micro brands are the future
"Micro brands are the future of watchmaking. Big-name brands are losing touch with their customers.
What is your favourite watch micro brand?
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My favourite micro brand is Studio Underd0g.
Recently been hit with the Nodus bug. Not sure if it’s cureable. This one’s been on 2 trips already and I’ve only had it for 2 weeks.
Traska, SWC, CW, Monta
I guess it is Traska for me as I'm a fan of adventure and travel watches:
There wouldn't be many microbrands if Seiko and Citizen followed the Swatch group and stopped selling movements outside their little groups. That would leave only a couple left that sell Swiss movements or the Chinese crap. Microbrands are killing Seiko with their own cheap movements.
My favourite micro brand is Studio Underd0g.
what a beauty
Ehhh, I have a few....🤏🏻😆🤙🏻
Most recent EB and their quartz Beachmaster.
And the Nodus x AWWC Sector Deep, I'd agree with @SpecKTator Nodus makes a heckuva watch.
And still my personal favorite, Lorier. Classy. Elegant. Tactical. 👌🏻🦄
Ehhh, I have a few....🤏🏻😆🤙🏻
Most recent EB and their quartz Beachmaster.
And the Nodus x AWWC Sector Deep, I'd agree with @SpecKTator Nodus makes a heckuva watch.
And still my personal favorite, Lorier. Classy. Elegant. Tactical. 👌🏻🦄
Those 3 watches alone would make a hell of a collection. Congrats on the EB…definitely not on my radar but it looks the absolute business. GMT diver?
Are microbrands the future? Should they be?
Look, I am not trying to make it look any less daunting or difficult. However, what exactly does a microbrand bring to the world except PR and supply chain management? These skills, of course, are important. But should they be "the future"?
There is a difference between "independent watchmakers/brands" and "microbrands." The former produce their watches (or, at least assembling their watches). The latter don't. A microbrand is just a brand. They contract out most, if not all, of their production. They probably initiate a design (many only have an inspiration, then hire dedicated watch designers for details), approve it, maybe run the points, and do marketing and some of the sales. They are micro (very small).
As such, an independent brand is a reservoir of technical capacity and skills. They own part of the production of they watches. They can innovate, since they know where to stretch the current systems and they have the means to stretch it.
A microbrand is no such entity. They have little technical contribution. They don't even own the process, so even if they have ideas, they can't do it. They merely slap a new coat of paint (even that's only figuratively) on others' technical work.
Again, running a business is very hard. I am incapable of doing it. Microbrands shoulder great risk and brave the fickle of our tastes. I admire them for it. They, like PR firms and influencers, have important role in our hobby and our world.
But are they "the future"? Should they be? Shouldn't the watchmakers, the engraver, the engineers, the enamelists, etc be the future?
Last note: I am pretty sure all watch making companies are wallowing in cash as late as a year ago. The pandemic did wonder for them. This is one of the reasons why microbrands pop up like mushroom after a rain. But to look down upon established brands while their wait-lists are longer than IRS code? Really?
Just my $0.04.
Recently been hit with the Nodus bug. Not sure if it’s cureable. This one’s been on 2 trips already and I’ve only had it for 2 weeks.
Whats kinda surprising me, is how much effort Nodus put into regulation and small little details on the Sector Deep.
Take for example the scalloping/beveling on mid case right across from the lugs. Seiko and Long Island are the only ones I can think of off the top who do this. Makes it waaaaaaay easier to fit straps and not have to use pre bent springbars. And using pre bent springbars would nullify having drilled lugs for shoulderless bars....
Basically would love to see more brands doing this.
Null point for case designs taken from mid-century cues, since their lug setups are spaced differently, IMO.
Those 3 watches alone would make a hell of a collection. Congrats on the EB…definitely not on my radar but it looks the absolute business. GMT diver?
Yea.
Countdown bezel. GMT hand, compressor style with a cool twist.
The 2'oclock crown is clickable, turnable at any time (sealed), and the second marker can either track a third time, or act as a mission countdown, then zero hour + tracker.
Right up my alley 😂.
But also quite useful for anyone tracking start times, then time after.
Those 3 watches alone would make a hell of a collection. Congrats on the EB…definitely not on my radar but it looks the absolute business. GMT diver?
Micros have just slowly become my thing. Love the value, some of the brands have just really cool watch peeps running them.
And TBH, what got me started in micros was never getting anywhere with others....😜🤏🏻🐼.
Just wish I'd taken the leap on Nodus earlier, seems I've missed out on some pretty nifty watches.
Micros have just slowly become my thing. Love the value, some of the brands have just really cool watch peeps running them.
And TBH, what got me started in micros was never getting anywhere with others....😜🤏🏻🐼.
Just wish I'd taken the leap on Nodus earlier, seems I've missed out on some pretty nifty watches.
No regrets my man. There’s always newer and better watches on the horizon and you just need to put yourself in the position to take advantage of it when they release. I’m also ok buying pre-owned if the right watch comes around.
No regrets my man. There’s always newer and better watches on the horizon and you just need to put yourself in the position to take advantage of it when they release. I’m also ok buying pre-owned if the right watch comes around.
Agreed.
Going second hand off the 'bay, reddit, etc has allowed me to enjoy going after what I want.
And honestly, for what I wear them through, it's not exactly like any watch is gonna be scratch free for long 😂.
Now if I could just get some Nodus owners to part with some of theirs, like a mysterious, WC duality.....🦄🤏🏻*
*once I have pocket money back 😂
Are microbrands the future? Should they be?
Look, I am not trying to make it look any less daunting or difficult. However, what exactly does a microbrand bring to the world except PR and supply chain management? These skills, of course, are important. But should they be "the future"?
There is a difference between "independent watchmakers/brands" and "microbrands." The former produce their watches (or, at least assembling their watches). The latter don't. A microbrand is just a brand. They contract out most, if not all, of their production. They probably initiate a design (many only have an inspiration, then hire dedicated watch designers for details), approve it, maybe run the points, and do marketing and some of the sales. They are micro (very small).
As such, an independent brand is a reservoir of technical capacity and skills. They own part of the production of they watches. They can innovate, since they know where to stretch the current systems and they have the means to stretch it.
A microbrand is no such entity. They have little technical contribution. They don't even own the process, so even if they have ideas, they can't do it. They merely slap a new coat of paint (even that's only figuratively) on others' technical work.
Again, running a business is very hard. I am incapable of doing it. Microbrands shoulder great risk and brave the fickle of our tastes. I admire them for it. They, like PR firms and influencers, have important role in our hobby and our world.
But are they "the future"? Should they be? Shouldn't the watchmakers, the engraver, the engineers, the enamelists, etc be the future?
Last note: I am pretty sure all watch making companies are wallowing in cash as late as a year ago. The pandemic did wonder for them. This is one of the reasons why microbrands pop up like mushroom after a rain. But to look down upon established brands while their wait-lists are longer than IRS code? Really?
Just my $0.04.
Very well articulated. I never quite made the distinction that clearly. I have ideas , and have been combing watching making sites because ( I think?) I could make one, but , I want more creative control over the dial, I think more and more people who really are intrigued with movements, etc, are going to want to make one and once having done this I think the future might be more, people wanting to be more hands on , ABOUT EVERYTHING I just got my first mod , the fellow did a fine job but for what he charged me, I have got egg on my face. anyway very intelligent post
I really appreciate Serica, Brew, Vulcain, Marathon, Doxa, Squale, San Martin.
Traska! #traska
Casting another vote for #traska
The crap chinese movements with bad quality drag down the rest of their products. Overall Chinese products have a horrible reputation for quality and with their economy going into the toilet it's not going to get any better. Some of you have good experiences with the higher end movements but overall they produce short lived crap. Sing the praises of the 1963 and find the servicing on it later costs more than replacement. Swiss mech chrono's go many years without much trouble.
There are high and low quality brackets in every industry. Quality control is an issue especially in the lower price end. But as someone else in the comments has mentioned, there are high end Chinese independent watchmakers. No need to generalise
Bertucci
Boldr
Farer
Farr+Swit
Islander
Isotope
Lum-Tec
Merkur
Momentum
Mr. Jones
Swiss Watch Company
Outstanding lineup…extra bravo to the Isotope 🤙❤️
Are they the future, really? They are not affordable to most people...
Nivada Grenchen even though I don’t own one yet , but I would be greatly interested to see if their Soprod movement is a good ETA 2492 /2 movement as I adore the watch the little 38mm Superantarctica in plain black and not aged lume . Perfect preportions at a good price too .
Xeric
Outstanding lineup…extra bravo to the Isotope 🤙❤️
It was a nice watch while it lasted, but I had too many issues with the watch unfortunately and had to sell it. I'm hoping the Hydrium X, will be a bit of an improvement.
Are microbrands the future? Should they be?
Look, I am not trying to make it look any less daunting or difficult. However, what exactly does a microbrand bring to the world except PR and supply chain management? These skills, of course, are important. But should they be "the future"?
There is a difference between "independent watchmakers/brands" and "microbrands." The former produce their watches (or, at least assembling their watches). The latter don't. A microbrand is just a brand. They contract out most, if not all, of their production. They probably initiate a design (many only have an inspiration, then hire dedicated watch designers for details), approve it, maybe run the points, and do marketing and some of the sales. They are micro (very small).
As such, an independent brand is a reservoir of technical capacity and skills. They own part of the production of they watches. They can innovate, since they know where to stretch the current systems and they have the means to stretch it.
A microbrand is no such entity. They have little technical contribution. They don't even own the process, so even if they have ideas, they can't do it. They merely slap a new coat of paint (even that's only figuratively) on others' technical work.
Again, running a business is very hard. I am incapable of doing it. Microbrands shoulder great risk and brave the fickle of our tastes. I admire them for it. They, like PR firms and influencers, have important role in our hobby and our world.
But are they "the future"? Should they be? Shouldn't the watchmakers, the engraver, the engineers, the enamelists, etc be the future?
Last note: I am pretty sure all watch making companies are wallowing in cash as late as a year ago. The pandemic did wonder for them. This is one of the reasons why microbrands pop up like mushroom after a rain. But to look down upon established brands while their wait-lists are longer than IRS code? Really?
Just my $0.04.
I was going to say something in a similar vein but...you beat me to it....couldn't quite agree with the original presumption of the post...
VAER and Lorier are my go to microbrands
Sadly, I don't own one yet. Probably because I can't decide which one I should buy. I really love the designs of Merkur. They got many homages of important historic chinese watches, but also they have some own designs, which just look amazing.
Halios!
My newest microbrand - Monta Triumph