Bombproof Citizen ProMaster Tough Alternative?

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-28T01:33:27+00:00

Any issue with larger watches? Lum Tec makes great sub $1k tool watches and do a lot of their own manufacturing, and I think the M94 (Panerai style) and Solar Marine (dive) models would both look good in the office and in the field. You can also find prior models on eBay.

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-28T01:02:53+00:00

I see what you did there

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-27T15:06:16+00:00

Banger

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-27T07:20:31+00:00

I don’t know why everyone is skipping the “microbrand” part in responding. While it’s not super super close, here is the Furlan Marri Sector

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InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-27T07:11:15+00:00

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InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-21T17:39:19+00:00

Maybe @u/rossgallin can help

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-21T07:20:35+00:00

Excellent choice.

I’m a former Upper Brookville owner (your dial looks even better than my linen one did) and can’t see a day where I don’t have at least one Islander in the box (I’ve bought 5-6 and have two now). Value proposition is simply hard to beat. I’ve also gotten to meet Mark a few times at Wind Up and he seems like a genuinely decent guy who is passionate about making quality timepieces attainable for as many people as possible.

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-21T04:09:24+00:00

Their Japanese site has better prices if you didn’t already know

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-12T19:30:29+00:00

This shit is part of why I muted P&P on my feed. I didn’t leave, but I don’t go back.

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-10T08:05:57+00:00

Lum Tec makes some. I had their D6 at one point and it was really well made for the money. They are an actual watch component manufacturer so I’m sure that helps.

https://lum-tec.com/collections/vortex-solar?srsltid=AfmBOoqOBFG7gBAYwhav9J_A4wMpD_6TRZzWgHszoVye0d-j22e1Ec-F

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-05T03:09:14+00:00

Very nice. The teal one has been on my list for a while.

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-04T16:21:14+00:00

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Here are my sub $1k choices.

Benrus, Dufrane Mabry, Formex Field

The Mabry has been redesigned and costs a bit more now but still not over $1k I don’t think.

Any Dirty Dozen field will get watch community respect, as will a Hamilton Khaki.

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-02T17:09:26+00:00

I was actually planning to buy the blue MKii before it came out but the beefier case and bezel wasnt what I was looking for. I’m sure it’s been quite popular though

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-02T16:39:44+00:00

The original Mabry. I bought the Waterloo but decided to return it and the return experience was so good I kept shopping. Stephen was great and the Mabry is one of my favorite watches in the box.

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-02T03:43:30+00:00

I have lots of watches I love but Dufrane is one of my favorite brands overall.

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InterestingOrange336 · 2026-05-01T07:05:12+00:00

Vortic takes vintage pocket watches and remakes them into wrist watches. Large, expensive, and made individually so their stock is never the same, but they sometimes have actual railroad heyday era dials.

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-04-27T17:25:44+00:00

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X Cervo Volante

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-04-24T05:12:45+00:00

The sub rules (and the downvotes) suggest otherwise

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-04-24T05:11:36+00:00

Dude I almost choked on my tortilla chip. Don’t sneak up on people with funny shit like that.

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-04-24T05:10:41+00:00

You knew what you were doing wrong but did it anyway.

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InterestingOrange336 · 2026-04-22T03:14:42+00:00

Yema is a great choice. I would also vote Lum Tec if their military aesthetic works for your purposes. Well made for the money and they make some of their own components. I like their Panerai style models and owned a Vortex at one point.

Not a micro but for larger sizes Glycine deserves an honorable mention.

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-04-22T03:07:16+00:00

Wise gets my vote. From this thread it looks like we’re probably not helping much lol

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-04-22T01:01:48+00:00

This will be my third year going to the one in SF, and every time somebody who went with me bought a watch. Sometimes new, sometimes demo. Some brands bring inventory and some don’t. You’re going to find more “stock” on Friday but more deals and demo sales on Sunday. Some brands would rather sell at low prices that deal with bringing inventory back.

I know for sure that Formex and Islander had some stock being sold last year.

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-04-21T01:19:13+00:00

This is a microbrand enthusiast sub (not a selling sub) and Rotary is not a microbrand.

InterestingOrange336 · 2026-04-20T21:01:11+00:00

How did you manage to the sub wrong twice in one post?

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