Best Microbrands Under $500?

few brands that i know in this pricepoint:

spinnaker

oceanx

nethuns

steeldive

pagani design (dont know if this still called a microbrand)

vario (vintage inspired)

🍺🍺

Baltic HMS 002 cost something like 360 Euros.  40's vintage style, with reliable Miyota movement, and amazing sector dials.

Big fan of the Boldr Venture lineup.

I had a Helm for a while that while chunky was well done. 

I really like seaborne. They have a new meca-quartz chrono that looks slick. 

Nodus has some offerings under $500 and are really solid, too. 

Google microbrand watches and you'll find some good sites. Uk has some pretty cool microbrands. WatchGecko carriers some budget friendly brands, Chronotiempo is another good one. The search is the adventure!!😎

I would suggest Lorier, most of their watches are around $500 & are inspired by vintage designs. I've got a Neptune v3 & it's a great watch!

Scurfa 10 times out of 10

Waiting for my first one to arrive, but Dan Henry gets good reviews. 

Lüm-Tech has some great tool watch offerings around this price I believe. Based out of Ohio, US, if I remember correctly. 

I‘ve never owned one, and I’m particularly microphobic (imagining they will go out of business 1 week after I received my watch and have an issue) but I like what I see out of Vario

Zelos!! Cant deny the value proposition you get whith a zelos

There are definitely a lot of brands from when I paid more attention (2009-2015 or so) that don't exist anymore.

Great that you looking into supporting us smaller brands, besides the 2 brands I design and own I will gladly recommend some of my peers as well all of which I know and will give you a great product as well as service 👍

Straton (my brand)

Signum (my brand)

NTH

Aevig 

Borealis

Draken

Hemel

Orion (a bit more expensive)

Direnzo

Second Hour

And many more 👍

https://octonwatches.com/?v=79cba1185463

I really dig the new Spinnaker HASS x MCS collaboration and it's for a good cause:

Will I buy one? Highly doubtful but if I was in the market for a diver under $500, this would be top 3

I'm a massive fan of Phoibos.  I have a black Wavemaster and I have just bought my wife a Sea Nymph for her birthday.  Amazing quality and specs, both around £230.  Way better quality than my Tags at a fifth of the price.  I'm the fool buying Tags I guess. 😀

Micro brands use mostly Seiko or Miyota movements. The euro ones use Selita. Top shelf is Selita then Seiko. Cheaper ones use Miyota. In quartz the euro's are best with jewels. Japanese are good and Chinese are a crap shoot. Judge them all by the sum of their features. 

Borealis, if you can get one.

Direnzo, a little more expensive but great watches.

Nodus, excellent value and regulated movements 👍

Many many others, far to many to list here. You just need to find out what style you’re interested in, then maybe ask the question again.

Helm

the Arken Instrumentum is right at $500.

I suggest Lorier & Baltic. Solid builds, reliable movements, and attention to detail. Both are around your price point as well. 

So many great ones! Here are a few from my collection 👍

now i have to go look at the straton site again

really wanted one of your square brown chrono's a while back

hmmmm

Hard no, a Miyota 9000 is better than any Seiko below the 6r35. 

To the OP, check out Vaer. 

They make auto, quartz, and hand wound watches at varying prices. 

The 9000 series watches start at $500.00 on sale maybe but most are far more with that series. This question was for under $500.00

Great suggestions from my cruncher mates, will add few I've in my radar lately :

-Relio

-Van Banner

-Biotic

-Galvin Watch Company

-Wise

-Clemence Watch

-Echo Neutra

-Astor and Banks

The list is almost endless.

I don't own any watch of these brands so it's just ideas to dig for.

Great choices for sure ! Also take a look at Serica, a little north of $500 but amazing value for what they offer. Boldr also has some great options of your into tough tool watches. 

Coming soon.....

Much appreciated! My core collection is made of the big brands, but I just love the fun & value of what microbrands offer 👍🏾

Can definitely vouch for Astor+Banks if you can get it on a sale. Its just over your 500 USD mark by about 100 bucks. 

I cannot fault my Fortitude Lite bar just a little (wish the clasp was a tad bit better) but apart from that all good!

Elliot Brown make some great and solid watches. Beautifully made.