Micro brands
What micro brand watches do you own and would recommend? I’ve been looking at the Lorier Hyperion but it’s sold out. Interested to look at some other good brands collections. Thanks
54 comments
Sort by
David
Hi everyone, I’ve always liked watches but just started building my collection in the last few years. Love all watches from budget Casios to Patek. Happy to discuss watches with anyone.
Cardiff
Member since
Last active: 2 years ago
Heard and seen great things from Christopher Ward, AnOrdain, Baltic, and Ming (if you can find them). On the more affordable micros I like Phoibos, Spinnaker, Long Island Watch, and Boldr.
Heard and seen great things from Christopher Ward, AnOrdain, Baltic, and Ming (if you can find them). On the more affordable micros I like Phoibos, Spinnaker, Long Island Watch, and Boldr.
Thanks, not heard of AnOrdain, Ming and Spinnaker, will definitely have to check them out. I was looking at a Baltic, the micro-rotor but that has sold out too.
Heard and seen great things from Christopher Ward, AnOrdain, Baltic, and Ming (if you can find them). On the more affordable micros I like Phoibos, Spinnaker, Long Island Watch, and Boldr.
Lots of great suggestions here! I would add Bertucci if you like military style watches.
Lots of great suggestions here! I would add Bertucci if you like military style watches.
Great thanks, will take a look at Bertucci
Thanks, not heard of AnOrdain, Ming and Spinnaker, will definitely have to check them out. I was looking at a Baltic, the micro-rotor but that has sold out too.
Totally in love with that micro-rotor model too. But I really also fell in love with this Aquascaphe:
Lum-Tec, lovely lovely watches, loads of different styles, really beautiful:
https://www.lum-tec.eu
I’ve had good experiences with CW.
I’ll add Farer to the list
Lum-Tec, lovely lovely watches, loads of different styles, really beautiful:
https://www.lum-tec.eu
Thanks for the link, looking at their collection now
I’ll add Nodus, Halios (if you can find them), and traska to this list. Each are great!
On the affordable end, I’ve really liked my Long Island Watch “islander” dive watch
I’ve had good experiences with CW.
I’ll add Farer to the list
Heard of Christopher Ward but never had a proper look at their collection, will definitely have to now. Thanks
I picked up a ocean crawler last year. very happy with it, excellent build quality.
I've been loving the watches I've had the opportunity to experience from Lorier and Monta. I've heard wonderful things about Baltic as well.
Spinnaker,Undone,Kuoe,RZE in the "affordable" range
thinking of flipping my Spinnaker Dumas, love the retro styling, but just not the wrist time.
Traska. I have three now but selling one. Here my latest acquisition.
I just ordered a Wolbrook Skindiver WT mecaquartz. My first with that kind of movement. Very reasonable priced. Worth a look.
Teddy Baldassarre did a great article on microbrands:
https://teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/watches/microbrand-watches-complete-guide
My own list would include (bolded are particular favorites):
AnOrdain
Aquatico
Aragon
Astor + Banks
Audaz
Audric
Axios
Baltic
Behrens
Bern
Bernhardt
Bravur
Dan Henry
Detroit Watch Company
Dificiano
Douglas/Wolbrook
Dumoreau
echo/neutra
Farer
Ferro & Company
Helson
Hemel
Le Forban
Lorier
Magrette
Marloe Watch Company
Massena LAB
Montage
Nezumi
OVD Watches
Pancor
Phoibos
RLG Watches
Roebuck Watch Company
Seaborne
Seals Watch Company
Second Hour Watch
Spinnaker
Straton
TC-9
Tribus
Trifoglio Italia
Unimatic
UW
Vario
WISE
Zelos
Here are some wrist shots:
And a few more:
Direnzo is a good built
I have a few microbrands in my collection. Like others here, I am a bit of a Christopher Ward fan and have 4 of them. I also have a Spinnaker and a Leyden.
The latter features on WRUW today. Still to see another on this forum or pretty much anywhere else to be honest.
Here's a few photos:
And a few more:
I really like that Lorier. Thanks for all the pics, great to see
I love microbrands. I will only comment one brands I've owned. I would recommend all of the brands as they are all well made and dependable. It really comes down to aesthetics and what you value in a watch.
Nodus: great affordable watches. Excellent customer service. Nice variety of styles. Definitely more of a mature brand with staying power.
Seaborne: small brand out of new England. They use color really well and are coming out with a quartz Chrono and dress watch soon.
Vero: out of Portland. Modern style with a bonkers 10 year no questions asked warranty. Love these.
Helm: chunky, overbuilt watches. They lack some finesse but I was really happy with it.
Zelos: definitely has a unique aesthetic. Well made but not the crazy value they once were. I liked my Blacktip skindiver but also lacked some refinement (gritty crown action, sharp edges). Styling isn't for everyone but they use exotic materials nicely.
Halios: a truly excellent brand. Very hyped but worth it.
Raven: very well built. Lack some of the detail work (I have a Solitude) but that's to be expected in this price range. Great tool watches and I have another on the way.
Boldr: I have a venture and it's a compact, modern field watch. I like it. Nothing particularly special about it except it's a lot of watch for the money.
first I’ve heard of Seaborne. What a fun lineup
If you like a watch with an integrated bracelet, have a look at this micro brand from Singapore, Spectre Time's Phantom 2.
I had never seen these before. Really digging that look (i've been wanting to add an integrated bracelet option to my collection for a while now). Thanks for sharing!
I would also add that Monta has a try-at-home program that I did a few weeks ago. It's a great chance to experience one of their watches for a few days (note that it's an exhibition piece without a movement) but a good opportunity to check it out on wrist etc. I tried their Ocean King and was very impressed.
first I’ve heard of Seaborne. What a fun lineup
Right on. They are fun. The owner of the brand made a one-off of their tactical with a sunburst blue dial and I love it.
A few other pics of my micros:
I had never seen these before. Really digging that look (i've been wanting to add an integrated bracelet option to my collection for a while now). Thanks for sharing!
I would also add that Monta has a try-at-home program that I did a few weeks ago. It's a great chance to experience one of their watches for a few days (note that it's an exhibition piece without a movement) but a good opportunity to check it out on wrist etc. I tried their Ocean King and was very impressed.
Thanks for the tip on Monta. :))
Christopher ward, Traska, RZE, Zelos, Nodus, Hemel.
The above are the brands I own and adore, there are plenty of others I wish to own, and a few I've learnt of in this post!
Ive been very happy with my ocean crawler. Very solid watch.
And a few more:
Whats the name of the watch with the pinkish dial (2nd last photo)?
Whats the name of the watch with the pinkish dial (2nd last photo)?
That's Second Hour from Australia. The reference is the Mandala and the dial color is salmon. They started out as a Kickstarter brand and have continued to progress. The first release was called the Gin Clear Diver and is an excellent dive watch. The Mandala was the second release and is really more of a dress sport watch. I think both those releases are now sold out. Their third release is the Giant Stride (another dive watch) and those are almost sold out. Great value and really well made watches. Peter the owner is really dedicated to a quality product.
Here's the link:
Second Hour Watches