cavi Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I have bought a couple of microbrand watches over the past couple of months. Thought it might be nice to give it a try. I am done. I ended up with a watch that honestly I like but it was not really what it appeared on the website. It was supposed to be a white dial with bright yellow markers. End result the dial is cream, so the strong contrast I was expecting does not exist. They claim that that is the correct color of the lume. I know the pure white can be done as I own two other watches that have it. So I kept it anyway as I still like it, just not in the way I had intended. Also the case is real thick. Then I saw another which looked like a neat twist on a 5513. Ordered that one and again, it is not quite fully cooked. No screw down crown, the dial is a sandwich but the cutouts are very narrow and do not let much of the lume show through making it look darker than in the pictures. I tried to send back some feedback, but the guy took it the wrong way and got all bent out of shape. There are a couple of other minor issues that I will not get in to but. Either way I will throw a new band on this one and decide if I keep it or not. Anyway, my point is that honestly alot of my reps are better quality and honestly I like them better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSHen Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I think it's very hit or miss. The current market heavily favors Boutique Diver watches. My buddy owns a Helios watch and he loves it. I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lumbee Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 My biggest issue with microbrands is the price. They are usually was more ecpensive than they should be and more than similar watches from other brands. Couple that with the lack of constancy and OC and you have reasons to buy either used or from a larger brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVNE Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I had no complaints on the MKII Kingston I owned. Well, except for maybe the price... My Armida was built like a tank and the lume was torchy like a Seiko. It really depends on what youre getting I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavi Posted January 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 price is definitely an issue, I do not feel I am getting much above and beyond a decent rep, but paying way more, and with the inconsistencies I got stuck with I just currently do not ahve a warm and fuzzy feeling in my tummy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raxford Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I've had success and misses. Bought a Melbourne which was once a Kickstarter, however when I bought it I had no idea. It's lovely, light and tasteful. I recently got on the Kickstarter train and purchased three. Two are way behind in production but the one I did get is just not up to par. Like you said, my reps feel better made. After that I regretted buying either of the others and I haven't even gotten them yet. Admittedly there is a huge difference between micro brands and Kickstarters. There are some brilliant micros like deep blue, But they've been at it for a while. My feeling then is choose wisely because some of them are just going to disappoint, but that's unfair to those which are truly spectacular time pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borz Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 I don't know about prices - a Christopher Ward Trident is cheaper than a TC sub, yet the quality is light years ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 I think it depends entirely on the brand. I own three MKII watches, two Kingston's a Stingray and the Key West (homage to the Rolex 6542) on order. They are very, very well made high quality watches. I would put them on a par with some of the gens in the 2K plus range. I also own three Ocean7 watches, two that are homages to the Omega Proplof, another a GMT. They are all pretty nice watches at a good price point, not quite the attention to detail as the MKII's, but nonetheless very nice. I recently sold another watch, a Heroic 18 Bronze diver. OK watch, but the fit and finish was not nearly as good as either the MKII's or the Ocean7's. Definitely not the quality, and the price was comparable. There are a ton of small boutique watch companies out there, some are turning out really nice watches at a really competitive price point, others or not. Because there is such a wide range of product out there, it is imperative that one does a lot of research, read the reviews and then decide if the watch fits you. What becomes apparent when you do some research on the boutique builders is that most of them are not truly watch builders, but parts assemblers. They contact a case manufacturer, look at the cases available and pick one. Dials are custom, but pretty much everything else is "off the shelf". That's why when you look at all the different boutique divers for instance, there really isn't much difference between them. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 "it is imperative that one does a lot of research," as paneria153 states. There are plenty of very good ones and the ones he mentions are at a bit higher price point than I am willing ti spend on a micro. This being said I'll give a couple Orbis Morgan , Borealis come to mind right off the top and they will not break the bank. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernow Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 I bought a Borealis and am very impressed with it. My only minor gripe is that the lume could be brighter. I could have it relumed though if I wanted so we'll see in a few months. Here she is on mesh rather than the OEM leather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swdivad Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 A friend of mine just received a prometheus and loves it... the quality was top notch as I saw. Last year, I made the bad mistake of ordering a Bronze Seal from Bob Wellson... they talk ]like they are a japanese company, but actually they are a thai company. This is the worst quality watch I ever received in all my life. There are some great microbrands out there... as others have said, do your homework! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 A friend of mine just received a prometheus and loves it... the quality was top notch as I saw. Last year, I made the bad mistake of ordering a Bronze Seal from Bob Wellson... they talk ]like they are a japanese company, but actually they are a thai company. This is the worst quality watch I ever received in all my life. There are some great microbrands out there... as others have said, do your homework! I almost bought one of those Bob Wellson watches, was a used one on the WUS sales forum. Fortunately for me, it sold before I could make up my mind. Then I read some reviews on the WUS Dive watch forum and they were not very encouraging. Almost everyone was disappointed by the poor quality and workmanship. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hologramet Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 Some are awesome, some are way overpriced. http://www.borealiswatch.com/store/#!/Borealis-Bull-Shark-Automatic-Diver-Watch-Date-Miyota-9015-Ceramic-Black-Bezel-Black-Dial/p/59774313/category=16525119 compared to https://www.google.se/search?q=ancon+sea+shadow+ii&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj0u_buttbKAhVF1ywKHfVVCzQQsAQIHg&biw=1680&bih=901#imgrc=WurqPWIOCZPaSM%3A guess, which is what... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernow Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 1 hour ago, hologramet said: Some are awesome, some are way overpriced. http://www.borealiswatch.com/store/#!/Borealis-Bull-Shark-Automatic-Diver-Watch-Date-Miyota-9015-Ceramic-Black-Bezel-Black-Dial/p/59774313/category=16525119 compared to https://www.google.se/search?q=ancon+sea+shadow+ii&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj0u_buttbKAhVF1ywKHfVVCzQQsAQIHg&biw=1680&bih=901#imgrc=WurqPWIOCZPaSM%3A guess, which is what... Now I do like that Borealis. And a steal at that price too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 I was on there blog putting some impute in on this model, like it a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 Here you go another quality watch at a great price, just went on sale today. (hurry sell out quick) http://www.obrismorgan.com/aegis.html Sweet 42 x 10.5 not to tall!! Tactical type 200 meters water resistant Tool Diver - 28,800 BPH High Frequence Movement (Miyota Cal. 9015) - 120 clicks Unidirectional Bezel - Automatic Helium Escape Valve - Thick Printed Superluminova Lumed Indices - Semi-Matte Dial - 2.4 mm Thickness Sapphire - Anti-reflective Coated Sapphire - Super Enginner 4.6mm thickness 5 links Bracelet - Superluminova C1 Lumed Blasted Handsets - Stainless Steel Movement Holder - Triple Seal Screw-in Crown - 42mm diameter excluded Crown - 10-.5mm thickness included caseback - 53.2mm lug to lug length - 20mm lug width - Drilled lug holes - 7.5x3.7mm Crown - 219g net weight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernow Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 Mike stop it please. I don't have the funds and I don't want to have to choose between a new watch and food! Actually, carry on, you're finding some great stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavi Posted February 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 Man, that one is actually real nice!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 Thinking of having a custom made by them , did that with my Nevon they wound up using it as their promo shot on there site! Maybe blue dial with this bezel , what do you think? Second hand still debating color............... $279 delivered , good bang for the buck!! Lume porn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernow Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Do it Mike as it looks grand. I'll be keeping an eye on the future raffles, just in case! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StormTooper4 Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 http://www.armidawatches.com/a8-brass.php i brought one these because I thought they'd ever rep the PAM bronzo its bit like this with a date It colours up nicely but there seems to be a purple sludge on the rehault . The movement is nice a smooth though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torobravo Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 There are brands which have very good value for money, but 800 plus for a Miyota it´s a no go for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Agreed Toro that is why $279 shipped for 9015 w/ Orbis is the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 I run into the same issue when contemplating micro-brands as the others above. The price is usually the prohibitive factor and for me personally often the size as most I have seen have pushed to 40mm for the dressier and 42mm+++ for divers which is far to large for me (for reference I generally wear a 1016 with joy and a 16610 for a diver which I wouldn't want to go too much larger than without it looking a bit big). I also find that they generally either look like homages or quite ugly from my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Try Squale great small divers Hayden. look here 40x 12.1 in size. http://www.squalewatches.com/Squale_20_Atmos_Dive_Watches_s/100.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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