Micro brands….what are thoughts?

My problem with micro brands is the poor fit and finish. They often leave me wanting after the novelty factor wears off.

 However, Baltic really stepping up their finishing game. I got the MR01 and I have to say, there's some watchmaking going on over there recently!

I own five (with two more on the way), and my girlfriend owns two. I love each and every one for various reasons and they cover a pretty wide price range. You get what you pay for just as with heritage brands. I love that they all think outside the box, and I enjoy giving then my business so they can continue building and getting better. 

The MR01 is a great watch! The dial finish alone is worth the money. I love mine. Which colour did you go for? As for the others I mentioned, finish and quality is why I went for them. The Arken especially. The ‘Havana Salmon’ by Furlan Marri was a much hyped watch and honestly the quality is high. I don’t know if it’s worth the crazy prices I’ve seen them going for online...but I guess that is the nature of collectors and collecting.

Which ones did you go for? 

Oh and Hey Max! 
I always enjoy the YouTube videos been a fan and subscriber for a good while now 👍🏼
Joe 

I’ve currently got my eyes on a Helm Miyako.

Oh nice. I don’t know this one, I will have to take a closer look 👍🏼

I heard about them via Jody from JOMW. I think they’re doing some really interesting stuff and at a very reasonable price. 

what size case is on the Miyako?

40mm

Some small - or indeed micro - brands are doing a good job. However, I wouldn't count Baltic among them. Their prices are nuts. Their dress time-only is powered by an 8-series Miyota, and that's on my list of deal-breakers. I could stomach that in an AliExpress watch for $100-120. Not a chance I'd pay a penny more for ANYTHING with that movement. Crude, loud, and that perfunctory screw holding the rotor just grinds my gears. Meanwhile, the Aquascaphe costs more than watches with way better finishing (and movements) from Certina, Glycine... Then there's the chrono, for north of 650 euro. For an off-the-tape ST-1901? Bwahahahaha. Nope. I care a lot about bang for the buck, and in my book, these just don't deliver it. 

Furlan Marri, meanwhile, just seems like another big cash grab. I mean, a Dan Henry 1937, with the same movement and of comparable quality - new - costs what, a half of the Furlan Marri MSRP? Suddenly, after they released that meca-quartz chrono with the Seiko VK63 inside, Chrono24 and eBay were swarmed by grifters charging 2-3x MSRP for these. Oh, for crying out loud...

Among the worthwile microbrands I'd list Nodus, RZE, Richard LeGrand, Aevig, Ollech & Wajs - if O&W is still a micro, at least it doesn't seem to be a big company with a massive production output, unlike the original O&W that went belly-up long ago. Lorier seems decent, but shipping from the US kills it for me, ain't gonna pay 130% MSRP due to import taxes and crazy shipping rates. For people in the US, it's probably good value, though. 

Micros are hit or miss and even on the some brands’ lineups one model would be hot while others are total duds.  As for micros that I’ve had: Lorier, Autodromo, Zelos, Traska, Baltic, Halios, Dan Henry and Furlan Marri. I’m anticipating some Yemas arriving soon as well. 
 

One good thing I can say about certain micros is that they offer variety in design and clever executions of what would be pedestrian movements. I heard once in a podcast say, “innovation happens below $1000 and above $10000.”

For example Arcus made a monopusher chrono under 1k using a modified ST1901 movement. Or Halios Fairwind/Universa bracelets with built in micro adjusts under 800. Imagine, again, Baltic with it’s wonderful execution of the Hangzhou microrotor movement. As well as Furlan Marri’s MecaQuartz Story line. How about Zelos offering a full lume titanium diver under $400.

My experience with Microbrands as been entirely positive so far. Not that I've had a lot of experience as most of my watches are custom builds or mods I've done for myself. However, I have a Beaufort incoming and think I'll pick up a Baltic GMT later in the year. I also think I'll get a San Martin Bronze watch to see if I like Bronze Watches.

I just don't think the big brands offer the same value for the same price. However, one does need to do the research as there are a lot of crappy Micros just like there are crappy offerings from the big brands.

I have very recently been sucked into the new rabbit hole that is micro brands and am loving every second of it. Although not all are created equally but the same can be said of the big brands too. From my purchases and or experiences so far though they sure seem to offer a hell of a lot for the money. I'm definitely a fan.

The Yema Marine Nationale coming out in April is tempting for sure. I love how clean the design is. 

That Mr Jones is definitely different. I like it! 

Ive seen those Islander watches on The Urban Gentry channel, do you rate them? 

I have been wanting to check out that Monta Noble!! It looks so slick!

I am somewhat micro brand obsessed. Just love the value, design, and the ability to not settle on anything except heritage. My Monta Noble is near perfect and most worn. My Dan Henry 1972 is my coolest and probably my favorite. And I am obsessed with Serica right now. Just don’t care about the name brands until I get into Tudor and GS territory. And that’s just not the cost range I’m playing in right now. 

That Monta is a great looking watch! I have a Dan Henry too, good choice. 👍🏼

I really love it. All of my watches are in the sub $1k price range except for the Monta. Every time I wear it, I feel like it’s worth every Penny and then some

I love micro brands! I believe there are a good many micro brand manufacturers out there that really love watches and know what the watch community will accept. However, I also believe there are brands out there trying to make a splash, grab your money and couldn’t care less about the actually quality that they sending out. 

I’m rather picky when it comes to which ones I would purchase and wear. I’ve owned a few and still have a couple in my collection. They’ve been good watches and have seen a lot of wrist time over the years.

I think you are right about the cash grab thing, like anything I believe that if you do you research you will be rewarded with a great watch, that offers value for money and a quality product. 

I'm a fan of microbrands.  Lots of good quality and value to be found if you do your research.  Additionally, I like wearing less common watches.

I've got a Nodus that I love.  I gave my son a Vaer and have been considering one for myself.  I like my Boldr titanium as well. I have a couple Islanders but not sure if we are considering those microbrands.  

I’ve heard great things about Boldr and Vaer… I must check out Nodus.

I love microbrands, but not all of them. love the aesthetic of baltic, lorier, and phoibos (mostly because the phoibos logo looks like hydra logo in marvel comics 😂)

Totally valid reason! 🐙

I tend to enjoy microbrands, depending on their offering of course. Some use outdated movements and poor materials and have bad QC so they come out poor. Some microbrands that I've had great luck with are: Zelos, Meisterstein, Islander, Furlan Marri, Lorier, and Traska.

I have found much the same thing with some of the brands you mentioned… I have not tried islander yet but I do like Mark and his YouTube channel, I’ve heard he has great customer service. 
Which Furlan Marri did you go for, I have the Havana Salmon. 

I also got the Havana Salmon! Absolutely love it. Thought about selling when the prices skyrocketed, but decided to hold on to it instead.

I had the same thoughts as the prices did get ridiculous. Glad I kept it. 👍🏼