Micro Tournament Round 1 Day 1: Circula Vs. Raven
Rules:
• Voting is based on the overall brand, not the individual model or sample photo.
• There are no rules on how you should choose, but you are welcome to civilly debate quality, value, heritage, etc.
• Voters are encouraged to look at the hashtags for threads on individual brands or visit their sites.
• Poll closes apx 11PM ET 3/14.
• Be respectful of all the brands and members, even if the vote does not go your way. This is meant to be lighthearted fun to raise awareness of 64 microbrands.
• Ties will go to the brand with the most unique user-owned photos of their watch on this thread.
Good luck and have fun!
All posts and results will be tracked under #microtournament
42 comments
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Watch enthusiast who insists on the next watch being the last.
Northeast, US
Member since
Last active: 5 hrs ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
It may be bias, i choose Circula because the photo is better. Because i dont know each brand.
I don't want to sway your votes but I did want to remind everyone how awesome raven is
I don't want to sway your votes but I did want to remind everyone how awesome raven is
That’s why we have a comments section! Fire away.
No Brauner since I proposed it: it is Circula for me #circula
Raven had first class customer service, so they get my vote
Circula
Neither of their lineups really appeal to me, but I'll go with Circula since they seem to have slightly more variety.
Nope, never heard of either of them.
Circula seem to have the edge on movements and popping 15 atm in a field watch was very nice to see.
I will say, from a commercial, rather than a selfish perspective, their site should default to English, not a local language.
Not familiar with Raven,but looking at their page there are only two models available and tbh - they look quite generic (Trekker, which is not available yet), TrailTrekker is a collab with Nodus, Endeavour is just another diver imo too similar to Seikos.
Circula offers fresh designs and there are no clear inspiration sources. Bit pricier, but for me provides better specs, has established model range readily available, brand owner is on this platform and engages with audience here as well as on watch events/fairs.
I have a ProTrail in sand and consider it a great value for buck with tool watch characteristics (antimagnetic, hardened case, WR). Dial and case shape are joy to look at.
I saw other models at an AD and divers, ProTrail in other colors look cool as well
It may be bias, i choose Circula because the photo is better. Because i dont know each brand.
I had the pleasure of trying on some Circula watches in Prague last summer. I think you made the right selection 😉!!
I love the new yellow Raven. Just wish it was a 40mm.
Circula
Circula for me! Some great designs!
I voted Raven. While I don't have one of Steve's watches I bought a dial from him last year.
Win or not, Raven is one of the OG's in the micro space.
I REALLY wish I'd have picked up their Solitude, Pepsi, countdown bezel way back when.
Circula! I have met the brand owner Cornelius who is the grandson of the founder of the company and bought my Titanium diver direct from him.
Very well engineered and distinctive designs.
On the one hand, microbrand to me also implies young upstart. So is a brand founded in 1955 even a microbrand? At some point they become an established brand, if small and niche. On the other hand, Raven appear to have all of four watches to its name, one design, all divers. Divers don't particularly interest me. Microbrand divers are a dime a dozen, and I don't see anything notable. They're a little too micro. So vote goes to Circula, despite their perhaps questionable microbrand status.
I agree the microbrand moniker is a moving feast. Circula are perhaps more accurately a zombie brand as they have arisen from the ashes of a previous existence although it is still the same family. Having met the current boss at length he is a proper enthusiast with great knowledge.
I think on the basis of their size and products now they fit within the microbrand description.
Similar in a way to Nivada Grenchen although they produce watches much more based on their previous historical models. Another zombie microbrand!!
I agree the microbrand moniker is a moving feast. Circula are perhaps more accurately a zombie brand as they have arisen from the ashes of a previous existence although it is still the same family. Having met the current boss at length he is a proper enthusiast with great knowledge.
I think on the basis of their size and products now they fit within the microbrand description.
Similar in a way to Nivada Grenchen although they produce watches much more based on their previous historical models. Another zombie microbrand!!
that's a good summary, though personally I dislike term "Zombie" as to me it sounds like description of smth barely alive and decaying...I guess "resurrected" or "revived" is better sounding ;)
If watch brands were mandated to do proper reporting of turnover, units sold, employees, etc. -> classification of microbrand would be easier to determine based on simple metrics or ratios and then you just segregate by price category. At least Circula and Raven both are reasonably micro. I would not say so of Baltic, Yema and few other entries in this year tournament.
But anyways - cool Divesport in titanium!
Not familiar with Raven,but looking at their page there are only two models available and tbh - they look quite generic (Trekker, which is not available yet), TrailTrekker is a collab with Nodus, Endeavour is just another diver imo too similar to Seikos.
Circula offers fresh designs and there are no clear inspiration sources. Bit pricier, but for me provides better specs, has established model range readily available, brand owner is on this platform and engages with audience here as well as on watch events/fairs.
I have a ProTrail in sand and consider it a great value for buck with tool watch characteristics (antimagnetic, hardened case, WR). Dial and case shape are joy to look at.
I saw other models at an AD and divers, ProTrail in other colors look cool as well
This model is quite nice
that's a good summary, though personally I dislike term "Zombie" as to me it sounds like description of smth barely alive and decaying...I guess "resurrected" or "revived" is better sounding ;)
If watch brands were mandated to do proper reporting of turnover, units sold, employees, etc. -> classification of microbrand would be easier to determine based on simple metrics or ratios and then you just segregate by price category. At least Circula and Raven both are reasonably micro. I would not say so of Baltic, Yema and few other entries in this year tournament.
But anyways - cool Divesport in titanium!
I don't like the term zombie brand either really and I bet those brands that are called it don't!
I wonder based on size and sales whether Christopher Ward still qualify for this competition? I would say they shouldn't any longer?
I don't like the term zombie brand either really and I bet those brands that are called it don't!
I wonder based on size and sales whether Christopher Ward still qualify for this competition? I would say they shouldn't any longer?
I don’t see CW in this year edition. Which makes sense
It would be nice to include a link to the brands in the post so we can go check it out!
It would be nice to include a link to the brands in the post so we can go check it out!
Good call. I can do so with the next batch.
I don't want to sway your votes but I did want to remind everyone how awesome raven is
indeed
Stop showing me things I want to buy!
Yeah, this is a bit of a tough one. I voted for Circa because I liked there offering better, but there definitely seems to be an argument for them not fitting the "microbrand" moniker. It almost felt like Raven was just way outclassed in this matchup. I really do like their Nodus collab.
Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to @circula!
Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to @circula!
Great, thanks for all the support!
I don't want to sway your votes but I did want to remind everyone how awesome raven is
My vote was for #raven all the way, I don't think I've encountered one that I didn't like. Something about their watches that fits my style & taste