Highest quality microbrand watches
Which microbrand you think have best or highest craftmanship...fit and finish...quality or bespoke item?
I can only add 4 on the poll and here are what i have on top of my head. If you guys have better microbrand you experience before...let me know
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Antonius Widiarto
Simple guy …i love my wife and kids. Then some love for watches as well ;)
Pleasanton, CA
Member since
Last active: 1 day ago
There seems to be a bit of discussion on whether or not CW can still be classed as a microbrand considering how big they are now, but they’d get my vote. Another possibility from the UK could be Farer.
Some of the ones mentioned in are higher price point, so expected higher quality. But for around 500$ you can’t get much better than Zelos in my opinion. The dials are definitely not for everyone, but the build quality and experience overall is well beyond its price point.
ROLEX!
None of the above. They all look like copies of something else without much thought having been put into the design. My vote would go to Anordain, Wise or Moels. Maybe Serica too if they changed their movements.
There seems to be a bit of discussion on whether or not CW can still be classed as a microbrand considering how big they are now, but they’d get my vote. Another possibility from the UK could be Farer.
I read that somewhere about CW may no longer considered as microbrand. I met with Peter France from CW to ask about making a bespoke item or a custom watch for our business partners to mark each milestone in our business, and got to know the brand a bit closer. They are marking it 3x the cost to make the watch…not a bad proposition and reasonable compares to 30x or 300x 🙂 …but again, i never know about the watch business
None of the above. They all look like copies of something else without much thought having been put into the design. My vote would go to Anordain, Wise or Moels. Maybe Serica too if they changed their movements.
I like the anordain …
ROLEX!
Haha 😂
Some of the ones mentioned in are higher price point, so expected higher quality. But for around 500$ you can’t get much better than Zelos in my opinion. The dials are definitely not for everyone, but the build quality and experience overall is well beyond its price point.
I actually have my eye on the zelos blacktip gmt … read a lot of good things about it. Maybe i’ll pull a trigger if i can still find a brand new one on zelos so i can see the finishing
@Awidiarto I do not think you’ll be disappointed! I for one am extremely impressed with my Zelos Mako V3. It is by far my most worn watch and I have nothing but good things to say about the watch and the brand. I’d say go for it! Worst case you will most likely be able to recoup your money by selling it if it doesn’t work for you!
That is true…do you find it thick as i notice zelos always have around 12mm or more. I usually prefer around 11mm or so
It's tough to chose because for an objective opinion I should experienced all but I doubt that anyone ever had.
By definition I think you mean micro brands under 2K, regarding your selection?
Brands that are quite new on the market?
Otherwise I would nominate Lehmann as the top nodge creme de la creme microbrand. But their "cheapest" piece starts at 6-7K (still too cheap imo).
There is also Felipe Pikullik which makes customized and handgraved art pieces, start at 2,2K by my last info but prices are rising with his popularity.
On the entry level price range I would nominate Wise as the best microbrand. Especially his product line adamascus is impressive. The quality seem very good, their used materials as like their steel are on a higher quality and so e are even damascus steel. Their design is not just an homage, so they spend some own efford in their work. Also the designs of their diver dials are quite cool. And all that from a company based in Thailand is quite impressive.
The german brand Circula is in third generation. Actually not a typical microbrand. But the grandson who took over the seat brough great new start up-vibes into the company. More modern unique designs, cooperation with their fanbase. New ideas. Especially with their Aquasport 2 (gmt) as an alternative to Zelos.
Another honorable mention is MAEN and Baltic .
My personal opinion about CW: I think their products are great processed but still little overpriced imo.
These are all good brands. If you are going on fit, finish, and quality, Monta wins here. Direnzo and CW are close, but again, if fit and finish they are the priority, Monta is one of the best in class. Also check out the #microtournament hashtag where the community decides this on a larger scale, granted not based on fit and finish.
I don’t own any of these brands, but I’ve heard the finishing on the Monta is outstanding, and they are the only one of the group to exclusively use COSC certified movements (I believe), which means something to me.
I love CW but I don’t think they are Microbrand anymore. And with higher volume comes lower quality straight up.
Bias tho. 😂😂🔥
It's tough to chose because for an objective opinion I should experienced all but I doubt that anyone ever had.
By definition I think you mean micro brands under 2K, regarding your selection?
Brands that are quite new on the market?
Otherwise I would nominate Lehmann as the top nodge creme de la creme microbrand. But their "cheapest" piece starts at 6-7K (still too cheap imo).
There is also Felipe Pikullik which makes customized and handgraved art pieces, start at 2,2K by my last info but prices are rising with his popularity.
On the entry level price range I would nominate Wise as the best microbrand. Especially his product line adamascus is impressive. The quality seem very good, their used materials as like their steel are on a higher quality and so e are even damascus steel. Their design is not just an homage, so they spend some own efford in their work. Also the designs of their diver dials are quite cool. And all that from a company based in Thailand is quite impressive.
The german brand Circula is in third generation. Actually not a typical microbrand. But the grandson who took over the seat brough great new start up-vibes into the company. More modern unique designs, cooperation with their fanbase. New ideas. Especially with their Aquasport 2 (gmt) as an alternative to Zelos.
Another honorable mention is MAEN and Baltic .
My personal opinion about CW: I think their products are great processed but still little overpriced imo.
Wow...that Lehmann is a very interesting brand....thank you for introducing it here as i am not familiar with probably a German brand?
I saw a video about the wise before and yes i completely forgot about that brand. I am ok with Maen and Baltic .... maybe I need to see these two brand in-person as online picture does not do its justice most of the time.
I am interested in circula and will do more reading on that brand....thank you again for the exposure :)
Bias tho. 😂😂🔥
my gosh....i was just thinking about that atlas...sold out...only the white/cream dial left huh?
Voted CW, decent quality.
A note on Zelos - I got one recently (Ti Swordfish) & not impressed tbh. Undoubtedly good on paper, but lacking in design and finish compared to Seiko at the same price imho -& I'm aware it's not a popular opinion, but I speak as I find. ....maybe a great watch on a tight budget, but disappointing if you're used to higher tier quality & are dropping down.
Obviously it's just my opinion and YMMV