MoT's WDF

It's always great to see what small, independent companies are coming up with. Brands like Habring², RGM, and Dornbluth make some of the most impressive watches out there. Just wondering what other people's favorites are. Homage brands seem to be a dime a dozen, but these are a few of my favorites doing something different. Brands like Habring², RGM, and Dornbluth make some of the most impressive watches out there.

I've owned a string of Farers. Awesome British brand for those that aren't familiar.
Here are three of their GMT models I've had at one time or another:
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As well as a handwind Hudson:
[img][/img]


Oak & Oscar, from Chicago, is another favorite. I'd love to own another eventually, this is the Sandford I use to have:
[img][/img]


Finally, I've always liked Carpenter, and their owner is a great guy. I got to test drive a few including a prototype of his newest model.
[img][/img]

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Looking forward to hearing your favorites, and hopefully being introduced to new brands I haven't seen or tried.

I have not owned either of these, but I have heard good things about DuFrane watches based out of Austin:

https://dufranewatches.com/bergstrom-premium/
[img]https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-d2kw3we ... 78.jpg?c=2[/img]

And I would commit unspeakable atrocities for a Weiss:
https://weisswatchcompany.com/collectio ... ve-cordura
[img]https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0238/ ... 1530067214[/img]

Boourns wrote: ↑Fri Feb 15, 2019 3:27 pm And I would commit unspeakable atrocities for a Weiss:
https://weisswatchcompany.com/collectio ... ve-cordura
[img]https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0238/ ... 1530067214[/img]

I really like Weiss as a company, and I like their design language. Unfortunately, both sizes of their standard field watch miss the mark for me. The 42mm is too big, and the 38mm looks a bit small on me. I actually bought the 38 and sent it pack. I still really like what they're doing though.

I've looked at Farer and O&O before, but even in the microbrand world, I tend to swim in the more affordable waters.
But there are still some good pieces in the affordable realm.

My favorite would probably be the Orion Sylph.
https://orionwatch.com/shop-2/
I am absolutely enamored by the dial on this thing. Pictures really do it no justice.
[img][/img]
Nick is working on an Orion II watch right now. So far the style hasn't grabbed me yet, but still early in development.

I like NTH mostly for the owner/operator Doc Vail, to be honest.
https://nthwatches.com/
I really like the cut of his jib. He is very accessible and blunt (in the best possible of ways) about the whole watch industry. Great insights.
Unfortunately his bread and butter are sub style divers, so the only one of his watches I own is the Antilles
[img][/img]

Then I was impressed by the fit and finish of the WatchGecko/Geckota's Vintage 50's Diver that I picked up.
https://www.watchgecko.com/watches
[img][/img]
Loved the cushion case look and the fume/sunburst dial is a beaut.
I know the name is a bit divisive and I've gotten used to the font.
But for the right watch, I would buy from them again.

Halios and Gruppo Gamma.


@robotazky

Two that have far surpassed my expectations are Zelos and Traska. Both are incredible values and produce watches of uncompromising quality and attention to fine detail.


[img]https://picr.me/i/2019/02/16/5yyVL.jpg[/img]
https://www.traskawatch.com

[img]https://picr.me/i/2019/02/16/5yIiK.jpg[/img]
https://zeloswatches.com

I've been really pleased with my Heitis chronograph.

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201902 ... 27ebe8.jpg[/IMG]

Sent from my desk using a #2 pencil

Zelos
Helson
Armida
Hamtun
Helm
Helgray
Vratislavia
Sharkey and Fifty-Four (yes I know it really doesn't fit the definition, but I really like their stuff)

I own some of each and they really have great eyeball for the $'s.

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/fRs8HBTS/IMG-8359.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/X7nKpyKh/image.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/0QQXgfNh/image.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/g2dSwT5f/image.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/SNWjvFHJ/IMG_9551.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/WzV315Dp/IMG_9650.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/W4QzQNTk/IMG_9653.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/BQ6WKy46/IMG_97XX.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/MHKjt4Hn/image.jpg[/img]

Zelos is probably my favorite. But I also like Boldr, Hamtun, and AMA
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201902 ... aa3da1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201902 ... 14976a.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201902 ... ea2cca.jpg[/IMG]

Here are a few more on the cheaper end I’ve always thought looked interesting, but never tried.

Brew
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201902 ... f75ea2.jpg[/IMG]

Seals
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201902 ... 30ab83.jpg[/IMG]

Aevig Thor
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201902 ... 9f7392.jpg[/IMG]

Aevig and Smiths are the only two brands I still keep.

I own a few microbrand watches. One of them in particular that I love the design of is the Dan Henry 1970. The brand was started by a renowned Brazilian watch collector who wanted to combine affordability and cool vintage-inspired watch design. The watch is a twin-crown super compressor style dive watch with an internal rotating dive-time bezel. It's available in two different colorways and two different sizes. I opted for the 40mm version with orange accents. I don't wear it all too often but I love the look so I've held onto it and it does get worn occasionally. I hope to start wearing it even more in the coming months.



Check out the DH 1970 here

I bought the watch when it first came out and have been generally happy with it. I've seen reports of crystals that shattered spontaneously but I haven't had that problem and heard that the company was quick to replace the crystals/watches. The movement is a Seiko-made NH35 which isn't for everybody but for me is a plus. One thing that did disappoint me a bit was finding out that the design is not original. The DH 1970 is basically a copy of a 1967 super compressor watch called the Exactus Aquamax. It's possible that Dan Henry was up-front about this and that I was just unaware of it. But at the time I found out, I remember thinking that it made the watch a bit less special for me. Anyway I think it's a great design whether it's original or not. So I may as well continue to enjoy it.



See the Exactus here

My favorites are Zelos and Helm. I own these watches but the photos are from the internet.

Zelos is probably my favorite right now. It's actually the first micro brand watch I've purchased too. The bronze Mako V2 I picked up instantly turned me into a fan! I'm also suuuuuper envious of the others in this thread who got the Skyraider and teal Mako from Zelos!

Zelos just revealed their upcoming ETA-powered GMT that's due out next month and I'm definitely going to get one! It's just a matter of which one.


I've otherwise also got my eye on the white-dialed stainless steel Adraga / Explorer homage from Borealis:


Everything I've seen from them looks really good!

norsairius wrote: ↑Thu Mar 21, 2019 8:52 am Zelos is probably my favorite right now. It's actually the first micro brand watch I've purchased too. The bronze Mako V2 I picked up instantly turned me into a fan! I'm also suuuuuper envious of the others in this thread who got the Skyraider and teal Mako from Zelos!

Zelos just revealed their upcoming ETA-powered GMT that's due out next month and I'm definitely going to get one! It's just a matter of which one.

WOW that Zelos GMT looks so good.