The Maghnam Mohareb: A Gladiator of Time with Sculptural Swiss Watch Innovation
Bold, modular, and sculptural, the new Mohareb fuses Arab heritage with Swiss craftsmanship, offering collectors a wearable masterpiece of technical innovation and visual storytelling.
The Maghnam Mohareb is a bold step in independent watchmaking, blending Arab heritage with Swiss craftsmanship in a sculptural, wearable design. Its name, meaning “warrior” or “gladiator,” reflects its strong aesthetic and modular concept. Unveiled at Geneva Watch Week 2026, it comes in two colorways—Argent Crimson and Deep Blue—and features three interchangeable configurations: Blades, Halo, and Wings, allowing wearers to transform its identity while keeping its core structure.
More than a timepiece, the Mohareb expresses Maghnam’s vision of combining technical innovation with storytelling. A hand-wound Swiss movement with a bi-retrograde module displays hours and minutes through sweeping arcs and a vertical counter. Lightweight and ergonomic, it balances bold design with everyday wearability, offering collectors a piece that is both mechanically striking and culturally meaningful. Let’s take a closer look.
Key Highlights
• Bi-retrograde MCR01-B module based on Swiss SW210, offering a 42-hour power reserve
• Modular case with three configurations: Blades, Halo, Wings
• Lightweight 43.5-gram 904L stainless steel case with ergonomic 39.5 mm diameter and 8.6 mm thickness
• Sculptural design inspired by armour, featuring engraved motifs reminiscent of warrior battle scars
Heritage & Vision: Where Arab Culture Meets Swiss Precision
Founded by designer and engineer Sohaib Maghnam, Maghnam is an independent watch brand exploring the intersection of engineering and sculptural artistry.
Since launching its first watch, the Makina, in 2020, the brand has merged Arab heritage with Swiss craftsmanship to create a distinctive visual language. Each watch carries an Arabic name – from Makina to Noor – reflecting cultural storytelling anchored in avant-garde design.
The Mohareb collection continues this philosophy, introducing modularity as a central design principle. By allowing wearers to transform the watch’s visual identity, Maghnam reinforces its commitment to innovation while celebrating Arab heritage and Swiss mechanical mastery.
Movement & Mechanics: A Dance of Time
At the heart of the Mohareb is the MCR01-B manual-winding calibre, which is built on the reliable Swiss SW210 and enhanced with a proprietary bi-retrograde module. Hours sweep across a 120-degree arc before instantly returning, while minutes are displayed on a vertical linear counter, reinforcing the helmet-inspired architectural theme.
The calibre delivers a 42-hour power reserve and is protected by a sapphire crystal. Moreover, its lightweight yet structurally sound case required CNC-machining sections to a thickness of only 0.28mm, a technical feat that ensures both mechanical reliability and wearer comfort.
Dial & Style: Armor-Inspired Elegance
The dial reflects Mohareb’s gladiator inspiration, with polished and sandblasted surfaces creating contrast and depth.
Engraved motifs evoke battle scars, symbolizing strength and vulnerability, while subtle layered textures add dimensionality that shifts with light. Additionally, each surface is carefully finished to emphasize the watch’s sculptural and architectural nature.
The three configurations – Blades, Halo, Wings – allow instant transformation of the watch’s visual character, giving wearers the choice between bold, restrained, or highly sculptural expressions. Combined with the interplay of light on the engraved surfaces, this modularity transforms the Mohareb into an interactive work of art that responds to the wearer’s style.
Case & Comfort: Lightweight Strength
Crafted from 904L stainless steel, the Mohareb measures 39.5mm in diameter and 8.6mm in thickness, tapering to just 3.5mm at the edges. Moreover, its modular construction allows the attachment of different aesthetic modules via a secure locking system.
Straps are offered in alligator, sailcloth, or bespoke options, complementing the lightweight 43.5-gram and ergonomic design suitable for daily wear. This combination of modularity, comfort, and sculptural design ensures the watch is both wearable and visually striking.
Why It Matters: Art Meets Function
The Mohareb blends technical ingenuity with artistic vision. Its modular system enables dynamic expression, while the hand-wound bi-retrograde movement demonstrates mechanical sophistication.
From ultrathin CNC-machined case walls to engraved armor motifs, every detail reflects Maghnam’s craftsmanship. More than a timepiece, it is a wearable sculpture, merging Arab storytelling with Swiss precision for collectors who value both innovation and heritage.
By combining modular design, sculptural aesthetics, and mechanical ingenuity, the Mohareb redefines independent watchmaking. Sohaib Maghnam envisions watches as interactive objects, inviting wearers to shape their own experience. Fusing tradition with contemporary engineering, the Mohareb sets a new benchmark for independent brands – a gladiator ready for the wrist.
Price & Availability
The Maghnam Mohareb is produced according to workshop capacity, with availability limited through boutiques and authorized retailers. The launch price is CHF 7,200 (excl. VAT).
For more details, visit the official Maghnam Watches website
FAQ by Watchonista
What movement does it use?
The Mohareb uses the MCR01-B manual-winding calibre, a bi-retrograde module built on the Swiss SW210 movement.
Is it a limited edition?
No, the new Mohareb generation is part of the standard collection, though availability may be limited at boutiques and authorized retailers.
What makes this watch unique?
Its modular, armour-inspired design, combined with a bi-retrograde display and lightweight Swiss engineering, allows a transformative and culturally resonant wearing experience.
