My Collection of MICRO-BRAND Watches

I didn't think you guys were interested in a SOTC video as far as micro-brands are concerned, so I have pretty much strayed away from doing one.
A few friends have told my I should and just 9 days ago, one of my viewers also left a comment.
NOTE: I dont blame the viewer Sidney for his comment and I did not take any offence.
He had every right to share his heart as he was unaware of my microbrand collection
Let me know what micro-brands you have as a personal collection, would love to hear about them...
PS this watchbox was purchased from eBay many years ago..I dont have any links to the seller
Thanks for watching..

[@sidneyfyfe7142]

My faith has been restored. Thanks Pete

[@PeterKotsa]

Haha..thanks Sidney, I think your comment was the push I needed to get off my butt and do a video..it seems you were right, many people do indeed want to see a SOTC video with the microbrands I have in my personal box 👍 Im wearing a Tuseno today...very schmick Cheers mate

[@GinkgoJoe]

Nice!! I'm going to use this only 8 method going forward. (Only 8 gshocks, only 8 seikos, only 8 divers, etc.!) Great show!

[@PeterKotsa]

😂👍

[@TheRealAlPhil]

I bought my Pitzmann model 1 because of you! Really glad I found your channel and I love that you showcase so many great watches, even if you don't keep them all. I understand the need to limit yourself and often struggle with the discipline to not buy every single thing I see that I like.

[@benjaminkeen7133]

I also found the review here useful in making the decision to get a first Pitzmann. I'm very pleased with it and wear it regularly.

[@williamsmith9561]

This would be a great stand alone collection for anyone, who appreciates quality and design and can tune out the call of the major brands. Some cracking watches here.

[@felo6035]

Fantastic video Pete. Anybody who has followed you for some time knows you're as transparent and honest as the day is long. That said, you have a wonderful microbrand collection. In addition to these pieces being fun, they are all of outstanding specifications, great quality, and excellent value. Well done my friend 👏

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks Rafa, enjoying the journey and more importantly the friends you make along the way Be well my friend 🙏

[@felo6035]

​@@PeterKotsaThat's a wonderful part of this hobby. Cheers

[@E-jit]

As a Swedish person it’s nice to see a Swedish brand in your collection. I’m considering buying one myself 😊🇸🇪

[@danielsavadel2151]

Probably the best micro collection I have ever seen. For me, far more interesting than another box of Omega/Rolex/Tissot bla, bla blas.

[@thegorn]

I really love that Second Hour Gin Clear MK2 white dial. Beautiful!

[@PeterKotsa]

Me too! 😊

[@WatchWitt]

Microbrands deliver great value and in most cases unique design features. It’s just a bonus that not everyone is wearing the same watch as you!

[@PeterKotsa]

Totally agree...and well said👍

[@Satori.108]

Soo many great microbrands to choose from. I like the Draken and the Wise. Aquastar and Vulcain has caught my attention in 2023.

[@JusttheWatch]

I'm working on the a review of the Tuseno you've got right now, and I absolutely love it, definitely a keeper. Big fan of the Wise Adamascus AD8 as well. That Direnzo looks awesome.

[@PeterKotsa]

G'Day Dave, I think that Tuseno is an absolute beauty. A lot of fun, as its a cracker of a deal and very well made and designed. Looking forward to your take on it brother 🙏

[@nedflanders3769]

It’s so pretty, I had to buy the orange dial Windseeker. Should be arriving tomorrow. Peter I love your channel. Mr. JTW, I’m looking forward to your review!

[@TheMicrobrandReview]

Looking forward to seeing another microbrand SOTC next year! Thanks for sharing!

[@PeterKotsa]

Watch this space...😊

[@docfluty]

really nice collection. Farers and Duckworth are my favorite micros... but you have some real lookers. Im going to investigate a few of them. thanks

[@kiwiinthesouthpacific]

I have two Draken watches in my small collection, the Draken Aoraki Flieger and Draken Tugela Red. These tow microband watches are awesome and I wear them weekly. The Aoraki has become my go to watch.

[@PeterKotsa]

Excellent choices

[@janvachek]

Hi Peter! Great to see your personal collection of microbrand watches.

[@PeterKotsa]

Thank you..enjoying these immensely on so many levels

[@ajmarion]

Lovely micro collection Pete! I’m with you, the micro’s that I own are definitely more adventurously spec’d than my major brands. That’s part of the fun :)

[@PeterKotsa]

Totally agree

[@spikefcast1892]

Got 4 of these, you should add the drz2 r grey orange (on a nice black leather strap ❤) plus a blue one like me beloved citizen nb1060-12L. I love some nodus and relio also…..never end 😂

[@neilAKF]

That Gin Clear looks awesome.

[@PeterKotsa]

Its surprisingly very comfortable too 👍

[@PheasantPluckersMate]

Fair play, Peter - nicely done👍

[@Z-S-H]

❤ The SOTC Pete that Pittsman is too pretty! Such a looker even as I admire it I have to practice my own discipline to keep my goals in check as I have 1 slot left in my watchbox and I am saving up for the watch to fill it now lol.

[@PeterKotsa]

Haha, spend wisely

[@NicholasSadlier]

I have been keeping a close eye on that Direnzo - my favourite colourway is sold out but want to be ready if/when there is a V3!

[@lamaludwig1470]

It's a great watch but I sold mine after a few weeks - for me it was to small and the bracelet too flimsy (7.25" wristsize).

[@bigv9982]

I've got 3 Direnzo's light blue, yellow and white dial the watch is really well made and mine all run +2 +3 -2 spd I've got a 21/22cm wrist I think they wear fantastic 😁👌👍

[@Area_man115]

I have a Tuseno Windseeker blue V on order. Can’t wait.

[@Area_man115]

V2

[@dukes70]

Great video and fantastic micro collection!! All great looking pieces unique to their brand either great specs. Loved that Draken GMT! 🔥

[@NaNByZero]

I have a non pvd version of the WISE Adamascus with a green blue dial and it is amazing. But you are totally right about the bezel action. 🕐⚙️🍸

[@linpie9131]

Yes, the action IS firm… however I like it this way. Since I wear my watches to bed, the bezel is prone to catching on stuff when moving and I really appreciate that this one does not move by accident. Also TBH I don’t turn the bezel that often 😉

[@NaNByZero]

@@linpie9131 try my Tissot Seastar 1000. The bezel moves almost by looking at it. So, Yes the way of WISE is much more wise.

[@chrishennemeyer7276]

Indeed, Nivada makes some really pretty watches, and I've owned two of them. But sadly, like other folks, I've experienced their abysmal customer service and am unlikely to every buy one again.

[@Not_A_Carpenter]

I’ve only got a nivada out of the ones you’ve shown in this video. The same super Antarctic 369 watch as yours. I’ve had a pretty good experience with Nivada customer service. Had a faulty movement on my first watch which they promptly replaced without issue. I’ve also recently picked up the flat link bracelet for this watch, highly recommend it! Much more comfortable than the beads of rice one and makes the watch look beautiful.

[@gwobcke]

Another great video Peter, and after watching some of your Hanhart videos, I decided to take the plunge and talk to Define Watches about getting my own Hanhart. I don't regret it.

[@PeterKotsa]

Fantastic!..you'll enjoy Hanhart, a really nice feel coming form their watches 👍

[@nackytacky]

Love your content Pete! And also love your honesty in reviewing both micros and big brands. It’s because of you I’ve been trying to keep my collection down to 8 - and I agree it’s been difficult! Keep up the awesome work!

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks for the feedback Nisha, keep enjoying the journey 👍

[@michaelcollins2473]

Very cool! Great collection. I don't feel so bad now....

[@PeterKotsa]

Hahaha..

[@paulburns6110]

Thanks like your discipline philosophy and really admire how strikingly distinctive your watches are

[@michaelputro5766]

Another great video sir. I never worry about your sincerity of your content. I am a watch enthusiast and watch primarily your channel along with a few others. That is how I've made my buying decisions for the last few years. No regrets yet... thank you sir....

[@PeterKotsa]

Thank you for sharing, means a lot to me 🙏

[@michaelputro5766]

@@PeterKotsa no prob brother....

[@tberry4200]

Great Collection, One of the Best Videos on Micros Ive seen Thumbs Up!

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@Stanjara]

I must say that this gentleman's question is legit because I had the same observation. Thing is, You pick a great microbrand collaboration thus ending with a nice collection like this. There isn't a bad looking watch on your channel and that's why I keep coming back. My personal favorite from this collection is Wise. Not so with this stealth version, but with their whole brand's watch design. There are other color variants that are just fantastic. Keep discovering and showing more great micros in the future.

[@PeterKotsa]

Correct, the viewers comment (Sidney) was indeed legit and I am glad he asked it I did leave a disclaimer in the description section of this video👍 I have a few new Wise watches coming soon...watch this space

[@richardb22]

I don't think I have commented on one of your vids before . I found this bitesize comparison vid really interesting. Great to see these watches side by side and to consider them as a collection. Great stuff.

[@PeterKotsa]

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts in this comment Richard, much appreciated

[@Alex-Rainmaker]

The Nivada bead of rice bracelet looks really well made. Even better than some big brands.

[@GeneHyatt-bx4qy]

At someone who just bought a wise watch I’m so happy you had one in there.

[@PeterKotsa]

Excellent build, lume, wearability and functionality Enjoy 😉

[@timetowatch_francois]

Love the consistency brother. Top marks. I'm inspired to bring my collection down for sure. Hope you are well.

[@martinkaplan1805]

Awesome Peter! Really appreciate the education (and how tastefully you put your videos together).

[@PeterKotsa]

Glad you like them Marty and thanks for watching 👍

[@kwanmartin5629]

Clever combination of colour choices that will fit all outfits.

[@wizzle-]

Great to see these. The Gin Clear is new to me! Cheers

[@MyAlan999]

Great stuff Pete , and funny enough I'm wearing my RZE watching this today 👍 my watch box used to mostly consist of micro's but there's only about 4 in there at the moment, I think most peoples collections chop and change on a regular basis , but I guess you reviewers have to keep everything that's ever given to you 🤣

[@johnt2694]

Interesting video. I was guessing that you there would be a Farer in your microbrand collection. Thanks for sharing.

[@jonboy8181]

That Nivada grenchen might be the fillet of the box. So beautiful.

[@mikeblythe]

Awesome to see a Draken in the box. Cheers Peter 🙌

[@PeterKotsa]

🔥🔥

[@tiote_paris6106]

Particularly love the RZA and the Nivada!

[@jimlittle5769]

I have 14 watches, and eight are microband watches. Two Zelos, Islander, Nodus, Farer, Henry Archer, Phoibos...and the purple version of the Direnzo you have.

[@R8Prototype]

Good to see the Pitzmann still in the collection - stiikll got my Pitzmann first because of your video

[@xN1NJ4smurfx]

Great video mate, thanks for sharing! Love the collection 😎

[@PeterKotsa]

Glad you enjoyed

[@bruceleroy8063]

That Pitzmann is so nice

[@Gisae]

In my 14 watch collection I have a Sinn 556i RS, Certina DS-4, Casio 5610 and the rest are microbrands. I think there are some great value watches from microbrands. My favorite is Halios. I have 4 of them.

[@PeterKotsa]

Very nice..👍

[@winc06]

Really nice. My objection to microbrands is the required chase to get a nice one before it sells out. I really hate reviews of watches that are not available. Your personal collection is a nice way to see them though.

[@christoschristodoulou4117]

Hi Pete,love your reviews , especially being an ex photographer. I have got back into watches after a long time. I always find it very difficult to free up money' for my passion, with mounting bills and two boys at University. The point I am getting to is that one of your reviews really caught my attention. The Pitzmann 2 looked amazing. I spent over 3 years saving up for one of my favourite's Max Bill with heaps of different straps. I have been looking for something different to the dress watch vibe, whilst having similar themes. Like small bezels and a dial that really speaks to me. Your review really opened my eyes up to a microbrand. Again it took a while to save up and a bit of luck. My dilemma was a green or blue dial. Went a bit safe and went for a blue dial , but WOW. Love it and thanks for the great reviews. Now to find a reasonable priced blue leather or sailcloth strap to go with it.

[@ginocolella6373]

Fantastic video and micro collection 😇👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻.. loved every one of them..

[@PeterKotsa]

Me too..haha, thanks for watching Gino..cheers 😊

[@davidaraujo3476]

Hi Pete, great video. I would like to see the other box as well.

[@PeterKotsa]

I will do a SOTC as soon as time permits..👍

[@matthewward3854]

Brilliant video. I really enjoyed watching this SOTC review. You've inspired me to change direction with my own watch collecting and, by that, I mean to have more focus. I have four Swiss luxury, 7 recognised micro brands, and 25+ others, including Casio, Seiko, Citizen, and Aliexpress homages. I've been having a similar underwhelming feeling, so next year will be focused on thinning the collection. Thanks again for your video.

[@PeterKotsa]

Glad I could help Matthew Enjoy the journey and have a safe start to the new year

[@khronokraze]

Very cool. SO, there really wasn't just 8 total in your collection. Hey, I understand keeping a low watch count collection isn't easy.. especially with so many great watches already around and continuing to come out on what seems like a monthly (if not weekly) basis. I had a white dial Direnzo DRZ04 Mondial since the initial launch in mid-2021. I really enjoyed that watch. But, trying to concentrate down my collection to the watches I gravitate towards wearing the most over the past several months this year, it ended up getting sold. My microbrand count is currently 2 with representatives from Serica (a 5303-1) and most recently from Autodromo (Group B Series 2 Night Stage IV). I'd say both of these microbrands have been very successful and continue to make unique offerings that offer great value and a continuity of design language throughout their catalogs.

[@anotherherodied]

I have been eyeing that gin clear very much :O

[@Timepieceguy]

Hey Peter. I own the Nivada Grenchen black dial distressed and I just ordered the flat link bracelet made by forstner. It has radically upgraded the watch. The beads of rice is great but the taper on the flat, the integration to the lugs and the milled clasp add so much not to mention it matches the unique design of these lugs. It’s become my favorite watch to wear and I own many luxury brands including numerous Rolex hype pieces VC and Omega plus many micros and independents. Your tastes jive with me so I had to tell you and hope you read this. You will Not be sorry if you ordered it. Hopefully NG will send you one free. It’s a match made in heaven.

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks for sharing bro 👍

[@Timepieceguy]

@@PeterKotsa you are very welcome mate! I love your 38m AT as much as you so I tripped out when you had the same NG as me. I just know you are going to love it a whole lot more. Sorry for potentially costing you $200 ;)

[@grenphelps7455]

Hey Pete, I've spent a fair few hours browsing your micro brand reviews, I own a few micro brands, some good, some not as good, but there's one I purchased back in August, I'm not sure if you have heard of the brand, they are a UK brand, they are called Scurfa, the guy who owns them is a commercial diver and spends a lot of time under the waves, so should know about dive watches, the model I bought was the Treasure Seeker, comes on a bracelet and also has a rubber strap free, spec is great, sapphire, AR coating, ceramic bezel (120 click) 300 m WR, screw down signed crown, and myiota 9015 movement and comes in a variety of colours, dial is unique hexagonal design, also has a award winning artwork on the case back, check them out.....👍👍

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks for the heads up..I will check out their webpage

[@AlexanderB.]

This is such a great subcollection Pete! But when I hear something like low level customer support this absolutely kills a microbrand for me. It killed Yema for me and I'm a bit shocked to learn this about Nivada because I really liked this brand! 😳

[@PeterKotsa]

Me too Alex, I think Nivada are producing some really nice watches

[@Koishishibaman]

My experience with them was so so. First watch from them had all these custom problems with fed ex. Could have been just FedEx also🙄 The second was a tropical dial. Beautiful outside in the sun! Took a long time to get it. It ended up coming from Asia dhl. It was running at plus 45 sec a day. Had it regulated, runs fine now. Both watches are truly stunning. Keepers.

[@steveknight5836]

I agree Alex. Micro brands need to provide that exceptional service experience. I have told so many people about my experience with Christopher Ward as it was my first decent watch purchase. I was excited and they made me feel that the journey was exactly that through out the whole sales process.

[@barryvercueil2346]

Such a cool collection. And you handled the criticism well. It just reminded me not the criticize before I know the whole story. Cheers.

[@PeterKotsa]

I don't blame my viewer, I think he had every right to make that comment as he was not aware of my situation

[@josephkelly1909]

I really liked this video

[@mikesmith6543]

Great collection! Nice colourways. No Christopher Ward?

[@PeterKotsa]

I had a few CW last few years, nothing this year though 👍

[@mikesmith6543]

@@PeterKotsa The CW Bel Canto and the Moonphase.. fantastic new pieces. Either one would look dashing in your collection.

[@PeterKotsa]

@@mikesmith6543 absolutely..🔥

[@bhupendraparekh6225]

Nivada is very nice, the Antarctic at 35mm eggshell is on my to get list. Kuoe from Japan is definitely getting seriously interesting to, microbrands getting really good, gonna scare the big boys.

[@AsitMohanty]

I hit the like button when video loads, very certain it is worth.❤

[@PeterKotsa]

Thank you for your faith in me..😊🙏

[@LetsPlayThru]

Been waiting for this, Pete!

[@simmysharma6845]

Enjoy them👍😊

[@miguelvictoria-boca573]

Haha, that is so funny, Pete. Always thought it was quite impressive that you manage to keep only 8 watches (for me impossible to limit myself under 10). But then with this video I find out that you have several 8-watch collections. That is a nice way to trick yourself. Are there others? 8 Quartz? Of course not counting Casio, because there are 8 Casios? Of course not counting G-Shock, because there are 8 G-Shocks? 😊 Cheers

[@PeterKotsa]

Haha...I haven't considered that.. Maybe 8 dress watches, 8 divers, 8 field, 8 pilot...etc 😂

[@threethrushes]

After owning one automatic for 20 years, my collection has ballooned to eight. However, that includes a G-shock, a broken automatic, and a Seagull 1963.

[@omassi]

You absolutely need a cortina 1956 chronograph by echo/neutra to complete this beautiful collection

[@leonm2407]

This is the reason I support Australia "A" in the local cricket derby. Sometimes the secondary team can prevail.

[@PeterKotsa]

Hahaha, you're always coming up with these one liners...love it BTW, you are the second guy to say the same thing to me, another friend also loves this watchbox collection better than my Majors..👍

[@plantemichel]

Nice collection 😃

[@stavros_katsopr]

Ok, now show us the last 8-watches box. I'm sure some old Seikos, maybe Casio (doubt, but who knows) plus other memorabilias of the past will be in there! 😜 Cheers Peter, hope you enjoy these, plus many more. ΥΓ «Αν το δηλωσεις, θα το σωσεις». Rings a bell??? LOL

[@PeterKotsa]

😂..when am I going to come and visit you (or visa versa?) 😘😊

[@stavros_katsopr]

Καθε πραγμα στο καιρο του, κι ο κολιος τον Αυγουστο! Καπου, καπως, καποτε, θα γινει. Φιλιά αδερφε!

[@lesgillard985]

Thanks for sharing those watches and you thoughs. I am very fond of my.Laco and would like to add a Sinn 😮 but which one ? I will be looking up most of those watches... have not heard of many of tnem. Very informative... and possibly financially unlighting 😊

[@mikesmith6543]

I've had a Sinn 556i RS for several years now. It has looks, the right size, durability. Can't go wrong.

[@lesgillard985]

@mikesmith6543 thanks for the comment mate. 👍

[@mikesmith6543]

@@lesgillard985 no problem Les

[@wisamal-hakim5531]

I like the brown explorer and the yellow direnzo The most

[@Koishishibaman]

Great review of your micro brands. I have a few of them. Wise, Direzno, Nivada. Like your collection! But......where are your Aussie micros?😂 I have always found your reviews, insight, honesty, personal stories, just outstanding. Thank you

[@PeterKotsa]

The only Aussie micro in the box atm is the Second Hour. There have been others come and go over the last few years 😊👍

[@Koishishibaman]

@@PeterKotsa they make great watches! Bought a salmon Mandela for my girlfriend, have a gray one for me. Just can't buy the watch you have. Have way too many divers. I do have a Hautman pilbara......the rock. Red dog on the back❤️

[@RBNMAN]

Unimatic is my go to in this segment. But more importantly, tell me where to get that watch box 😍

[@PeterKotsa]

I've been asked that many times...it was an eBay find many years ago...the seller only had this one box unfortunately

[@galaga8834]

Just a suggestion for some micros to review in the future, Peter. Halios, Scurfa and Smiths.

[@unaibb]

Thank you for showing us this watches, very interesting! So you have 16 watches collection, no 8, I guess

[@PeterKotsa]

correct 8 Majors, 8 micros

[@unaibb]

@@PeterKotsa thank you, and very intelligent decission

[@kristianshaufler4386]

Nice choice 👍

[@michaelriera6277]

Nice watches.

[@steveknight5836]

Gotta get a Christopher Ward in there bro. I want that Gin Clear. Fantastic content as usual. It’s funny how everyone has a different view. I’ve always thought the complete opposite in relation to your collection. I would also love to see the complete collection. Your breakdown on selection. Eg price points, type as in dive or gmt, dress or is that not even considered for you? Is the collection process the same for micro as it is for the big players? What makes you tick personally.

[@PeterKotsa]

Very good points and food for thought...thanks for sharing Steve

[@joebeech7423]

Hi again Peter. If it’s not too intrusive, where do you source your micro brands from? Direct or are there local dealers who specialise in these types of brands. Thanks for the terrific showing.

[@PeterKotsa]

The microbrands send me these watches to review and some I keep for my personal collection cheers

[@daley3]

Great video Pete

[@PeterKotsa]

Glad you enjoyed it Dale, cheers

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thanks for that Peter...but you dont have to explain yourself to anyone. As a fellow watch enthusiast reviewer it can be difficult to deal with some of the entitled individuals in the comments section. 99.9 percent are brilliant but the others should basically be ignored. A subscriber told me that from now on I should have 300m of h**te resistance 😊

[@PeterKotsa]

I hear you John.I suppose this video was a long time coming as a few other have asked me they would love to see which microbrands I keep in my personal watch-box. So it was a good opportunity to make the video 👍 Cheers mate, be well

[@watchyourself5500]

3:04 ❤❤❤

[@holyfield59]

you have a great channel ,and are very honest ,keep it up Pete

[@PeterKotsa]

Much appreciated cheers

[@vitogomes8365]

Great video as usual!!! Just one thing...why do you consider Nivada Grenchen as a micro-brand? Not really agree on that. Thanks for your exceptional work!

[@PeterKotsa]

True I suppose only because of their restart in 2018 from a long absence, but you're right 👍

[@shane6533]

Hey Pete - Great video and a really interesting subject matter. Just wondering where you got the brown leather strap on the Nivada? Matches the style of the watch perfectly. Thanks!

[@PeterKotsa]

I know looks great.. www.strapatelier.com

[@shane6533]

@@PeterKotsa Many thanks!

[@alfredvieuxroy2708]

that wise though 👌

[@morgan97475]

Nice! Love that case as well. What brand is the case?

[@PeterKotsa]

Unbranded Got it from eBay years ago

[@vedranbozicevic1111]

Just one remark, imho Nivada is not a microbrand because it has really long and extensive history in watchmaking.

[@lukasz_zegarkowy]

Are there anu other sub-8-watch-collections in other beautiful boxes? This one was sooo cool 👌

[@PeterKotsa]

Not that I know of 😂

[@jeanlefranc3817]

So sixteen watches in total, eh ? Pete, that’s great news because I was feeling guilty owning a dozen watches when you looked so disciplined about this eight watch strict limit. Now, with such cracking 6 microbrand watches, wouldn’t you be happy to only own these and let go of the expensive bunch ?

[@PeterKotsa]

I actually find myself wearing many of these more than my major-brand watches on many occasions 👍

[@justaguyyouknow7139]

So you have a 16 watch collection? How many watches do you have then?

[@PeterKotsa]

Correct, 8 Majors and 8 Microbrands

[@darkburnout00]

Hello Peter, odd question - where did you get the watch box? It is beautiful and I am looking for the same one

[@PeterKotsa]

eBay several years ago..unfortunately I cannot find any the same since

[@jeonglee657]

Seems like you have a preference for swiss movements in your microbrands...

[@PeterKotsa]

True, I tend to like the overall feel of the movement in operation...it's winding, accuracy and stability

[@aiasyuan6859]

Just a word, how you keep your watches so clean and scratchless? Do you actually wear them or you just polish them regularly?

[@PeterKotsa]

I never polish them, I just use them and look after them Similar to my camera equipment, use them and not abuse them 👍

[@drdesign6886]

How often can you actually wear all these watches? And do you genuinely pick one of these micros out ahead of the expensive stuff when you are going out of the house? Every watch looks brand new still.

[@PeterKotsa]

Absolutely, love wearing these. I mix them up with the majors. As for them looking new,..I treat all my watches with the same respect as my professional camera equipment.Use them but dont abuse them..👍

[@benjaminvis]

Now, I've got to say that I'm a little desilusioned. I've been super impressed with your strict 8 watch policy, but it never occurred go me that you might be separating the microbrands from the major brands! I thought you honestly meant 8 watches total, no slack whatsoever. Learning that there are in fact two 8-watch collections makes me feel a little better about myself. I'm nearing that number myself now, and felt things were getting crowded. I'd remidn myself of your policy to evualate what might truly be worth keeping in the longer term, and what I am enjoying wearing the most. Not that I feel that I must play by your rules! Everyone is different. But I do feel that accepting I'm not going to be able to have a museum-worthy collection, the collection is more likely to be limited to practicality and wrist time, and this is determined by the watches giving my the best feel when strapping them on. It's made me feel a bit less of a hoarder knowing you, too, in fact have a bandwidth of 16 rather than 8. I do also note that nothing in the microbrand box seems to exceed 1.5 years of age. I'm a bit concerned about what that means for the longevity of quality perception in microbrands, but we have been recognising that recently microbrands are making significant steps quality-wise which may yet morph them into real keepers. I, at least, very much hope so. And that's perhaps the only real critique I'm left with after this reveal: if microbrands are getting truly good, then why separate them from the majors at all, and why have two 8-watch policies and not simply a 16-watch policy? (By the way, do you count your birth year watch aming the majors?)

[@PeterKotsa]

Initially I had all my watches as ONE collection as I mentioned in the video 100 or so watches (majors micros) When I decided on the strict 8 watch rule...I thought to myself if I can only have 8 then they will be watches I really want and have desired over the years Now in saying that I love micros (as you can see from this video) so I occasionally put one aside in a second box as I enjoyed wearing it. Nearly 2 years later I found myself having my main 8..which has made me content, but a second box growing with micros only...so here we are 😊😂 I think this is the limit of what I can handle number wise without getting overwhelmed and it seems to have been working for me cheers Ben 👍

[@benjaminvis]

@@PeterKotsa it makes sense to me, and like this (a double eight), I could probably also see myself adhere to a 8 watch rule. When I hit about 12 I noticed a clear dropoff in overview and overall wrist time for each watch. It possibly also has something to do with that growing to 5 or 6 took years and growing to ten to twelve more like a year or so. I had let me reservations flex in order to experiment. Now, at 15 (including yet to come in) I have started to feel the need to hone in on my interests and qualities again, even if there is no watch in my collection clearly at fault of feeling overly redundant. I do think that one collection of 16 would ultimately allow micros to truly emancipate. To divide them keeps things probably more manageable, but also still puts the micros on a separate rung.

[@PeterKotsa]

Beautifully said @@benjaminvis

[@martinharrison4245]

I think the problem with most microbrands is, most people want a tudor / omega / rolex now. If they can't afford them , then companies like san martin , seestern offer a similar design /homage for around £200. These Chinese brands are so good now , that its difficult for people to pay £500 on a watch or more , that doesnt have the look or feel for the watch they really want or can't afford. Call it unethical, but thats the truth. Great little micro collection peter , but with the chinese invasion, a lot of these microbrands will probably fail longterm.

[@benjaminvis]

@@martinharrison4245 that's a gloomy vision and I sincerely hope that it won't bear out to be true. If it did it would stimy diversification and innovation in the watch market, which surely would be an impoverishment for all. It is, however, likely that the high quality and creative micros will remain more of a niche pursuit, though some may breakout to become more mainstream. I think Christopher Ward and possibly Baltic are headed that way already. Other than outright copies, the micros are getting good enough to be a real alternative, but that's logically not viable at copycat prices. I hope enough people with the help of the almighty interweb and consunersaviness in a (hopefully) more conscious marketplace will find their way to these micros. That said, it seems to me that in a traditionally already very saturated marketplace, there are an astounding number of brands. It stands to reasons very few of these could ever make it big, but then that may be explicitly avoided also, because it seems to me there is also a new way of doing business which doesn't necessarily go together with large scale. For the time being it seems that the established brands are not scared of either copycats or high-quality micros. That in itself may be a sign of more people coming into relative wealth and perhaps a sign of further overconsumption (I'm guilty as a collector) of these esteem/design adornment objects. People, like our honoured Peter here and I, may have both established and microbrands in their collections, mingling happily to a greater or lesser extent (box policy dependent!).