I would look at the offerings from Helson. The build quality is excellent and they keep their prices better than other Microbrands
Hi all,
I recently put up a post asking for advice on a couple of watches.
My original thoughts for my needs were a pair of Casio’s, a Gshock GW5000 and an Oceanus S100.
I got lots of cool recommendations and thanks to all who took the time but in the end I stuck with my first thoughts and ordered the pair of Casio’s from Seiya Japan.
Anyway, I’m now thinking of a divers watch, between 40mm and 43mm from a microbrand or similar, and I fancy an automatic movement, ideally an eta or different Swiss one?
Maybe a budget around £600 give or take if possible.
If you have the time chaps, any ideas or recommendations?
Thanks in advance (again)
Rob
I would look at the offerings from Helson. The build quality is excellent and they keep their prices better than other Microbrands
Steinhart
Christopher ward if pre owned or in a sale
Glycine
Or if a Seiko movement is ok there are lots and lots. Try steeldive.
Thanks both,
My question has got me thinking now.
Are there any watches out there designed by actual divers?
I’ve heard from, and owned a Scurfa but are there any others?
Just asking as I like things designed for a purpose by the people that use them, if that makes sense?
Cheers,
Rob
Zelos is worth a look, although the majority have Seiko/Miyota movements.
Ventus or Zelos would be well worth a look. I owned a Ventus Northstar which I would recommend.
What about the Steinhart Triton on SC? If I was in the market for a dive watch it would be near the top of my list.
If you’re happy with a homage then Steinhart could be the way forward.
If not I’d look at Zelos, they make great watches and have excellent customer service.
Or, if you’re willing to spend a few quid more (£740 - less if you catch the sale) the Chris Ward: https://www.christopherward.com/dive...-S0KW0-HK.html
Chap called Eddie makes one or two nice watches under the "Timefactors" brand. Seem to hold their value better than most, too, or so I hear...
Helson, Armida, H2O (used), Zellos, Scurfa, Borealis, Karlskrona, NTH, Nardi, Prometheus, Halios...
Own(ed) some, lust after others!
Theres plenty of value to be had with Micros imho
Designed up the road in Bristol mate...
https://alkinwatches.com/collections...stainless-case
Seiko movements but hearing good things about them. I just bought a Model 1 should be here this week. Model 2 compressor style sounds more up your street?
auto
42mm
Diver
microbrand
amazing value
uncommon
local!
Rob
PS I’m just along the foot of the Mendips from you where the cheese is made ;)
Last edited by AIDM; 8th March 2021 at 23:18.
Lots to choose from at that price
Steinhart (Chronomaster dealer) is a good option
Timefactors
Zeno (UK dealer is a forum member here) another good option they have a lovely vintage diver
Christopher Ward
Aevig
I heard quite a bit of positive feedback about Maen watches, it's the hudson I think.
Sellita in it and different sizes available
Maybe check out the Chronomaster website? There’s a couple of pre-owned but barely worn watches by Crepas. I’ve owned a couple in the past and they’re definitely worth considering.
Helm are a popular micro brand which maybe worth a look. All their watches have 300m water resistance. Personal favourite being the Vanuatu only thing is there's a wait list. But I see that as a good thing.
Zaltek reviews, Beans & Bezels and Just One More Watch all do good reviews and cover tonnes of microbrands. There are so many about it can be difficult to differentiate without these sort of reviews.
Some that don't seem to have been mentioned are:
Traska
RZE
Visitor
Geckota
Circular
Unimatic
Boldr
Evant
Seals
MKII
Nodus
Meraud
Most of these have been around a few years & for a few releases as well. There seems to be other new ones almost weekly particularly though Kickstarter.
Last edited by Kamakazie!; 9th March 2021 at 01:12.
It looks like ive got some research to do!
Thanks to everyone for your input.
Im going to be busy for a few night now.
Cheers,
Rob
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
You may want to look at Halios. Jason who is running the brand has been around for a while now and is a pleasure to deal with. He just released the universa and Fairwind models, after which he talked about another seaforth run.
Usually you get some options for dial and bezel as well and he takes his quality seriously. I own a Halios seaforth bronze (no dive bezel so won’t qualify as a true dive watch and have been happy so far.
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Go to http://oceanictime.blogspot.com/
Scroll down a bit & on the RHS of the screen you'll see a long list of manufacturers, both large & small. Dip in & out at your leisure.
______
Jim.
+1 from me for Halios. I have one of their last gen divers, and Jason is clearly a very passionate and knowledgeable guy who is great fun to deal with. Numbers are limited and so hard to get, but great VFM.
Other options:
Squale
NTH
Briston (French company - interesting design)
Lip
Landeron (they have a nice compressor case model)
Gavox (Michel in Belgium - another great enthusiast)
I own one of each of the above (two Squales) and they're all good quality, well finished and thoroughly waterproof!
SGR
Sqale are lovely, seen one one in the flesh and was very impressed with the quality
Eddie’s Dreadnought Voyager second hand would be high up the list, alongside Elshan’s Zelos brand (I particularly like the various Abyss models - but there are plenty of options).
Alsta - the ‘Jaws’ watch. Cool bracelet.
M
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Microbrand examples in spec that I have owned and recommend
Armida (my A1 bronze was cheap as, the lume is brighter than anything else, and it is totally legible)
Alkin (I have a model 2, which is the dive one, it's excellent to wear but a screwdown crown bezel is not the easiest thing to adjust)
Scurfa (I have a Diver 1 non-date in Ti, but it is quartz - excellent value)
Newmark 71 (sold now, but fantastic, and again, great lume)
Precist (I have had a few, but in this instance I would be waiting for Eddie's new SMiths Caribbean, it will fit in specification very well)
Crepas/Tactico - they too make a very nice watch and there is a steady dribble of their watches being fed into the market on Ebay, The Engelfisch (sp?) looks very capable for the £450 they are fetching on Ebay.
I have a Halios Fairwind incoming in the next few weeks, I hope that will be great, but it is slightly out of budget for cost.
Lots to choose from, the Micro Brand Dive watch field is a massive one that grows every week.
Good Luck
Last edited by sweets; 10th March 2021 at 01:04.
McManus
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Wrong thread
Last edited by Dr.f; 20th March 2021 at 13:29.
If you'd also be happy with Seiko or Miyota movements. Then Seiko free about 500 pieces that would suit.
Helson Shark diver in 40mm
Helson Hammer head in 40mm
Lorier Neptune but that's 39mm
Precista PRS 82
Wow those Aevig watches are lovely, gonna have a closer look at them.
I personally would question whether Steinhart can still be considered a microbrand. My personal recommendation would be for Helson if you wish to address the previous question about microbrand watches designed specifically by divers. Shark Diver is my personal favourite as an original design.
Marc & Sons make a handful of interesting and well-specified divers - their website pics are terrible:
some better pics out there -
German made watch with steel bracelet, NH35 movement, ceramic bezel inlay, sapphire crystal etc for between Eu 420 and Eu 840.
Always fancied a Maen....
https://www.maenwatches.com/collecti...-38-gmt-orange
Steeldive.
I've been impressed with my Signums (From the same makers as Strattons, apparently).
I suspect the dials are a bit Marmite, but the quality is good and they're certainly a bit different.
M
Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
Lorier and Baltic both make really good looking dive watches. If you're interested in vintage Rolex homage watches - no one does it better than WMT
Reminded me to put this on today xD
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I bought a Hudson on kickstarter, absolute dog. Lume was dreadful, bezel had an odd edge to it and was impossibly tight.
They produced replacement hands which they tried to charge for, to be fitted at customers expense. They didn't produce any hands for the white dialled version I had bought so mine still has the vintage not very powerful lume look that matches the vintage vibe they were going for.
They made a smart looking chrono but the aftersales and quality of the Hudson stopped me buying.
That's a shame. I was interested in the Hudson 38 midnight blue. Looks great in the pictures I've seen. Poor lume is a bad show for a new diver. Glad I read this thread. Saved me some cash.
WMT is worth getting in my opinion.
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