mm across, though it does get slimmer and shorter by a millimetre in both dimensions, dropping down to 13mm and 49mm, respectively. Admittedly, it’s not my favourite diameter even for a tooltastic diver, but it’d be unfair of me to call it ill-proportioned, as it wears well even on my ~17cm wrist, so it’ll come down to personal preference.
With a change in case size also came refinement in finishing, including the bracelet. Polishing is now minimal, and reserved for slim chamfers that transition between softly brushed surfaces. Speaking of the bracelet, the three-link design is chunky and balances out the case well, so there’s no top-heaviness to worry about, and includes a dive-style extension operated by a couple of buttons. Looking at this side view also shows off the MWC logo neatly integrated into the crown, which is the only thing I’ll nitpick – I think they could’ve gone bigger, both for added grip and visual balance considering the size of the watch.
This is a dive watch, after all, so let’s talk about some specs. Other than the dimensions I mentioned before, the 22mm lug width and double-sided quick-release spring bars will help with popping the Sorrento onto a rubber diving strap if that’s your preference, though I do see some fun colour pairings being a possibility with the yellow dial. The water-resistance rating still offers plenty to anyone who’s going to realistically use this watch underwater, and comes with the added benefit of a better-wearing, slimmer case – that’s a “compromise” I’ll take any day. Finally, hidden below a diver’s helmet-engraved caseback sits a Miyota 9015. There’s not much I can add about this excellent movement that hasn’t been said already, its highlights being a slim construction, reliable 4Hz performance, and a 42-hour power reserve.
Conclusion: big personality, elegant details
When I think of Melbourne Watch Company, the watch I think of is the Portsea, with its deck watch-style sub-dials. The new Sorrento is the first watch that they’ve released that I feel signals an all-new direction, with the revised logo and looks akin to a brand that’s been in the game for over ten years. The Burnley is the watch that started this transition, sitting on the precipice of what was and what will be, and I’m curious to see what the future holds once this new design language becomes more established. As for the new Sorrento itself, its proposition isn’t as simple as just being a big diver in 2026. I’m a big fan of the dial execution, especially in the hi-vis yellow colourway, and even though the case is about 8mm too big for my personal preference, I appreciate that the brand hasn’t felt the need to conform to a trend, and still offers a new design that coherently belongs in their collection.
See the new Melbourne Watch Company Sorrento in our Melbourne Showroom or the WatchPoint Webstore
