Micro Tournament Round 1 Day 2: Halios Vs. Ollech & Wajs
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 3/15.
• 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
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Watch enthusiast who insists on the next watch being the last.
Northeast, US
Member since
Last active: 4 min ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
Is it better to have one really good watch or a line of watches?
Check Out The Lineups Here:
Halios
Ollech & Wajs
Is it better to have one really good watch or a line of watches?
I struggled with this. Halios, like many, they release in batches, so the site basically has a watch at the moment. I am also trying to make a point to only use photos from the brand, which was tough.
O&W. They have great designs, especially their back catalog. Also history.
Is it better to have one really good watch or a line of watches?
Yea, I decided to go with a historical lineup of availability. But tough one here.
O&W. I like their designs. Hailos is crazy difficult to get with mediocre customer service.
@AllTheWatches
Digging the lineups posts btws, good idea and helps for those unfamiliar with the brand to maybe click and see versus going with their gut so to speak.
O&W Astrochron. Yes please.
https://ow-watch.ch/collections/ollech-wajs-watches/products/ow-astrochron-1
Ollech price is higher. Are you considering this when pairing?
Ollech price is higher. Are you considering this when pairing?
Last year we had brackets based on est amount, but this year wanted to create a more formal ranking based on WC popularity. I plug the numbers in, my spreadsheet kicks out the matchups. To prevent any unfair tampering, I do not alter the matchups to account for an inexpensive brand going up against a costlier one. Cards play as dealt.
My hope is the community can look at the watches by themselves, but I also get many will judge by what they can spend, others by movement, etc. Ultimately if people want to vote for inexpensive watches, it does not matter if it is round one or the final four.
Last year we had brackets based on est amount, but this year wanted to create a more formal ranking based on WC popularity. I plug the numbers in, my spreadsheet kicks out the matchups. To prevent any unfair tampering, I do not alter the matchups to account for an inexpensive brand going up against a costlier one. Cards play as dealt.
My hope is the community can look at the watches by themselves, but I also get many will judge by what they can spend, others by movement, etc. Ultimately if people want to vote for inexpensive watches, it does not matter if it is round one or the final four.
I like it. Gonna be some who are sore.
To each their own.
Realistically there will be some upsets too. And sometimes the more expensive will win over, or not. End of the day, more are made aware there's more out there than the ubiquitous Ali brands, Seiko, Citizen, Tissot, Tudor, Omega, and Rolex.
I mean if anyone has paid attention, we all know who I'm voting for if Lorier is involved, regardless of price point, movement, whatever.....👀🤏🏻🫣😂
I like it. Gonna be some who are sore.
To each their own.
Realistically there will be some upsets too. And sometimes the more expensive will win over, or not. End of the day, more are made aware there's more out there than the ubiquitous Ali brands, Seiko, Citizen, Tissot, Tudor, Omega, and Rolex.
I mean if anyone has paid attention, we all know who I'm voting for if Lorier is involved, regardless of price point, movement, whatever.....👀🤏🏻🫣😂
Oh man, I love Lorier, but they are up against one of my favorite wildcards this year in the first round. Likely no chance of winning, but if I had to pick one watch to buy right now from any of the brands in this, Maurice de Mauriac has one I would love to own.
Tough choice but had to pick O&W...but that was based on their vintage watches not the new reissues...
Only have a couple in the collection...
Modern...
Vintage...
Oh man, I love Lorier, but they are up against one of my favorite wildcards this year in the first round. Likely no chance of winning, but if I had to pick one watch to buy right now from any of the brands in this, Maurice de Mauriac has one I would love to own.
Yea, I'm a ride or die Lorier guy. Perfect intersection of charm, legibility, toughness, originality-ish, affordability, and owners, imo.
But I feel ya. MkII is prolly gonna lose since most haven't heard of them, and most of Yao's entire lineup is his take on a classic military watch. No colors, no integrated, no hardness coatings, or fancy movements. C'est la vie.
Last year we had brackets based on est amount, but this year wanted to create a more formal ranking based on WC popularity. I plug the numbers in, my spreadsheet kicks out the matchups. To prevent any unfair tampering, I do not alter the matchups to account for an inexpensive brand going up against a costlier one. Cards play as dealt.
My hope is the community can look at the watches by themselves, but I also get many will judge by what they can spend, others by movement, etc. Ultimately if people want to vote for inexpensive watches, it does not matter if it is round one or the final four.
Your job is so demanding. Good for you to take this task.
Thank you, this will be a theme. Just because someone bought or inherited the rights, doesn’t make it the same company. I am already preparing for Fears and Duckworth, same thing with those brands.
Jesus. To quote Mike France…. Do your research. How old are you? Have you thought this through????
I just wanted to note that O&W has some serious heritage dating back to the 50’s. They developed the first 1000 meter depth rated diver before Blancpain & Rolex in 1964. They adorned the wrists of many GIs in Vietnam. I just don’t think their inclusion in this is appropriate. I get that most people have never heard of the brand and that a true Micro launched in 2009 would have more fanfare. Has Zodiac been included in the past? They are similar in the fact they were a heritage brand, jumpstarted to present form by new ownership but shouldn’t be considered a micro brand.
We are in agreement on the original heritage, but that wasn’t earned by the current company.
Zodiac, being owned by Fossil have not been in the mix. The spirit is to recognize smaller, newish companies. Separate of any former version that has nothing to do with the current.
Jesus. To quote Mike France…. Do your research. How old are you? Have you thought this through????
Done, old enough to know better, and yep.
Totally I get that and to be honest, most people have never heard of them. I’ve got an Ocean Graph and the build quality is next level. I just don’t think a 70 yr old company with legit heritage belongs in a comparison with micro brands launched 5-15 yrs ago. But it’s for fun, no biggie.
See your point. And I'll add this, since the whole point is getting brands out there.
BLUFF: Long post incoming...
Same-ish kinda thing is happening in the Traska vs MkII.
Most microbrands owe a ton to MkII, Bathys, Bernhardt Watch Co and a few others setting the stage back in 2002.
But the stated goal (it's in the name Mark 2), is to recreate obscure and/or mostly unavailable in wearable condition, military issued timepieces.
So to a large portion of enthusiasts, especially newer ones, they are too tool-y, boring, plain, and military looking when compared to younger microbrands.
Nor do they offer surface hardening, display caseback (for the most part), and on the surface appear as "just" an expensive Ali brand.
Bill Yao's stated goal was to always offer the actual definition of an homage watch. A callback to a specific, issued tool watch, but with quality of life and modern upgrades: movements, lume, case, materials, etc.
I'd be surprised if MkII offers any Genta inspired or color variations other than black/white.
Also not trying to take anything from Traska. It's cool to see them offering a 34mm watch. But Jon himself has talked about taking that risk hasn't planned out, ppl aren't buying them.
Despite all enthusiasts, on the Crunch in particular, espousing the wear-ability of a small watch, ppl think it looks to girly or some stupid crap.
Hence is this watch too big, or I really want to like this size but it feels too big, someone say it's ok to wear a big watch....
Versus wearing a 34mm watch because it fits.
YMMV. 🤙🏻🫣
Halios is a hometown of Vancouver brand. I like their styles. But I have to agree with others noting that Halios are hard to come by.
O&W get the vote here.
We are in agreement on the original heritage, but that wasn’t earned by the current company.
Zodiac, being owned by Fossil have not been in the mix. The spirit is to recognize smaller, newish companies. Separate of any former version that has nothing to do with the current.
All good. Appreciate the time you’ve put into this. It’s definitely a cool thing to look at.
🍻
All good. Appreciate the time you’ve put into this. It’s definitely a cool thing to look at.
🍻
It is all good! That is always the fun part of this; folks will disagree about earned vs acquired heritage, micro vs independent, etc. ultimately, I am cool with whatever one’s take is. I simply want folks to discover new brands and maybe find their next watch. :-)
It is all good! That is always the fun part of this; folks will disagree about earned vs acquired heritage, micro vs independent, etc. ultimately, I am cool with whatever one’s take is. I simply want folks to discover new brands and maybe find their next watch. :-)
Absolutely. Thanks again and enjoy the weekend!
The Halios Univera has been on my radar for some time now. O&W has a nice and varied lineup, but that particular Halios has my attention.
It's all pretty much been said already, seems strange to have O&W in the bracket at all, between the two brands O&W should win hands down, way more history way larger offering solid quality. I def. voted for them, but I see that once again I have backed what appears to be the losing team (again).
As a business owner I have a real hard time with a "business" that doesn't have anything of sale. This feels like somebodies hobby that they are trying to make some money from. To me it's almost like Halios shouldn't be here either because they're not really a business. I guess the moniker Microbrand doesn't necessarily mean they are a business, per se, but the majority of the brands here are actual businesses, so for me that plays into the decision.
It's all pretty much been said already, seems strange to have O&W in the bracket at all, between the two brands O&W should win hands down, way more history way larger offering solid quality. I def. voted for them, but I see that once again I have backed what appears to be the losing team (again).
As a business owner I have a real hard time with a "business" that doesn't have anything of sale. This feels like somebodies hobby that they are trying to make some money from. To me it's almost like Halios shouldn't be here either because they're not really a business. I guess the moniker Microbrand doesn't necessarily mean they are a business, per se, but the majority of the brands here are actual businesses, so for me that plays into the decision.
Totally see your point Mike. A few of us above have tried to explain the revival brands. Yes, many brands have a great legacy, but brands that were recently acquired/relaunched, etc are by all definitions new businesses, they just happen to have some purchased, or in some cases, inherited heritage.
I didn't know O&W, beautiful pieces and the history.
It's all pretty much been said already, seems strange to have O&W in the bracket at all, between the two brands O&W should win hands down, way more history way larger offering solid quality. I def. voted for them, but I see that once again I have backed what appears to be the losing team (again).
As a business owner I have a real hard time with a "business" that doesn't have anything of sale. This feels like somebodies hobby that they are trying to make some money from. To me it's almost like Halios shouldn't be here either because they're not really a business. I guess the moniker Microbrand doesn't necessarily mean they are a business, per se, but the majority of the brands here are actual businesses, so for me that plays into the decision.
This is an interesting look at things and I actually think it is a valid point of conaideration.
That said, I see the benefit of a full time operation only in the sense that it looks more professional and reassuring in case something goes wrong. I do care about that with major brands, i.e. how is their after sales support etc. However, as far as microbrands go I consider this aspect a gamble either way and primarily evaluate them based on if their watches are fun/unique/interesting. If they can do it as a hobby, more power to them 😄
O&W
Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to Halios!