Leoncino Wheke

Wheke—octopus in Māori—are highly intelligent creatures that inhabit the world's oceans. They have often been regarded as ‘monsters of the deep‘ due to the numerous stories, myths, and legends surrounding them. One of their remarkable abilities is their mastery of disguise, enabling them to blend into almost any environment and evade predators unnoticed.

In Māori mythology, wheke holds a significant role as part of the larger narrative of Kupe's discovery of Aoteraroa/New Zealand. The giant octopus, Te Wheke-o-Muturangi, was compelled to flee Hawaiiki after being caught devouring the local fishermens' catches and depriving their families of food. Kupe embarked on a pursuit of this colossal wheke across the ocean, ultimately tracking him down in the Cook Strait, situated between Te Ika-a-Māui/North Island and Te Waipounamu/South Island. Following an epic sea battle that hung in the balance, Kupe succeeded in slaying Te Wheke-o-Muturangi. In various other cultures, the octopus symbolizes intelligence, awareness, agility, altruism, and versatility.

This stunning limited edition collection are each individually hand-engraved by Christchurch, NZ artist Andrew Biggs. The highly detailed Wheke motif is deeply—and painstakingly—etched into the case top, lugs and sides. In a first for the Magrette Art Collection, the illustration extends into the first links of the integrated bracelet. The caseback continues the theme with another engraved Wheke motif including the case number.

Series is limited to only twenty (20) pieces.

Movement: Swiss Made Sellita Caliber SW200-1 automatic movement.
Case Diameter: 40mm excluding crown.
Case Finish: 316L Stainless Steel, brushed and individually hand-engraved.
Crown: Signed screw down crown.
Crystal: Sapphire (double domed), AR coating.
Dial & Hands: Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 (Old Radium colour); sandwich dial construction
Case Back: Solid with hand-engraved Wheke motif.
Water-resistance: 200M/20ATM water resistance.
Strap: Integrated quick-release bracelet, hand-engraved end-links, with signed butterfly clasp; Black quick-release leather strap with red belly and accent stitching, buckle signed with Magrette shield.

Limited Edition: Twenty (20) hand-engraved pieces only