Why Microbrands Are Destroying The Swiss

[@sweetcorn1968]

I recognise that footage. The show was a great showcase for the microbrands. It was also an opportunity to try watches you didn't know you wanted. You're right about Brew. Congratulations on your Baltic, shame they didn't give you a baseball cap. 😂

[@NazidKimmie]

Wow, this is what watch reviewing and fandom should be! Brands and watches I've never heard of (some of them at least) that are stunning and individual. I'm currently on the hunt for a stylish but colorful dress watch.. some of these fit the bill nicely. Thanks for showcasing them!

[@TopTierTicker]

My Pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@WatchTheFeck]

The dials of the Dennison collections were epic.

[@hifi-enthusiast]

I own several microbrand watches. But I have to say some of the brands presented in this video have really weird, garish brand names paired with a rather high price point. I would rather buy a nice Certina, Mido or even a Seiko than something named Dennison, Duckworth or OOO. But maybe that's just me.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Would love to know some of the movemetns in some of these. Hopefully not to many NH! some lovely peices you shown here though thanks.

[@duckworthprestex]

Good to see you Keiron. And really great to see who was showing what at the show, as I didn't get around to look So your summary was really helpful. Of your top 5 i was delighted to be included. Taking my own out of the equation my favourite of the 5 was the Brew Metric. very stylish indeed. Please let me know if you need anything. N

[@maxinahunt8652]

You’re absolutely right! Microbrands are taking over. Better prices, good quality and much more fun! And that fire in my pocket is never ending! Now I wasn’t there obviously but from your great review the Dennison looks very impressive! Much nicer than the Baltic. I saw the stone dial in TO and it felt like a Walmart watch. This Dennison features the stone first with a simple design. Nicely done. Nevada, Nevada, Nevada….❤❤❤❤ a green limited edition Spider is calling to me. And the blue Depth Master 😍 Victorinox was one of my first watches. Möels!! I just discovered them last night on line. Oh my! So nice the rectangular one, 528!! Did you see how they came up with the design? The “golden ratio”? All sold out on line. Should have got you to buy me one…. Mondain, well yea,they are a bit mundane….. Studio Underd0g…..I’m still a bit out of joint with them. I need more time to get over it. I will forgive them when I get my avocado. Venzianico - all the good ones are too big. OOO - did you see the inscription inside the Quaranta dial? Brew were fabulous in TO as well. I’m not a fan of Baltic divers. Their strength is in their regular watches: Hermetic, MR, Prismic and HMS. Great choice with the all silver. Now you’ll need some more straps for it!! Great video!

[@thetruthhurts7500]

lol No.

[@EEE_MMM]

Yay for not getting scammed 😂 Done really cool watches here. Must have been an awesome gathering to attend!

[@WatchSniper]

Great video! Bro got Literally all my grails in one video😂 That Maen Brooklyn 36 in champagne is mine soon! Im also coming for the F77 and the Hermetique :) Hope to attend one of these events in the future!

[@natusMCMII]

Only slightly over one minute into the video and you already caught me with these Benjamin James watches! Never heard of the brand before but I love the design! This might be an upcoming addition to the collection!

[@Jack-lm8ds]

Really like your videos. Can tell you're a down to earth fella into his watches. No glazing Patek and Rolex, just showing nice pieces anyone can realistically save up and get. Consider me subbed. As an Irish man I think I have to put Nomadic on my buy list, that silver Turas is really nice.

[@TopTierTicker]

Appreciate that mate. I think the affordable market is way more interesting than the posh stuff anyway! Thanks for watching mate 🙏

[@vishaalkannan6502]

You seem to be a simple man that's passionate about watches.. subbed!!

[@samnova450]

Nice review. I have the Benjamin James Dark Blue with quartz movement. Interested in getting a BEAUBLEU Ecce Lys French microbrand next.

[@M123OCT]

You are the first - and only - reviewer to pronounce Venezianico correctly. 👍

[@TopTierTicker]

I often get pronunciation wrong so it'd nice to finally get one right 🤣

[@MichaelPretty-d2g]

Excellent video, thank you. Good choices, but three of what were my highlights of the show are missing from your selection - Awake, Atelier Wen, and Hegid - the Son Mai watch from the first of these was the one I fell in love with and have since ordered.

[@Hipnosis65]

I keep getting recommended your videos, and I watch them all, but I just today realized I wasn't subscribed. I am now. Great content. Keep up the exceptional work. All the best from Calgary. On my wrist - Muhle Glashutte SAR Rescue Timer.

[@TopTierTicker]

Thank you my friend. Good to have you onboard

[@jud1272]

Saw you at the Manchester watch fair today, looking forward to seeing the vid 👍👍

[@the_9ent]

This event looked awesome. I live in London and didn’t even know about it despite being a watch fan. Please consider giving Heberlin some air time. Such a classy brand.

[@markwright2674]

Great video, thanks! Like your top 5. Personally really, really like Maen a lot Have a Brooklyn 36 that i adore. - fantastic, luxury feel and finish! Would like to maybe pick up another from them but not sure which. Would appreciate your reviewing their pieces, please!

[@WatchesCanBeFun]

Congrats on new Baltic! The top 3 are so tempting, I love the charm of the depthmaster!

[@Maoilios]

Oh man that Maen, I almost start crying everytime i see it. So beautiful.

[@ZWLESQ]

I was there the first day and the f77 meteorite in titanium was a standout. As was the Maen moon phase. Went home with a Lorca Model No. 1 which I’d wanted for a year. They have an awesome new chronograph too.

[@draakisback]

I pre-ordered a Benjamin James a few weeks ago, definitely looking forward to it. Many of the watches I've gotten in the past couple years have been micro brands because they're interesting offerings out there. My favorite right now is my horage supercede gmt, it's just such a nice watch and it wears extremely well because of the fantastic micro adjustment and bracelet. I am also considering buying an f77, they may look like Royal oaks but they're their own thing which is kind of cool.

[@C.C._TJ_Jason]

I think the reasons they are beating the Swiss brands is captured perfectly by the problems with the Hamilton khaki field quartz: $400 with low water resistance, poor lume, and a minute hand that’s too short because they borrowed it from another model. The Swiss brands are simply not offering the specs that they could while the micro brands are crushing the specs for a lot less money.

[@rikdriscoll2160]

Thought I'd get in early for a change! Wow what a collection of microbrands! Those Dennisons look amazing!! I know what you mean about Mondane, great watches but they could do with producing something different. I wish I'd known about this show, I'll try and come next year! I love microbrand watches, they seem to innovate and build on classic designs. Thanks Kieron, have a great weekend mate 👍

[@ivoshandor6859]

*Mondaine

[@rikdriscoll2160]

@@ivoshandor6859 Thank you for the correct spelling, I should have checked before posting! Kind regards 👍

[@ivoshandor6859]

@@rikdriscoll2160 You’re quite welcome.

[@mrbud8524]

Yes Micro brands are taking over in the watch space and going to get bigger in the future.

[@footcrab]

Dennison are a truck trailer manufacture from Ireland, I couldn't ignore that if i was wearing a watch by Dennison :O

[@ignaciopadilla5150]

the Dennison watch looks amazing with the tiger eye dial.

[@Mauricio.Solorzano]

Review the Baltic you bought and purchase a Maen too and review it ... WOW ... what incredible watches you got there, mate!

[@smitty03281964]

I just purchased the Duckworth Prestex Coronation at NYC WINDUP.

[@TopTierTicker]

Nice choice. Hope you enjoy it my friend 🙏

[@WatchTheFeck]

Ben was great and his watches are almost as lovely as the dog sleeping behind his display.

[@dieago12345]

Great video dude - some awesome watches in here for under 10x the cost of a swiss equivalent.

[@MichaelMitchell-vk9lk]

Very exciting watches and brands,thanks for the video

[@HoroHigh369]

Duckworth Prestex Cali dial is 🔥🔥🔥

[@TheNicholaiMoeller]

What was the name of the Herbelin watch you looked at? Its beautiful!

[@j1d7s]

Very tasty watches indeed! I would be very interested in seeing more of the gold Brew Metric.

[@VedavyasMunugoor]

That Moels & Co looks gorgeous.

[@rtruite]

What did you think about Serica? I would love a review of their line-up.

[@johanvandersandt8904]

Ooh lets see it! I do remember you getting scammed. You had Jason with you too if I recall. Maen seems awesome! That Dennison case looks like those rounded TV's from the sixtees turned on its side. Pretty cool! I have been itching to get an Inox watch from Victorinox for ages but they are super overpriced in South Africa. I would love to add a Venezianico to my collection! I always confuse Baltic with Baltany haha. They do make some classy stuff though! Herbelin I know. They were sold locally as higher end pieces for years. I have seen some OOO watches in person and they look funky! Not that expensive either! Nivada is pretty cool too! All of those brands seem awesome so go for any and all haha! Hope you have a great weekend man!

[@SteelAddicted]

The brew watches look so cool retro, but new wave, idk just good-looking pieces. Also I just saw a super cool watch made by nuun called the official x the wrong wrist v2 it’s a full forged carbon fiber dial withe superluminova mixed in so the whole case and dial glows. They also had some fat carbon fiber dials like the mars valley and pine forest. I love camo carbon and fat carbon I have some knives with scales made from this material and it’s amazing

[@riturajdas]

I think Mondain's whole lineup is anchored onto their unmistakable SBB Swiss Rail clocks which is great but feel could've done more with that stamp.

[@ivoshandor6859]

*Mondaine’s

[@riturajdas]

@@ivoshandor6859 oop i forgor

[@08ryanalollipop]

The Serica 6190 California dial blew me away at the show

[@Artin1990]

Bought the Dennison tiger eye a few days ago, can't wait for it to arrive 😁 I think it's a killer of a watch. Hasn't gotten the attention it deserves! Baltic has been on my radar for a while now too. Will eventually pull the trigger 👌

[@Demetrius-j8h]

I would love to see more videos about Nivada Grenchen in general, that F77 is a little bit confusing to me, its a 37mm watch but its true lug to lug is 50.5mm. I would love to see a review about it and that lug to lug wearability. The Baltic was a solid choice

[@Christophe-k8s]

Hello and thanks for this video, especially to let me know about two brands I never heard about before : Dennison and Wren. Congrats for the Baltic. Into sector dial watches, I do prefer the Longines Héritage Classic with small second but this Baltic IS also cool, and way cheaper! Great choice.

[@koolpep]

The quality of micro brands has come to scary good! But I am still a bit stuck in my ways of Swiss and German watches.

[@beresd]

Defo review a MAEN Manhattan. I have had it on my radar for a while and be interested to hear what you think.

[@MG-kt1ck]

Those Denison dials are something else

[@kofiofosu9051]

My Maen watch is incredible. My Baltic is fine as well. I enjoy these as much as omega and Rolex.

[@saodavi6267]

Benjamin James must be flattered that Patek made an homage of their watch with the Cubitus.

[@beresd]

The copied the Maen

[@Spectrecontrol]

I'm keen on the Benjamin James, are they actually in stock?

[@TopTierTicker]

You can currently pre-order the Miyota Automatic

[@ChasingBarrels]

That Dennison range was 🔥 would look great with a tux!

[@WillEDC]

Usually I like them because they use tool movements that are easy to service or just replace

[@hcleeves]

Let us see some more of those Brew watches

[@SM-io8ol]

Review the Baltic titanium diver

[@pero98]

I love these kinds of events to get to know new brands and get hands-on experience with some brands that usually only sell online. I was at similar watch fair here in Germany a few weeks ago and also discovered a new brand I‘d never heard before but that now has a firm place on my wish list ((March LA.B from France). I‘d love to get some hands-on with Baltic and Maen, but they weren’t there unfortunately. The HMS002 is a great looking watch! Do you like how it fits on the wrist with the flat case profile or is that a non-issue?

[@Yo0264]

Have a Maen tripple calander, love it. Will get a 37 Manhattan

[@ferrynur7866]

Because they have a good price, and fun to collect....

[@alwaysbestcareseniorservic1000]

Definitely try to review the Denison. I may become a denizen of Denison.

[@hammalamiri12]

After 3 or 4 more years of brand after brand and watch influencers shilling watch after watch. EBay is going to be full of more junk than it is right now. People who got into watches at a micro brand level will buy something emotive not just spec based. I can’t see the micro brand hype going on forever

[@Watch_your_Money]

Great review!! try Traska

[@HoroHigh369]

So good I am watching it again!!! ❤

[@SIMARJEETMEHTA]

Dennison brown dial -- review that.

[@diemes5463]

Better value, original designs, easier to service, less expensive and in many cases, Swiss made

[@sinesaii]

I do love my Formex Essence, but Seiko still offers great $800 to $2500 watches. Furthermore, grey market and used Swiss watches are not too bad. I highly recommend Formex, but for dive watches I still think Seiko is best up to $4,000, with the Omega Seamaster being worth its grey market price. I also think the GO SeaQ is worth its grey market and used price. My primary gripes are with brands like Omega, Longines and Hublot getting too expensive. That said, someone must be buying them. Nomos and Seiko are still delivering if you know where to buy them. I would still buy a used Longines sector dial over a Baltic. Their square watch is great and can be bought for a grand. The round watch is more like $2.k, but worth it in my opinion. I think at the cheap end Chinese brands like San Martin and Baltany make a lot of sense, but at $600-$800 used Seiko SPB or SBDC models are better than anything. Similarly, used Omega, Nomos and similar still are compelling between a grand to $2,500. Even with Grand Seiko getting too pricy, Citizen Chronomaster offers a compelling alternative. The microbrands I would like to see reviewed are Kurono Tokyo, Tsao, Artelier Wen, Straum Jan Mayden, and the Christopher Ward skeleton version of the Twelve, or their Dune mode. That Venetian brand would be another (Venetia-something???). The Maen 39mm integrated sport watch is another.

[@tamirdossiea3680]

Dennison for sure!!!

[@jj31162]

Great vid

[@user-vv1qm5dj9c]

Please provide proof that micros are cutting into the big brands like Omega, Rolex, and Tudor. Very interesting topic.

[@theclocker7406]

Definitely a lot of gorgeous watches on display here, with some very cool designs. However, on a more controversial note, I have noticed more and more microbrands steady creeping upwards with their prices. Only a few years there were plenty of microbrands in the $300 - $600 price range, now most of them seem to be in the $600 - $1200 price range. Doubling in price, I wish wages had also doubled; sadly most of these are now well out of reach and watch collecting is increasingly leaving us everyday collectors behind, which is a shame. I know there are many offerings on Aliexpress, but I have supported microbrands since their infancy; I doubt I will be able to too for very much longer though. IMO I think the real challenge for a microbrand is to make a interesting and cool watch at a genuinely affordable price; thats the challenge. It's much easier to create a cool design or spec'd watch and then simply charge a much higher price for it. Microbrands are soon going to be costing more than Swiss watches!

[@jamesgaryhill9800]

Nivada grenchen Looks like an awesome brand

[@AnthonyCashmanHC]

I have had my eye on that Baltic, but I was worried that it might be too small for my larger wrist -- 7 3/4" or 19.5 cm. Would you have any thoughts on that? Thank you.

[@TopTierTicker]

It has quite a straight case so it should fit you! Although try it on if you can

[@AnthonyCashmanHC]

@@TopTierTicker Thank you!

[@bigbarkingdog2010]

Very nice micro watch brand review

[@Slapdash1]

Surely you must be joking Kieron? How can the microbrands take over, if once you buy two omegas, splash out 15k and wait for a year you can have the chance to buy a Rolex? I hear the next release will be a two-tone with the colours REVERSED! Are you not excited by the prospect? /s

[@TopTierTicker]

🤣🤣

[@litan114]

He is there to make contents.

[@YingDat]

@@TopTierTickerwhat watch event was you at saw loads of other creators there ?

[@kaz2891]

The Herbelin please 🙏

[@vipeton.8927]

Well I appreciate Swiss. I would like to buy vintage Omega or Tudor. As a birthday gift or something. But for everyday use - Casio or microbrand

[@TheSuperbaconator]

Some of us can't commit to spending more than like $300 on a watch. I'd rather have a cheap nh35 watch that is stone cold reliable than spending 2k on a watch that is going to cost the same amount to service.

[@guidine7]

I wish the watch industry will start again building bigger watches 40mm and above. I never saw Arnold schwarzenegger wearing a 39mm...😊

[@НемањаМиљковић]

You can test Cadola 1946. ⌚

[@faustus8315]

5 years later…. …. and 70% of mentioned brands are vanished again

[@linuslam80s]

Dennison ❤🔥

[@watchalot919]

Maen is pronounced Maan. Thanks for the video

[@AnyoxB.D.]

Do a review of Sugess

[@mickeymichaels1298]

Great video. Microbrands are great and a fantastic value. Why would anyone buy a modern Longines (with an ETA movement) for two to three times the price? I'm very happy with my Baltic micro rotor, Maen Manhattan 37, Zelos Nova, Christopher Ward C5 Malvern 595, etc, each for less than $800. For the record, I own seven or eight vintage Longines that I'm very fond of but modern Longines is overpriced and not for me.

[@Sumerdini]

Current ETA movements are much more accurate & reliable. In addition Longines uses special ETA movements for the brands only...

[@mickeymichaels1298]

@Sumerdini some microbrands use ETA or Sellita. I realize what you're saying but it still doesn't justify the high prices of Longines--two to three times as much--compared to many well priced microbrands.

[@Sumerdini]

@@mickeymichaels1298 ETA movements are only available to Swatch Group brands...

[@liamcairns9384]

Out of Order! Been looking at these for a while myself,,, And Venecienico since I pre-ordered their Aqua Verde.

[@KubaskaNorthcraft]

I believe no man can say no to MAMACOO's watches

[@moneymikz]

Have to disagree I have dozens of microbrands, one to match each shirt/outfit but then I got a Nove Atlantean and I don’t even think about the other pieces anymore…been trying to sell them at fire sale prices with not much traction

[@WatchTheFeck]

I got a Baltic cap, and you didn't. 😂😂😂

[@eminshekhmous]

MAEN Manhattan please

[@asdfyxcv1100]

"destroying the swiss" - shows nivada grenchen, from Switzerland ;-)

[@alexsavutube]

Have you seen the new Patek Philippe Cubitus? How dare they take the Maen Manhattan make it a bit shorter and claim it as their own? :)

[@animelibrary1256]

Where is the video for Pepsi Dive Watch?

[@TopTierTicker]

It's coming next :)

[@sopuli420]

Where is Kuoe Kyoto? It should be on this list and at 1

[@TopTierTicker]

They weren't at the show!

[@ringaleavo]

Greed of the Swiss has out-priced their watch market.

[@stuartdavies7351]

Nothing grabbing me here Kieran. I however really like the Baltic Aquascaphe. I’m starting to tire of the sheer volume that’s being produced - it’s too much too follow and leaning back to vintage. I did missread your video title…it’s an interesting conversation as to whether micro-brands are helping the establishment or a threat. Anecdotally I’d suggest the former. Anything to get ‘smart’ watches off the wrists of new enthusiast. I only see micro-brands as an avenue into the established. Look what MoonSwatch has done for Omega for example.

[@Nakkisampyla]

Tudor with ETA, why should i change

[@palemale2501]

Wait till the Swiss start restricting micro-brand access to Swiss movements, and they are left with Seiko NH or Miyota !

[@TopTierTicker]

Possibly... But the Japanese movements are more reliable anyway!

[@znuteri-s7b]

Denisson sounds like the name of some posh dude that orders Tea all the time.

[@TopTierTicker]

🤣🤣🤣 So true

[@guidine7]

Good Video but too fast

[@TopTierTicker]

Sorry! Tried to keep it short and sweet

[@guidine7]

@@TopTierTicker all right mate 💁🇩🇪

[@AbdulRWatches]

I always say the best thing what microbrands offers is giving 80% of the feel with less than 10% of the price. Great video.

[@Mystery_Man84]

80% of the feel of what? lol. Microbrand watches are BETTER then alot of big branded watches

[@AbdulRWatches]

@Mystery_Man84 A lot of the microbrands are copying bigger brands, some offer great value for money and other offer novel innovative designs.

[@ashocck8065]

Problem with micros is that while some of them look interesting and some even straight out good, inside they are mostly cheap trash, or quartz. Those that are not, are not cheap. If you are just looking for a colorful watch or would be happy with 2-3 watches but you are not at least a semi-serious collector, then microbrands might be for you. However, if you are serious about watches, then simply no. Most of the watches shown here, look like they were taken out of Cracker Jack box. Now, having said that, I do like the way some Baltics look, but they are mostly either Chinese movements, which are garbage, or if they are Swiss, they are well in excess of $1000. The Myotas are not bad and the watch you chose to purchase is one of my two favorites from Baltic, but personally I think 36mm is too small.