Cheap Watches Are Getting Good...
Microbrands, high on design aspirations, low on build quality... That's how I used to feel.
But every year I see a tangible improvement, to the point this year that I said we need to talk about this industrial revolution in the cheaper end of the market. From design to fit and finish, what these guys are able to do with very little cash is starting to blow my mind.
What's your fav micro?
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Captain Crunch
Co-founder of WatchCrunch; Inventor of the Zero Pass strap.
United States
Member since
Last active: 6 hrs ago
16.51 cm
Max, you’ve been hitting the gym too hard. The buttons on that shirt are holding on for dear life
Microbrands make up the bulk of my collection the one I’m paying a lot of attention to just now is Italian brand Echo/Neutra I’ve got their Averau Big Moon and am keeping an eye on them.
Also just got a Farer and I’ve been wanting one of those for a while.
Microbrands make up the bulk of my collection the one I’m paying a lot of attention to just now is Italian brand Echo/Neutra I’ve got their Averau Big Moon and am keeping an eye on them.
Also just got a Farer and I’ve been wanting one of those for a while.
Farer is one of those brands that makes me question what microbrand even means . . . I feel like there needs to be a term for brands like this (and Christopher Ward etc etc.) that have obviously graduated in many ways to some other tier. Micro ---> Mini but Mighty
Yes! If I could start over again, per @DixonSteele's post, I think I might just buy micro brands, and that's it.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/DixonSteele/posts/what-if-you-could-do-it-all-over-again-34995#comment-462076
I mean, the machining and fast prototyping techniques really are so good that if you slapped an Omega or Rolex label on many of them, and told me this was their latest offering, I would have no idea!
And, of course, compared to vintage Omega and Rolex, modern micros are probably 8,000x better built!!!
Something @mjosamannen wrote recently:
I'm still haunted by the image of Markus on the toilet!
Max, you’ve been hitting the gym too hard. The buttons on that shirt are holding on for dear life
It was chest day
Microbrands make up the bulk of my collection the one I’m paying a lot of attention to just now is Italian brand Echo/Neutra I’ve got their Averau Big Moon and am keeping an eye on them.
Also just got a Farer and I’ve been wanting one of those for a while.
I've been eyes those echos 👀
Farer is one of those brands that makes me question what microbrand even means . . . I feel like there needs to be a term for brands like this (and Christopher Ward etc etc.) that have obviously graduated in many ways to some other tier. Micro ---> Mini but Mighty
I know what you mean. I would say Chris Ward are slightly ahead of Farer as I think Farer are still producent in smaller batches but CW seems to constantly have their released pieces in stock but they are bigger than most other micros.
Farer is one of those brands that makes me question what microbrand even means . . . I feel like there needs to be a term for brands like this (and Christopher Ward etc etc.) that have obviously graduated in many ways to some other tier. Micro ---> Mini but Mighty
Minibrand 😂. I don't know if that's any less condescending
Yes! If I could start over again, per @DixonSteele's post, I think I might just buy micro brands, and that's it.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/DixonSteele/posts/what-if-you-could-do-it-all-over-again-34995#comment-462076
I mean, the machining and fast prototyping techniques really are so good that if you slapped an Omega or Rolex label on many of them, and told me this was their latest offering, I would have no idea!
And, of course, compared to vintage Omega and Rolex, modern micros are probably 8,000x better built!!!
Something @mjosamannen wrote recently:
I'm still haunted by the image of Markus on the toilet!
He's right, modern watches are big heavy and cold. I want someone to make a modern stretchy bracelet!
I have yet to buy one that disappointed.
I'm a huge Nodus fan! I'll most likely buy another Avalon before the end of the year. I'll justify it by telling my wife it's Version II..... 😉
There are so many to choose from now! Islander, Vaer, Bertucci, Axios, Zelos, Helm, Nth, Hemel...you get the idea. I would definitely say that Islander is my favorite, especially now that they are releasing more original designs. I collect more towards the budget/entry level, and you get a lot of bang for your buck with Islander, along with great customer service. I know many don't consider Islander a real microbrand, and some even refer to it as a house brand in a derogatory fashion, but I admire what Marc has done with the brand and a couple of my Islanders are among my favorites in my collection, including the somewhat divisive Rangemaster, his collaboration with The Urban Gentry.
I’m going to through you a curveball. Yema Superman Heritage, Ronda 515 quartz, 39mm. With discount, it’s in the $450 range. Checks the boxes — design, heritage, reliable movement, affordability and responsive customer service (based on several customer posts). While the in-house caliber is an attractive option I think this is a nice way to leg into the brand.
Would recommend looking at the Nodus Sector Field - Malibu if glacier is not your thing.
During this tournament:
https://www.watchcrunch.com/tags/microtournament
What's your fav micro? ->Almost all brands that have a model below $750 among these participants ;-)
Is Islander considered a Micro? If so, I go with Islander.
Agreed, for example, I am honeymooning big time on the latest offering from Gavox, The Longitude GMT.
Gotta go with xeric because I currently own one. But I'd love to own a brew.
Love the tenor of this episode. IMO the watch space needs more celebrating and less eviscerating. Listening to people who are fortunate enough to participate in this hobby whine about what they don't like gets old.
It was chest day
Watching this video doing arms. Curls for the girls!
Ok, didn't see you wearing a Spinnaker Piccard. I loves my MM300 because it's a damned wristburger with a cool history. I sit and watch reruns of the original Lost in Space (The new series was damned good! ) wearing my retro diver. The Piccard & my MM300 are the MarkV dive helmet of watches. That Sector Sport is amazing! I liken microbrands to my Z06 Vette. Everyone screams 😱 Bang for the Buck! But I say it's overbuilt compared to vehicles at 300 to 400K pricetags. I've been asking myself why doesn't every watch over $500.00 come with a screw down crown and at least 100m of water resistance? Same with AntiMagnetic tolerances, AR coating etc. Great watches!
Brew Metric Retro dial & Serica 4512 California.
Zelos is doing nice watches and also started to diversify with more types of watches.
I like horizon getting ready to launch their second model ( I have the first Nautilus)
Pitzmann and Wise from South Korea offer some appealing models, I have yet to see one in the flesh...
Formex latest models are nice, a bit higher on the price chain...
I noticed that there's substantial improvements from build quality / QC / daring designs / better movements...
Looking forward to see how this will develop in the next decade... Its going the right direction in my opinion...
Some micro brands nowadays really does good stuffs 💯
He's right, modern watches are big heavy and cold. I want someone to make a modern stretchy bracelet!
I’ll never forget over 30+ yrs ago my best friend (RIP) gave me watch with one of those flex bands. At first I thought to myself, do I look like my dad?, but then I tried it on and it was so comfortable. After that I loved it.
I'm a huge Nodus fan! I'll most likely buy another Avalon before the end of the year. I'll justify it by telling my wife it's Version II..... 😉
Just got my Sector Sport yesterday, and loving it. AND an on the fly adjustable clasp at this price, unbeatable. 👍
I love that Brew chrono.
But still thinks it's inspired by Omega jedi and not the coffe machines 😜
both are beautiful in their own right! love Brew and what Jonathan has been doing though!
Zelos is doing nice watches and also started to diversify with more types of watches.
I like horizon getting ready to launch their second model ( I have the first Nautilus)
Pitzmann and Wise from South Korea offer some appealing models, I have yet to see one in the flesh...
Formex latest models are nice, a bit higher on the price chain...
I noticed that there's substantial improvements from build quality / QC / daring designs / better movements...
Looking forward to see how this will develop in the next decade... Its going the right direction in my opinion...
Some micro brands nowadays really does good stuffs 💯
Couldn't agree more about Zelos - Elshan's game is different level!
I think we'll already see massive strides in the next 1-2 years, but a decade will be a great milestone to do a check-in on the microbrands 👍
I just have a little problem with some microbrands... these are made with off the shelf parts or assembled in low cost manufacturers. Only time will tell if they survive, if at all, after the hype, so there goes your service or warranty in the future. That makes me stick to well known or established brands, even if they are as mundane as seiko, casio, citizen, timex...
This is the video tha brought me into WatchCrunch! Thanks, Max. I think my thing is finding micro brands that strike me. I have a Brew Metric, and I’m hoping the Nodus Sector Sport gets offered again, someday. Awaiting the arrival of a Spinnaker Hull Chrono. Thanks for validating my instincts and making so many aspects of Watch collecting accessible through this platform. 🙏🏻
Vario has great design language and the customer service is completely top-notch. Judy and company really take customer service seriously, which is way more than I can say for many other microbrands! I love my Vario trench watch with it's unique font style and classic colorways.
I have yet to buy one that disappointed.
That Vario is going to be my next Vario i think. I like that Redwood Tactical V2 with the fully lumed dial—and had thought about gifting one—but it looks like Redwood may have discontinued it.