When you decide to buy a microbrand watch , which caliber do you prefer it to have?

Seiko doesn't really have anything equivalent to the Miyota 9000 series, and I don't like either brand's lower end movements.

Could be the Miyota 9015 vs Seiko NH35 (not exactly the same but both are their workhorses for this purpose)

The NH35 is more like a newer 8000 series, with the lower beat rate and larger thickness. I suppose a 6L35 would be close, but it's not particularly common.

Firm none of the above. I ignore any Seiko movement at all costs short of a good design, under $400, and in many cases met the designers and owners. Where I can, I try to get a higher grade version of the 2824 or SW200.

I'll take Myiota over Seiko any day as long it's the 9000 series. It's superior over the NH series.

For microbrands I think it makes sense to go for movements that are readily available and easily serviceable in the future. That said I obviously like the highest grade possible 😂. These days I would put the NH34/35, Miyota 8015 and ST/Sea-Gull movements at the bottom and expect a low price as well. Followed by the Soprod, PT5000, Miyota 9000 series, Sellita 200 and Sellita 300-1 in that order.

I think the La Joux Perret G100 is an excellent Swiss movement owned by Citizen with 68 hr power reserve. A clone for the Sellita SW200 and ETA.2824-2. There are micro brands using this movement.

My only microbrand watch has a SW-300 in it. Very happy with that. I have had my eye on the Lorier Hydra which has the Miyota 9075 in it. That intrigues me.

Yup. Newest Sangin is LJP powered.

Zelos has also used it in the Spearfish, Eagle 2, and the up and coming Nova 2 which will have the LPJ D100.

I'm watching and waiting on that Nova 2.

I’d pick a Miyota 9000 movement or a Sellita as my preference, but really it depends on how much I’m paying. If it’s relatively cheap I’ll take whatever movement they want to put in. In a microbrand I’d rather they didn’t have their own movement so if the brand folds I’m not stuck with a movement that I can’t take anywhere if it needs some work.

It's a 37mm if that matters. Still a damn nice watch!

Nope, waiting to see what it looks like. Routinely wear stuff from 34-56+ lol.

I'd rather have a Miyota 9 than a Seiko NH whatever. They are slimmer, they offer a smoother sweeping second's hand, and are usually less prone to drift.

The only downside of Miyota is the unidirectional rotor which also tend to be louder, but I'm not bothered by this.

I'd rather stay away from new and/or proprietary in-house calibers since I have yet to meet one that offers better reliability or features than the tried and true Miyota and Seiko at the lower range of the price scale or the Sellita SW at the higher price points.

Yep, my Farer has the LJP G100 (or 101, I forget which one is no-date). Its a little loud, but a very good and fairly well decorated movement. Keeps good time, love the 68 hour PR at 4 HZ.

Hmm, I have typically gone with selita movements, but any are considered. I do have both Seiko, ETA and Miyota movements too.

Where's the Sellita option?

Miyota's 9000 range is untouchable at its price point

I feel the same Claude. Miyota are more precise, easier to adjust and lubricate and crown stem has less play when setting up the time. And yes, a little bit louder.

Gladly…. Miyota (Citizen) and Seiko usually have their workhorses caliber, usually the most simple one, he one that they sell to microbrands. And there are the recently developed calibers by these microbrands trying to be autonomous and vertically integrated.

Well, just trying to confront Seiko vs Citizen calibers…like Honda vs Toyota…😁

I really don't care as long as it is a standard movement.

I'm pretty indifferent to the caliber in a Microbrand as long as it isn't Chinese. I have one with a Chinese movement and it's my most inaccurate automatic.

I know about Seiko's 4R (or "NH" as supplied to others), which is the ubiquitous series in low end Seikos and microbrands. And then there are 6R and 6L, which I don't see being sold to third parties. There is also the old non-handwindable 7S series, but that has been discontinued.

Miyota has the 82 series, which is old and has also been improved in recent years (addition of hacking) and 90 series, the darling of microbrands because of its thinness.

Which of these belong to what answers?

I totally agree. Any comparison is complicated considering your precise and very accurate considerations (probably the most comparable calibers could be the good old reliable and accurate NH35 and the improved 82 series by the now better Miyota). This is just a very simple exercise to measure how we feel (our first impressions) when we buy a micro brand watch. Thank you for your reply.

Yes...I agree. There are few exceptions on Chinese calibers (which btw are really good) but generally speaking, when you see a NH34 in a Chinese watch you definitively feel relieved.

Love the NH movements! Super common, easy to regulate, take a beating and run as well as any COSC movementas illustrated with the NH I have on the timegrapher in my one (so far) personal watch post. Of course the Swiss movements have more prestige but if you appreciate a simple well made excellent running inexpensive movement, can’t go wrong with Seiko. 🌈

I found this on YouTube which gets a closest apples to apples comparison...(minute 5:39)

https://youtu.be/GZKZdsJNAq8?si=Xa1EQfa2wI6JiGuG

Sorry, I still don't know what you meant by your poll.