Haha..thanks Sidney, I think your comment was the push I needed to get off my butt and do a video..it seems you were right, many people do indeed want to see a SOTC video with the microbrands I have in my personal box 👍 Im wearing a Tuseno today...very schmick Cheers mate
@@alexfrost8645 I appreciate the philosophy as micros don’t have the heritage and history of the main players. In saying that, I can’t wait for the Casio SOTC. 🤣👌
Fantastic video Pete. Anybody who has followed you for some time knows you're as transparent and honest as the day is long. That said, you have a wonderful microbrand collection. In addition to these pieces being fun, they are all of outstanding specifications, great quality, and excellent value. Well done my friend 👏
I'm working on the a review of the Tuseno you've got right now, and I absolutely love it, definitely a keeper. Big fan of the Wise Adamascus AD8 as well. That Direnzo looks awesome.
G'Day Dave, I think that Tuseno is an absolute beauty. A lot of fun, as its a cracker of a deal and very well made and designed. Looking forward to your take on it brother 🙏
It’s so pretty, I had to buy the orange dial Windseeker. Should be arriving tomorrow. Peter I love your channel. Mr. JTW, I’m looking forward to your review!
I have two Draken watches in my small collection, the Draken Aoraki Flieger and Draken Tugela Red. These tow microband watches are awesome and I wear them weekly. The Aoraki has become my go to watch.
Got 4 of these, you should add the drz2 r grey orange (on a nice black leather strap ❤) plus a blue one like me beloved citizen nb1060-12L. I love some nodus and relio also…..never end 😂
I’ve only got a nivada out of the ones you’ve shown in this video. The same super Antarctic 369 watch as yours. I’ve had a pretty good experience with Nivada customer service. Had a faulty movement on my first watch which they promptly replaced without issue. I’ve also recently picked up the flat link bracelet for this watch, highly recommend it! Much more comfortable than the beads of rice one and makes the watch look beautiful.
Another great video sir. I never worry about your sincerity of your content. I am a watch enthusiast and watch primarily your channel along with a few others. That is how I've made my buying decisions for the last few years. No regrets yet... thank you sir....
I don't think I have commented on one of your vids before . I found this bitesize comparison vid really interesting. Great to see these watches side by side and to consider them as a collection. Great stuff.
Yes, the action IS firm… however I like it this way. Since I wear my watches to bed, the bezel is prone to catching on stuff when moving and I really appreciate that this one does not move by accident. Also TBH I don’t turn the bezel that often 😉
Another great video Peter, and after watching some of your Hanhart videos, I decided to take the plunge and talk to Define Watches about getting my own Hanhart. I don't regret it.
Great stuff Pete , and funny enough I'm wearing my RZE watching this today 👍 my watch box used to mostly consist of micro's but there's only about 4 in there at the moment, I think most peoples collections chop and change on a regular basis , but I guess you reviewers have to keep everything that's ever given to you 🤣
In my 14 watch collection I have a Sinn 556i RS, Certina DS-4, Casio 5610 and the rest are microbrands. I think there are some great value watches from microbrands. My favorite is Halios. I have 4 of them.
Hi Pete,love your reviews , especially being an ex photographer. I have got back into watches after a long time. I always find it very difficult to free up money' for my passion, with mounting bills and two boys at University. The point I am getting to is that one of your reviews really caught my attention. The Pitzmann 2 looked amazing. I spent over 3 years saving up for one of my favourite's Max Bill with heaps of different straps. I have been looking for something different to the dress watch vibe, whilst having similar themes. Like small bezels and a dial that really speaks to me. Your review really opened my eyes up to a microbrand. Again it took a while to save up and a bit of luck. My dilemma was a green or blue dial. Went a bit safe and went for a blue dial , but WOW. Love it and thanks for the great reviews. Now to find a reasonable priced blue leather or sailcloth strap to go with it.
Very cool. SO, there really wasn't just 8 total in your collection. Hey, I understand keeping a low watch count collection isn't easy.. especially with so many great watches already around and continuing to come out on what seems like a monthly (if not weekly) basis. I had a white dial Direnzo DRZ04 Mondial since the initial launch in mid-2021. I really enjoyed that watch. But, trying to concentrate down my collection to the watches I gravitate towards wearing the most over the past several months this year, it ended up getting sold. My microbrand count is currently 2 with representatives from Serica (a 5303-1) and most recently from Autodromo (Group B Series 2 Night Stage IV). I'd say both of these microbrands have been very successful and continue to make unique offerings that offer great value and a continuity of design language throughout their catalogs.
Really nice. My objection to microbrands is the required chase to get a nice one before it sells out. I really hate reviews of watches that are not available. Your personal collection is a nice way to see them though.
Brilliant video. I really enjoyed watching this SOTC review. You've inspired me to change direction with my own watch collecting and, by that, I mean to have more focus. I have four Swiss luxury, 7 recognised micro brands, and 25+ others, including Casio, Seiko, Citizen, and Aliexpress homages. I've been having a similar underwhelming feeling, so next year will be focused on thinning the collection. Thanks again for your video.
Hey Pete, I've spent a fair few hours browsing your micro brand reviews, I own a few micro brands, some good, some not as good, but there's one I purchased back in August, I'm not sure if you have heard of the brand, they are a UK brand, they are called Scurfa, the guy who owns them is a commercial diver and spends a lot of time under the waves, so should know about dive watches, the model I bought was the Treasure Seeker, comes on a bracelet and also has a rubber strap free, spec is great, sapphire, AR coating, ceramic bezel (120 click) 300 m WR, screw down signed crown, and myiota 9015 movement and comes in a variety of colours, dial is unique hexagonal design, also has a award winning artwork on the case back, check them out.....👍👍
Hey Peter. I own the Nivada Grenchen black dial distressed and I just ordered the flat link bracelet made by forstner. It has radically upgraded the watch. The beads of rice is great but the taper on the flat, the integration to the lugs and the milled clasp add so much not to mention it matches the unique design of these lugs. It’s become my favorite watch to wear and I own many luxury brands including numerous Rolex hype pieces VC and Omega plus many micros and independents. Your tastes jive with me so I had to tell you and hope you read this. You will Not be sorry if you ordered it. Hopefully NG will send you one free. It’s a match made in heaven.
@@PeterKotsa you are very welcome mate! I love your 38m AT as much as you so I tripped out when you had the same NG as me. I just know you are going to love it a whole lot more. Sorry for potentially costing you $200 ;)
Hi again Peter. If it’s not too intrusive, where do you source your micro brands from? Direct or are there local dealers who specialise in these types of brands. Thanks for the terrific showing.
Haha, that is so funny, Pete. Always thought it was quite impressive that you manage to keep only 8 watches (for me impossible to limit myself under 10). But then with this video I find out that you have several 8-watch collections. That is a nice way to trick yourself. Are there others? 8 Quartz? Of course not counting Casio, because there are 8 Casios? Of course not counting G-Shock, because there are 8 G-Shocks? 😊 Cheers
Hey Pete - Great video and a really interesting subject matter. Just wondering where you got the brown leather strap on the Nivada? Matches the style of the watch perfectly. Thanks!
Thanks for that Peter...but you dont have to explain yourself to anyone. As a fellow watch enthusiast reviewer it can be difficult to deal with some of the entitled individuals in the comments section. 99.9 percent are brilliant but the others should basically be ignored. A subscriber told me that from now on I should have 300m of h**te resistance 😊
I hear you John.I suppose this video was a long time coming as a few other have asked me they would love to see which microbrands I keep in my personal watch-box. So it was a good opportunity to make the video 👍 Cheers mate, be well
Gotta get a Christopher Ward in there bro. I want that Gin Clear. Fantastic content as usual. It’s funny how everyone has a different view. I’ve always thought the complete opposite in relation to your collection. I would also love to see the complete collection. Your breakdown on selection. Eg price points, type as in dive or gmt, dress or is that not even considered for you? Is the collection process the same for micro as it is for the big players? What makes you tick personally.
Great review of your micro brands. I have a few of them. Wise, Direzno, Nivada. Like your collection! But......where are your Aussie micros?😂 I have always found your reviews, insight, honesty, personal stories, just outstanding. Thank you
@@PeterKotsa they make great watches! Bought a salmon Mandela for my girlfriend, have a gray one for me. Just can't buy the watch you have. Have way too many divers. I do have a Hautman pilbara......the rock. Red dog on the back❤️
Great video as usual!!! Just one thing...why do you consider Nivada Grenchen as a micro-brand? Not really agree on that. Thanks for your exceptional work!
Ok, now show us the last 8-watches box. I'm sure some old Seikos, maybe Casio (doubt, but who knows) plus other memorabilias of the past will be in there! 😜 Cheers Peter, hope you enjoy these, plus many more. ΥΓ «Αν το δηλωσεις, θα το σωσεις». Rings a bell??? LOL
How often can you actually wear all these watches? And do you genuinely pick one of these micros out ahead of the expensive stuff when you are going out of the house? Every watch looks brand new still.
Absolutely, love wearing these. I mix them up with the majors. As for them looking new,..I treat all my watches with the same respect as my professional camera equipment.Use them but dont abuse them..👍
So sixteen watches in total, eh ? Pete, that’s great news because I was feeling guilty owning a dozen watches when you looked so disciplined about this eight watch strict limit. Now, with such cracking 6 microbrand watches, wouldn’t you be happy to only own these and let go of the expensive bunch ?
I bought my Pitzmann model 1 because of you! Really glad I found your channel and I love that you showcase so many great watches, even if you don't keep them all. I understand the need to limit yourself and often struggle with the discipline to not buy every single thing I see that I like.
This would be a great stand alone collection for anyone, who appreciates quality and design and can tune out the call of the major brands. Some cracking watches here.
Your two boxes are outstanding Peter. I swear you are the most level headed and pragmatic enthusiast on all of RU-vid, which I really appreciate. You have a very grounded and humble philosophy to enjoying watches.
I have 14 watches, and eight are microband watches. Two Zelos, Islander, Nodus, Farer, Henry Archer, Phoibos...and the purple version of the Direnzo you have.
Indeed, Nivada makes some really pretty watches, and I've owned two of them. But sadly, like other folks, I've experienced their abysmal customer service and am unlikely to every buy one again.
I've got 3 Direnzo's light blue, yellow and white dial the watch is really well made and mine all run +2 +3 -2 spd I've got a 21/22cm wrist I think they wear fantastic 😁👌👍
Lovely micro collection Pete! I’m with you, the micro’s that I own are definitely more adventurously spec’d than my major brands. That’s part of the fun :)
After wearing my Wise several times a week for the last 3 months the Bezel on my SS AD8 has broken in and is a lot easier to rotate. I also made a habit of giving it a couple spins each time i wore it to help with this. Maybe yours will loosen up over time… Personally I think heritage/history is overrated. Tesla, the Aeropress, and Anker chargers had no brand history in relation to their competition before they came to market and are some of the most successful products in their categories. One has to respect the amazing products that are created when the big legacy brands get lazy, price gouge, and stop innovating. Since my money doesn’t grow on a tree… Quality and Value > brand history and heritage
@@PeterKotsa Thanks, these are just my 2 cents lol. Regardless, thanks for all the content and info!!!! Would love to see you review some of the newer Chris Wards in the future…
❤ The SOTC Pete that Pittsman is too pretty! Such a looker even as I admire it I have to practice my own discipline to keep my goals in check as I have 1 slot left in my watchbox and I am saving up for the watch to fill it now lol.
After owning one automatic for 20 years, my collection has ballooned to eight. However, that includes a G-shock, a broken automatic, and a Seagull 1963.
This is such a great subcollection Pete! But when I hear something like low level customer support this absolutely kills a microbrand for me. It killed Yema for me and I'm a bit shocked to learn this about Nivada because I really liked this brand! 😳
My experience with them was so so. First watch from them had all these custom problems with fed ex. Could have been just FedEx also🙄 The second was a tropical dial. Beautiful outside in the sun! Took a long time to get it. It ended up coming from Asia dhl. It was running at plus 45 sec a day. Had it regulated, runs fine now. Both watches are truly stunning. Keepers.
I agree Alex. Micro brands need to provide that exceptional service experience. I have told so many people about my experience with Christopher Ward as it was my first decent watch purchase. I was excited and they made me feel that the journey was exactly that through out the whole sales process.
I must say that this gentleman's question is legit because I had the same observation. Thing is, You pick a great microbrand collaboration thus ending with a nice collection like this. There isn't a bad looking watch on your channel and that's why I keep coming back. My personal favorite from this collection is Wise. Not so with this stealth version, but with their whole brand's watch design. There are other color variants that are just fantastic. Keep discovering and showing more great micros in the future.
Correct, the viewers comment (Sidney) was indeed legit and I am glad he asked it I did leave a disclaimer in the description section of this video👍 I have a few new Wise watches coming soon...watch this space
Nivada is very nice, the Antarctic at 35mm eggshell is on my to get list. Kuoe from Japan is definitely getting seriously interesting to, microbrands getting really good, gonna scare the big boys.
Hahaha, you're always coming up with these one liners...love it BTW, you are the second guy to say the same thing to me, another friend also loves this watchbox collection better than my Majors..👍
Love your content Pete! And also love your honesty in reviewing both micros and big brands. It’s because of you I’ve been trying to keep my collection down to 8 - and I agree it’s been difficult! Keep up the awesome work!
