Kia kaha (Be Strong)
I wanted a strong masculine influence in this design for a limited edition Magrette watch back, hence the predominant manhood.
Early Maori used the erect manhood in a lot of their early carvings but when New Zealand was colonised the early missionaries put an end to that. In fact they often vandalised carvings by chopping the offending piece off. Thankfully today that practice has stopped and over recent years we have seen Maori carvers reintroduce it back into their carvings.
Because the God Tane was considered to be the procreative force and eventually formed a woman of the earth who in turn gave birth to the first human being. Therefore the male sex was considered to be of divine origin and the female sex as human.
The expression Kia kaha which translates in English as “Be Strong” is used in a supportive manner. For instance, if someone is having a rough time of it in their lives then you would say Kia kaha, kia kaha, be strong, be strong.
Model: Kia kaha
Movement: Self-winding, 25 jewel, Swiss movement (ETA cal. 2824-2)
Case Diameter: 44mm excluding crown, stainless steel, PVD.
Case back: Hand engraved, polished stainless steel.
Dial: Laser cut indices filled by hand with LÜM-TEC GX luminous pigment for maximum night time readability and afterglow performance.
Crystal: Sapphire
Water-resistance: 5 ATM
Strap: 24mm leather
Buckle: Polished stainless steel
Wooden box: Kauri (hand-made)
Limited Edition: 25 piece
Price: $1550.00 plus shipping
Click here to view photos of the Kia kaha timepiece
Please contact us to find out more information about purchasing this MAGRETTE Timepiece
To compliment this wonderful piece, we have placed it in handmade boxe that is crafted from timber, milled from the Kauri tree - a protected New Zealand native - engraved with our logo and inlaid with black New Zealand paua shell.
Read about the engraver and the engraving process
Giant Kauri trees were considered by Maori to be the kings of New Zealand forests. The Kauri is one of the largest and oldest growing trees in the world.
Click here for more information
