Micro Tournament Round 2 Day 4: Ming Vs. Fears
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 3/25.
• 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: 6 min ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
Check Out The Lineups Here:
Ming
Fears
Get daily updates and see the updated bracket here.
😂.
Ming started strong when they first came out. Then they really fumbled hard and had never seemed to be anything close to what they were.
Ming : the brand that never has anything for sale. And on the few days of the year when they “open for business” have utterly screwed over customers. Well documented online.
Fears: a brand that actually has beautiful models always available, a friendly company that makes you want to support them. Dress casual, sporty, vintage vibes. They have a lot of territory covered.
😂.
Yeah this might come down to single digit votes (if the trend continues). I hope it does!
Fears really does nothing for me, and I can't explain why. Theoretically I should love them, but they just leave me feeling cold.
Fears for me. Like the Brunswick, even if it is well above the budget for me.
Based solely on style and no other criteria I have to go with #ming
Ming started strong when they first came out. Then they really fumbled hard and had never seemed to be anything close to what they were.
I like fears design language but from handling both brands mutlitple times in person…these two brand are not even close to the same level. Frankly, all the Fears watches I’ve handled feel cheap (for the price).
While the Ming’s, especially their new more expensive models rival any other watch twice the price…the monopusher chronograph, mosaic lummed sapphire dials and their newest braclets are off the charts, seriously like holy trinity level of finishing .
Ming may not have the hype it use to have but they are absolutely killing it right now.
The applied markers on the Brunswick are so nice…
The website doesn’t show it well enough.
I'm a bit loth to vote for the hype machine that is Ming, but I do like the designs.
Well, is a company, Ming, that sells watches for 5 figures (22,000 Swiss francs and 48,000 Swiss francs for the two they curently offer) really a micro brand? So they are not well know and don't sell many watches but they gross a lot. So does MB&F. So shouldn't MB&F be considered a micro brand also?
Food for thought.
Ming through and through. We need more watch brands with personality and uniqueness.
Well, is a company, Ming, that sells watches for 5 figures (22,000 Swiss francs and 48,000 Swiss francs for the two they curently offer) really a micro brand? So they are not well know and don't sell many watches but they gross a lot. So does MB&F. So shouldn't MB&F be considered a micro brand also?
Food for thought.
While they do offer some higher end pieces, the majority of their catalog is under $5k, if not much less. IE, I believe I spend less than $2k for mine.
The tournament is a field of micros/independents with a catalog of watches under $5k.
I own a Fears Brunswick Pink (paid USD 3,950) and a Ming 3705 Series 2 (paid USD 2,760) So not exactly comparable prices but not miles apart.
Both great brands - Fears definitely more approachable since you don't have to play the waitlist game.
I enjoy both and feel they are great quality. But I find myself wearing the Fears more often. Something about the finishing and the dial color makes it feel sporty and elegant at same time. I also love the flower engraved inside the butterfly clasp - no one can see it yet it makes the watch feel more special somehow.
Love that pink one, but already have it in white, otherwise I’d buy the one for sale at Toppers now. :-)
Surprised the vote is still essentially tied up.
Wow, this one is close. I did not see this one going this way.
Wow, such a tough choice! Both are great, really intentional with their designs. You'd recognize either just be the silhouette.
I think I'm going to give Ming the edge for their Worldtimer, which I absolutely love. It's my favorite in both collections, so that's how I'll vote. But it's a dead heat!
At this rate, every vote (and pic) might count...
I love both brands. My Ming is maybe my favorite in my collection, but I've been eyeing Fears for while and very much admire them (but don't own one (yet). I went with #ming.
I don’t want to sway the vote either way, so this will count as a one photo for each awesome brand:
Ming I guess.
Still for those prices I'd be looking at a WHOLE ton of options NGL.
Oh wow when I cast my vote just now this was an even 50/50 split! I agree, this is an even matchup. #fears makes some really great watches but my vote went to #ming because I find their designs and style super cool and interesting. For me they have this somewhat unique futuristic look without going overboard with their futuristic designs
My Fears Brunswick holds its own with an FP Journe! #fears
#fears elegantly understated.
Here's my two references.
And those are previous editions now unavailable, correct?
In any case I’m just the coach on the sidelines chewing on the referee’s ear, as coaches will do. 😉
And those are previous editions now unavailable, correct?
In any case I’m just the coach on the sidelines chewing on the referee’s ear, as coaches will do. 😉
The Fears Brunswick Flamingo Pink is a current model. Most of their models are not limited editions. Imagine that - you see something you like and you can actually buy it. 😃
The Mings on the other hand are more or less always smaller batch runs. Miss out and you are out of luck (or try to get one pre-owned.)
Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to Fears!
This was another close one, but ultimately Fears won 729 to 718.
Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to Fears!
This was another close one, but ultimately Fears won 729 to 718.
I hope I helped Fears over the top!