I Don't Buy Microbrand Watches 

Got a few: 1) Isotope, though they seem to sell for 500-600 on ebay when they pop up, any model honestly. 2) OTSUKA LOTEC is having another lottery for a spot to buy his watches right now, and I am sure you would not lose much/any if you move it along. 3) Serica with California dial. 4) Typsim NOIR. I have never seen one in the pre-owned market...

Farer as a brand is one my favorites. Use of color much different than other brands and they are getting more improved movements with each new line.

I own the Lorier Neptune, v. 1, the Baltic Aquascaphe, and Kuoe Old Smith 90-02 and like them all very much.

I dont mind microbrand watches, as long as they are not too much of a homage. Some are almost copies, but just with a differnt logo. I do however find myself more often wearing watches from mainstream brands. I have also received a number of microbrand watches in exchange for video content. I have kept a majority of them.

Good video Dennis. I kinda agree. I run a small watch channel and review all kinds of watches. Any free watches i get i usually intend to keep but end up selling. I have bought some microbrands but i have also sold those too. The only one i think i will buy soon is a SWC Bunker. I tend to like the established brands for my collection. Recently purchased two Panerai and a Hamilton Ventura. (Vids coming soon) 😉

Zelos seems to be one of the most coveted micro brands out there, with some really unique designs that you won’t typically find with main stream brands. I’m not sure if Formex and Monta are technically micros anymore but they have a very devout following. I own a Formex essence and the build quality is superb.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion(s), and we all purchase watches for different reasons. I personally love microbrands, and enjoy purchasing them. Yes, they may be somewhat derivative, but that statement is just as accurate when discussing the big brands. When I look at microbrands I am much less worried about resale value than I am the potential need for servicing. I stick with brands that use Sellita, ETA, or the Miyota 9 series movements as getting them serviced is easy. I personally think that there are great brands out there doing really fun things with colorways, dial textures, etc. In the sub-1000 range I am very impressed with Zelos and with Wise. Own several of both brands and have been VERY satisfied. The fit and finish of my Wise watches is on par with Longines and Omega, the movements are well regulated, and overall the watches are my favorites to wear.

Agree, wholeheartedly. Started collecting Seikos as a teenager in 1974 because that is all I could afford. I dearly would have loved to buy a Heuer, Longines (the most expensive at the time) or Omega; but they were far beyond my reach. The irony is that many of my early Seikos, which cost far less $100, are now worth 20 times what Payed for them. Not that it matters as I never sell any watches, but it speaks a lot for even cheap watches that have an authentic history. That is an amazing, Orient, by the way. Is it a Kanno? JDM? I have not seen that specific layout before.

Nor me Dennis. Call me prudish, but it is the history/ idea rather than the object itself that sells it to me. I would rather buy a cheap Timex for example, than a name that has just been invented. Even so, I have still made many a purchase, only to hardly wear the thing and quickly sell it on. That is my disease.

Here's my 2 cents if considering a micro brand model. Wait for it to surface on a market place and buy pre-owned.

Love my Baltic MR-01 salmon dial and I think you would too. The only microbrand watch I have currently.

Nice video. I have a couple of points: I'd reckon that Zelos and Halios are probably the top two microbrands as far as desirability and selling out their stock fast. One brand to check out would be Vario. They specialize in vintage-inspired watches and their Empire line just looks amazing with the Art Deco style that they have going on. Farer is another brand that people really seem to like. Their use of color is just really good. I see that an Aquamatic recently sold on ebay for $952, whereas it goes for $975 new. I do like their Aquamatic dive watches and their Lander 36mm GMTs. It looks like a Lander, which goes for $1465 new recently sold for $1370 on ebay. So there are definitely some brands out there that have good resale value.

I loved the design of the original Seamaster 165.024 but don’t want to spend $10k for a decent example. Helson Sharkmaster 300 is almost a copy and it’s well made. If Omega ever remakes that watch I’d buy it.

I mostly agree with you. My reasoning is... why would i buy a microbrand watch for 1000 dollars, when i can get a Stowa or a Junghans or a Hanhart Pioneer for almost the same amount? But I made some exceptions, thinkiing exactly like you: if the watch is weird, unusual or has a great design, and it is completely different to other microbrands, I try to get it if the price is okay. So, I have a cheap Mr Jones Mare Adesso for Summer; a Möels 528, which to me is the most beautiful microbrand watch i have seen; two colorful Farers (London and Mansfield); the Lorier Tonneau burgundy; and the orange Duckworth Prestex. All of these, but the Lorier (which is based in NY) are English watches because the britons are having a lot of fun creating microbrand watches. I would have bought myself a Studio Underdog watch, but they are always sold out. Now... do these fun watches compare to my German watches in terms of quality and looks? No; my Nomos Club or my Stowa Marine look more solid and beautiful, honestly. But i am happy with my choices. In 10 or 20 years, i think my collection will be very interesting.

Honestly my input would be if you don’t want to dip into microbrands would be to get into independents. You get the flavour without too much of the risk as they’re more or less established.

Transylvania based Peren Watches is a brand I enjoy. Each watch is powered by a Sellita SW200-1 in-house regulated movement and hand built in Switzerland. I own two.

The only microbrand watch I bought so far is the Studio Underdog Series 2 in Stefany Blue. I really like what the brand is doing so I'm glad to help them out by voting with my money. The build quality is fantastic and i really like everything about the design/specs.

Great video. There are many derivative designs, but there are so many great designs as well. I do think it is a great way to get deeper into the hobby because you really have to look and make choices. Maybe buy a microbrand used? Wouldn't incur the same loss. I think you do need to find one with a consistent design language

Love my Brew Regulator! I agree that micros can be hard to sell. I always wonder what I would get for my CW C60 Tide but just so damn good I don't want another diver ... maybe an Omega 300 Diver for desk diving only.

I like Formex and own two. Not sure if Formex is a micro brand or a Swiss independent?

I totally relate to that. I have a small collection of two halves. Mainstream non-affordables, and a fun affordable half. I used to buy microbrands for the affordable half, but with the rise of the super clone brands - San Martin - I bailed completely. My fun affordable half is now entirely Seikos, five of them. Plus, at ~£750 you can buy an excellent mainstream entry level Swiss brand. However, I am drawn to Japanese brand Kuoe, and English brand Isotope.

Crepas Cayman 1200. Yes, it's a diver, but it brings together a skin diver case, Swiss quality, modern proportions, and a near perfect dial layout. Has an excellent bracelet and clasp. It feels real nice to wear. They're collectable, so no need to worry about losses.

I have several microbrands that I really enjoy. They’re not simple everyday watches and are only worn for a particular occasion or mood. I note you have 2 Mr Jones Watches and so have I. ‘Perfectly useless morning’ is a reflective watch for an autumn day. Pinball is dazzling fun for a party. Vario 1918 trench on the bund is bold and charming. Studio Underdog watermelon is summer fun (on a forest green rubber strap). Baltic Aquascaphe black and cream is a derivative homage but irresistible, especially on nato straps. I have Omega, Rolex, Ulysse, Oris which are beautiful, more sombre and more everyday. Microbrands can be more design specific. I recommend them but choose carefully.

You’re missing out! My favorite micro is Direnzo. I own both the Mondial and Solaris. Great designed watches and the founder of the brand, Sergio, is a pleasure to deal with. They also don’t seem to take a huge hit secondhand. I think a lot of people keep them.

I agree but I would say it depends on the brand. Baltic for instance makes very opinionated design choices and smart ones. And they are able to take some risk by doing proposition that are very unique and going to be less popular (eg the prismic). Real designers. I also like what Farer is doing.

Easy.....Lorier Hydra.......Absolutely love this watch in my collection. Gotta love old school acrylic crystal.

For people that buy watches for heritage and brand history most microbrands will be dull or lifeless. I think microbrands focus more on quality for the money a much better build, clasp, bracelet, dial etc. The microbrands that I recommend and own #1 Astor Banks owner from Chicago and focuses on more dressy feeling field watches. #2 Selten based in HK they sell a nice real meteorite dial with a moonphase #3 Islander finally Marc is stepping away from homages and you can find unique affordable pieces. # 4 Kuoe Kyoto (A brand soon to own) They offer nice WW2 dirty dozen type of look but still keeping a dressy look. I was in Japan and my smart brain did not know they were closed on Sat. missed out bad.

For microbrands I like Wolbrook, Henry Archer and Second Hour.

Technically Mr Jones works be a micro brand? I know why you like the ones you’ve got though. If you get the opportunity to buy an AnOrdain at MSRP the dials are amazing but get the manual wind version, the rotar on the La Joux-Perret G100 Is louder than I’ve ever heard.

I bought a revelot hexmariner a few months ago. A sub homage but plenty of differences, like the black adventurine dial. For $350 as an automatic with a decent movement and finishing, it’s been a great value and I’m thankful I watched a possibly biased review on it.

I picked up a Zelos Mako Frost GMT last year…I’ve been very impressed with it.

Funny enough, Steinhart holds it's value rather well. And they are considered a strongly homage brand. I think the top micros do sell quickly, and without major loss. Tudor takes a bigger bit than some micros haha.

I buy tons of micros... can always sell them for decent price. Unless it's super out there.

Farer is one to watch out for. I have 'the Lomond'.

I get where you are coming from, and I don't own any. But, it's important to note that all brands in their beginnings were microbrands.

I love micro brands and only buy micro brands for me it's the best value for money. Second hour, Sherwood, Baltic, nth, geckota, peren, Marloe, are some of my favourites. The resale is not an issue for me as I never sell a watch.

Zelos and Helm hold value

At what point is a microbrand no longer a microbrand? Monta? Christopher Ward?

I also love Mister Jones Watches. I own the Accurate. I did own the Berry Late but sold it at decent resell price (too small). Those are very cool and eclectic (even pinball) and not a huge price point

Honestly and this isn't because of my Chinese roots but Atelier Wen has a unique look, bracelet, hand made guilloche dials and has some potential whenever the China economy comes back

What about Islander Watch?

I'd look at Christoper Ward watches especially the Twelve or the Bel Canto. However I know some say CW are a Micro Brand and some say the used to be a Micro Brand.

Get in contact with owners of microbrand watches and they might let you try them on. It's not a full ownership, but a loss-free way of experiencing a microbrand

Wow, are you missing a lot. Do some research! I buy everything from $100 to well over 10K, but find a vast amount of quality choices in the $500-$5,000 range. You can find unique dial materials, shapes, quality straps and bracelets, and more. Few in house movements in this range, but vast design choices. Halios, Zelos, Louis Erard, Maen, and many others sell small numbered lots of quality product. You can even get fully USA made Colorado watch Company with flexible design choices. The Baltic mentioned even has a micro rotor. add one to your collection! None of mine come from lot sizes over 300.

One lesson I've learnt from decades of watch collecting - Microbrands suck. They lack the quality control and reliability of major brands. They have no history and heritage. Most of the brands will vanish after a few years so will lack after sales service and brand value retention

RGM. Heirloom quality USA made. In house movements

Micro-brands serve a nice purpose of getting young people into the watch game.

I agree

It's easy to determine if a micro brand is worth buying, Look at the resell market. I own many watch's from micro brands including Lorier and Zelos. With Zelos I will buy 15 to 20 watches when they drop, wait for them to sell out, then sell them online for more money than what I paid for them. I own watch's from Omega, Rolex, Longines, Certina, Ball, Breguet, and Blancpain. To tell the truth these companies made a good product, but more than anything they had smart people who knew where to spend advertising dollars. Look at many watch brands like Patek that aren't really doing anything special, other than spending millions on advertising and buying people to wear their watch. One thing micro brands will always do better is taking risks. Now the question really is, what are you really buying when you buy a watch, and what do you expect and want out of it? I have 265 watches in my collection and I can honestly say I only wear about 5 of them. And all 5 are from micro brands. Who the hell wears a $20,000 watch to go running in or to mow the lawn? Let's get real. The sad truth is the 5 micro brand watches I wear all the time are QUARTZ!!!! Never have to set them when I pick them up. Now mind you they are all COSC certified quartz, not sure that matters. Ha And no I don''t waste money on watch winders. But everybody is different and thinks different. The watch hobby is one that will grab hold and not let go, trust me. Been collecting over 30 years now.

XERIC has a few nice ones. Stop selling your watches just collect them

All that talk about value retention is off putting… if that is the only reason you deny yourself from experiencing something’s new- that is a shame. Just my opinion.

You're not missing much by skipping micro brands. They're just cheap watches and cheap prices. I've had a few and they are very forgettable after a few weeks.

ok 😂

Please continue to don't buy microbrand watches. We don't need more snobbish people discovering that some of these microbrands give the most bang for your buck in terms of movement, quality and finishing. We want that exclusivity when those brands release the new batches of watches without having to give an arm and a leg for their beautiful watches. Also, the fact that you look into the value of watches means you look at them like investments. Never consider watches investments.

U obviously dont know much Any microbrand watches ive sold, I got more money. You just cant afford them. So stick with your casios