German watch fans, have you heard of MIGMA?
Hey guys!
I stumbled upon a German brand called Migma, theres almost nothing about them but they seem legit (imo), but i dont truly know. The watches they sell utilize ETA movements and the watches are sold for a quite reasonable price. Have you guys had any experience with them before? if so, how was it? Thanks!
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Victor
I am all for microbrands!
Umeå, Sweden
Member since
Last active: 3 days ago
6.75” / 17.15 cm
No I really hadn't heard of them, and they seem to be a relatively new company. They seem to focus on the Unitas 6498 and 6497, which are fairly basic hand wind movements. These are chunky movements and chunky watches. Their site says: "MIGMA WATCHES steht für bewährte Technik" (Migma watches means proven technology), which is true in the sense that their watches are more or less based on pocket watch movements.
The dials are fairly conservative and clean, what I would personally consider the main attraction of these watches.
The cases are personally not my cup of tea, but others may think different.
Overall not bad watches, if you are open to 43mm case diameters with large dials. I have a watch based on a Chinese clone (ST36), and these are big.
No I really hadn't heard of them, and they seem to be a relatively new company. They seem to focus on the Unitas 6498 and 6497, which are fairly basic hand wind movements. These are chunky movements and chunky watches. Their site says: "MIGMA WATCHES steht für bewährte Technik" (Migma watches means proven technology), which is true in the sense that their watches are more or less based on pocket watch movements.
The dials are fairly conservative and clean, what I would personally consider the main attraction of these watches.
The cases are personally not my cup of tea, but others may think different.
Overall not bad watches, if you are open to 43mm case diameters with large dials. I have a watch based on a Chinese clone (ST36), and these are big.
What’s your experience with the ST36? I’ve heard that one shouldn’t expect much longevity in comparison with the Unitas. Any opinion on that?
I have a Phoibos leviathan that sits with 45mm case! So I’m used to big watches ^_^!
What’s your experience with the ST36? I’ve heard that one shouldn’t expect much longevity in comparison with the Unitas. Any opinion on that?
I have a Phoibos leviathan that sits with 45mm case! So I’m used to big watches ^_^!
The ST36 seemed like a big movement to me. I had heard that it may not be factory lubricated, so I took it apart to check it myself. (The picture is about half of the way taking it apart.) There was relatively little evidence of lubrication, which may not be a bad thing, as correct lubrication is rather subtle.
Where I would have liked to see more lubrication was on the keyless works, I added HP1300, and then reassembled the movement. Hitting the usual spots with 9010.
Right out of the gate it had zero beat error, a 292 degree amplitude, and was running 1 second slow in the face down position. That was good enough for me.
Overall the movement was clean, and I currently have no indication why it wouldn't last, as the base design is solid.
Sounds like Ligma. Anyone here like Ligma?
Sounds like Ligma. Anyone here like Ligma?
I didnt want to post that but I’m glad you did 🤣🤣🤣. Also migma sounds like another even worse word 🫠
I didnt want to post that but I’m glad you did 🤣🤣🤣. Also migma sounds like another even worse word 🫠
I'm like a shitty coffee machine: no filter🤣
It's possible to fit a 6497/8 into a 41mm case (see one I assembled below from a 70s skeleton pocket watch movement), so it's frustrating that so many brands persist in only putting them in 42mm+ cases.
Migma also sell sterile dials on ebay for those that fancy assembling their own marine style watch based on the 6497/8.
There's also a French manufacturer Tactic Tictac Montres that sells finished watches based on the ST36 and parts including those 41mm cases and dials with hands.