Author Topic: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?  (Read 11984 times)

Offline hidden830726

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #25 on: March 21, 2016, 12:20:36 PM »
my bad... i do not consider FC as a micro brand at all, i think just went off topic a bit. what i want to say is that FC is a serious watchmaker that gives value for money for the watches they sell

 :thumbsup: Not directing my reply to anyone, just making it clear for the thread.

Yup FC good value. Little Trivia: Archieluxury hate FC tho
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Offline tgti

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #26 on: March 21, 2016, 08:19:59 PM »
i personally went on a micro/niche brand craze....

first purchase was a Magrette Regattare 2011 - not bad, didnt like that miyota 8215 was non hacking, but can't complain at this price point. wore it daily for more than a year. serviced once after 3 years.

second niche-ish watch was a dievas shadow - love it, very durable. daily watch now.

next was a steinhart ocean 1 premium blue - very nice as well but the bezel turned out to be different colour compared to on the website, i should have researched more, but it grew on me anyway. sized a bit small, so i guess i will never be able to get a sub....

next few were some kickstarter watches...
Alberta - didnt like the feel, so gave them away. quartz.
mansfield - also didnt like the feel so gave them away as well. quartz.
redux courg - liked the grade 5 titanium case, but the finishing could be better. sized very small so i hardly wear it.

so ultimately.... its a bit of a hit and miss for me.

Offline forces908

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #27 on: March 21, 2016, 11:20:03 PM »
I just want to make it clear. I dont think Frederique Constant is a micro brand. It is founded back in 1988, owned by Alpina Watches (a manufacturer of Swiss sports watches founded in 1883) since 2002. Frederique Constant is not Micro at all.

Please dont keep saying FC as micro brand.

True, but one thing..is FC owned alpina, not the other way round right?
I believe people look at FC and think they are but up there against the big boys are because they are really young, founded 1988, actually younger than many of us lol.I really liked the brand actually, hope can y own one of their watch one day.the company definitely doing right things.
« Last Edit: March 21, 2016, 11:23:49 PM by forces908 »

Offline hidden830726

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #28 on: March 22, 2016, 04:54:39 AM »
Alpina owned FC.

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Offline forces908

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #29 on: March 22, 2016, 12:21:00 PM »
Alpina owned FC.

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mmm...a search on the web would suggest otherwise...
http://www.thewatchgallery.com/magazine/alpina-a-brand-history
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpina_Watches

Well we can at least agree that the directors of the group are Peter Stas and his wife Aletta Bax, the couple that founded of FC?

Offline hidden830726

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #30 on: March 22, 2016, 01:51:37 PM »
Alpina owned FC.

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mmm...a search on the web would suggest otherwise...
http://www.thewatchgallery.com/magazine/alpina-a-brand-history
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpina_Watches

Well we can at least agree that the directors of the group are Peter Stas and his wife Aletta Bax, the couple that founded of FC?
Oops typo from me, FC owned Alpina. Typo probably due to A always come before F.

Thanks for correction.

Thate why I cannot tahan FC being label as micro at all.

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« Last Edit: March 22, 2016, 01:55:44 PM by hidden830726 »
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Offline forces908

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #31 on: March 22, 2016, 04:05:49 PM »
i would label FC as really good brand imho lol. They actually have the guts to develop in house movement even they are young. Consider this, up til 2007 only when omega finally come out with co axial 8500, which is fully in house develop, took them long enough time to go in house. fantastic movement and actually worth the wait. still, even omega does not really call it in house lol.

Offline D'Andy

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #32 on: March 25, 2016, 11:31:05 PM »


I like micro-brands. The ones that I have purchased todate were started from promoters whom were enthusiastic about watches too, so there were genuine affection from the project owners. But as with any micro brands, quality could be a hit-and-miss sometimes, depending on the batch or piece that was allocated to the buyer. They were buying parts and assembling these (or paying others to assemble for them), so they have no full control over the full processes involved. And warranty could be harder to claim as they may not have local service centres, so you would need to send the piece back to the originating countries for any repairs.

So with a micro-brand, you have to pray very hard that the piece that you received was good at the first count. Then, you would have no further issues. Servicing for the movement would mostly be a breeze, as the movements used typically were sourced from Miyota, Seiko, ETA and Selitta. Any watchsmith worth his salt could easily work on these movements.

Me? My luck has been good with micro-brands, all except for a Steinhart piece that had to be sent back to Germany but dealing with Mr Gunter was no issues. As mentioned earlier, the promoters of micro-brands were mostly enthusiasts too so it was easy as we spoke the same lingo if anything was to happen.

Current ones in my winder were as per the following :



Watch hobbyist @ andywristwatches.blogspot.com. Current faves in my collection :

Rolex | Omega | Bell & Ross | Panerai | Seiko | G-Shock |

Offline mwfchai

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #33 on: August 07, 2018, 11:26:47 AM »
Nth watch is in stock with some new colours.....

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Offline mwfchai

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #34 on: August 14, 2018, 11:02:05 AM »
Borealis has preorder starting next week foe their Sea storm v2

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Offline mwfchai

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #35 on: August 15, 2018, 06:50:23 PM »
Anyone preordering the crafter blue watch.....aka mechanic ocean....?

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Offline Cocas

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #36 on: February 17, 2019, 02:07:54 PM »
Yeap....i have to agree with hidden830726....i think your definition of MB is spot on ... :thumbsup:

I have in my collection a cobra de calibre3 bronze. ...zelos chroma ...Obris Morgan Explorer...Zinvo....Benarus Moray.....Ferro Design from Kickstarter...in which the last 2 i plan to let go in pursuit of yet another timepiece to add to the list....

My Zinvo watch :thumbsup:

Offline Cocas

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #37 on: February 17, 2019, 02:12:35 PM »
My Gavox watch :thumbsup:

Offline nikdanny

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #38 on: February 28, 2019, 06:22:45 PM »
Martenero edgemere!! A vibrant watch, which i normally wear when having weekend breakfast! But possibly would let this one go in the next few months T_T, thinking of looking for something new. Nice simple nautical themed watch... been rocking this for almost a year now

Offline nikdanny

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Re: What do you think of Micro Brand Watches?
« Reply #39 on: February 28, 2019, 06:35:18 PM »
Oh not to forget, the box! I think it is slick n nice for its price