The Fun Side of Timekeeping: Introducing the MAT Egg Master II
Watches often seem serious, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun with them! The creative collaborations between brands, like those from seconde/seconde/, show that whimsy has its place in horology. One theme that many watch enthusiasts are familiar with is timing the perfect boiled egg—a favorite pastime, especially among chronograph owners. French watchmaker MAT (Mer-Air-Terre) tapped into this idea back in September 2020 with the launch of the Egg Master. Fast forward almost six years, and they’ve introduced the enhanced Egg Master II, this time crafted in collaboration with a renowned chef who specializes in egg dishes.
A Fresh Take with the MAT Egg Master II
When MAT launched the original Egg Master, it marked a departure from their usual lineup of adventurous and military-style watches. This quirky timepiece, a quartz-powered yacht timer tailored for cooking, resonated with those who love to boil eggs just right. For the Egg Master II, founder Fabrice Pougez, a passionate foodie, decided to revamp the design by using the MAT Picobello as the base. Typically known for its retro charm, the Picobello has taken on a fresh look to better suit its culinary purpose.
Key Features of the MAT Egg Master II
This stylish update also enhances the functionality of the Egg Master II. The new watch boasts a 39.5mm stainless steel case, measuring 46.7mm in length and 12mm in thickness. It features a bidirectional bezel with an aluminum insert, marked with colorful indicators that guide you through the boiling process for poached, soft-boiled, medium-boiled, and hard-boiled eggs. This innovative bezel was co-designed with Chef Fabien Pairon, the 2023 world champion for œufs en meurette, a classic dish featuring poached eggs in a savory red wine sauce. Chef Pairon also runs Auberge Communale du Mont-sur-Lausanne in Switzerland.
Chef Fabien Pairon sporting the Egg Master II
Chef Pairon meticulously validated every cooking time to ensure this tool is functional for both food enthusiasts and watch lovers. The bezel text is in French but easy to understand. The timings are as follows: Poché (poached) = 2 minutes and 35-45 seconds, Coque (soft-boiled) = 3 minutes and 5-15 seconds, Mollet (medium) = 5 minutes and 55-60 seconds, and Dur (hard-boiled) = 8 minutes and 20-30 seconds. These times are based on medium-sized eggs (53g/1.8oz) cooked at sea level.
How to Use the MAT Egg Master II
Using the Egg Master II is a breeze. Simply rotate the bezel to align your preferred cooking level with the current position of the minute hand, then wait for the seconds hand to hit the zero mark—that’s when the timing begins. Once the designated time has passed, your eggs are ready! Given that cooking can be a bit imprecise, there’s a buffer of 5 to 10 seconds for each boiling time to get it just right. Additionally, the scale and colors found on the rehaut indicate how many seconds remain corresponding to the boiling time indicated on the bezel insert.
Besides being a trusty egg timer, the Egg Master II also tells time beautifully. The dial features a crisp white outer ring with oversized markers for easy reading. When the lights go out, both the ring and markers shine a vivid blue, while the lume-filled hour and minute hands ensure legibility in low light. The center of the dial sports an eggshell color, showcasing the brand logo at the top and “Eggmaster II” in cheerful yellow at the bottom, along with “Automatique” indicating the watch’s caliber.
The Soprod M100 Movement
The Egg Master II is powered by the Soprod M100, a 25-jewel automatic movement that operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, boasting a 42-hour power reserve. This caliber, inspired by the renowned ETA 2892-A2, is a popular choice among independent brands, including fellow French watchmaker Serica. The movement is visible through the sapphire display case back, which adds an elegant touch to this release, especially since the original Egg Master was a quartz model. It’s a delightful surprise to find a mechanical caliber powering the Egg Master II.
MAT has also included a trio of straps to complement the Egg Master II. The first is a striking yellow rubber strap that matches the watch’s playful design. The second is a sand-colored canvas strap, which gives the timepiece an adventurer vibe, while the third is a cream-colored rubber strap similar to the yellow one. With these options, you can easily switch up your style!
Final Thoughts on the MAT Egg Master II
Fabrice Pougez has masterfully balanced playfulness with seriousness in the Egg Master II. While the whimsical concept adds a light-hearted touch, cooking eggs is no joke! I admire how Pougez collaborated with Chef Fabien Pairon to pinpoint perfect cooking times for egg preparation. Whether or not you own the Egg Master II, I’m excited to try out those timing tips for the ultimate runny egg to top off a delicious bowl of ramen!
If you’re interested in the Egg Master II, pre-orders are currently open on MAT’s official website. The brand will produce a limited number of these individually numbered timepieces based on pre-orders received. The price of the MAT Egg Master II is €990 / US$973, which includes a handy travel case, a strap-changing tool, and three beautiful straps. With all that you get, the MAT Egg Master II is an affordable and fun timepiece that not only looks fantastic but also comes in well below the usual pricing of the Picobello models. This watch truly deserves some applause!