Cool Microbrands to Check Out Part 1

The most requested video when I asked what people wanted to see (by far) was a video about microbrands. In this video, we begin our series looking at some interesting microbrands around the world.
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Richard LeGrand Odyssea Mark II: www.rlgwatches.com/
Sternglas Zirkel: www.sternglas.com/
Brew Retrograph: www.brew-watches.com/watches/
Deep Blue Diver 1000: www.deepbluewatches.com/di104...
Unimatic U1-EMN: www.unimaticwatches.com/u1-emn/
Habring² Felix: www.habring2.com/index.php/en...
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[@BuddyRansom]

Love seeing the Deep Blue recommendation. I'm really enjoying my Master 1000 USA from them. Keep up the great work!

[@africanriftvalleyfish8287]

Love this content!

[@ThePsykalist]

I love microbrands but I don't know when I am getting value for money. Can you do a video on movements with the associated prices ? ETA. Ronda, Miyota, Selllita etc.. Some microbrands just use Sieko NH35.. some use low quality movements that are known to stutter !! which one should we avoid ?

[@blaircalvin5025]

Kieran Reid Very good point. Worth doing a video on the movements 👍

[@ABCTEST213]

@@blaircalvin5025 This is a good point, but I don't think any KZbin channel will discuss this topic because they will lose some sponsor....

[@americanbreed5116]

I could handle a review on movements myself..

[@ABCTEST213]

For the movement, even IWC pilot mark XVIII is only using modified ETA movement. So as a customer, we can't even know what did they modified or is it a good movement...

[@bernardof996]

Would like to hear about it as well

[@74haydo]

Great stuff Teddy... killing it!🤜🏻

[@tthaas]

A couple of other micros worth mentioning, leaning towards dive watches (my personal style): - Boldr: Modern design inspired by aviation. Solid watches designed for people who can't baby their pieces. - Helm: great diver watches. The Vanuatu is a favorite of mine, sporting design DNA that comes from the Sinn U1. ISO-certified, too (I've taken mine down to 100'). - Martinero: Assembled in the US, really cool retro designs with modern sizing. Really neat colorways. - Zelos: Another brand offering serious divers, famous for their meteorite dials and use of marine bronze cases, often sold out in the preorder phase.

[@arnoldduran4953]

Tyler Haas Actually i think he has covered boldr in last years micro brands video. I like the Boldr Voyager - its got a nice waffle dial👌

[@watchesandcaps2566]

Heck yeah, I own 3 zelos. They just dropped a new one today.

[@steven3379]

Yes looking forward to part 2!

[@strannostrannovasrr]

WoW Teddy, thanks a lot for this video. There's still a lot to discover for me. Looking forward part 2.

[@keith4948]

Lorier is currently the most interesting micro brand to me but I love seeing what else is out there.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

I have them on my list!

[@riseupani]

Check out LIV watches. p51 is amazing

[@limirl]

They lost me on the plexiglass

[@chriswatchreviews4752]

Was really digging the Mercer watch and Deep Blue watch. Those were pretty cool. Great video as always Teddy!

[@drwindsurf]

This is a great list with some very interesting watches. Thank you Teddy :)

[@mrspeeddemon727]

Excellent video as always Teddy, good job! Out of all these watches, if I had to select one my choice would be the Sternglas. Reason, I like the minimalist design, reminds me of a Nomos.

[@andypitz1]

It is always reassuring to find a brand in one of your videos that I just recently became aware of and want to know more about. Today it was Farer. Thank you for including so many micro-brands in your videos. You are a most trusted resource, Teddy.

[@David-jb5dv]

Another good video. So much useful info in just over 12 minutes

[@waldgeist03]

I love your videos! Good job!!!

[@blaircalvin5025]

Great video. Please do more on this. Liked the look of the Mercer and the Habring2

[@catchxwithoutxarms]

I tried cleaning my phone screen three or four times before realizing those are nails (or nail holes) on the wall 🙃

[@andrei-cosmin.popa85]

Triggered me as well, a while ago. I still look at them every video that it's been recorded with same setup =D

[@40OverFashion]

Liked this one!

[@juniorcroas1076]

That Brew Retrograph really caught my eye, it’s so much more luxurious and elegant than what the price would indicate I’ve never owned (or really been attracted to for that matter) a square watch but I’m definitely gonna have this one in my list now, thanks Teddy!

[@ericjensen9091]

Thanks, well done, please continue.

[@KarimDeLakarim]

Bill is a cool dude,knows his stuff.

[@Juan0003]

I believe the microbrand world is more interesting than main stream watch brands. There's something fascinating in the way some watch enthusiast pull incredible resources to bring you some real interesting pieces. I personally own an EMG DL63, that I absolutely love, and am now waiting for my Phoibos Reef Master. Of course, you have to do a lot of research to find which brands you can trust and which you can't. Channels like yours, Teddy, are of a great help for us. Read, watch and listen to all you can on a brand before pulling the trigger.

[@epicunderstament867]

Yes! Sternglas has finally been noticed!

[@jeffm0518]

The only one I couldn't care less about was the Vero. Over a thousand dollars for????????? Yes, I know we're paying for them to be assembled in Portland but I thought it was VERY UNIMPRESSIVE! Glad to see Richard LeGrand, Sternglas and Brew! Love the series. Keep introducing us to different companies!

[@ABCTEST213]

Farer also, they can sell over $400 for a quartz watch, which is overpriced for micro brand

[@herbmerced7780]

Nice choices...I like this series!

[@JohnBuckmaster-sw3wm]

I have definitely delved into the world of micro brands recently...I started out slow but I have not yet been disappointed in any of my purchases… I would like to think that it’s because I did my homework… However, most of what I’ve seen has had a really great value for the money...I now have 7/8 micro brands in my collection… Zelos, Helm, spinnaker( Questionable as to whether it’s truly a micro brand), And Richard LeGrand top of my list of value for the money. Mike (CRR) brands have definitely added Some fun to my journey of watch collecting! Always love your content Teddy! Thanks!

[@thepatientcollector3769]

I dig Brew's watches. Cool designs!

[@wingi7722]

Excellent topic! Looking forward to watching 2 and 3. I'm quite a fan of Micro Brands. I have two Magrette chronographs, A Deep Blue Chrono 7750 and a Deep Blue GMT, a Straton Syncro Chrono (and a Straton Legera Chrono on pre-order) and an NTH Devilray. All of them are mechanical. I absolutely love how I can talk to the actual owners of some of the microbrands (eg Straton, NTH and Magrette).

[@thewealthwatchman]

Habring looks fascinating. Austrian movements produced by a native, with classy, elegant design. I appreciate you making me aware of them. I’ll certainly check them out!

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

So glad you liked them. I honestly love them.

[@markmaier2503]

I’ve been working with Maria Habring to customize a watch to mark my newest business venture. She’s been fantastic to work with and very kind.

[@occularpatdown]

In house movements seem risky from a micro brand. They might not be around to service them down the line.

[@targaflorio3239]

Favourite Microbrand: Straton. Particularly the Crono Curve Blue dial. Fantastic 60s inspired retro feel. Seiko Meca Quartz. Love it. Gets as much time as the Omega Speedmaster Pro.

[@tatanleanduck]

You've created a great channel here, Teddy.

[@HectorMartinez-xv4re]

Nice I’m in Portland and had no idea about Vero! Will be supporting for sure!

[@abajaj1510]

Dagaz baby..gorgeous custom lume , great dials and case/bezel work.atta boy, jake.

[@fattyacid1901]

Very nice list. And this is just part one! Can't wait for part 2. Thank you Ted! Thumbnail of this video reminds me of watchbox thumbnail btw. Coincidence? lol

[@crispytheone88]

Very good video, I really enjoy seeing the microbrands.

[@franktoartist3012]

Yea! Farer got a mention!

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

You were one of the people I was thinking about when mentioning seeing them.

[@jamesarthur6962]

I have become a BIG Fan of the creators of Micro Brands, as they are generally one or two men operators that are extremely passionate. I love the Raven, Visitor Watch Co (Vale Park Model), REC, Camden, Hemmel, Alexandra James (New KS Dive Watch is AWESOME), Aquacy, Xeric, Levino, Ikepod, Meraud, the Mercer as you mentioned, DWISS, Zelos, Deux Collection, Brew as you mention, Stratton Watches, Baltic & the new Zew Box (better than watch gauge mystery box).

[@dallinrobinson8379]

You should make a video on buying watch straps for a watch, what straps you prefer, NATO, regular, etc. also how to make sure it’s good quality. Also how you figure out whether canvas, leather, or metal will look best with the watch, and what colors? 🙏

[@candide1772]

Good list. I am purchasing a Deep Blue Defender, 40 mm, as I like the field watch aesthetic. Also Mathey Tissot is now using the STP 1-11 in their City automatics. I have one, and it has been performing well.

[@HotBranch]

Picked up my Brew Retrograph Cobalt on the weekend. I love this watch. The watch looks amazing, but a possibly underappreciated aspect is the leather band. It is slimmer than I usually like in my leather straps, but it is soft and supple, and sports an embossed coffee bean near the quick release pins. Super affordable for a limited run offering.

[@Rothley131gamezz]

well I just bought a brew watch based on this video, I checked out their website. I really dig what they are doing

[@deannoble673]

Really interesting video Teddy. Like many watch aficionados I would love a collection where money wasn’t an issue. But living in the real world but still with that watch itch that needs scratching I think these micro brands can and often do offer real value and interest. Some great choices here and it was good to see you highlight some very original pieces rather than the usual homage stuff ( not that I don’t enjoy a good homage now and again ). Would love to see more of your opinions on this topic. Keep up the good work.

[@JC-bl9bo]

Some of those were incredible, very beautiful. I'm not a fan of diver watches in particular but even those were pretty nice. Great video as usual. What do you think of the Stuhrling Ascot 42 555A? It's caught my eye and cool is a Swiss Quartz movement.

[@MrE0919]

I've been drooling over the Brew Retrograph for a few weeks now. The design is so clean and it's such a unique looking watch. The only killer is the quartz movement. I'm not against quartz but I would love to buy an automatic chronograph.

[@TJO1913]

Farer was a good choice. Helm, Halios, Lorier, as well as Elliot Brown are possibilities for part II.

[@ColinLack]

Please continue this series! Also, I would love to hear your thoughts on Phoibos I love mine and if you ever make a leather strap that matches the colour of the blue of either the dial or the indexes I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

I absolutely will. Phoibos looks to be making reasonably priced watches. Not a big fan of the logo but otherwise that seems solid. I have some more straps coming in the next couple of months.

[@ColinLack]

awesome I hope that Toronto Blue Jays blue and a sky blue will be colour considerations! By the way have you been playing with your audio set up in the last couple of videos? Everything seems quieter so I was wondering about that.

[@lorithorpe3502]

Great video as usual , I quite like the Mercer watch in blue , it looks really nice , & lovely colour too , I seem to be attracted to blue these days lol ,

[@nightswimming7538]

I really dig your channel. Do you create these episodes and all that goes into them by yourself? I'm asking because your work is impressive.

[@Avathos1]

Talk about timing. My Sternglas Zirkel just arrived today and I love it. The movement is pretty basic, but the overall quality is great. The open sapphire case back is a nice touch too. Great review! I'm trying to grow my collection with some micro brand additions.

[@billbochnak2898]

+1 for more micro content, your sit down with the Brew founder was informative and interesting, would really enjoy seeing you get a chance to interview more owners/watchmakers. 1000% on Deep Blue, my master 1000 is my weekend beater, my watch I take camping and when I coach baseball and hockey, it is robust and comes with a super comfortable rubber strap. Deep Blue runs 40% sales frequently, bring the price point to 150ish, worth keeping in mind, thanks again Teddy.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Thanks for letting us know about the Deep Blue discounts. Very good to know and I am glad you enjoyed that video with Jonathan from brew. He is one of the most genuine dudes in the industry.

[@asorockwatches6076]

with Asorock you will surely get your money's values worth! Discover www.asorockwatches.com, Africa's first premium luxury watch brand! A year ago we launched a truly one of a kind watch brand; one that not only offers premium luxury made watches at an unbeatable price but one that also seeks to make a difference by using proceeds to build chains of libraries in African villages. ASOROCK takes it a step further, we pledge to engrave all names of those that order a watch on a THANK YOU wall in the library building! Imagine your name engraved on a wall solely dedicated to you, because your order made it happen! To celebrate our one year anniversary, we will be releasing our first women’s collection befittingly called “AsoRock FirstLady” series. find out more www.asorockwatches.com (P.S We are not here to disrupt the industry but hope to bring a breath of fresh air to it by not only been africas first but also standing for something priceless...a smile on the face of a kid somewhere in Africa that would benefit from the library we are building from the proceeds from orders such as yours! :)

[@jaredcampbell]

Great video once again! Great brands, many I know little about. One micro brand that gets very little love but has been around for over 30 years is Momentum. They have a great selection of quartz and automatics, Japanese or Swiss. Also they are based in my home town of Vancouver Canada.

[@Saz-23]

Brew and Unimatic look very intriguing... Need to check them out! What are your thoughts on Monta?

[@farrandswit]

Monta are really nice. Owners are great guys as well.

[@DA-uv1fs]

Thanks for the video! Sternglas looks great, and as I like the smaller watches, a couple of their quartz options are great. Also seen a microbrand called Verk, from Sweden, made in Germany, that looks pretty cool.

[@golfbuddy1969]

Great video. All videos not about Seiko or Rolex are appreciated...and I love both.

[@danporambo9005]

Thanks - great post.

[@raserx63]

Zelos makes great dive watches and some other interesting designs...I got the Swordfish diver and the quality is impressive. I’ve been eyeing that Brew chrono too and really like it 👍🏻

[@pstamaria]

Thx dude!

[@mannamedbanjo]

I've been eyeing farer for a while. May dive into one soon

[@markmaier2503]

I love the look of that Brew watch.

[@williamhill7312]

Excellent video

[@southnx]

Definitely love Farer with the amazing attention to detail in their design-one of my absolute favorite micros. Habring is a very cool choice also considering how classic yet contemporary they look! Boutique brand for sure, but definitely awesome. AVeritas falls into this boutique microbrand category as well. And I think you should check out Zelos for their diverse offerings, awesome design and value for money. Cheers!

[@Andre-zz2xj]

Looking at the dial font of the Richard LeGrand, it reminds me of the three hander AP Code 11.59. Is it the first hommage?

[@markplayford5836]

Excellent stuff Teddy yeah please keep making these micro brand videos I love them. Some interesting ones there, what I really like about them is that chances are if your wearing one your pretty unique who else would be wearing a Brew watch in that bar? Don’t get me wrong still love the well established brands too, low up to mid tier. You need to checkout Helm, Borealis and Stratton too, although your first choice RL Richard Legrand is excellent value plus some people at first glance will think your wearing a Ralph Lauren! 👍

[@jamsadkins4196]

Love your channel. Just one thing I see is that when you go watch showing it’s always high end watches. I would love to see you shopping for Seiko, Hamilton, oris, Alpina est.

[@RobNY5150]

Great video as always. I was wondering if you would consider doing a video on very affordable automatic Chinese watches like you might find on Aliexpress and DHGate? I have a few myself (along with my Tudor and other mainstream brand watches) and I think they are a legitimate part of the market. Thanks!

[@jimflex6341]

Rob L I bought a Corgeut on ebay and it's excellent quality, apart from the lume which I can live with.

[@drewwilson636]

As always super informative and very interesting.... I'm normally an Omega guy but I would really like to see a video entirely on the German brands and models that you think are of outstanding quality

[@williamsipe1151]

Definitely keep this series going. Two brands I'll throw out for consideration: Aquacy and TSAO Baltimore.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

I actually did not have them on my list! I will give them a look.

[@vlk092]

What do you think about axios? I discovered it after buying a zelos mako v3 and, being co-founded by the same guy, it really got into me and the watches look to have a similar quality to zelos

[@PentaYOOO]

Yay for Austria!

[@GeorgeJacob96]

Awesome video Teddy, Please do a review on the seiko SBDC061 Marinemaster 200 👆

[@eM_Pee]

Just came across atomic timekeepers from Citizen for example. Are they worth considering?

[@williamparker2922]

Great video

[@flippinzippo9670]

Some great options here! Especially the germans lol

[@vaughnrable]

continue for sure

[@MountainStandardTime]

Halios is a microbrand that caught my eye at Denver's last Red Bar event. Halios is on my radar now.

[@noavejl917]

I really loved this video. If you do another one, which i certainly hope you do, I would suggest picking more cheap options. I personally am interested in micro brands, because of the quality that can be found at a lower price than more established brands.

[@wesleychung6314]

Great list Teddy, really opened up my eyes to so many new brands but I think you could have included Martenero (Brooklyn) and their Kerrison 38 model.

[@bestdresseddad432]

Nice video! Would love to hear your thoughts on Lorier and Dan Henry...sorry if you’ve already made a video about these brands

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

I have them on my long list of 100 microbrands lol

[@Moneynis]

Saw you on the Buttoned Up podcast and now a subscriber.

[@joeldancaz]

Could you do a video about more expensive alternatives to the Timex Weekender? I love the weekender’s look and feel and I was wondering if there’s any mechanical pieces from trusted watchmakers that have the same design aesthetic.

[@kennyduarte783]

Good inspired choices but the Mercer picture with the cookies made me chuckle a bit.

[@nandoEMT]

Havent yet decided on a microbrand watch to buy, but Ive been looking at Orion and Baltic, very nice designs

[@thehrethgir679]

Oh snap, I live near Portland! Might need to see about visiting Vero and maybe supporting the business!

[@notDonaldFagen]

I have a Deep Blue Diver 1000 and it's a great, chunky tool diver. I have a DB Juggernaut IV as well (very popular model); 44mm, Sellita 200, ceramic bezel, 120 click. Both my Deep Blues have AR sapphire. If you get off the site, use the codes DEEP or BLUE to knock off 40%. They don't seem to expire, and you can use them over and over. Despite the large, tall, buldgy cases Deep Blue generally have, they actually don't fit too large on my medium wrist. The way their lugs curve down smoothly really hug the contour. And I can just barely pull off the larger Jugg because the lugs don't extend outward beyond my wrist. Even if the lug to lug is 51, it wears like 48-49. The fitted silicone strap I chose specifically to streamline the profile (and it fits the Diver 1000 and the Jugg). When you put them on a Nato though, you see how fat they are (15-16mm). But it's fun in a sporty/casual setting. They have some bronze case and tritium lumed models too that I've been window shopping. I have two Mercers too. Excellent watches! My favourite of the mircos. Have a Concorde and the Madison. Miyota 9039 and France Ebauches new old stock manual wind, respectively. Madison has an enamel dial! Ostrich leather with deployable clasp which is pretty sick for the money IMO. Perfect size at 40mm.

[@tomascallheim4758]

Loved the firat one the RL have to have one.

[@korling99]

of course, you gotta cover Borealis

[@entubator01]

Generally speaking Mircrobrands are awesome because of choice and accessibility. I have a long history of indulging and impulsively buying them. There is a moment when you realise that with every Microbrand purchase - you prolong saving up for grail watches (if that is your thing too). Also, once you start accumulating them and (god forbid) you'd like to sell a Microbrand watch, they are more difficult to get rid of.

[@AnindaCBR1k]

brew and mercer watch co really caught my eye!

[@eronavbj]

The workhorse Seiko NH35A movement can be had in many watches far below the $200-$300 range shown here.

[@hypeandstyle-watches]

DUFA watches rules ! You would love them!

[@itsalgud1459]

Teddy, interesting watches! Have you looked at Visitor watches? They are a rather unique microbrand.

[@mackenzielong2431]

My vote is to continue the series i love micro brands and a lot of the time i think you can find really good value if you look. Zelos i think is really nice and I have some witches from the brand Nautis that are great beater watches with absolutely crazy loom I've found

[@weekendoverlanding9946]

Might want to look at the Scurfa Bell Diver 1. Lots of value

[@JXWDS]

I actually love small businesses. And you never know when you might hit gold, especially after 20, 30, to 50 years out. If the company is still standing than you’ve got yourself a winner due to buying in early.

[@giusepperocchi2979]

Yes, maybe in 50 years I'll be able to flip my Zelos to buy a luxury coffin.

[@timur7381]

Thanks for the vid! Helm is amazing for value/quality, sadly they get sold out fast when they get stock. Also Borealis seems nice)

[@Fantistisch]

Loved you talking about Sternglas - considered buying from them but wasn't sure if it's value (that's after I found all those KZbin watch channels including you ;))

[@clivesinclair-poulton9047]

I love my Mercer Brigadier, great watch and great value Is Dan Henry a micro?

[@JPJCH1]

You could also have a look at Akrone, a french brand using Swiss movements. Check Horage a Swiss brand with an in house movement. Baltic has a nice diver watch. Williams 85 is expanding from micro brand to a wider distribution.

[@spencerlush3056]

You’re meant for this stuff. Great vid. RLG is the only one I’d consider there as I’m not a fan of the minimalist style the other pieces mentioned seem to have

[@everttmoore3817]

Thanks for the shout out at the beginning of the video 😂

[@AaSpike17]

Helson. They have a wide range on nautical-inspired designs that range from homages to complete originals and the variety of sizes and case materials is nuts.