MMI Cuttlecron Great Wave Dial

Today we're talking about the MMI Cuttlecron in stainless steel with Great Wave dial – a limited edition that's quirky, premium-feeling, and packed with lume in a way that's almost absurd transforming from subtle white to a glowing masterpiece after dark. If you're into microbrands that deliver big on value and creativity, this one's a standout. Let's get into it.

MMI isn't a massive operation, but they're all about unique designs. The Cuttlecron Wave pulls from that iconic Great Wave artwork, but they've reimagined it without the boats, adding a moon and layering in three different lume colors for depth. During the day, it's a clean white dial with applied indices; flip the lights off, and Splash! – the waves come alive. It's not just a gimmick; it's executed with real thought.

Specs at a Glance

• Case: Stainless steel, square-ish with a bulgy profile; 41mm at the bezel, 42mm across the case; 12.5mm thick; 44.3mm lug-to-lug (wears like a 42mm on the bracelet); 150m water resistance; sapphire crystal front, solid caseback; crown at 4-5 o'clock, shrouded for protection and lumed.
• Dial: White wave pattern that's invisible in daylight but reveals a tri-lume Great Wave (three colors for dimension) at night; applied lume-filled indices; segmented, lume-filled hands (polished to look black against the white); orange seconds hand with lume counterbalance.
• Bezel: Ceramic, 120-click unidirectional; lumed markers.
• Movement: Miyota 9039 (no-date version of the 9000 series for a slim profile) automatic.
• Bracelet: Integrated "I" - Link style, screwed links; quick-release; solid end links; clasp with on-the-fly micro-adjust
• Price & Availability: $436 on pre-order (shipping in January); comes with the bracelet (strap option).

The case finishing is what really sells it – brushed sides with polished edges that catch light just right, giving it a premium vibe way beyond the price. That square shape isn't usually my jam, but the proportions work, and the shrouded crown adds a cool, protective touch without bulk. Flip it over, and while the caseback's solid you do have some heavily embossed artwork featuring a cuttlefish

The Dial: Daytime Stealth, Nighttime Spectacle

Up close in good light, the dial looks deceptively simple – white background, applied indices, those polished hands that read black for killer legibility. But charge it up and hit the dark: the wave pattern emerges in glowing blues, greens, and whites, with a moon tucked between 2 and 3 o'clock. The lume extends to the bezel, hands, indices, and even the crown – it's over-the-top in the best way, creating this 3D effect that's mesmerizing.

The bracelet is a highlight too – it's got an integrated feel with polished accents, and the clasp is a standard microbrand clasp albeit with easy micro-adjust. On my 7.5-inch wrist, the whole package wears comfortably, feeling more like a 42mm than the specs suggest. Minor nitpick? More taper on the bracelet would've been nice, but at this price, it's hard to complain.

On the Wrist and Why It Matters

On the wrist, the Cuttlecron doesn't feel like a budget microbrand piece – the build quality shines through, and the lume show makes it fun without being cheesy. Microbrands are stepping up, and MMI's showing how to do quirky right: premium materials, thoughtful details, and a price that leaves room in your wallet for more watches.

If you're eyeing an affordable diver with personality, jump on the pre-order while it lasts. Check out the full details on MMI's site: https://mmiwatches.com/products/cuttlecron-wave-limited-edition

And for the complete hands-on, here's the video: https://youtu.be/TJg7zL9fZpE

What do you think – does the tri-lume wave dial win you over, or is the square case a dealbreaker? Hit me with your thoughts below, and thanks for reading!