Anyone else switching to micro brands?

[ansharma]

Hi all,

I have found myself switching to micro brands for the last few purchases. Their direct to customer approach provides great value in my opinion and the timepieces themselves are innovative/unique and punch above their weight in terms of quality. Anyone else in the same boat?

Here are pics of my last few purchases:

Maen Lunar Classic 36 (landing May 2025)




Baltic Roulette Micro Rotor




Christopher Ward Twelve


MAD 1


Christopher Ward Bel Canto



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[scarlet knight]

I recently bought a Moser at an AD, but I think that is different proposition.

[aczaja10]

I really like that Maen watch. Super unique and looks very well made.

[Ichiran]

I have bought watches from independent watchmakers that produce less than 30 pieces a year. I wouldn't call that switching to or pivoting because I still love those bigger manufacture like Rolex, Patek and AP, and will still continue to buy from them.

I prefer to have diversity in my collection.

[ansharma]

Originally Posted by aczaja10

I really like that Maen watch. Super unique and looks very well made.

It is indeed and I also opted for the top grade decorated movement which looks nice. Here are some more pics from the Maen website.

With brands like Maen offering so much quality for relatively better value, for me personally it’s difficult to justify spending huge amounts on the mainstream brands anymore- although I would like to add a VC at some point!








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[1William]

In years past I have made some purchases but no longer. You can easily find yourself with some watches that might be difficult to service and are not worth much.

[enjoythemusic]

Love some of those very inexpensive releases. Have a shelf filled with such timepieces... plus others.

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[ap1]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

I have bought watches from independent watchmakers that produce less than 30 pieces a year. I wouldn't call that switching to or pivoting because I still love those bigger manufacture like Rolex, Patek and AP, and will still continue to buy from them.

I prefer to have diversity in my collection.

As usual, amazing.

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by ap1

As usual, amazing.

Thanks buddy pls show yours, I know you have an amazing independent collection

[GST15]

Love my Nomos Neomatic

[ap1]

Originally Posted by ansharma

Hi all,

I have found myself switching to micro brands for the last few purchases. Their direct to customer approach provides great value in my opinion and the timepieces themselves are innovative/unique and punch above their weight in terms of quality. Anyone else in the same boat?

Here are pics of my last few purchases:

Maen Lunar Classic 36 (landing May 2025)




Baltic Roulette Micro Rotor




Christopher Ward Twelve


MAD 1


Christopher Ward Bel Canto



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I’ve got those last two as well. Love them. Not sure I’ll be expanding that part of the collection though. After my MADs arrives. For now holding off on bel canto classic, but it’s hard lol

[AAMD11]

I saw these at the NYC watch show. Good stuff

[Jay (Eire)]

Definitely have mixed up over the last several years too.

WH&T, will try to post a picture later, such a shame this project died. Furlan Mari, I really love what they are doing and how it’s being done. These are just two of the micros I’ve bought in the last several years.

And then Brew, which I haven’t bought yet but I will soon, is a design I like a lot and the watches are great on my wrist. I do have a preference for a mechanical movement, so for Brew unfortunately that means time only.

There is so many options out there, one could be really happy as a collector focusing solely on micro brands. This to me has been the most important change in watch collecting in the last decade or so, the prevalence of quality options at very reasonable prices.

[GolfJunkie]

I haven’t “switched”. Rolex is still my favorite brand. It just fits my style/lifestyle and budget but i do enjoy buying some “cheaper” micro brands when something catches my eye.




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[soho]

Wouldn’t say switch but definitely enjoy them, at a variety of price points.










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[buckeyechemie]

Some of my favorites are Microbrands. Get on them quick, though as they are here today, and gone tomorrow with the limited runs.

I bought an Erebus Ascent purple fumé dial and it's very well done (and sold out before I received my pre-order)

The Raven Trekker 39, as an example, has an appealing design with a flat brushed 5-link bracelet and bezel to contrast the high polish handset and dial markers, a matte coin edge on the bezel, no crown guards, a warm or bright matte / glossy yellow dial depending on the light, a brushed metal date wheel to match the aesthetic, a striking top hat domed crystal towering above the bezel and offering great legibility from many angles, and great ice-blue lume. Love it (and wear it often).

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by soho

Wouldn’t say switch but definitely enjoy them, at a variety of price points.










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Love your style. Four great options there.

[Yoda_Eating_Pizza]

That Maen is beautiful. Oh my, this is such an enabler thread.

[orangeguy]

Finding my tranquility on United.