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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Uk
Posts: 1,039
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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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#2 | ||
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 660
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Quote:
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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#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Watch: Assorted!
Posts: 696
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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 |
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#4 |
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 660
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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. ![]() |
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#5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Real Name: William
Location: New York
Watch: Journe, AP & Lange
Posts: 868
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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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#6 |
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 254
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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. |
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#7 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Uk
Posts: 1,039
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#8 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Uk
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#9 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Uk
Posts: 1,039
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Quote:
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#10 |
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NJ
Watch: 5513 116234 79280P
Posts: 2,144
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$740 for a $100 retail Miyota movement powered watch? Ouch!
Looks nice though.
__________________
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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#11 | |
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 660
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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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#12 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NJ
Watch: 5513 116234 79280P
Posts: 2,144
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Quote:
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.
__________________
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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#13 | |
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 660
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#14 |
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Location: Marikina
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#15 |
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Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Midwest
Posts: 81
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Monta brand is based in St Louis, same owners I believe as Everest bands. Solid offerings IMO
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#16 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Real Name: K.
Location: 780
Posts: 10,435
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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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#17 |
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Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Marikina
Posts: 2,561
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Incoming
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#18 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Location: 780
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#19 |
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: USA
Watch: Good ones
Posts: 8,353
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I have an incoming Yema Flygraf. Not sure if it qualifies as a microbrand.
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#20 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Real Name: Kat
Location: CA, USA
Watch: 126233 Wimbledon T
Posts: 6,948
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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.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
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#21 |
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Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Marikina
Posts: 2,561
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![]() Second day Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#22 |
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Location: usa
Posts: 19,373
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#23 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Marikina
Posts: 2,561
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Quote:
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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#24 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Valencia, CA
Watch: GMT Master 1675/3
Posts: 2,151
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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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#25 |
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#26 |
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Watch: Assorted!
Posts: 696
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#27 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Tony
Location: UK
Posts: 1,174
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Quote:
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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#28 |
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Eric
Location: USA
Watch: 252
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#29 | |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Real Name: K.
Location: 780
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Quote:
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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#30 | |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Eric
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Quote:
Appreciate the response ![]() |
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