Disclaimer: This watch was sent to me to review, and I do not need to return it after my review is complete. This watch was given to me without restriction and is not contingent upon a particular outcome for my review. All opinions here are my own, and HZ Watches had no influence over the opinions stated here.
HZ.03 Blue Marble: https://hzwatches.com/products/hz-03-blue-marble-blue-enamel
Video
Review
This is the first HZ watch I’ve had the chance to review, though the Australian micro-brand isn’t new to me, and I’ve known a few owners of the brand’s original HZ.01 Everyday. I’ve always been curious about the company’s commitment to quartz, particularly given how taboo it can be among some watch collectors, but I respect the brand’s decision and they seem to be quite successful. Founded with the goal of creating high-quality yet affordable everyday watches, HZ leans fully into quartz innovation, a theme reflected not just in their movements but in their identity: from the circuit-inspired logo to the recurring “32,768” reference, the frequency at which most quartz crystals vibrate… and I wouldn’t be surprised if the HZ brand name was inspired by the notation for ‘Hertz’
The HZ.03 Blue Marble continues that focus, drawing inspiration from the famous Blue Marble photograph of Earth taken by the crew of the 1972 Apollo 17, aiming to remind the wearer to take a moment of reflection and regain perspective through its design. Priced at $239 USD for the enamel dial versions (in black, white and blue) and $279 for the Aventurine model, the Blue Marble lineup remains available at the time of writing and positions itself as an accessible, thoughtful entry into the everyday watch genre.
Let’s check it out!
Case
The case of the Blue Marble is one of its most impressive surprises, measuring 35.75mm across and 43.5mm lug-to-lug, with an overall height of 11.75mm that includes a notably domed sapphire crystal adding a few extra millimeters on its own.
What truly stands out, though, is the choice of Grade 5 titanium: remarkably uncommon in the $200 – $300 price range, where Grade 2 is the norm even among much larger brands. While even brands like MING and Christopher Ward go with Grade 2 Ti in their $2000 – 3000 watches, Grade 5 Ti brings meaningful benefits: greater strength, improved scratch resistance, and a more robust feel without sacrificing lightness.
The design itself is clean but intentional, with an arched mid-case that extends beyond the case-back and hugs the wrist, brushed surfaces along the 20mm spaced lugs and case band, and a bezel with polished sides and a brushed top that seats a sapphire crystal that is heavily domed. There is AR coating here, but the curvature of the crystal means you’re still going to catch plenty of reflections.
A 5.3mm push-pull crown at three o’clock, embossed with the brand’s circuit-inspired logo, is easy to handle, and the closed case-back features what I think is an enameled or lacquered medallion and a reassuring 100 meters of water resistance: more than enough for daily wear, provided you swap the leather strap before heading near the water.
Dial
The blue enamel dial is another unexpected highlight, especially at this price point, where enamel (a process involving the fusion of powdered glass onto a metal base) is almost never seen due to its higher cost and complexity compared to standard painted or anodized dials.
Here, the glossy enamel surface provides a rich backdrop for the large white hour ticks and the subtle circular ring that connects them, creating a clean, sector-like layout anchored by an applied logo at twelve and a recessed small-seconds display at six.
That sub-dial is particularly charming: a transparent disc rotates once per minute over a black base, carrying a tiny printed Earth that catches light in a way that feels more refined than the watch’s price would suggest.
The handset is classic, well finished, and easy to read, bringing together a dial that manages to be simple in concept yet complex in execution due to its enamel base and rotating Earth motif.
While I did notice a few particles and fibers, common at this price point, they don’t detract from the overall presentation, and my only real wish would be for some lume integrated into the design, even if the dressy leaning design explains its absence.
Movement
The Blue Marble is powered by the Seiko VD78, a straightforward and reliable quartz movement that fits the watch’s sub-$250 price point. It’s a simple two-hand setup with a small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock, running on a 377 battery that should last around three years and keep time within about 10-20 seconds per month.
It has compact dimensions, and is a no-frills movement assembled in Japan, requiring little more than the occasional battery swap in terms of typical maintenance. The movement also hacks, adding a small but welcome touch of precision to an otherwise utilitarian engine. Unlike some of HZ’s other watches, this quartz movement is hidden by a closed titanium case-back, but I find the case-back design to be quite cool.
On The Wrist
On the wrist, the HZ.03 Blue Marble wears more ruggedly than its 35.75mm diameter might suggest, thanks in part to a 43.5mm lug-to-lug that gives it a more significant presence without feeling dainty. Its 11.75mm height sits noticeably lower than the numbers suggest, due to the curved crystal occupying much of that height.
At just 41 grams on the supplied leather strap with a titanium buckle, the watch feels almost weightless throughout the day. The strap itself is perfectly serviceable for the price… nothing exceptional, but not generic and even includes details like the engraved “32.768Hz” that show an effort to elevate the experience.
Wrapping Up
Wrapping up, the HZ.03 Blue Marble sits in that tricky space where judging a watch purely on its merits feels incomplete without fairly acknowledging the value it delivers at this price point. The Grade 5 titanium case, vibrant enamel dial, and thoughtful design choices make it feel far more ambitious than many sub-$500 pieces, even if minor issues, like a few stray particles on the dial and logo, remind you of the compromises involved in delivering such strong value.
None of these shortcomings rise to the level of real drawbacks, though I do think lume would have pushed the theme and overall experience a step further. In the end, it’s a well-executed, creatively styled watch and if you are maybe too serious of a WIS to consider it for yourself, I could easily see it resonating as a gift or as a first “real” watch, especially for someone who might appreciate the theme.
