Micro Tournament Round 1 Day 5: AnOrdain Vs. Behrens
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 3/18.
• 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
12 comments
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Watch enthusiast who insists on the next watch being the last.
Northeast, US
Member since
Last active: 2 min ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
Two very different approches of watchmaking! I love the originality and amazing complications of Behrens but I'm not sure I'd wear one... On the other hand AnOrdain pieces are less "impressive" from far away but those dials 🤩
Most of my voting so far across the board is for the underdog who gets an average of 20% of the votes.
Love the moon phase Behrens.
Now if Anordain would just open up waitlist sign ups again esp given that they are rolling out new models . . . Le sigh.
I can appreciate the Berhens approach but illegible dials like that are not for me. Plus every time I glance at my Model 1 I grin so…
Very torn on this one. I missed my chance to buy an AnOrdain from MoMA for a discount. While I respect AnOrdain, at the end of the day, I may be too much of a philistine to appreciate the simplicity of their designs.
Behrens' designs are certainly interesting. But are they cool, or garish? And I have to admit that the stigma of a Chinese brand makes me wonder. Chinese watches with Miyota and Sellita movements for multiple thousands? Is it fair to wonder?
I think I'll give it to Behrens, to reward some creativity and trying to break out of the cheap homage stereotype. Is it possible that they along with Ciga Design are the beginning of Chinese watchmaking coming into its own?
Most of my voting so far across the board is for the underdog who gets an average of 20% of the votes.
Love the moon phase Behrens.
I have noticed that on a lot of polls. Surprised there has been several one-sided match ups with so many excellent brands.
Very torn on this one. I missed my chance to buy an AnOrdain from MoMA for a discount. While I respect AnOrdain, at the end of the day, I may be too much of a philistine to appreciate the simplicity of their designs.
Behrens' designs are certainly interesting. But are they cool, or garish? And I have to admit that the stigma of a Chinese brand makes me wonder. Chinese watches with Miyota and Sellita movements for multiple thousands? Is it fair to wonder?
I think I'll give it to Behrens, to reward some creativity and trying to break out of the cheap homage stereotype. Is it possible that they along with Ciga Design are the beginning of Chinese watchmaking coming into its own?
Artisan dials vs. mechanical art.
I still pinch myself for getting one from Moma with a 20% discount, which is crazy to think about now. Flip side, one of two big regrets I did buy a Joker when they were $5k-$6k.
Behrens is an intriguing brand. While still new, they are putting out some very interesting to look at pieces, to your point, not sure I would wear one, but I could say the same for any brand that does this. I love that they are partnering with Konstantin Chaykin and this may be the only way to get a Chaykin watch these days that is not $25K+. Personally, I think I will hold out for an classic Joker, but do not fault anyone for jumping on one of these.
I have noticed that on a lot of polls. Surprised there has been several one-sided match ups with so many excellent brands.
These polls are a popularity contest. Just like in politics, name recognition matters. On the one had, other things being equal, it does make sense to choose the better known brand, as it shows that they did something to get attention, win respect, and rise above the fray. It's a less than ideal way to gauge quality and value, but in a world of imperfect information, it's a significant data point. That said, when I've taken the time to look into the brands, at least a few times I changed my initial knee-jerk response. But I don't always have time to do a deep dive. I wonder how many of the votes are quick picks based on name or the thumbnails?
Another easy one for me. Checked out Behrens which is new to me. Fascinating watches a la MB&F and Greubel-Forsey. Very clever, fascinating designs, ingenious! But who actually wears watches like that? What happens if you bang it on the door jam passing through? I call them cocktail party watches, meant to be worn only on very special, high-brow occasions to amaze and astound your colleagues. I'll take an Anordain any day of the week since I'm not on the guest list for those exclusive parties.
These polls are a popularity contest. Just like in politics, name recognition matters. On the one had, other things being equal, it does make sense to choose the better known brand, as it shows that they did something to get attention, win respect, and rise above the fray. It's a less than ideal way to gauge quality and value, but in a world of imperfect information, it's a significant data point. That said, when I've taken the time to look into the brands, at least a few times I changed my initial knee-jerk response. But I don't always have time to do a deep dive. I wonder how many of the votes are quick picks based on name or the thumbnails?
Absolutely Weiben, that is the toughest part of this whole thing. Ultimately, there will be a mix of folks clicking on the single thumbnail and doing no additional research. That part sucks for me because choosing the one pick to represent a brand is a challenge. Moving past that, if 20% take the time to research, check out other models, look at the specs, etc, that is a win to me. Jumping over to the other poll today, Fears v. Ophion. Everyone knows Fears and they will likely win, but look how many people in the comments took the time to look at Ophoin, a brand only the nerdiest amongst us know of, but wow, those dials. Not saying they are better, this is a game of preferences, but the fact folks are talking about these brands makes me feel happy about the work that goes into this.
Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to AnOrdain.
Absolutely Weiben, that is the toughest part of this whole thing. Ultimately, there will be a mix of folks clicking on the single thumbnail and doing no additional research. That part sucks for me because choosing the one pick to represent a brand is a challenge. Moving past that, if 20% take the time to research, check out other models, look at the specs, etc, that is a win to me. Jumping over to the other poll today, Fears v. Ophion. Everyone knows Fears and they will likely win, but look how many people in the comments took the time to look at Ophoin, a brand only the nerdiest amongst us know of, but wow, those dials. Not saying they are better, this is a game of preferences, but the fact folks are talking about these brands makes me feel happy about the work that goes into this.
I am grateful for a reason to learn about watch microbrands that others like @AllTheWatches have already vetted for being of good quality and provenance. Who wins almost doesn't matter. The fun of voting makes me research these new to me watch brands =).