The Microbrands Thread

[vixen1700]

vixen1700 said:

Colourwise, going for something a bit different, so loving the look of one of these:

https://orionwatch.com/shoporion/orion-sylph

Which arrived last week and underwelmed me on a metal strap.

Changed it to the leather one at lunchtime and been wearing it all day and have to say the colours and quality have shone through. Absolutely love it! Lovely watch!

Seriously nice looking watch. Looks like they're upping the game with the Calamity.

[Lorne]

http://www.scottishwatches.co.uk/2019/02/11/articl...

I think these might have been covered, but interesting anyway and some good articles and thoughts elsewhere on the site.

[Hoofy]

Lorne said:

http://www.scottishwatches.co.uk/2019/02/11/articl...

I think these might have been covered, but interesting anyway and some good articles and thoughts elsewhere on the site.

Can't think why you posted that article.

[BS62]

Doofus said:

I've had three Kickstarter watches in the past, and sold them on very quickly.

Cobra de Calibre twin crown
Stuckx Bull
Nezumi Voiture

I don't like mecha-quartz.

Also owned (until stolen) an OWC (fantastic quality, derivative design), Benarus Moray (beautiful dart dial, lovely until they started calling themselves StevRal), Deep Blue Pro Aqua (5000m water resistance FTW!).

I also have three Magrettes and rate them very highly.

How are you getting on with your Deep Blue? I bought a red and blue Nato Diver 300 in November which is absolutely beautiful in the flesh/metal, but the crown threads stripped within a couple of months. Just sent it off for repair locally as got absolutely no response to phone or email enquiries - am very disappointed and quite glad I only bought a cheap one.

[Doofus]

BS62 said:

How are you getting on with your Deep Blue? I bought a red and blue Nato Diver 300 in November which is absolutely beautiful in the flesh/metal, but the crown threads stripped within a couple of months. Just sent it off for repair locally as got absolutely no response to phone or email enquiries - am very disappointed and quite glad I only bought a cheap one.

Also owned (until stolen) an OWC (fantastic quality, derivative design), Benarus Moray (beautiful dart dial, lovely until they started calling themselves StevRal), Deep Blue Pro Aqua (5000m water resistance FTW!).

I loved it while I had it. It was very reliable, and I certainly didn't have any quality issues. I bought mine from the Deep Blue dealer in Spain, because I couldn't get any decent response from the company themselves either.

[Dan_1981]

Really do like the look of the Magrettes.

$600 seems top money though. Worth it?

[Doofus]

Dan_1981 said:

Really do like the look of the Magrettes.

$600 seems top money though. Worth it?

Absolutely. I own three and have had five.

[ZesPak]

Dan_1981 said:

Really do like the look of the Magrettes.

$600 seems top money though. Worth it?

Top money?

For what?
- Swiss movement
- Sapphire Crystal
- Sandwich Dial with SuperLuminova lume
- Signed Screw-down Crown
- 500m WR with gasket

And it's bronze.

I can't think of anything that comes close for the price tbh.

[lostkiwi]

Dan_1981 said:

Really do like the look of the Magrettes.

$600 seems top money though. Worth it?

Really? I'd call $600 a snip for what they are.
There is an EU dealer called Forasec so you avoid taxes etc.
Definitely worth it. My Kara is my most worn watch and still looks virginal after nearly a year of abuse (including refloating a 28 foot boat).

[Lorne]

Hoofy said:

Can't think why you posted that article.

Best watch reviewer is one that likes the loaner you sent him so much that he buys one for himself!

Worst kind, of course, is all those youtube 'influencers' and 'wana-be-influencers' who keep asking me for a freebee or freebee+cash to influence people. Those sort I ignore.

edit: I don't know why he says some of the pages on my website are hilarious as it's all meant to be very serious stuff.

Edited by Lorne on Wednesday 13th February 13:34

[Hoofy]

Lorne said:

Hoofy said:

Can't think why you posted that article.

Best watch reviewer is one that likes the loaner you sent him so much that he buys one for himself!

Worst kind, of course, is all those youtube 'influencers' and 'wana-be-influencers' who keep asking me for a freebee or freebee+cash to influence people. Those sort I ignore.

Can I have a free watch if I promise not to mention it on YouTube?

[BS62]

Doofus said:

BS62 said:

How are you getting on with your Deep Blue? I bought a red and blue Nato Diver 300 in November which is absolutely beautiful in the flesh/metal, but the crown threads stripped within a couple of months. Just sent it off for repair locally as got absolutely no response to phone or email enquiries - am very disappointed and quite glad I only bought a cheap one.

Also owned (until stolen) an OWC (fantastic quality, derivative design), Benarus Moray (beautiful dart dial, lovely until they started calling themselves StevRal), Deep Blue Pro Aqua (5000m water resistance FTW!).

I loved it while I had it. It was very reliable, and I certainly didn't have any quality issues. I bought mine from the Deep Blue dealer in Spain, because I couldn't get any decent response from the company themselves either.

Ah - didn't realise they were all nicked. Yes, they're easy to buy watches from....parts and service, not so much. If mine can be repaired I'll happilly keep it, but won't buy another. Worst case it's being lined up for parts harvesting...

[Ikemi]

There are a few brands popping up on this thread that are definitely not microbrands e.g. Roger W Smith, Mühle-Glashütte, Steinhart etc.

However one of my favourite microbrands is Balticus - Excellent build quality for little cash. Their 'Star Dust' model is very popular due to the aventurine quartz dial, which glimmers under ambient light, like stars in the night sky. The prototype damacus steel case/bezel variant with meteorite (or aventurine) dial looks simply stunning!

https://www.balticus-watches.com/en/

[Sc0tchland]

Ikemi said:

There are a few brands popping up on this thread that are definitely not microbrands e.g. Roger W Smith, Mühle-Glashütte, Steinhart etc.

However one of my favourite microbrands is Balticus - Excellent build quality for little cash. Their 'Star Dust' model is very popular due to the aventurine quartz dial, which glimmers under ambient light, like stars in the night sky. The prototype damacus steel case/bezel variant with meteorite (or aventurine) dial looks simply stunning!

https://www.balticus-watches.com/en/

It's a shame the website won't change to english for me

[Ikemi]

Sc0tchland said:

It's a shame the website won't change to english for me

Their website does seem to have some issues ... Another brand I forgot about; Brellum!

https://www.brellum.swiss/en/

[vixen1700]

Ikemi said:

Another brand I forgot about; Brellum!

https://www.brellum.swiss/en/

Mentioned earlier in the thread.

They do have a look of quality about them. Really fancy the silver Wyvern.

[pmanson]

mondie said:

The Offshore Professional Chronograph is a superb UK made watch, It is 44mm with excellent build quality and the engineering is first class. Mine is on order for delivery in January.

https://marinechronometer.co.uk/

IMG_20181117_143017 (Medium) by Simon Gee, on Flickr

God, that's lovely.

[lostkiwi]

Just found these:
http://www.obrismorgan.com

Seriously nice looking watches for not much money in my view.

[vixen1700]

Should be ordering a Marloe Coniston Steel next week, been on my want list for a while. Think it's a great looking thing.

https://www.marloewatchcompany.com/products/conist...

[Barchettaman]

Without wishing to plough through the whole thread, has anyone come across/ bought a Helm watch?

They look pretty bloody good, and fairly sold out!