The Microbrands Thread
Discussion
I'm a big fan of micro brands. Much as i said to LostKiwi about his Muhle on the other thread, they potentially offer great value for money and are something different. Here's a pic of my watches that i would say are from micro brands (note sure that my Undone and Kalashnikov would qualify):
On the left is a Sturmanskie (http://sturmanskie.ru/en/) as worn by Yuri Gagarin making it the first watch in space. In your face Omega! The middle one is a Schaumberg (http://www.schaumburgwatch.com/) and on the right a Marloe (https://www.marloewatchcompany.com/). The Marloe was bought via Kickstarter and it was a pain free experience. Yes, it was delayed but then as people were saying on the Kickstarter forum at the time, it's a Kickstarter campaign so there's bound to be some issues. If you want everything to go off without a hitch, there are plenty of established brands to choose from. It's always felt like a lot of watch for £160 and the Sea-Gull ST36 hand wound movement is accurate to within 5 seconds a day. They're now £250 and are still absolutely worth having at that price IMO.
On the left is a Sturmanskie (http://sturmanskie.ru/en/) as worn by Yuri Gagarin making it the first watch in space. In your face Omega! The middle one is a Schaumberg (http://www.schaumburgwatch.com/) and on the right a Marloe (https://www.marloewatchcompany.com/). The Marloe was bought via Kickstarter and it was a pain free experience. Yes, it was delayed but then as people were saying on the Kickstarter forum at the time, it's a Kickstarter campaign so there's bound to be some issues. If you want everything to go off without a hitch, there are plenty of established brands to choose from. It's always felt like a lot of watch for £160 and the Sea-Gull ST36 hand wound movement is accurate to within 5 seconds a day. They're now £250 and are still absolutely worth having at that price IMO.
Snubs said:
I'm a big fan of micro brands. Much as i said to LostKiwi about his Muhle on the other thread, they potentially offer great value for money and are something different. Here's a pic of my watches that i would say are from micro brands (note sure that my Undone and Kalashnikov would qualify):
On the left is a Sturmanskie (http://sturmanskie.ru/en/) as worn by Yuri Gagarin making it the first watch in space. In your face Omega! The middle one is a Schaumberg (http://www.schaumburgwatch.com/) and on the right a Marloe (https://www.marloewatchcompany.com/). The Marloe was bought via Kickstarter and it was a pain free experience. Yes, it was delayed but then as people were saying on the Kickstarter forum at the time, it's a Kickstarter campaign so there's bound to be some issues. If you want everything to go off without a hitch, there are plenty of established brands to choose from. It's always felt like a lot of watch for £160 and the Sea-Gull ST36 hand wound movement is accurate to within 5 seconds a day. They're now £250 and are still absolutely worth having at that price IMO.
Nice to hear your pleased with the Marloe - it keeps tempting me...On the left is a Sturmanskie (http://sturmanskie.ru/en/) as worn by Yuri Gagarin making it the first watch in space. In your face Omega! The middle one is a Schaumberg (http://www.schaumburgwatch.com/) and on the right a Marloe (https://www.marloewatchcompany.com/). The Marloe was bought via Kickstarter and it was a pain free experience. Yes, it was delayed but then as people were saying on the Kickstarter forum at the time, it's a Kickstarter campaign so there's bound to be some issues. If you want everything to go off without a hitch, there are plenty of established brands to choose from. It's always felt like a lot of watch for £160 and the Sea-Gull ST36 hand wound movement is accurate to within 5 seconds a day. They're now £250 and are still absolutely worth having at that price IMO.
Incidentally if you go to Kenilworth for your Mühle ask what the best price is. You should be able to get a decent discount (20% or so).
Makes them a steal.
lostkiwi said:
Nice to hear your pleased with the Marloe - it keeps tempting me...
Incidentally if you go to Kenilworth for your Mühle ask what the best price is. You should be able to get a decent discount (20% or so).
Makes them a steal.
That really is a bargain. I think i should only go back if I was definitely going to buy.....Incidentally if you go to Kenilworth for your Mühle ask what the best price is. You should be able to get a decent discount (20% or so).
Makes them a steal.
UnclePat said:
I was also very tempted by the recent Halios Seaforth ETA GMT release – Jason Lim really seems to go that bit further than typical microbrands in his approach to thought-out design, manufacturing quality & customer focus.
You’re right that he seems to do things a bit differently. His commitment to keeping it small is admirable, he could sell 10x the watches he produces.
I've a Newmark 6BB incoming, have sold on a few Timefactors watches (Smiths, Precista and Speedbird), a Margrette (had one of the first Moana Pacifics in the country) and probably half a dozen I've forgotten about...
Current collection includes an A-13A and a Monta Oceanking and I wouldn't rule out aforementioned Halios, Unimatic and Borealis watches some time in the future - really like the Sea Hawk pictured above as well as their Estoril 300.
I don't trawl through Kickstarter for other watches as, rightly or wrongly, I just expect any new brand on there to put style over substance, that they exist purely to make money for their creators via a fashion trinket rather than to feed the need for genuine watch enthusiasts. There are exceptions of course, the Newmark being one of them, and I'm not so foolish as to think that even Ewan won't be making some kind of profit from it, however it makes it so much easier to part with some ££ when you trust and believe in what the brand owner is trying to do.
Current collection includes an A-13A and a Monta Oceanking and I wouldn't rule out aforementioned Halios, Unimatic and Borealis watches some time in the future - really like the Sea Hawk pictured above as well as their Estoril 300.
I don't trawl through Kickstarter for other watches as, rightly or wrongly, I just expect any new brand on there to put style over substance, that they exist purely to make money for their creators via a fashion trinket rather than to feed the need for genuine watch enthusiasts. There are exceptions of course, the Newmark being one of them, and I'm not so foolish as to think that even Ewan won't be making some kind of profit from it, however it makes it so much easier to part with some ££ when you trust and believe in what the brand owner is trying to do.
I’ve got a Helm Vanuatu, a Dan Henry 1970 and a Maranez Kata, all of which I think are great. I know many microbrands are based around Seiko or other commercially available movements, but that really doesn’t bother me.
I’ve got a “Watches” folder on my iPad, which has mostly microbrands in there, as well as a few of the bigger brands too. I CBA typing the list, but I’ve screenshotted the various “pages” below. I tend to prefer “tool” watches and like a simpler face, rather than chronographs. One thing that can put me right off a brand though is the “wrong” font being used - the one that instantly springs to mind is Precista from Timefactors. I really like the watches, but hate the “copperplate” style used for the name and its enough to put me off having one.
And if that lot isn’t enough to get you going, there’s a ton more here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vEzy7x0tX0...
I’ve got a “Watches” folder on my iPad, which has mostly microbrands in there, as well as a few of the bigger brands too. I CBA typing the list, but I’ve screenshotted the various “pages” below. I tend to prefer “tool” watches and like a simpler face, rather than chronographs. One thing that can put me right off a brand though is the “wrong” font being used - the one that instantly springs to mind is Precista from Timefactors. I really like the watches, but hate the “copperplate” style used for the name and its enough to put me off having one.
And if that lot isn’t enough to get you going, there’s a ton more here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vEzy7x0tX0...
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.
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.
Dibble said:
And if that lot isn’t enough to get you going, there’s a ton more here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vEzy7x0tX0...
Cool list. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vEzy7x0tX0...
Though not a Kickstarter, I'd imagine a relatively niche one. Subjective looks, but a lot of details in it which I really like. Comfortable shape, markings on the reverse of the glass, unusual style. Wasn't convinced with it at its list price but found a good deal on it a couple years back and been very happy with it. Really should wear it some more.
Hmmm, Ive been on the lookout for a new daily, sub £200 and ideally a microbrand.
MVMT was high up the list, because some of them look fantastic, but they get quite a kicking on their facebook page and now on here too. Maybe not.
Also following Helgray and Magrette as they have some great looking pieces, but virtually impossible to get your hands on one 'in the flesh' in the UK.
MVMT was high up the list, because some of them look fantastic, but they get quite a kicking on their facebook page and now on here too. Maybe not.
Also following Helgray and Magrette as they have some great looking pieces, but virtually impossible to get your hands on one 'in the flesh' in the UK.
I have never experienced an MVMT in the flesh but everything I have read about them tends towards it being a very cheap product dressed up in a minimally styled mini-skirt.
For sub £200, you really are hard pressed to beat Seiko in terms of quality IMO. I know they are not a micro brand but they are solid, good heritage, loads if styles...
ETA:- Mondaine, Dan Henry, Swatch Sistem 51, Laco - some other suggestions in budget.
For sub £200, you really are hard pressed to beat Seiko in terms of quality IMO. I know they are not a micro brand but they are solid, good heritage, loads if styles...
ETA:- Mondaine, Dan Henry, Swatch Sistem 51, Laco - some other suggestions in budget.
Edited by Mezzanine on Wednesday 10th October 17:28
MrBig said:
Hmmm, Ive been on the lookout for a new daily, sub £200 and ideally a microbrand.
MVMT was high up the list, because some of them look fantastic, but they get quite a kicking on their facebook page and now on here too. Maybe not.
Also following Helgray and Magrette as they have some great looking pieces, but virtually impossible to get your hands on one 'in the flesh' in the UK.
Magrette can be bought direct, and they come up on eBay fairly regularly. You won't get one of any flavour for £200 though.MVMT was high up the list, because some of them look fantastic, but they get quite a kicking on their facebook page and now on here too. Maybe not.
Also following Helgray and Magrette as they have some great looking pieces, but virtually impossible to get your hands on one 'in the flesh' in the UK.
MrBig said:
Hmmm, Ive been on the lookout for a new daily, sub £200 and ideally a microbrand.
These look nice. https://www.borealiswatch.com/
Apologies - Read that you were looking for a diver 'sub'
Edited by vixen1700 on Wednesday 10th October 17:38
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