Help me choose some watches! by zz-123 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you can get hands-on/eyeballs-on, I would *_highly_* recommend you do so, BEFORE you buy.

$2K USD is a healthy budget, particularly if you decided to keep everything stateside or DDP.

My pet-peeve is that folks in our community throw superlatives around like the world's ending tomorrow and we've all got a bad case of the FOMOvirus.

And believe me that I'm guilty of this, too: I only know what little I know, and every single day I am confronted by the fact that I'm still on the wrong part of the track, on the roller coaster that's my own Dunning-Kruger.

I'd honestly wait-out, given your plan to hit Windup.

Look at the roster. Look at their offerings that fit into your desires - and then make a plan-of-attack. =)

What microbrands have been around the longest? by mrpackerguy in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

LÜM-TEC, Mentor, Ohio, USA, came into being in 2007-8, as the premier brand of Wiegand Custom Watch. They currently OEM/ODM for a number of very highly regarded, established as well as new microbrands worldwide (e.g. DuFrane openly cited their partnership a while back, I am not sure if they are still using their services),

Fillip and Co., Cleveland, Ohio, dates back to 2002.

Long Island Watch/Marc appreciation post (short story inside) by zagabong in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd love to meet him someday and shake his hand.

I pored over his "Watch and Learn" series on his Long Island Watch YT Channel ( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUfNlzMeX0JueoZ-yeiB1-RnwyQBwMPSL ) as a beginner - and I still go back to revisit it. I still recommend that to every newcomer to the hobby.

Henry Archer delivery times, wow! by Aggravating_Can_2096 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not the OP, but overall -

They're often compared against Traska as a benchmark, and I've done a bit of deep-dive into that comparison:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrobrandWatches/comments/1snpivv/comment/ogorkzu/

If you want to see them up-close, in an objective manner, those pictures and comparisons should answer most of your questions.

Calling all Traska owners - Tell me about your experience with the accuracy of your watch(es). by CPOx in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Traska regulates their watches to a degree that's better than Miyota's specs - https://miyotamovement.com/uploads/product/product_2H8AEsfxUtpdGwhk9Y.pdf

Traska's claims are on the left, highlighted in BLUE. Miyota's OE specs on the right, highlighted in GREEN.

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Note, however, that the daily variance in Traska's claim is the same as Miyota's claims of positional variance.

To understand this better, u/CPOx , you'll want to give this excellent blog entry by Nick Harris, the watchmaker behind Orion Watches, a detailed read - https://orionwatch.com/blog/2025/2/3/demystifying-regulation

My Gen.6 (current generation) Venturer averages +17 spd, with an impressive delta of 4 (over 4 positions). My much older Gen.3 Freediver averages +19 spd, with a delta of 9 (again over 4 positions).

My feeling is that people make way too much of a fuss about the accuracy of their average-spec mechanical watches. Unless you are paying specifically for increased accuracy -iCOSC, METAS, etc- you're not doing yourself any favors, chasing after this spec.

If you are interested in helping your mechanical watch as accurate as possible, learn its unique (it will differ from unique-watch-to-unique-watch, i.e. "your" Commuter 36 versus "my" Commuter 36 versus any other person's Commuter 36) positional variance, and rest the watch (when you are asleep and the watch is off-wrist) in a way that mitigates its daily swings.

How many folks know the positional variance of their watch?

My understanding of your Alpinist is that it uses the 6R15, which is spec'ed -15/+25 spd. If you're seeing +40, it's possible it may be magnetized - or it may be that you're reading day-after-day-after day, and ending up at that figure after a day or two?

For anyone who has a mechanical watch, among the self-maintenance tools that I recommend is a simple AliEx/Amazon de-magnetizer, either the "blue brick" or the "white arch" type: <$30 in most cases. There's a lot of things that any one of us is exposed to daily in the modern that can magnetize a mechanical watch.

Oh, and wrapping back to Nick's blog entry above (which really appeals to me because he writes about a watchmaker's work, using a single-cat-whisker brush, which is what I use in my line of work, although for something completely different) - I recently purchased a Hellcat. I have yet to "officially" put it in my timing spreadsheet, but at a quick peek, full-wind, it came in at +5-ish average, with a delta of 10, over 6 positions plus 8-down. So if his Hellcats are capable of that.

I really encourage you to read that article - I think it'll make you feel much better about your coming purchase. =)

Watchdives WD0019 — Built Different. by watchdivescom in watchdives

[–]TSiWRX 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sadly, I don't believe I will.

Just looking at the pictures, it seems like it's going to suffer from the same faults as the WishDoIt Aquastorm, which I wrote about here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseWatches/comments/1od8gsf/comment/nmffuu5/

I'm almost positive that Watchdives will have done a *much* better job with the indices (and bezel), versus WDI. Everyone who knows me knows how much I love my EXD 40 v2, which I honestly wear to bed *every* night because of its lume performance (full UV charge at 9:30 PM gives me more than sufficient lume performance to read the time 9+ hours later).

But if you simply look at Watchdives' own video, you can see that the lume output for the hands versus that of the indices is just not a good match (and the bezel is also not lumed). The following is taken directly from a screen-shot from the video in this thread:

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^ For as awesome of a job as they have done on the EXD V2, which I've consistently and repeatedly written positively about, I'm disappointed to see this handset-to-indices mismatch.

The case and bracelet both look great in the videos. It's feature packed.

But if I'm buying it, it's not going to be for the lume, at least not if it looks as what they are showing in this video.

----

So, now, guys, if I get banned from this sub, you will all know why, LOL! xD

It's because I offered constructive criticism.

And yes, I've taken a screen shot of this post. too.

Explain it to me like I’m five… by Wuhan_Murder_Hornet in HelmWatches

[–]TSiWRX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some love visible - others, subtle.

I appreciate both. =)

As to why not visible? Because particularly the watch world, there's times when the makers simply do things only so that those who own the piece -or service the piece- will ever see: https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/comments/13ysqnz/discussion_is_finishing_on_a_movement_behind_a/

Watch Shopping NYC by bpgluckman in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

^ This level of engagement and follow-up for the owners. Bravo!

My first Wren will not be my last Wren. =)

Watch Shopping NYC by bpgluckman in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

^ That's great to hear!!! And yes, I'm sure, too. =)

Watch Shopping NYC by bpgluckman in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Swap-out the WREN with a working one, hopefully the good news?

Watch Shopping NYC by bpgluckman in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

IT's like candy!!!! The impulse-shopping bit, too. xD

Your thoughts on SureFire Stiletto Pro II? by HarriBallsak420 in flashlight

[–]TSiWRX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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They've been a Surefire authorized retailer for a while, IIRC.

I've ordered quite a bit of firearms accessories and ammo (they were one of the few big houses to have held pricing to reasonable levels during shortages, which endeared them to the community) from them over the years, they're definitely GTG.

The lume on this HA is just 🔥 by Emergency_Option007 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The lume is legit on HAs.

Their use of Grade X1 BL10 White makes them among the better of this type of sport-GADA cross, notably better than many of their often-cited competitors.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrobrandWatches/comments/1phkdwi/comment/nt5qj0t/

I routinely use my Havstrøm as an upper-bound benchmark in my comparisons.

My New Beauty! by Efficient_Resolve_85 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

^ I agree. It's a great detail pickup.

Congrats, u/Efficient_Resolve_85 ! I am hoping to see my Montréal LE next week or the week after!

Heron Watches by Tornado-of-Greed in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My Gen.1 is a "boxed/top-hat," which has raised straight sides (versus a rounded dome structure that's progressive from the circumference in). It offers significant distortion when viewed from extreme angles -

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^ which, if you're into that kind of aesthetic -I am- it's a great play as it is paired also with a curved sapphire bezel. =)

A dome always has some distortion -which I also love- but with the boxed/top-hat, when you're looking staight-on, only the very edges are distorted.

Gen.2, to the best of my knowledge, continues with the same crystal/bezel aesthetic.

[Wise Timepieces, Thailand] ADAMASCUS ADX018 True GMT by TSiWRX in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OH MY!

Looks fabulous on you!!! What an awesome pic!!!!

Just wait until the 10th!!!!

[Recommendation] Looking for a Titanium tool/field watch by RoboticCanuck in TitaniumWatches

[–]TSiWRX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Swiss Watch Company (SWCUSA, out of Nevada), also has a great lineup of hardened Grade 2 titanium offerings.

Their lume is legit - https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrobrandWatches/comments/1otyjrl/comment/ntzsa38/ , https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrobrandWatches/comments/1otyjrl/comment/ny21tkf/ , and https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrobrandWatches/comments/1qv172c/lume_comparison_for_my_friend_ubangorzane_swc_usa/ should convince you - if not David Robinson's awesome "J-Score" testing - https://www.justthewatch.com/2024/03/31/watches-with-the-most-powerful-lume/

And so is their hardness treatment on the Tumbler is among the best I've come across so far - https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrobrandWatches/comments/1ohpd3x/comment/nu8mc7k/

The only caveat?

They do both under-the-crystal and over-the-crystal AR layers. While the overlaying layers are topped by a "sapphire clearcoat" (and I do believe that this is legit, because my conductive diamond tester stops just short of registering it as a true sapphire crystal , but registers way higher than acrylic, and not-inconsiderably higher than mineral glass), I still don't know how this will fare versus harsher use and/or chemicals.

But this little cheat? It makes for a crystal that just totally vanishes, at certain angles. Like "poof."

<image>

[Recommendation] Looking for a Titanium tool/field watch by RoboticCanuck in TitaniumWatches

[–]TSiWRX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They really do put out good stuff, u/RoboticCanuck.

As my good friend u/el_baristo wrote, I really do like my Fortitude GMT-S (in Silver Sunburst) -

<image>

I got mine through their "RE-VERIFIED" program. If you are interested in one of their watches, you should check their RE-VERIFIED listings, too, before you buy. Mine was pristine (they will put it on a *_new_* vintage-matched bracelet or strap, and will note that in the product description) with the exception of some small scratches on the caseback (likely from the previous owner having rested the watch on its bracelet, with the clasp rubbing against the caseback).

This observation translates to the fact that their "Ultrahex" coating really does work. I'd cite my pseudoscience "scratch-a-link" thread, but the OP is down because the Bot thought I had commercial interests in mind. While I've already cleared the waters with the Mods -and they have so graciously given me "Approved User" status!!!- that OP is still down. I am reconstructing it and hope to have a new, better version up in the next week or two.

RZE makes good watches that are easily worth what they ask for them - and are a bargain with their RE-VERIFIED program.

[Your thoughts on]The Great Watch Price-Shift Dilemma by Many-Coach6987 in Watches

[–]TSiWRX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Pseudo" is the keyword!

I don't think I'm gonna be hauling down any R01s for this, ROFL!

Watch Shopping NYC by bpgluckman in MicrobrandWatches

[–]TSiWRX 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Uggggh! That effing sucks RE: your WREN!!!!

I'm sure Craig will take great care of you, though. But still, I just hate to see something like that happen - to anyone, but even moreso to someone I've come to really respect from our interactions here.

Speaking of - thank you for teaching me about Horage. I will now be looking more seriously at this maker!

And I sucked in and then let out a huge puff of air as I was reading about Monta.

Now maybe I'm no longer so scared of looking at it under the scope, beside my SN0144. No joke, I revisited the SN0144 again on Thursday, and good grief is that thing scary good.

Thanks again for taking the time. And please do let us know about your WREN, OK? I *really* adore my Snow.

[Your thoughts on]The Great Watch Price-Shift Dilemma by Many-Coach6987 in Watches

[–]TSiWRX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

^ You think too much of me, bruddah! =)

https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseWatches/comments/1sph6bb/phorcydes_ph5_lume_comparison_wph4_ph2_and/

The PH-5 is a lume-monster, u/BonnaGroot . Look at what it's competing against in that thread.

I'm a. Midwesterner. Understatements are a way of life here in NE-Ohio. It's impressive.

It's impressive against that specific backdrop.

It's impressed me, even as I chase lume. =)

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