Micro Tournament Sweet Sixteen Day 1: Baltic Vs. Vario
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 3/26.
• 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 hrs ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
Check Out The Lineups Here:
Baltic
Vario
Get daily updates and see the updated bracket here.
Another tough one, but think Baltic is the better of the two just based on how quickly the brand took off, established it's brand ethos, and built it's impressive catalogue.
I’m sure Baltic will take this round, they’re a microbrand heavyweight. But Vario has some really unique offerings, super reasonable pricing, and a great buying experience. Vario for me
They certainly seem to be marching through so far. We shall see what the rounds say.
Not even close, #baltic wins this round handily 👊🏼
Really wanted Vario to get to the final tho. Oh well...
So tough here! #baltic makes great watches, but so does #vario!
I think the scale just barely leans Vario on the weight of all their options. Auto, mecha, quartz, MOP, Hand engraving, guilloche, and their straps!
Yeah just by the slimmest of margins, I'm going Vario
Both brands that lean on vintage inspirations. Both offer great value.
But Baltic does just that little bit extra and takes this round by a micro rotor.
This is #baltic ‘s year. They are tired of being the bridesmaid!
Vario for me, even if they probably will not make it through the round (have not voted yet). I am looking for the 1945 since a while.
Vario by miles for me, but they've no chance against the much hyped Baltic.
I will lean towards Baltic as have had a lot more information about them and have seen their showroom in London too, but both brands have great watches
This is #baltic ‘s year. They are tired of being the bridesmaid!
Ya Baltic will be in the Final 4 this year
Perhaps the championship, they look unstoppable 😮
All day
I did not expect to see a match this lopsided in the Ro16, Baltic is unstoppable in the public eye right now. The MR-01 Blue is one of the coolest watches released by a microbrand in recent memory
Baltic may win in a landslide, but Vario won in my wallet. The Vario 1945 is the only micro brand I have purchased and it was worth it.
Love Vario's trench watches.
But, if I were to purchase a "dress" watch without lume, it'd DEF be that Baltic MR01.
Even if the movement hasn't a lot of track record in use, it's a drilled lug, ACRYLIC, micro rotor. #love 😂
This was about as close as you can get with two competitors in this tournament. I voted #vario and I had to dig deep for this one difference, that is the Empire is a True GMT and the Aquascaphe GMT is not. Pretty nitpicky but that's all that is left with these two. They both have great lineups, they both have solid designs, they both provide a solid offering across several different types. Really close matchup.
I refuse to participate. This is a Sophie’s choice for me
For the breadth of what they have put out in their short time, Baltic. Plus I own the Aquascaphe strap monster.
This is the matchup that I didn't want to see... I don't own either brand, but I want both.
Two brands I've been eyeing strongly for some time... Vario for longer.
No experience with either so no vote.
I think I lean vario. Some interesting affordable stuff there. Love that new one hander
Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to Baltic!
Reading the comments made me feel very encouraged. I didn't set out to create an empire but I just wanted to make watches for enthusiasts as an enthusiast like how Doug from Manchester Watch Works inspired me. As a small husband and wife team, I can afford to take more risk and grow at my own pace...may not be wise from a business perspective 😂 but that's how I want to do it.
Reading the comments made me feel very encouraged. I didn't set out to create an empire but I just wanted to make watches for enthusiasts as an enthusiast like how Doug from Manchester Watch Works inspired me. As a small husband and wife team, I can afford to take more risk and grow at my own pace...may not be wise from a business perspective 😂 but that's how I want to do it.
Thank you so much for your involvement throughout this little exercise. I know it means a lot to folks to have the ability to connect with the actual folks behind the watches they love. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your involvement throughout this little exercise. I know it means a lot to folks to have the ability to connect with the actual folks behind the watches they love. Thank you!
When I buy a watch, I love to check About Us to see who is the person behind the brand.