Micro Tournament Round 1 Day 4: Serica Vs. Paulin

Check Out The Lineups Here:

• Serica

• Paulin

Gotta go with Serica. My Commando is a solid watch. It seems the divers are as well.

I’ve been thinking about selling it just to make room. Every time I hold it, though, I have second thoughts.

Serica hands down. In terms of the uniqueness of it's design, the build quality, and comfort is really good value for the money.

I own a Paulin, in fact it was partly responsible for getting it into this hobby! However the current lineup doesn't interest me as much. Serica's are interesting, but they have a checqured QC record.. tough one.

Paulin just seams to have more of a youthful vibe that doesn't work for me. Service has a few watches that I really like.

Serica. I know Pauline is associated with anOrdain, but I don't like their designs. The hand set especially throws me off.

Yup. Only reason why I voted.

Left hand crown option, field watch.

Mod 2 is even better, same thickness, add auto, better lume, still can get left hand crown.

People have a short memory it seems…

Serica had pretty bad QC record (based on community/forums posts) and conflicting customer service opinion. But from recent comments - they improved on both points. True or not - I still vote for Serica. Paulin is just ugly in all honestly - kind of Swatch design in different and less iconic package...

One thing I wish I could change about Serica is that, to me, it comes off as brand that is beige-bland and faceless, but also wants to really lean into the fact that it makes Swiss products. Like it feels like a French company that wants to be Swiss. From the “Swiss Made” (in English) to the SOCTI testing. I didn’t know it was based in Paris until 6 months after I learned it existed. Definitely feels like they’re trying to get to CW’s level with their marketing. They would be more interesting to be if they went the Yema route and embraced being French.

Very interesting pairing. I really want to like Paulin. They’ve got some interesting ideas. But their use of color is not my fav … all the odd contrasting hues and shades. Reminds me a bit of when Dropbox rebranded years ago. The use of contrasting colors is interesting, but the novelty would wear off quickly for me. Serica is a little more safe — but also more wearable for me.

Clearly Serica in my opinion. Interesting watches out there, need to look more in their catalog.

Most of their QC issues were from the initial releases, which I believe they've taken into consideration with their COSC release. I've had no issues with my 5303 and the new GMT looks fab too.

To easy serica all-day long

I guess even overflow AnOrdain energy can't save Paulin here haha.

This was a no brainer for me. I love Serica!

This was the easiest vote so far, Serica.

And the gaslighting?

Any brand that treats its customers with contempt seemingly gets a green light on here. Oh well… can’t wait for the Spinnaker matchups, this will be interesting.

Even though I agree, I will still trend to go with something I could see myself wearing.

Paulin might make fantastic watches, but not my style.

Same thing with SU, and even the competitor that Lorier is going up against.

A. Lange and Söhne make fantastic watches, still don't like them, and if I arbitrarily have to choose between ALS and someone else, I'll lick someone else...

Unless it's Richard Mille, and then I'll vote twice for ALS.

Rational? Prolly not, but it's true.

Same thing with Kuoe Kyoto v Phoibos. If I go for that style I'll look at vintage or a modern tonneau take.

Not saying I want a Phoibos, but if I had to choose one. YMMV.

I think regardless of whether you wear the watch or not, or even if you like the watches, shitty practice needs to be called out. Caveat emptor - but that just seems pointless on here.

Did Serica ever address the topic?

Not as far as I am aware, and the fact that version 3 of the 5303 abandons the Newton and goes for an M100 (for a higher price) says it all really. I believe they are no longer doing repairs on the movement and have taken the stance that the issues are a "quirk" and "feature" of the movement.

I have heard from a variety of sources you can send it back for a refund but Serica will not reimburse customs fees and postage because they feel the movement is great and that purchasers should already be aware of the movement “features”. This confidence in the movement is, of course, backed by the switch to the M100, so the movement is great, and clearly nothing to see here…

This is a fun read

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F3RpUIKI2-U

Ladies and gentlemen… your champion for this match.

Well I for one am not ashamed to admit I had no clue.

But outside of their field variants had not followed anything that closely.

Won't matter in the grand scheme, but I do figure price, end use, build quality, presentation of website AND owners ethos when considering which to pick.

So gonna change my vote, won't matter, oh well.....🍻🤙🏻.

Once again Reclusiarch Porthole, I nod to your sagacious advice. 😆

It’s why I said earlier that everyone has a short memory - in fact I have heard people raving about the 5303-3, and yes, it might be a good watch, but the simple fact is that it wouldn’t need to be on revision 3 if they didn’t fuck up with the Newton.

This will not change anything - I fear that objectivity and rationality on this platform are alien concepts, and this is evident that people will willingly rave over, and support, a brand that clearly shows contempt for its customers. I think everyone deserves better. I don’t think Serica should be talked about for the protection of watch buyers.

Serica for design but I've heard such bad things on qc that Paulin takes it here

Paulin based on Serica’s QC and Customer Service

Never even followed the 5303, solely interested in the LH crown field watch. Actually preferred the hand cranker tbh.

They are lovely looking watches, but for a micro they are a little bit more in terms of price than some of the others, so track record is always something to consider in terms of the smaller/micro brands. The GMT was what put them on my radar, and the 5303 Newton debacle took them straight off it. It’s fine, you want pretty things with decent spec then you pay for it, except I wouldn’t give Serica my cash given the choice because they delivered an inferior product and doubled-down when people complained. Judge a company on how it responds to when things go wrong.

They charge how much for a Soprod movement? I don't know a lot about them, but that's the thing. They don't get a lot respect, there's not a lot of information out there about them, and they don't have much of a track record, at least that you can find on the internet. And now I here that they had problems with the movement? And yet more divers. They're distinctive at least.

So I gave it to Paulin. They're quirky and fun; the red one caught my eye. And with all the verbiage on the website, they seem to take design seriously, not that I'm one to judge.

Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to Serica!