In search of a micro Baume & Mercier Clifton
Hello!
This is my first post on Watch Crunch, and to be frank: I've spent the last 20 years in deep sleep mode, at least as far as watches are concerned. During this time I have not worn a single watch. But I've always had a fascination for (mechanical) timepieces, and a few weeks ago it grabbed me. Since then I've been looking for the one model that suits me.
In theory it's quite simple: I want a slim and simple classic design with a white dial and a leather strap, a mixture of Baume & Mercier Clifton, TAG Heuer Caliber 5 and maybe Hamilton Viewmatic.
In practice it is of course more difficult, which also has to do with some developments in recent years. On the one hand, there is the size of many modern watches: On my 17-inch wrist, I think 40mm is already too much, so many models are out of question. I have an even harder time with the fact that lume plays such an important role these days: I like a watch when its components harmonize in color. Green (or blue) luminous hands and indices completely destroy this harmony. (Is that really just me?) Hence I would prefer a watch without lume.
And of course there is the price: My watch shouldn't cost more than 700 - 800 euros, since I want to wear it every day without being in constant fear of a robbery.
Which watches would fit my requirement profile? Maybe from a microbrand?
I might be on the hunt for a phantom, but maybe I can get closer to reality with one or the other suggestion from you. Thank you in advance!
J.
I doubt this would fit all of your criteria, but I think these are beautiful and fit in your price range. https://www.maenwatches.com/products/manhattan-37-ice-grey-no-date
There's also the Tissot Le Louch that fit in the price range with a simple, but beautiful, dial and no lume. https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-us/t0064071603300.html
And the TISSOT CHEMIN DES TOURELLES POWERMATIC 80 39 MM, but it comes on bracelet, but you could change that out to leather. https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-us/t1398071103100.html
There also might be some Frederick Constant's that would fit the bill. They make a lot of white face simple dial watches that also are beautiful in that price range. There are also some Longines that would fit the look, but probably not the price for an automatic.
If you end up wanting to spend a little more you could look at Junghans. The Max Bill is very close to what you want I believe. The quartz versions are within your price range, but the automatics are above.
Initial Slim from Charlie Paris :
https://charlie-paris.com/products/montre-automatique-homme-francaise-initial-blanc
For the Viewmatic dial : Tissot Le Locle as mentioned by @RobertWood
Tissot Swissmatic https://www.tissotwatches.com/fr-fr/t1094071603100.html
Orient Bambino
https://www.amazon.fr/Orient-Bambino-38mm-Automatique-analogique/dp/B0B6VH9GL2/ref=asc_df_B0B6VH9GL2
Above your budget (895€) but really nice watch : https://frederiqueconstant.com/fr/watches/collection/men/men_classics/men_classics_automatic/fc-303mc5b6/
https://www.midowatches.com/fr/baroncelli-m86004268.html
I doubt this would fit all of your criteria, but I think these are beautiful and fit in your price range. https://www.maenwatches.com/products/manhattan-37-ice-grey-no-date
There's also the Tissot Le Louch that fit in the price range with a simple, but beautiful, dial and no lume. https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-us/t0064071603300.html
And the TISSOT CHEMIN DES TOURELLES POWERMATIC 80 39 MM, but it comes on bracelet, but you could change that out to leather. https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-us/t1398071103100.html
There also might be some Frederick Constant's that would fit the bill. They make a lot of white face simple dial watches that also are beautiful in that price range. There are also some Longines that would fit the look, but probably not the price for an automatic.
If you end up wanting to spend a little more you could look at Junghans. The Max Bill is very close to what you want I believe. The quartz versions are within your price range, but the automatics are above.
Thank you for your feedback, much appreciated.
The case shape of the Maen is not to my taste, as are the Roman numerals of the Le Locle. But the Chemin is a real beauty... Dial color is silver instead of white, but I'm sure the sunburst dial is a real beauty.
The Frederick Constant's look great, but unfortunately they use Roman numerals, too. And I'm not sure about the Max Bill, maybe it looks a tad too unobstrusive.
There are several Longines watches that meet my taste exactly... But that will remain a dream for a long time. 😉
Initial Slim from Charlie Paris :
https://charlie-paris.com/products/montre-automatique-homme-francaise-initial-blanc
For the Viewmatic dial : Tissot Le Locle as mentioned by @RobertWood
Tissot Swissmatic https://www.tissotwatches.com/fr-fr/t1094071603100.html
Orient Bambino
https://www.amazon.fr/Orient-Bambino-38mm-Automatique-analogique/dp/B0B6VH9GL2/ref=asc_df_B0B6VH9GL2
Thx for the reply! I've never heard of Charlie Paris but the Initial Slim looks nice... I guess the Miyota 9019 is a reliable movement? I even might consider the 37mm quartz solar watch. 😉
The Swissmatic and the Bambino are worth a look, too.
https://www.midowatches.com/fr/baroncelli-m86004268.html
Beautiful watch... If only it wasn't for the Roman numerals (and the date window).
Thx for the reply! I've never heard of Charlie Paris but the Initial Slim looks nice... I guess the Miyota 9019 is a reliable movement? I even might consider the 37mm quartz solar watch. 😉
The Swissmatic and the Bambino are worth a look, too.
Charlie Paris is - as the name suggest 😅 - a French microbrand.
I have one of their quartz chrono, it was one of my first watches and I really like it 🙂
I think they have an overall good price/quality ratio. And the Miyota 9019 is basically a slimmer version of the very well known 9015 😉
Is the Kuoe Old Smith 90-001 worth a look, even if it's just a 35mm quartz watch? 😉
https://www.kuoe-en.com/product-page/kuoe-old-smith-90-001-japan-made-bar-index-silver-with-italian-leather-brown-1
I discovered the brand recently and really liked their mechanical watches but I don't know much about it... Someone here owns one :
https://www.watchcrunch.com/CartersWatchAddiction/posts/new-watch-alert-22-24734
Beautiful watch... If only it wasn't for the Roman numerals (and the date window).
Also found this model : 39mm x 9.9mm, leather strap, no lume, 80h power reserve, a beautiful guilloche dial (silver which is basically white 😅) all this for 880€
https://www.midowatches.com/fr/baroncelli-signature-m0374071603101.html