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Thread: Show us your microbrand ...

  1. #1
    Craftsman canuck's Avatar
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    Show us your microbrand ...

    Definition: A micro brand is a small scale brand recognized by consumers in a certain niche market.

    For the purposes of this thread I propose a focus on watches that are of decent quality (of course subjective) and in the £250 - 1250 range.

    Aim: To help expand awareness of alternative brands and to give those of us who like collecting less expensive yet well made watches a specific thread to look at perhaps other lesser known brands.

    Reason: Since joining tz-uk on the advice of Steptoe I have become aware of various micro brands that have taken my fancy. Contained in various threads are examples of watches that I’ve enjoyed looking at yet otherwise would not have necessarily been aware of.



    I’ll start with my most recent incoming.

    Made in Germany, Kemmner uses many eta movements and has produced watches of various designs and styles. I am of the understanding that he is no longer producing watches under the Kemmner name and is instead focusing on meeting the demands of the other brands that he builds watches for.

    My Kemmner 007 vintage. Sourced from SC.

    Last edited by canuck; 14th August 2018 at 03:43.

  2. #2
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    I'll dig out a photo later but I have one of the original micro brands. A PRS-1.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by canuck View Post
    Definition: A micro brand is a small scale brand recognized by consumers in a certain niche market.

    For the purposes of this thread I propose a focus on watches that are of decent quality (of course subjective) and in the £300- 1250 range.

    Aim: To help expand awareness of alternative brands and to give those of us who like collecting less expensive yet well made watches a specific thread to look at perhaps other lesser known brands.

    Reason: Since joining tz-uk on the advice of Steptoe I have become aware of various micro brands that have taken my fancy. Contained in various threads are examples of watches that I’ve enjoyed looking at yet otherwise would not have necessarily been aware of.



    I’ll start with my most recent incoming.

    Made in Germany, Kemmner uses many eta movements and has produced watches of various designs and styles. I am of the understanding that he is no longer producing watches under the Kemmner name and is instead focusing on meeting the demands of the other brands that he builds watches for.

    My Kemmner 007 vintage. Sourced from SC.


    That's a great looking watch.

  4. #4
    Master reggie747's Avatar
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    Yes, the Kemmner 007 does take a good photo...



    ...especially with the gilt handset.
    Last edited by reggie747; 13th August 2018 at 18:38.

  5. #5
    Master Tetlee's Avatar
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    AEVIG Huldra, thinking about it I haven't worn this watch in ages and no idea where I put it, better get searching.


  6. #6
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    https://imgur.com/a/VggWhjx

    Archimede Pilot watch. Entirely derivative some might say, but I like it nonetheless. In terms of micro-brands, I also own offerings from (in no specific order) Briston, Gavox, Halios, Squale, Steinhart, Poljot and Zeno.

    SGR

  7. #7
    Not sure how much these fit into the category of "Micro brand"

    West End Watch Co Sowar Eastern Arabic Dial



    RLT limited edition watch



    Sewills of Liverpool



    Stowa Antea KS


  8. #8
    Craftsman canuck's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by StuartGR View Post
    https://imgur.com/a/VggWhjx

    Archimede Pilot watch. Entirely derivative some might say, but I like it nonetheless. In terms of micro-brands, I also own offerings from (in no specific order) Briston, Gavox, Halios, Squale, Steinhart, Poljot and Zeno.

    SGR

  9. #9
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Prs50

    No picture at the moment, but I absolutely love this watch.
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  10. #10
    Grand Master Foxy100's Avatar
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    Good idea for a thread. Sadly I'm so mainstream I've nothing to offer, although I did have a Helson Sharkmaster for a while.
    "A man of little significance"

  11. #11


    TimeFactors Speedbird, from one of the micro brand pioneers.

    I also used to own a Scurfa Diver One: good looking, well built and not pricey.


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  12. #12
    Master Neilw3030's Avatar
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    Last edited by Neilw3030; 13th August 2018 at 22:18.

  13. #13
    Master Neilw3030's Avatar
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    Last edited by Neilw3030; 13th August 2018 at 22:21.

  14. #14
    Journeyman
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    I’ve had many in no particular order


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  15. #15
    Had these for a few years now.




    Last edited by zippy; 14th August 2018 at 18:30.

  16. #16
    Master Lammylee's Avatar
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    Love my A-13A Pilots watch, number 67/500. Came with a nice thank you note from it's Italian creator Paulo.

  17. #17
    Master
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    Kronos 'Pseudo-Ruhla' by Ray Wong...


  18. #18
    Craftsman canuck's Avatar
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    Show us your microbrand ...

    Quote Originally Posted by reggie747 View Post
    Yes, the Kemmner 007 does take a good photo...



    ...especially with the gilt handset.
    That’s a stunning one Reggie! Googling now!


    I’m really pleased with how the thread is already shaping up... quite a few brands I was unaware of. I’ll add some more of my own as soon as I wear them.
    Last edited by canuck; 14th August 2018 at 03:47.

  19. #19
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    6B Scramble




    Cathode Corner Nixie




    Smiths PRS-28




    Eone Bradley


  20. #20
    ive had a few but I’ve only got these 2 now ,the blue is a deiwald seahorse from kickstarter


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  21. #21
    I notice Stowa getting a couple of mentions.
    Are they a micro brand? I always saw them as a an entry level luxury brand, alongside Damasko, Nomos or Oris for example.
    They have a pretty comprehensive range and what look like long production runs.


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  22. #22
    Master
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    another Dan Henry here this time with the orange on the diall..
    Last edited by greasemonkey; 14th August 2018 at 08:12.

  23. #23
    Grand Master zelig's Avatar
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    Pinion Pure Pro in Bronze



    I’d say that qualifies as a microbrand

    z

  24. #24
    Armida A10 Big Date.



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    Last edited by Alpha4; 14th August 2018 at 08:51.

  25. #25

  26. #26
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    Sorry about the massive pics.

    I've got one of these on the way:



    I'm also weighing up whether or not to go for one of these and if so which colour to go for:




    Also always like the look of these:

  27. #27
    Master animalone's Avatar
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  28. #28
    Master bond's Avatar
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    Show us your microbrand ...

    Are tiger concept watches considered a micro brand ? I’ve not had one but are they just a nano-brand ?

    It’s funny what falls into micro brand territory. Can a micro brand be under the radar but well established say CwC ? Micro brand to me tend to be not of the well known whether it be expensive or not .


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    Last edited by bond; 14th August 2018 at 13:51.

  29. #29
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pelicans View Post
    I've got one of these on the way:



    I'm also weighing up whether or not to go for one of these and if so which colour to go for:




    Also always like the look of these:
    Those Yema look good. I think I prefer the black dialled one.

  30. #30
    Craftsman canuck's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bond View Post
    Are tiger concept watches considered a micro brand ? I’ve not had one but are they just a nano-brand ?

    It’s funny what falls into micro brand territory. Can a micro brand be under the radar but well established say CwC ? Micro brand to me tend to be not of the well known whether it be expensive or not .


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Micro nano I’m not too sure it really matters.

    I have been thinking about this a lot and for me it’s typically watch brands not found in stores and those with smaller production runs... usually run by one or few people. I started the thread as there’s the show me your Seiko, g shocks etc but nothing specific for the watches that I’m hoping populate this thread.

    So far I don’t think anything posted has been off the mark.

  31. #31
    Craftsman canuck's Avatar
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    Perhaps as some have mentioned a firm leader of the pack and in my opinion the definition of microbrand. Very well known to some yet perhaps less so to non WIS.

    The Precista PRS-82, powered by a NOS eta 2783 movement. Seen on a Hirsch pure natural strap.


  32. #32
    Master mindforge's Avatar
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    Puts the big players' watches to shame.

  33. #33
    Master
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    My first Bronze


  34. #34
    Master Jon Kenney's Avatar
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    I'm not sure if you would class Enzo as a microbrand these days, but I had this EM001 delivered today. Love it!


  35. #35
    Admittedly, i do have a soft spot for a certain micro brand.....(also included a Kemmner due to the close links in the past)


    Please excuse the poor photo, taking snaps was never my strong point.... but it has been close to 3 years since i last posted a picture, and now that i have figured out how to again, I'm looking forward to contributing to the forum again

  36. #36
    Master bond's Avatar
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    I know it amazes me some of these so called ‘watch gurus’ on YouTube haven’t picked up on many of the brands mentioned especially Precista or Smiths . I’m particular one YouTuber who seems obsessed with all things English and surrounds himself with military regalia and adornments. He seems to have missed a very relevant and British watch institution.
    Then again does he only plug what he’s getting paid to ?


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  37. #37
    Quote Originally Posted by Derivative View Post
    I notice Stowa getting a couple of mentions.
    Are they a micro brand? I always saw them as a an entry level luxury brand, alongside Damasko, Nomos or Oris for example.
    They have a pretty comprehensive range and what look like long production runs.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    No idea, good excuse to post a photo though!

  38. #38
    I'll slip in a cheeky, slightly over OP's budget, micro. My Offshore Professional Field Engineer. Best watch I've owned to date bar none. Made in London with a modified Valjoux 7750 (known as the 775M2). Only 135 made to date so pretty exclusive too. More info here: https://marinechronometer.co.uk/






  39. #39
    Craftsman
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    since we're going into 'mission creep' territory and increasing the OP's budget, here's the more expensive Teju strap option. Ignore everything you know about straps as this is, in my humble opinion, a strap that's on a completely different level to anything else.


  40. #40
    Master BSB's Avatar
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    A shout out for Helson. I have the two Shark Divers. One, a 40mm bronze - discontinued in the 40mm size - and also a 42mm SS in a discontinued but (apparently) sought-after colour scheme. Sadly, finances may force me into selling one shortly if my missus doesn't sort her stuff out.





    And on the strap..



    And a gratuitous lume shot..

    Last edited by BSB; 15th August 2018 at 08:49.

  41. #41
    Grand Master magirus's Avatar
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    F.T.F.A.

  42. #42
    I only own micro brands now, because so many are so exciting. Just ordered the Borealis Sea Storm v2 - been after one for a while - and also have a UNIMATIC U1-EM on bracelet and a Dan Henry 1963 chrono.

    The UNIMATIC is a brilliant design but will probably go to make way for a Schaffen...

  43. #43
    Quote Originally Posted by simoscribbler View Post
    I only own micro brands now, because so many are so exciting. Just ordered the Borealis Sea Storm v2 - been after one for a while - and also have a UNIMATIC U1-EM on bracelet and a Dan Henry 1963 chrono.

    The UNIMATIC is a brilliant design but will probably go to make way for a Schaffen...
    Great thread and must find a few more micro brand watches I may have. I posted the Stowa picture more as they are not exactly a “high street” brand and a popular WIS company.

    That Helson looks great but I am now looking at these Unimatic watches, not heard of them before but now very much making the list.

    I guess that’s the good thing about the micro brands, so much fun to be had at a reasonable price.

  44. #44
    Another Aevig, but this time the Corvid.

    I had to dust the box off and remind myself what it looked like!




  45. #45
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    Wessex Watches

    Has anyone seen or heard anything about these? They looking f****ing stunning! And those prices!! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ch/description

  46. #46
    Master Jon Kenney's Avatar
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    ^^^^^^^^^^ No affiliation whatsoever

  47. #47
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    My friend for today is a 42mm Marc & sons sport diver with green ceramic bezel insert. Movement NH35, sapphire glass,
    superluminova bgw9 and wr 300m/1000ft.
    The bracelet is solid and the endlinks also.
    Still surprised how good it is against what it costs.

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  48. #48
    Master Seiko7A38's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bambam View Post
    Those Yema look good. I think I prefer the black dialled one.
    Yes, but they're hardly a 'microbrand'.

    In 1966, 1967 and 1968 Yema becomes the leading exporter of French watches with more than 500,000 watches sold every year across 50 countries.
    In 1982 Henry Louis Belmont's son sells the brand to Matra (Groupe Lagardère) which in partnership with Thomson takes control of Yema. At that time the brand produced 2 million watches per year.

  49. #49
    A-13A



    Stowa Flieger and Marine Original (not sure if Stowa qualify however here they are!)





    Monta Oceanking (in budget pre-owned)


  50. #50
    Craftsman
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    I like the looks of those A-13A watches, very cool That Stowa also looks great on the burgundy/blue Nato!

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