Today, we’re taking a closer look at the latest release from Héron: the Mirabel GMT, which has just been unveiled. Héron is best known for their Marinor dive watches—one of which I’ve reviewed previously—but the Mirabel GMT marks a stylistic departure. While GMT complications are typically associated with sportier or travel-focused watches, Héron has chosen to incorporate this function into a timepiece with a more refined, dress-oriented aesthetic. The Mirabel GMT is available in four color variants: a black dial and a brown dial, both housed in gold PVD-coated cases; a white dial in a stainless steel case; and the version we’re examining today—a striking blue dial also set in a stainless steel case. What stands out here is Héron’s move beyond the saturated dive watch category, embracing a more elegant design language without abandoning practical functionality. In recent years, it’s been refreshing to see microbrands explore styles beyond the typical diver. While dive watches remain a staple of the microbrand scene, it’s encouraging to see brands like Héron broadening their horizons with more versatile, dress-oriented offerings. So let’s take a closer look at what the Mirabel GMT has to offer.
The Mirabel GMT arrives in packaging similar to that of the Marinor, but with a distinctive twist. The outer cardboard box is finished in a rich red color, adorned with gold detailing and the Héron logo—adding a touch of elegance right from the start. Inside, you’ll find a black leather travel case, also signed with the Héron logo in gold, along with a microfiber cloth. I genuinely appreciate this style of packaging: it’s compact, practical, and the inclusion of a travel case adds real utility beyond the initial unboxing experience.
As for the watch itself—it’s an immediate standout. My first impressions are very positive. One of the first details that caught my eye was the blue cabochon set into the crown, reminiscent of Cartier’s iconic design—a refined touch that adds a sense of luxury. Flipping the watch over reveals a thoughtfully executed case back, featuring a world time reference ring and a hand-painted enamel centerpiece, which gives the watch a distinctive character. Another noteworthy detail is the strap. Héron has partnered with well-known strap maker Delugs for this release, and the watch comes fitted with one of their high-quality leather straps. This is a particularly interesting move, as collaborations between microbrands and established strap companies are quite rare. It’s a smart decision that enhances both the comfort and perceived value of the watch, and it shows Héron’s commitment to offering a more curated, premium experience.
The Mirabel GMT case is crafted from durable 316L stainless steel, known for its resilience and sleek finish. With a diameter of 37.5mm and a thickness of 11.8mm, it hits a sweet spot for everyday wear. Lug-to-lug, it measures 43.5mm, offering a well-balanced wrist presence that feels just right. On my 18cm wrist, it wears closer to 39–40mm, thanks to the lug design that subtly enhances its visual footprint. The case finishing is impressive—clearly the result of high-precision machining. The top surface features a polished finish for a refined look, while the sides and caseback are satin brushed, creating a tasteful contrast with subtle polished edges. The overall aesthetic blends timeless elegance with a contemporary silhouette. Crowning the watch—literally—is a fixed polished bezel that adds a touch of vintage charm. Above the dial sits a boxed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, offering both clarity and durability.
At 3 o’clock, you’ll find a vintage-inspired push-pull crown adorned with a striking blue cabochon, instantly evoking Cartier vibes. The crown is generously sized, making it easy to grip and a pleasure to operate, with satisfying tactile feedback when setting the time. Flipping the watch over, the caseback is fully brushed and solid, featuring a hand-painted enamel centerpiece. Around it, you’ll find engraved time zones and city names from around the world—an elegant nod to the GMT functionality which will helo. A subtle but noteworthy detail: the inside of the caseback is decorated with perlage finishing. You won’t see it, but knowing it’s there adds a level of craftsmanship that’s genuinely cool. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters (5 ATM), which is more than sufficient for a watch of this style—ready to handle daily adventures, rain, and the occasional splash with ease.
The Mirabel GMT features a beautifully executed blue sector dial—one of four available variants, and likely the most popular, as blue dials often are. The design leans heavily into classic aesthetics, with a restrained and elegant layout that feels timeless. The dial surface is finished in a glossy enamel that gives it depth and richness under the light. Applied hour markers add a layer of sophistication, with a mix of polished indices and Roman numerals that strike a nice balance between tradition and minimalism. Encircling the outer edge is a cleanly printed 24-hour scale in crisp white Arabic numerals, serving the GMT function without disrupting the harmony of the design.
The hands are simple yet refined—polished dauphine-style for the hours and minutes, paired with a spear-shaped GMT hand. The GMT hand features a blackened base and a polished tip, helping it stand out subtly without clashing with the overall aesthetic. A detail many microbrands—and even seasoned enthusiasts—often overlook is the use of capped hands. Héron gets it right here, giving the dial a cleaner, more refined finish by covering the central pinion. It’s a small touch, but one that quietly signals higher craftsmanship. At 12 o’clock, the dial is signed with a white-printed Héron logo, tastefully sized and well-placed. One feature that would elevate the practicality of the dial—especially for travelers—would be luminescent hands. While lume isn’t typically part of a traditional dress-style watch, the GMT function does hint at tool watch territory, where nighttime legibility would be welcome. Still, it’s not a major drawback; Héron has clearly prioritized visual harmony and vintage charm over modern utility, and that choice holds its own appeal.
Inside the Mirabel GMT ticks the Miyota 9075, a true travel GMT movement that adds serious value and functionality to the watch. Unlike many GMT calibers at this price point, the 9075 offers independent adjustment of the local hour hand—perfect for jumping time zones without stopping the watch or disrupting the GMT hand. It’s a feature usually found in much more expensive timepieces. The movement beats at a smooth 28,800 vibrations per hour, with a power reserve of around 42 hours, and includes both hacking and hand-winding. It performs reliably, with accuracy well within expected tolerances for daily wear. While the unidirectional rotor can produce a bit of audible spin (a signature of Miyota), it’s a minor trade-off for a movement that delivers so much. By choosing the 9075, Heron has given the Mirabel GMT real-world travel utility wrapped in a classically styled package—making it not just a pretty watch, but a genuinely capable one.
When it came to the strap for the Mirabel GMT, Héron made an unexpected—but very welcome—choice. Rather than going the traditional route of producing and branding their own strap, they partnered with a known name in the watch community: Delugs. It’s a smart move. Delugs, a Singapore-based strap maker founded in 2018, has built a strong reputation for crafting high-quality straps using a variety of premium materials. They also offer custom strap services and a range of accessories like watch rolls and pouches. I actually own a few Delugs straps myself, and I’m a big fan—so seeing this collaboration instantly piqued my interest. For the Mirabel GMT, Héron opted for Delugs’ Baranil leather strap in a rich dark blue that pairs perfectly with the watch’s overall aesthetic. The leather is buttery soft and padded for comfort, with tonal stitching that keeps the look cohesive and elegant. The underside is a contrasting light brown and is stamped with the Delugs logo—though it would’ve been a nice touch to see Heron’s branding added alongside, just to complete the co-branded feel.
The strap tapers from 20mm at the lugs to 16mm at the buckle, giving it a refined profile on the wrist. The tang buckle is the same high-quality one Delugs uses on their straps, finished with a combination of polishing and brushing and signed with the Héron logo. Quick-release spring bars are included as well, making strap changes fast and tool-free—always a welcome feature. On the wrist, the strap wears beautifully. It’s supple straight out of the box with no break-in period needed. One small thing to note: on my 18cm wrist, I’m already using the last two holes, so if your wrist is larger, you may want to check if longer strap options are available. All in all, this strap choice elevates the Mirabel GMT. It’s not just a nice match—it’s a thoughtful detail that shows Heron is paying attention to what real watch enthusiasts care about.
The Héron Mirabel GMT is one of those watches that makes you smile the moment it’s on your wrist—and keeps you smiling the more you notice the details. It’s Héron stepping out of the dive watch lane and flexing some serious design muscle in a different arena. And honestly? They’ve nailed it. This watch doesn’t just look good—it’s smartly built. The proportions are spot-on: compact, but with enough wrist presence to feel special. The finishing is crisp, the enamel sector dial is gorgeous in the light, and touches like the capped hands and blue cabochon crown show the brand’s attention to the little things. It wears like a vintage-inspired piece but functions like a modern traveler’s tool—thanks to the Miyota 9075 movement and its proper jump-hour GMT feature. No faux-GMT here. This one’s the real deal.
Then there’s the strap. Héron could’ve just thrown on something generic with their logo and called it a day. Instead, they teamed up with Delugs—a move that instantly bumps up the quality and appeal. The Baranil leather strap is soft, well-made, and simply feels premium. Quick-release spring bars? Yes, please. Sure, a bit of lume on the hands would’ve been nice, especially for globe-trotters catching red-eyes. But that’s a small trade-off for the classy, clean look Héron went for. Bottom line? The Mirabel GMT is cool, capable, and seriously charming. It’s the kind of watch that doesn’t shout, but still grabs attention. If you’ve been hunting for a GMT that doesn’t feel like every other chunky travel watch on the market, this just might be your new favorite companion—whether you’re boarding a flight or heading to dinner.
