Micro Tournament Sweet Sixteen Day 2: Spinnaker Vs. Kurono Tokyo

Check Out The Lineups Here:

• Spinnaker

• Kurono Tokyo

Get daily updates and see the updated bracket here.

Owned a Spinnaker and even if I sold it, I still believe that they have an interesting collection.

This is no contest, kurono is an excellent microbrand

Spinnaker for me as I've just received the 50 Phantoms blue and am very impressed with it!

Sorry, is spinnaker even a microbrand? one of 12 brands owned by a factory in hong kong making tens of thousands of watches to sell at gas stations and home shopping shows?

Kurono every day.

Fair point well made! I know nothing of their background other than they are Hong Kong based and use Seiko movements.

I thought they were a microbrand but if what you say is true then perhaps not?

That's where the parameters of this tournament are a bit wishy washy as one person's microbrand is another's volume producer?

A whole topic on its own. I thought CW had been removed as they are now too big? Perhaps spinnaker should be also?

https://www.dartmouthbrands.co.uk/

They “claim” UK based. And perhaps individually they are all little micros 🤷

Interesting comments above about what is classified as a "Microbrand", I do not know a lot about Spinnaker but know they are part of a group (Avi-8 too ??) both have some really nice watches also looks like everything seems sold out on the Kurono website, I will go with what I would wear more of so Spinnaker for me

This is interesting I will do some further reading! I've only heard of Spinnaker and AV8 from this list.

I didn't know Spinnaker had any British connection? If this is to be believed of course. Smokes and mirrors with some companies!

Thanks for the link I will take a look at that 👍

I can’t fault them for what they make at the price point. But I have some serious doubts about what they claim vs. “not claim”

Not hating as they do have some beautiful watches. The Bradner was perhaps the 1st “micro?” I owned.

I agree. As the 50 Phantoms is technically my wife's I'm looking at getting a spinnaker for me at some point soon having now worn one in the metal. Microbrand or not and where ever they come from I like their watches!

You may have missed the original post or the follow-ups detailing what qualified for the tournament. From another post related to this exact question.

“I appreciate the take, but as the original post states, the term microbrand is really nebulous and the partipants reflects small independent brands of various backgrounds and manufacturing/distribution methods. This started a few years an under the guise of “microbrand” largely because alliteration, IE March Micro Madness. I would not get hung up on the name vs. the spirit of the what we are doing.”

Dang I really need to look up this Kurono Tokyo. People seem pretty sold on them

Damn is Kurono gonna take this whole tournament? 🤔🔥🔥

I say throw Christopher Ward back in the bracket next year if there’s no definition to what is and isn’t a microbrand

Considering Kurono Tokyo is more of a luxury brand than a microbrand, albeit committed to Miyota 9s, I don't think this was a fair match up.

K Tokyo. I like Spinnaker, voted for them last round … but there’s nothing in Spinnaker’s stable that compares to these in my opinion; two different leagues and not a fair fight.

I believe @AllTheWatches described what was defined as a "microbrand" in his first couple of posts.

I do see your point specially with Spinnaker.

I have my own reasons for the one time going against my lume/readability policy.

And with all the angst over it, I would just add this was a TON of work, for fun. Like actual research work. @AllTheWatches based choices off popularity on Watch Crunch and his own research.

I've noticed in any of the close matchups, @AllTheWatches is capable of posting pictures of both brands, to help increase either brands chances in case of a tie. Not too mention @ChronoGuy and others having as many of these microbrands, as they do Holy Trinity timepieces.

Those with real heartburn, I would give the counter argument of you are welcome to make your own tournament. 👀🤏🏻😉

The MAIN GOAL is getting these brands out, and get peeps talking about them.

I've already seen several posts about looking more into K Tokyo, NG, Oak and Oscar, Orion, etc.

I highly doubt any one of the brands listed here actually gives a flying eff about whether they are popular on this relatively small, enthusiast specific, non flame war for the most part, community based, "tournament".

Didn’t mean to dismiss the amount of work involved in this tournament, obviously everyone really appreciates this kind of content. It is a great bit of fun and I’m sure even the brands are eager to see how they fair (assuming they are on WC)

Regarding including spinnaker or CW, it’s really not that big of a deal. I was merely adding commentary from the peanut gallery to be considered for next year. I’m not demanding change

Kurono Tokyo for the WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I definitely didn’t take it that way, no big deal. In fact, welcome the debate.

For those in the US, this stems from the NCAA March madness tournament, something I couldn’t care less about. BUT, that has matchups with major powerhouse schools up against those small schools who fought hard to be there. Sure the tops seeds usually dominate, BUT, every now and then we get a Cinderella story. This isn’t all that dis-similar.

I feel ya.

I should have clarified my post and maybe just shotgunned a blanket statement.

But I use my phone, and it's been a lil buggy of late.

If people are following, and they filter to newest first, maybe they'll read the whole post.

Was just throwing that out there, since believe it or not, people have ACTUALLY rage quit the platform over this...🤔🤯🤨.

I don't even know the deets, but that's a bit extreme.

Exactly. Not a huge B Ball fan myself, but when Texas A & M Corpus Christi (my college alma mater) first made it to the dance in '07. It was a HUGE deal. Sure they got beat first round, but they still made it 😂.

N9o

I'm going to be honest, Spinnaker has some pretty fun watches but I'm surprised they made it this far. They do offer good value, have some fun designs and definitely are a great option if you want something on a budget. A lot of their watches are a little big for my liking. But a lot of what they offer is nice but nothing that makes you say wow neither. Good option if that entry level Seiko 5 just doesn't excite you.

Kurono Tokyo feels like a celebration of Japanese watchmaking. They are going to walk away with this round IMO.

#kuronotokyo is to http://www.hajimeasaoka.com/ in a similar way as M.A.D. is to MB&F.

Appreciate all the work @AllTheWatches to set this up!

Kurono Tokyo has a completely different brand positioning compared to us (Spinnaker), and that's the beauty of this tournament. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion and I for one love what Kurono Tokyo has been doing 🙏

Great to see the comments/discussion in this thread though!

🤝❤

Thank you Roshan! As you said, in a tournament format two brands, that yes, most are not likely cross shopping may go head to head at some point. To me, one of the most rewarding things is that folks like yourself actively get involved in the discussions. Other than highlighting brands I appreciate and admire, that is perhaps my favorite aspect of all of this.

Too many folks may jump to the conclusion that many of these brands are massive businesses without souls trying to make a quick buck, but most in reality are fairly small companies lead by folks like yourself that genuinely love what they do and want to provide their audience with a unique design. Thanks for all you do, it means a lot.

Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to Kurono Tokyo!