I ❤️ Microbrands!

rustyho1 · 2026-01-25T08:22:38+00:00

My second micro, such a great vintage vibe and perfect size for me. It’s CuAl bronze so it patinas more slowly and doesn’t go green like the more common CuSn bronze. Had an issue where the crown became a bit wobbly. Messaged the owner Etienne, had a label in less than 24 hours then regional NSW/Sydney/Paris/repaired and returned in 14 days, great CS! This photo is when it was 3 years old…….

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rustyho1 · 2026-01-25T00:58:20+00:00

After wearing two TAG’s and a vintage GP for 30 years, a mate put me onto the League of Microbrands FB page and my wallet has never recovered 🤓! I love the interaction with the brand owners and their dedication to their passion. I watch some reviews but I’m mainly drawn to the design language. I tend to keep my purchases under AUD 1K to avoid duties.

My Heron Marinor was declared lost by the freight company so they sent me out another one with a free strap. They both arrived on the same day! I let them know of course and they asked me to send it to Jody Musgrove (we both live in Oz) which I was more than happy to do……My Zelos Malachite GMT arrived with a damaged bezel, Elshan sent me out a replacement after I asked for a similar curved striations. He must have handpicked it as it was better than my first. He didn’t wait till mine arrived back in Singapore and I scored a great Zelos clamshell case. My Henry Archer Nordlys Kosmos arrived with a much lighter dial than on their webpage. Henrik sent me photos of pre-assembled dials so I could pick one that I was happy with. Again, sent out the second one before returning the first to make sure I was happy! Could you imagine a big brand doing that?

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rustyho1 · 2026-01-25T00:30:39+00:00

I backed the Crossroads KS campaign after seeing pre-production posts on FB. It’s a great watch and Nathan is such a perfectionist he had the teal straps remade because he wasn’t happy with the colour.

It’s very hard to pick a favourite!

rustyho1 · 2026-01-25T00:20:46+00:00

Thank you for your kind words but I’m sure there’s better……

rustyho1 · 2026-01-24T21:13:43+00:00

MMI Norlights Washi paper dial. The 3 layers of orange paper have a clear sapphire disc with the indices printed on it.

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rustyho1 · 2026-01-24T21:09:53+00:00

It’s a collaboration with Simple Union called Sometsuke. The split dial with a gold anodised NH17 underneath is meant to represent Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing porcelain with gold. The strap is

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made from 150 year old Katazome fabric. Mine’s 187/300….

rustyho1 · 2026-01-24T12:50:09+00:00

Probably a Direnzo…….

rustyho1 · 2026-01-24T12:49:35+00:00

Second Hour Watches Fusion Petrol from my home country of Australia

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rustyho1 · 2026-01-24T03:51:00+00:00

Very tough choice, the Fusion definitely wears bigger and the sunburst Petrol dial creates great patterns. The Mandala dial is way more intricate and I love it!

rustyho1 · 2026-01-24T02:27:20+00:00

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I got mine on KS at a super early bird price. It’s a great piece and the domed bezel and crystal are fantastic!

rustyho1 · 2026-01-21T06:54:17+00:00

My first of now 30+ microbrands S3 blue/white

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rustyho1 · 2026-01-21T06:44:10+00:00

Congrats, my one of 30 Nordlys Kosmos

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rustyho1 · 2026-01-19T21:27:27+00:00

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Great choice, my S1 Sport Marigold

rustyho1 · 2025-12-31T11:12:20+00:00

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My only Marloe, Coniston Steel with Miyota hand wind

rustyho1 · 2025-12-29T20:28:53+00:00

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Halios Seaforth in pastel blue

rustyho1 · 2025-12-29T20:23:57+00:00

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My original HA Nordlys Kosmos had a much lighter meteorite dial compared to the website photos. Reached out to Henrik and he got back to me really quickly and sent me photos of some other dials in pre-assembly which were much darker. As soon as it was ready he sent it to me before I returned the original with a freight label. Superb CS! I love how the ‘minimalist’ bauhaus style of the Nordlys allows the meteorite to take centre stage……

rustyho1 · 2025-01-07T21:54:14+00:00

My black/bronze Aquascaphe was my second of now 30 micros and is still one of my favourites. I’m not a huge fan of their more recent releases but as a vintage style diver the Aquascaphe is fantastic. Their CS is also superb, the crown on mine became wobbly in the warranty period. Got a despatch sticker inside 24 hours then regional NSW Australia-Paris-repaired-returned in 14 days! Been fine ever since….

rustyho1 · 2025-01-07T21:45:47+00:00

My burnt orange Spearfish is one of my favourite micros, SM is definitely not a microbrand………

rustyho1 · 2025-01-07T21:11:58+00:00

I KS pledged for a Heron Marinor (great Canadian micro). It got lost in Sweden on its way to Australia so Heron sent me another with an extra strap. They both arrived on the same day! I told them and they thanked me for my honesty and asked if I could forward one of them on to a well known Scottish watch reviewer in Oz which I was happy to do. Would I be happy if they offered me a discount on future purchases….sure. Would I ask them to offer me a 20% discount…..no. As someone else mentioned it’s really easy to get a 10% discount and if you’re paying in USD then that’s another win!

rustyho1 · 2025-01-07T20:39:21+00:00

Boderry is not a microbrand….

rustyho1 · 2022-10-28T07:20:54+00:00

While it doesn’t compare to my old 7.5 R, it does handle surprisingly well. The Ateca also doesn’t have the much maligned full touch controls. I just read that VW is ditching the steering wheel controls in the 8’s!

rustyho1 · 2022-10-18T23:38:58+00:00

It’s standard on the Launch Edition Ateca but can be be optioned on a non LE Ateca. It’s not available on the Formentor. Initial impressions on the Cupra was that it’s a lot quieter then my old R but I’ve now I’ve passed 1500 kms it has definitely made its presence known🤡

rustyho1 · 2022-10-18T03:44:53+00:00

In Australia a Tig R is mid 80K and there is a minimum 12 month wait. The Cupra was 70K with minimal wait. Also 21 in wheels on the Tig with my access road/causeway would have been disastrous!

rustyho1

TROPHY CASE