Image of the mirrored face and red ceramic link of this Gucci Marina Chain watch

Review by Kaitlin Young

Looking at the Gucci Marina Chain YA121516, it’s easy to see how it was inspired by the Gucci bracelets of the same name. Back in the 1960s, Gucci began creating the yacht-inspired Marina Chain, and in 2009 it revealed the Marina Chain watch. The rounded links on the chain are polished stainless steel with two red ceramic accents on either side of the bezel. The bezel is elongated, incorporating it seamlessly with the oval red ceramic links. The dial is silver toned with a mirror finish, with silver hour markers at every hour, and silver toned hour and minute hands. A jewelry clasp holds it together in the back.

The overall effect of this piece is both versatile and edgy. The ceramic pieces lend it an unusual shape and a splash of color. Both of these aspects make this watch one that’s hard to ignore. It’s also a timepiece that fits almost any occasion. It’s definitely has the durability to uphold daily wear, but it’s also eye-catching enough to be the icing on the cake for that special look.

Some of the finer aspects of the Gucci Marina Chain YA121516 include:

Two Marina Chain watches with both red ceramic and white ceramic link chains

• Swiss made Ronda quartz movement—to ensure accuracy
• Scratch resistant spherical sapphire crystal window—to withstand day-to-day wear and tear
• Polished stainless steel bezel—tops off the eye-catching look
• Combination ceramic/stainless steel bezel—make this timepiece especially unique and beautiful

However, for every day wear, the red ceramic chains may be a little striking. There are other watches in this line that come in more neutral colors that might sync more easily with the majority of clothes in your wardrobe. For example, the ceramic links can be found in black or white. Additionally, another models in the Marina Chain line come with a leather wristband and buckle-style clasp and boast a price that’s about $200 cheaper. However, this alternative may be a little more casual and less suited for a formal occasion. It may also be helpful to keep in mind that the Gucci Marina Chain YA121516 has a smaller wristband that may not fit larger hands.

While there can be no doubt that this is a stunning piece that would accentuate many wardrobes, it would be worth your while to consider what role this particular watch would play in your trousseau. If you’re on the market for an every day timepiece, will the red ceramic pieces clash? However, if you’re looking for an accent piece or special occasion timepiece, there’s no reason why this watch wouldn’t satisfy your needs.