Highlighting Small Standout Brands👌

Let's see!

Excellent picks Max. I saw your post the other day on the Direnzo and I have to agree, in the space it plays, it is easily my hands down pick. I was lucky to snag a deal on the meteorite dial earlier this year. Also good timing on the Bravur. I have been talking about grabbing one for a couple years now and last week they had a sample sale, so needless to say, one of those are incoming, specifically the Corsa Rosa. I think anyone would be happy with that three watch collection pick.

Dude, please post a pic of the meteorite Direnzo!

Yes I knew all of them. But I am European after all.

Had never heard of Circula. I really like the way it looks.

Watch out for them in coming years

Just for you sir.

D@mn you Max! Now I’ve got a Direnzo on the list! Beautiful watch.

Awesome that you gave some love and attention to Bravur and Circula. At Windup in SF last April, I had a chance to meet and chat with Magnus, one of Bravur's co-founders, and not only is he a super nice guy but the brand makes great, well designed watches. Definitely a very underrated micro brand!

Dude I was drooling over that... Love the black chapter ring

It's a no brainier 😉

I agree. Circula really makes some cool watches. Very impressed with my latest buy.

Love that Bravur hoping to get a closer look at them at the Stockholm meetup next week.

It's the real deal 👌

@Aaronwilder13 thoughts?

I've been looking into #circula for some time now. Totally agree that it's all about the color combinations with this brand, but I feel like they bring fun and whimsy to the German watch scene.

Im peeping at this & drooling.

The ungerman watch brand 😉

Crap......that grand tour is nice. I was looking for another Chrono and that might be it .

Chronographs really cool 👌🔥

My $4500 three watch collection would likely be a Mido Multifort TV Big Date, a Hamilton Intramatic Chronograph and a Longines Hydroconquest.

Of course I know Direnzo - but the others are interesting new options

I was confused why you were suggesting a fat steel chrono for cycling - it is the exact opposite of what you’d wear on a racing bike!

But… it might be the exactly perfect watch for watching cycling!! I’m pretty stoked about Giro, Tour and Vuelta watches!

Curious:

Is the movement sellitta 511 a type of chronograph that can be left running always during daily wear?

Or only column wheel chrono is safe for this?

I don’t think many bikers these days are wearing chronos, but certainly in days gone by. One ride would destroy the leather strap alone. Like dive watches, pilots watches, and yes racing watches, I think it’s the nostalgia more than anything else. Let’s face it, most are using a smart device of some kind.

Disclosure, not a chrono movement expert: As far as the movement, it’s largely a 7750 clone, I believe it has a lateral clutch, which while you can run it full time, you will add wear and tear to the teeth likely requiring higher service intervals. Best to use for the intended purpose: timing events vs days.

@Max purely coincidence; look what showed up today:

You’re got the Giro!!!!

Love it! I bought a pink strap to wear watching during the giro, but would love to up my game to the whole watch.

Sorry my friend, there is zero historical precedent of cyclists wearing chronos, or watches of any kind.

It’s painful on rough pavement at high speed! Not to mention 7 hour rough stages would destroy movements. I started racing and watching pro racing in the 90s, but also follow history.

Disclaimer - I sometimes break the ‘no watch rule’ for cycling with watches ~50g or under, since I’m crazy and may want my watch along for the ride.

For sure it’d be useful for a coach or trackside official during track cycling. So maybe that’s the legit connection.

I fully take you at your word Alan. While I enjoy biking (have both a road and MTB) I cannot say I know much about the history of the sport short of casual watching and Breaking Away. Makes total sense though, I never wore a mechanical watch when on a motorcycle cycle for similar reasons. I only ever wear a smart watch.

I may be just remembering ads with watches vs what bikers actually wore. Like this vintage one before my time:

Which is probably as real as:

I went back and forth on which of the two pink ones, but they had that one in the sample sale, so it was a no brainer. Thanks @ChronoGuy for pointing out the sale.

You made a great choice. And yup,saw Breaking Away when I was around 10 or 11 and loved it! 😂 Dave Stroler! It was a few years before I got my first racing bike.

There has been a push of brands into pro cycling lately. Tudor (and thus Rolex) is putting some big money into the sport (pro team AND ...and primary sponsor of the Giro!) and I've also seen Tissot (also Tour of Suisse big sponsor) and Breitling logos on pro team jerseys. Some of the companies make a few 'cycling' themed watches, but sadly for me, they are not at all optimized for wearing on bike. However there are tons of fans watching cycling and biking a bit on weekends in nice weather, so a it's probably a good market to sell to.

Ah yes, Tissot, I recall their marketing with the T-Race I believe. My guess is they are going where the money is. You and I know how much those bikes and components cost. Ideal audience for luxury marketing.

I like that Circula

I have a supersport true compressor in red dial. Very good watch at a reasonable price. I keep an eye on their website from time to time just in case. ;)

Also tried to snag a direnzo dr4 in red meteorite but they were sold out just seconds before I pulled the trigger.

Good call on your picks. Theres more than a few ways to skin this particular cat.

No cats were harmed writing this post😜😜😜