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14 June 2020, 09:28 PM | #1 |
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Microbrands
What are the new up and coming brands you are interested in I was looking at this red William Wood fire watch looks nice.
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14 June 2020, 11:54 PM | #2 | ||
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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: Quote:
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. |
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15 June 2020, 12:02 AM | #3 |
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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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
15 June 2020, 12:28 AM | #4 |
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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. |
15 June 2020, 12:43 AM | #5 |
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Lots of good one, I really like the MKII Paradive, most Formex models and many of the small German brands like Laco and Stowa
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15 June 2020, 01:22 AM | #6 |
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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. |
15 June 2020, 08:31 AM | #7 | |
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15 June 2020, 08:31 AM | #8 | |
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15 June 2020, 08:32 AM | #9 | |
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15 June 2020, 09:59 AM | #10 |
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$740 for a $100 retail Miyota movement powered watch? Ouch!
Looks nice though.
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The wristwatch is an intimate accessory. The best watches live in harmony and interact with the wearer, and their functions offer a reassuring and emotionally satisfying bond - Kintaro Hattori |
15 June 2020, 10:19 AM | #11 | |
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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! |
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15 June 2020, 10:35 AM | #12 | |
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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.
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The wristwatch is an intimate accessory. The best watches live in harmony and interact with the wearer, and their functions offer a reassuring and emotionally satisfying bond - Kintaro Hattori |
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15 June 2020, 10:48 AM | #13 | |
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16 June 2020, 10:33 PM | #14 |
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16 June 2020, 10:43 PM | #15 |
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Monta brand is based in St Louis, same owners I believe as Everest bands. Solid offerings IMO
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29 August 2020, 03:33 AM | #16 |
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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.
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29 September 2020, 12:14 AM | #17 |
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Incoming
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29 September 2020, 11:42 AM | #18 |
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29 September 2020, 12:15 PM | #19 |
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I have an incoming Yema Flygraf. Not sure if it qualifies as a microbrand.
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29 September 2020, 12:33 PM | #20 |
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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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29 September 2020, 05:43 PM | #21 |
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Second day Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
30 September 2020, 12:04 AM | #22 |
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30 September 2020, 09:38 AM | #23 | |
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It wears OK for me. Just like a Turtle. I wore it while working out for past two days. Maybe third straight day later. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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30 September 2020, 09:56 AM | #24 |
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I thought this one was very unique with a vintage appeal. Direnzo Watch 03, with Swiss movement. About $750US.
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30 September 2020, 10:10 AM | #25 |
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30 September 2020, 04:36 PM | #26 |
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30 September 2020, 06:32 PM | #27 | |
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Here is a funky example. Proteus. Seiko automatic movement with meteorite dial, AR coated sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel. Lume takes some beating. 2yr warranty. |
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14 October 2020, 06:35 AM | #28 |
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14 October 2020, 08:00 AM | #29 | |
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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. |
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14 October 2020, 08:09 AM | #30 | |
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Appreciate the response |
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