Micro / Independent Brand (sub-$5k) Corner

[RevZMan123]

R3D9

I may as well share a few other pieces I’ve picked up over the years…

A recently revised version of the MKii Paradive:



A limited edition piece from Merci Watches out of France:



And a really fun collaboration between Louis Erard and Alain Silberstein:

I was just looking at those Merci watches. Oh man, what a time to be alive and see these things.

 

[R3D9]

RevZMan123

I was just looking at those Merci watches. Oh man, what a time to be alive and see these things.

Haha! It's a really cool watch... my only wish is that the lugs curved downwards a bit... the case is kind of flat as a board, so the lugs can tend to overhang the curvature of your wrist.

 

[vintage hab]

I own two Christopher Wards. Great value. I particularly love the Neptune which is my travel watch.

 

[R3D9]

vintage hab

I own two Christopher Wards. Great value. I particularly love the Neptune which is my travel watch.

I love that moonphase watch... the lume is just fantastic. What an amazing brand.

I have the Bel Canto in blue coming from them... hopefully before the New Year.

 

[timoss]

Does Yema count as a microbrand? I would say so. I picked up the bronze with blue dial in the kickstarter days. Liked it at first but have not worn in quite some time. Maybe I should give it some wrist time again:


Also picked up two Unimatics, one NH35 driven and one Sellita powered (the GMT). I am really drawn to their industrial take on the diver:

 

[AustinCambridge]

Love my Straum.
Dial is amazing and “Damascus” steel very cool as well.

 

[LesXL]

RZE Endeavour no date in yellow.

Titanium, solid and lightweight... Great for hiking and for walking the dog on rainy days.

 

[bubba48]

 

[StudebakerHawk]

vintage hab

I own two Christopher Wards. Great value. I particularly love the Neptune which is my travel watch.

CW GMT is a beautiful choice!

*chef smooch*

 

[chiefenergy]

 

[Larry S]

I’m pretty sure I’d have far fewer vintage watches to sell off if these Micros had been more prevalent years ago. My Baltic Aquascaphes for example scratch the SM300 / Compressor vintage itch for me for short money and they are on/in the water all summer.

 

[Jwit]

Big fan of Nodus and Raven myself. Other notable mentions are Astor & Banks, MKII, Brew, Dryden, and Monta

 

[vintage hab]

R3D9

I love that moonphase watch... the lume is just fantastic.

I believe you’re thinking about the C1 Moonglow. I actually passed on this: I felt the extreme glow was too much as many people find. Mine is the C1 Grand Malvern. It doesn’t have any lume but a large, very realistic silver moon face.

 

[R3D9]

vintage hab

I believe you’re thinking about the C1 Moonglow. I actually passed on this: I felt the extreme glow was too much as many people find. Mine is the C1 Grand Malvern. It doesn’t have any lume but a large, very realistic silver moon face.

You’re absolutely right… I did mistake it for that other model. The C1 Grand Malvern looks beautiful and is now on my radar as well

 

[Larry S]

My Son lusts for Nomos but in the meantime, is fond of Sternglass. He’s got a quartz and a Miyota driven model. Pretty impressive for the cash.

Edited: Dec 7, 2022

 

[kaapstadflaneur]

Also a big fan of Nodus. This one has a vague hint of vintage Doxa…

 

[slique12]

RZE Endeavor no date with a highly legible orange dial

 

[flw]

Prometheus Manta Ray. It's far too big for my scrawny wrist (45mm), and weighs a ton. A very uncommon piece, though, from a company that I don't think is in business anymore.

 

[CdnWatchDoc]

Another Dan Henry:

Aussie Microbrand Bausele:

 

[Larry S]

Well, after much hemming and hawing, I decided to place the order. As I have said before, Baltic scratches vintage itches with durable daily wear designs, in this case watches which approach or far exceed the cost of a new car. Size is great, Swiss movement, build is solid. See you in September. Hopefully I will have culled deeply by then.