Microbrands

[Madman37]

What are the new up and coming brands you are interested in I was looking at this red William Wood fire watch looks nice.

[thesingularity7]

Originally Posted by Madman37

What are the new up and coming brands you are interested in I was looking at this red William Wood fire watch looks nice.

Interesting watches but for that price there's plenty of other options in the 'Microbrand Diver Watch' category.

From their website it is unclear to me where these watches are manufactured / assembled, which to me suggests 'Not in England'. And if it is being manufactured and assembled in China, there's not much motivation for me to pay $1250 for the ETA or an outrageous $880 for a Seiko NH35, when I can get an excellent dive watch with a Seiko NH35 and surface hardened steel for $400 (Traska Freediver). Sure Traska don't have the cool story to go with it though. From reading a few reviews of this watch, it appears the insignia/helmet is crafted in London, so that could explain the some of the pricetag, but still a hard pass from me

They also lost me with their attempted glorification of the Seiko NH35:

Some would argue that Seiko were the first brand to produce an automatic watch and watch critics argue that Seiko movement are as accurate as major Swiss luxury providers.

The NH35 is a decent workhorse movement, but this reeks of marketing fluff.

Sorry for my cynical feedback. I look at microbrand watches all day and I've grown quite tired of brands that lean on their story more than their watches.

[alpharulez]

I am currently awaiting my first order from Zelos Watches. An ETA based GMT with date and meteorite dial + bezel!

Will post pics here when I have it.

The brand recently did a limited run of a Swiss made tourbillon which sold out in under an hour I am told.


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[thesingularity7]

If you're after EU based Microbrands that make dive watches, here are some to look at:

MAEN Hudson 38 - €399.20


Baltic Aquascaphe - €579.17 (I actually own one of these and this watch is considered to be a somewhat on the expensive side)


Archimede SportTaucher - €940.00 (Not really a microbrand by some definitions, but you're getting Ickler's almost 100 years of case manufacturing experience and most of the hardware is made in Germany)


Farer Aqua Compressor - €1,175.00 (A bit expensive and they have a bit of fluff, but nice looking watches with quality specs)


Formex Essence COSC - $1,265.00 (Lots of cool engineering innovation and likely to be a watch I get this year)


Yema Navygraf Heritage - $749.00 https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=740542 (Not really a microbrand, but they have some neat dive watches and are based in France. They have an 'inhouse' movement that works pretty well)


There's plenty of others, this is just what I could think of right now.

[Slider817]

Lots of good one, I really like the MKII Paradive, most Formex models and many of the small German brands like Laco and Stowa

[Pilliam]

I have a Raven "Venture" that's a couple of years old. Solid watch, great value with an ETA movement.

I also like the ones others have posted so far.

[Madman37]

Originally Posted by thesingularity7

Interesting watches but for that price there's plenty of other options in the 'Microbrand Diver Watch' category.

From their website it is unclear to me where these watches are manufactured / assembled, which to me suggests 'Not in England'. And if it is being manufactured and assembled in China, there's not much motivation for me to pay $1250 for the ETA or an outrageous $880 for a Seiko NH35, when I can get an excellent dive watch with a Seiko NH35 and surface hardened steel for $400 (Traska Freediver). Sure Traska don't have the cool story to go with it though. From reading a few reviews of this watch, it appears the insignia/helmet is crafted in London, so that could explain the some of the pricetag, but still a hard pass from me

They also lost me with their attempted glorification of the Seiko NH35:


The NH35 is a decent workhorse movement, but this reeks of marketing fluff.

Sorry for my cynical feedback. I look at microbrand watches all day and I've grown quite tired of brands that lean on their story more than their watches.

It’s not cynical it’s great feedback thank you there are so many out there it’s hard to pick one

[Madman37]

Originally Posted by alpharulez

I am currently awaiting my first order from Zelos Watches. An ETA based GMT with date and meteorite dial + bezel!

Will post pics here when I have it.

The brand recently did a limited run of a Swiss made tourbillon which sold out in under an hour I am told.


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So many of their modes seem to sell out

[Madman37]

Originally Posted by thesingularity7

If you're after EU based Microbrands that make dive watches, here are some to look at:

MAEN Hudson 38 - €399.20


Baltic Aquascaphe - €579.17 (I actually own one of these and this watch is considered to be a somewhat on the expensive side)


Archimede SportTaucher - €940.00 (Not really a microbrand by some definitions, but you're getting Ickler's almost 100 years of case manufacturing experience and most of the hardware is made in Germany)


Farer Aqua Compressor - €1,175.00 (A bit expensive and they have a bit of fluff, but nice looking watches with quality specs)


Formex Essence COSC - $1,265.00 (Lots of cool engineering innovation and likely to be a watch I get this year)


Yema Navygraf Heritage - $749.00 https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=740542 (Not really a microbrand, but they have some neat dive watches and are based in France. They have an 'inhouse' movement that works pretty well)


There's plenty of others, this is just what I could think of right now.

Wow thanks for posting these I like the Baltic one

[SunTzu]

Originally Posted by Madman37

Wow thanks for posting these I like the Baltic one

$740 for a $100 retail Miyota movement powered watch? Ouch!

Looks nice though.

[thesingularity7]

Originally Posted by Madman37

Wow thanks for posting these I like the Baltic one

Originally Posted by SunTzu

$740 for a $100 retail Miyota movement powered watch? Ouch!

Looks nice though.

Yeah, I did mention that they're often accused of being on the expensive side. The owner (Etienne) recently commented about some of their cost breakdown and why he chose to not use ETA here - https://forums.watchuseek.com/f74/my...l#post51908141

I can understand those that would avoid it for the movement, but the watch is very beautifully designed. The dial just pops under natural light!

[SunTzu]

Originally Posted by thesingularity7

Yeah, I did mention that they're often accused of being on the expensive side. The owner (Etienne) recently commented about some of their cost breakdown and why he chose to not use ETA here - https://forums.watchuseek.com/f74/my...l#post51908141

I can understand those that would avoid it for the movement, but the watch is very beautifully designed. The dial just pops under natural light!

Yes, I like the watch and beads of rice bracelet. Nicely done. I think it's wonderfully designed. The gilt with the blue starburst and simplicity of the bezel insert is very cool. It pulls off a vintage streamlined look without having to try too hard.

I just can't get around that price for a Miyota unless it was modded to the hilt. I could justify if it were 50% less. Aesthetics alone can't get me to spend more.

[thesingularity7]

Originally Posted by SunTzu

Yes, I like the watch and beads of rice bracelet. Nicely done. I think it's wonderfully designed. The gilt with the blue starburst and simplicity of the bezel insert is very cool. It pulls off a vintage streamlined look without having to try too hard.

I just can't get around that price for a Miyota unless it was modded to the hilt. I could justify if it were 50% less. Aesthetics alone can't get me to spend more.

I agree, if this watch was even in the $500-550 range, it would help open up a lot more wallets. But they seem to be doing great with their sales so I doubt they're going to be listening to fans anytime soon. Their W&W limited edition Bicompax sold at $625 with a Seagull ST19 :o. I recently picked up a Lorier Gemini ($500) with that movement and very much disliked it. But both of these watches seem to be doing great on the market.

[Pongster]

Originally Posted by Madman37

What are the new up and coming brands you are interested in I was looking at this red William Wood fire watch looks nice.

Ordered one for my firefighter friend. Just thought it was perfect gift since he’s also a watch enthusiast.

[sportsdoc]

Monta brand is based in St Louis, same owners I believe as Everest bands. Solid offerings IMO


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[KBM]

Just ordered this little guy. Seems like a fun piece and the launch special price was interesting for Meteorite +Ti. Will report back once it arrives.

[Pongster]

Incoming

[KBM]

Originally Posted by Pongster

Incoming

That looks very nice! Received my Zelos Swordfish too!

[scarlet knight]

I have an incoming Yema Flygraf. Not sure if it qualifies as a microbrand.

[KatGirl]

Check out OWC. You can get a watch for the same price as what you are looking at with a Swiss movement, and the overall quality is great.




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[Pongster]

Second day


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[ap1]

Originally Posted by Pongster

Second day


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Cool watch. I looked at these too online when they were first introduced. This thread made me take a second look. 16mm thick, that’s just too much for me likely. How does it wear?

[Pongster]

Originally Posted by ap1

Cool watch. I looked at these too online when they were first introduced. This thread made me take a second look. 16mm thick, that’s just too much for me likely. How does it wear?

It wears OK for me. Just like a Turtle. I wore it while working out for past two days. Maybe third straight day later.


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[TimeLord2]

I thought this one was very unique with a vintage appeal. Direnzo Watch 03, with Swiss movement. About $750US.

[BDL]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/183230538232

[alpharulez]

Originally Posted by Madman37

What are the new up and coming brands you are interested in I was looking at this red William Wood fire watch looks nice.

Halios or Zelos


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[ancientmariner]

Originally Posted by Madman37

What are the new up and coming brands you are interested in I was looking at this red William Wood fire watch looks nice.

I am into Phoibos. Started by making very good Submariner homages, but have now developed their own style of watches in some ways similar to Zelos....but cheaper!

Here is a funky example. Proteus.
Seiko automatic movement with meteorite dial, AR coated sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel. Lume takes some beating. 2yr warranty.

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by KBM

That looks very nice! Received my Zelos Swordfish too!

What are you thoughts on this watch after having it for a couple weeks?

[KBM]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

What are you thoughts on this watch after having it for a couple weeks?

It's a very nice watch for what it proposes. Extremely cool meteorite dial and bezel and solid build quality, including the bracelet and glidelock style (!) micro adjustment clasp. Not to mention it's entirely in Ti.

Having said all that, I am finding that the issue I encounter with micro brands is that despite the solid package, I keep reaching for my other pieces when choosing which watch to wear.

I might put it up for sale LNIB for that reason. Awesome as it is, I'm just never wearing it. And if that applies for the "honeymoon period", it's usually a sign that it won't get any wrist time.

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by KBM

It's a very nice watch for what it proposes. Extremely cool meteorite dial and bezel and solid build quality, including the bracelet and glidelock style (!) micro adjustment clasp. Not to mention it's entirely in Ti.

Having said all that, I am finding that the issue I encounter with micro brands is that despite the solid package, I keep reaching for my other pieces when choosing which watch to wear.

I might put it up for sale LNIB for that reason. Awesome as it is, I'm just never wearing it. And if that applies for the "honeymoon period", it's usually a sign that it won't get any wrist time.

This is the exact issue I'm having as well. I was looking at a NIB Mako 3 bronze but not sure I'd ever grab it over my other watches. Been down that road and have a handful of cheap(er) watches that just sit in the box.

Appreciate the response