The Sea Urchin Watch: How Nature Inspired Croatia's Most Distinctive Timepiece

While Switzerland and Germany dominate conversations about European timepieces, a small Croatian brand is quietly making waves in the watch world with something entirely unexpected: sea urchins.

Founded by Mario Jutronić, MARNAUT emerged from childhood memories of snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters around Brač island. Fascinated by the intricate, symmetrical patterns of sea urchin shells scattered across the Adriatic seabed, Jutronic spent years translating this natural geometry into what has become watchmaking's most distinctive dial design.

Each MARNAUT timepiece features precision-placed luminous indices radiating from the center in organic symmetry—a pattern unlike anything else in the industry. The result is mesmerizing: dials that seem to pulse with life, mimicking the mathematical perfection found in nature's own designs.

But MARNAUT's appeal extends beyond visual innovation. These are serious timepieces built to Swiss standards, powered by reliable Sellita SW200-1 automatic movements and assembled in Germany's historic watchmaking center of Pforzheim. The 316L stainless steel cases are finished to exacting standards, while each watch undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure it meets the brand's commitment to both beauty and performance.

The collection spans three distinct personalities: the robust Dark Surge 300M dive watch built for underwater adventures (€849), the vintage-inspired Seascape 200M with its twin-crown compressor styling (€749), and the elegant Safe Harbour 100M that bridges sport and dress watch categories (€649). This tiered pricing structure positions them in the accessible luxury segment where quality meets value.

Perhaps most meaningfully, each watch dial displays coordinates pointing to iconic Croatian locations—the Blue Cave on Biševo island, Split's historic Riva, or the famous Bol Zlatni Rat beach. It's a subtle but powerful reminder that these timepieces carry the spirit of their homeland wherever they travel.

MARNAUT has attracted attention from international watch publications and collectors who appreciate innovation rooted in genuine inspiration.

From their Zagreb showroom, this Croatian microbrand proves that the most compelling luxury stories often come from the most unexpected places. In a world of derivative designs, MARNAUT's sea urchin dials offer something refreshingly different: nature's own blueprint for perfect symmetry, captured forever on the wrist.

Visit the MARNAUT showroom in Zagreb or explore the collection at www.marnaut.com/shop