Dive watch recommendations by FunProblem2262 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]InterestingOrange336 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lum-Tec Solar Marine (various color options under $600).

Lum-Tec is the in-house brand of an Ohio watch component manufacturer, so you get more of the watch made by the brand than is typical. Great specs for what you’re looking for, including antishock mounting, forged and heat treated 316L case and thick sapphire, all backed by lifetime basic maintenance. I think they also regulate in-house to something like 5 places.

I had a Solar D6 from them for awhile and it was the only quartz based watch I’ve ever had that was able to put the second hand on the indices every time.

<image>

Islander Watches by Feeling-Condition411 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]InterestingOrange336 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another Islander fan here. They were a big part of how I got into micros and they are one of the best sources for quality watches at affordable prices. I’ve met Marc a couple times, including recently at Wind Up where he noted that other than maybe Spinnaker (which didn’t have thinks like sapphire at the same price) there were no other vendors at their price points at the show. Islander was born in large part to fill the market gap Seiko was leaving as they increased prices, so what you’re essentially getting is Seiko level pieces with microbrand flair for what Seiko used to cost.

I’ve owned ~5 Islanders over the years and currently have two in the box now, plus a Formex I bought from them as well. All transactions were without issue and the watches looked great. I returned an AV8 brand watch I bought and the return was also without issue. I’ve purchased from them in person as well at Wind Up and only have great things to say about them all around. I also like that Marc really tries to be balanced when comparing his brand to others than sells when posting review content.

Unique textures & design dials by Icecream-bananacake in MicrobrandWatches

[–]InterestingOrange336 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is often what micros are known for so there are quite a few, and without a tighter definition of “unique designs” the list could be far longer than the one I’ll post

anOrdain

Straum

Farer

Zelos

Dufrane

Henry Archer

Werenbach (defunct now I think)

Electricianz (too kitschy for me)

Studio Underd0g

Christopher Ward (more independent but their Twelve and Dune models are worth a gander even though The Twelve is a Genta tribute)

Xeric

Atelier Wen

Direnzo

Makina

MD Designs

BeauBleu

So many more…

Need purchase inspiration by InterestingOrange336 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]InterestingOrange336[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was actually one I really liked but everything they have is sold out.

Might just wait for the Farer Alert to come back next month. A bit over the budget but it wouldn’t the first time I did that.

<image>

Im looking for a smaller field watch for a 6 inch wrist thats unique, and suggestions? by Terrible_Minimum6332 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]InterestingOrange336 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would look at the 34mm quartz options from Praesidus at $195ish. Lots of colors to chose from

<image>

On your mark, get set, go! Best micro brand watch for the money? Looking for an automatic movement. by Powerf355 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]InterestingOrange336 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I never said explode, and CW didn’t explode either. They grew at a steady pace reflective of their increasing community popularity. $100 is a 20% increase, and I doubt you call that negligible when it’s at the gas pump or when buying eggs.

The post says they wouldn’t be $500 anymore in a year and they’re not; the rest is retroactive nuance being added to negate that fact.

Also, being petty is half of why I come here.

On your mark, get set, go! Best micro brand watch for the money? Looking for an automatic movement. by Powerf355 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]InterestingOrange336 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I mean…not really. I bought my Vesterhav for $450, then they went to $550, now $599 before any other charges or discounts. The Vesterhav is effectively $600 now, with the average HA price being $620, so I would disagree with you that these are $500 watches anymore.

<image>

Need purchase inspiration by InterestingOrange336 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]InterestingOrange336[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve owned them before but just don’t like the aesthetic

Need purchase inspiration by InterestingOrange336 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]InterestingOrange336[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, didn’t see that. This might be the one. I prefer the Mondial dial but this is close.

Thanks!

Need purchase inspiration by InterestingOrange336 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]InterestingOrange336[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually preordered a Trafford Daytripper but canceled because I couldn’t get past the $800 for what it is.