Microbrands vs Mainstream Brands

Nice collection and i defo going to add you on my instagram as i love people who love time peaces and not just the name brands or trends.

You are asking a very hard question and as you put it the wallet has a big part in any collector decision. I believe that micro brandsnow days have access to high end working machinery and good skilled ppl so they are able to produce good quality products at a very affordable price but the question remains... beside the price even.... can you live with one watch? or you need more than one to be happy for the same price of that big spend?? Me.. i need more than one!!!

Thanks for the support man!

Well for me, I have decided after many attempts that I'm just not a one-watch man.

I love watches too much, so I'd rather have a collection! But of course if the budget allows, I'd still get mainstream watches too, but not at a hype premium.

Hard to vote against that collection

I don’t like to choose but you have a beatiful collection and a brilliant photo👍

Haha - well perhaps the Tudor should come into this collection then, eh? 😀

Jokes aside, thanks for the kind words!

thank you!

Can’t go wrong with a BB58 IMHO.

I collect vintage mainstream brands that do not see much wrist time and tend to wear more microbrands lately

Having a variety is more important to me these days, because I’m as much a collector as I am a watch enthusiast. Who can live with just one watch? 

In theory I'd go for the one watch because once it comes to servicing these you are paying almost half the cost of a watch per service. HOWEVER, with a lineup this great it's hard to argue with that versatility!

I have collected a few

including two zeniths and two GSs. I have also started assembling my own. At little like a vampire killing a goat,,,,, for the time being. 

Micro brands are improving in quality, look distinctive and some of them will be the classics of tomorrow. Stick with what appeals to you. Can’t go wrong. 

I would definitely go with the micro brands. So many interesting options there and a lot of value for your money.

Love that Baltic- wish they did a 36mm version.

Since joining yesterday, it's now very apparent I know very little about watches...I don't know any of these micro brands :(  They all look great though, especially the Baltic. Great photo also :)

In terms of overall finishing, I'd have to say the Dietrich.

In terms of dial detail, it will be the Farer who will have the edge.

In terms of case finish and bezel action, Serica hands down.

Yes agree that Nodus is exceptional for their price point. I understand - I too may struggle to add another after this - but as it is in the world of watch collecting, I've learnt never to say never. I call them 'famous last words'! 😂

As much as i love adding a tudor into the collection, i have long realised that i cant settle with just one watch. Reason is quite simple, i like pretty stuff, and i suppose most people do as well. So i will opt for microbrands if i had to make a choice. 

Coming from a blokes point of view, watches are probably thr best / only jewellery for us that rhythms with reasons. As presumably most blokes dont wear excessive jewellery, or shall i say majorty of blokes cant handle / pull off nicely with wearing a lot of jewelleries, or simply wear them for dressing up purposes. Watches give men perfect reason to dress up and rationalise the whole thing in natural manner. This probably one of the reasons that explains why out of the population of watch nerds, there are more guys than ladies, they have plenty of options to choose from 😅

Not a DIY Watch Club set. The ones I have made are put together from parts gathered. I have done a few divers, 36-38mm explorer cases with colorful dials. I have painted a few dials and put them in 38mm cases. Recently got a few nautilus style cases and using these...The one on my profile pic is one of the pieces. Have a gold and rose gold colored case that I will be doing. 

That Baltic makes me forget about anything Tudor ever made. 

I like micro brands and what they offer. My favorite is Lorier and I use my Neptune regularly but right now I have 26 watches and Im getting tired of having so many when I really only use 3-5 watches. So in my watch journey, im at a point where less is more so I’m thinking of getting those 2 expensive watches that will compliment my 6 collection. I guess I didn’t really answer the question 🤣

This is what I call a smooth Segway… I reckon I will actually reach your state of the journey sooner than later too - then we will have another point to exchange notes on!

This is really well thought out and I agree with the perspective - I have never seen myself as an accessory man until watch addiction hit hard. Still my addiction is exclusive to watches - still pretty much a one belt, one ring kind of guy. LOL!

the more the merrier! Lovely collection you have curated.  watches are so personal. I borrowed a friend’s Daytona for a week, and it feels fantastic and I could see people were taking a second look of my wrist, but seriously it didn’t spark as much joy as wearing my humble Rolex vintage Oysterdate which was gifted by my late granddad. hence my take is this: whether it is a million dollar watch or a $5 dollar watch in market value, the heart places a very different value that makes watchlovers such a diverse community. :) 

The bracelet on the Dietrich is absolutely stunning! Great collection you have there. I have found myself getting away from micros lately, but the originality some of them offer is truly amazing 

When a watch has sentimental value - it becomes priceless and it absolutely doesn't matter what the world thinks!

Thanks for the kind words - there was a lot of 'thought' put into curating these 5. Although I'm worried I won't stop at 5!😂

Yes it is - and it is really comfortable too!

No worries, this isn't a case of having to own microbrands in order to look positively at them!

Nice collection! I gave you a follow on Insta too , @billy.wears.watches 

When does a micro brand become a mainstream brand?

I use a few examples, Timefactors who punt out fairly small numbers, but seem recognised widely, Christopher Ward who started off small but now seem to be fully established, and Temption who are established but produce very few watches. I agree with watchadictwt, if you personally  like a watch then it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. i snagged this one for less than a round of beers, I absolutely love it, I’ve never heard of the brand Wowi, it’s extremely well made and solid, there is hardly information about them, but i really like wearing it……..and I own a Rolex, An Omega, a Doxa and many other watches.

Hi watchaddictwt,

I like your question…because I have struggled with it myself. One thing I can say with certainty is that only today is it possible to ask that question, simply because the level of microbrands are much higher. 20 years ago the situation was different, but today the quality and diversity of design is so great that it is possible to do only microbrands and have good quality.

So that brings us to the question: Microbrands or just one mainstream brand? I have struggled with that question, too. My choice was “both”. Talk about going down the rabbit whole. I, too, voted with my wallet and it felt it. I choose mainly microbrands of high quality, and then have just a few mainstream brands - and I try to limit those. So “either or” becomes “both” in a way. But it is an important question you asked, and one we all have to wrestle with - purchase after purchase.