Thank you Britt for focusing on these microbrands. As someone who has always empathized with the underdog, I love to see these smaller independent watchmakers get the attention they so richly merit. In an industry cluttered with horological juggernauts like Rolex, Omega, Audemar Piguet, Patek Philippe, etc. its nice to see nascent watchmakers, who are really devoted to the craft, make a name for themselves. I find that when you don't have the luxury of coasting on legacy, the way these aforementioned watchmakers can, you have to have more grit and innovation behind you. Brands like Zelos, Monta, Farer or Christopher Ward are names that are not synonymous with prestige, so they must focus on bringing value for money to their consumers. People who buy these watches don't buy them to flex. They purchase them for their superior craftsmanship relative to their modest price point.
I love that you took the higher ground and did not allow someone who loves to create drama to suck you into it. Kudos for you continued awesomeness. I wish you were stateside, I would totally lend you a Skyquest!
I kinda felt in a weird position with all of it! I didn’t want to poke the bear. And I genuinely just want to talk about watches! But after someone made quite the big deal about it, I thought I should somewhat address it. But in the shortest way humanly possible! 🙈✨
@@BrittPearceWatches That individual has a history of mysogony, drama seeking, and knocking people down to pry himself up. In this case he hit all three. You handled it like a pro. Hopefully between this and other events, people will stop paying him any attention. I look forward to the day your channel passes his in terms of subs. :-)
@@BrittPearceWatches you handled it perfectly, reading the comments on your’s and other TH-camrs comments it’s obvious that he’s desperate and no one will lend him watches any more, people watch it as a car crash 😂
@@BrittPearceWatches I’ll also add - thank you for focusing on the watches. I couldn’t care less about which watch TH-camr likes/doesn’t like who. Keep up the fantastic content!
Great job covering the micros, Britt. You’ve hit a couple of my favorites (Brew and Monta), and highlighted Nomadic, which I wanted to know more about. I’ve got the exact Monta Skyquest GMT you’ve featured on order, and I’m so pumped to get it.
That was a terrific little thumbnail sketch on a fun subject. You picked some really good ones too. Incidentally, I don't know how comfortable it was for you to wear, but that pocket shot of that kind of burnt orange colored Zelos looks perfectly reasonable on you inspite of its heft.
You know, I was surprised how good it looked on the wrist! Especially with that 49mm lug to lug. It is a bit heavier than your typical titanium piece - but the material makes it a lot more wearable!
Welcome to the micro brand club! Most of these brands are affordable and available. They make collecting watches fun again! I was attracted to the Zelos Aurora, but it is sold out, so obviously not available. You should see if the brand will come on your channel and discuss their watch making philosophy.
I love how accessible these are - ESPECIALLY in terms of the movements. The conversation is so often about heritage and history, in history JLC and some others made movements for basically everyone. But now people are always looking at in house and common movements as inferiority. Kind of goes against all the history the same people shout about to some degree. These movements and the adventurous steps these micro brands can take are great! It allows one to buy with more confidence in terms of servicing down the line. I recently bought an Isotope Hydrium Burnt Tangerine and I’m still marvelling at how great it is on the wrist. Going to be a great summer watch in an orange which matches our company colour. Looking at the watches of espionage emails I’ve seen another one made by US marines (Sangin) - there’s always another brand around the corner and it’s SO much fun to learn about them and study the detail of all their design choices!
I can attest to the quality of Monta. I recently bought the Skyquest and it hasn't left my wrist. It's so comfortable and the fit and finish are superb. It's also running at COSC standards. You get a lot of watch for your money and in my opinion they are up there with the big brand names. I'm also a fan of anOrdain, Astor+Banks and Direnzo. There's great style and value in the microbrands.
Zelos makes absolutely amazing watches. They sell out immediately after release and become horribly overpriced on eBay etc, but they are undeniably amazingly well made and beautiful watches. Have a 42mm bronze case Swordfish with ETA movement and black meteorite dial. Breathtakingly gorgeous watch with unbelievably Lume that you can absolutely beat the hell out of. Love Zelos
Great review as always Britt! Love micro brands. I have traditional Omega and Longines but my work watch is a tough SWC BUNKER and I just ordered the Formex Essence SPACE ROCK . The Essence ,IMHO, goes head-to-head with Monta.
Enjoyed the vid Britt. I find the Montas particularly interesting also, as well as the Nomadics. I've recently ventured into the world of microbrands myself. I like that they often are quite unique, but use solid dependable movements.
Monta is a solid brand that offers very good design aesthetics and quality build/finish. I own the Monta Noble (Blue Dial), and would contend its one of best alternatives to the Rolex OP. Look forward to your review of the Atlas - such a great GMT with some unique design quirks!!
Fantastic list, Britt. You failed to mention that the Zelos Aurora also comes in 38mm, although sadly, not in orange. It would be a perfect fit for your wrist size
Gringa Sunday is back 🎶 Epic video Britt 🙌🏻 The Studio Underd0g Watermelon it’s like wearing summer on the wrist ☀️ I think all of this watches give great value for money 😎
FERNAAANNNDO! The covid free 👑 😜✨✨✨ thank youbsoooo much! I’m so glad you enjoyed! As for the studio underdog you are sooo right! Just pure summer and joy on the wrist!
Big fan of microbrands. I have Farer, Christopher Ward, Zelos, Henry Archer, Radcliffe, Ugly Watch co and a couple of Kickstarter specials. I love the variety and choice available in the microbrand space, and the inventiveness that keeps brands pushing forwards.
Great video as always Britt - I love Baltic and own the blue gilt Aquascaphe - not the most accurate movement but that’s the compromise of a micro brand at this price point - exceptional dial, super wearable and an all round great diver
Britt - I luv your videos and your refreshing outlook on life / watches - I have always said that micro brands are very fun to follow (especially BREW) - I think that a very underappreciated brand is Astor + Banks - they have some phenomenal colored dials - maybe you can do a PART TWO micro brand review ? Cheers !
For me in regards to micro-brands, it was the Serica 5303. It's one of the best-looking and high-value watches that I've seen outside of the established brands in a very long time. Unique styling that's imo a near-perfect blend of modern and classic retro combining to look both fresh and immediately classic. The dimensions are perfect, and the attention to detail - especially the bracelet - just blew me away.
I am one of those 'not wealthy' watch enthusiasts who has one or two pieces that are expensive and mainstream - but doesn't have the ability to realistically look at Pateks and Daytonas and think about when I'll be getting them (whilst we all sigh and say "Well... maybe one day") - but discovering microbrands has given me a surge of excitement that is about the watches. I don't care that people who aren't watch geeks don't know what they are. I love the idea of small companies existing in small ecosystems, identifying the tiny details that they can improve on (like on-the-fly clasp micro-adjustments and bracelet details) and who express new design ideas without going all Hublot, Jacobs & Co or Richard Mille over indulgent (on what seems like an exercise in how to make the most expensive watch). Micro-brands have literally changed my list - that list that I'm working down for my collection. Don't get me wrong - that list still has a couple of hefty Omegas on there (omg that Apollo 8 Dark Side of the Moon), and yes, it will include a Rolex one day (long after the stupidity is over) - but OMG the whole concept of the micro-brand has allowed me to enjoy watches so much more.
BAHAHA! 🙈 no dig, I promise! I just felt it somewhat had to be addressed for those following the gossip! 😜 but I also didn’t want to give it more oxygen than it deserved. Hopefully we can all just move on, make good videos, for the love & joy of watches!
Micro brands can be hit or miss. I have a few that I love and some I’m looking to sell. A vintage style homage can do the trick rather than the cost and risk of buying vintage 😎. Hope you and Watch Papi have a great holiday season.
Micro brands are the frontier of creativity in horological design. Not for the high horological junkie but definitely for watch enthusiasts. I love the fun factor in the watches you featured in this video. Britney and micro have a common spirit of joy.
Finally got my Brew 8-bit Retrograph after a long wait. A nice, funky, slightly less serious take on the the Metric. I love it. Next stop, Zelos. Love some Micros.
Micro brands are great as they represent the watch enthusiast who enjoys the hobby. It’s fantastic to see how the micro brands have taken off. Brew, Studio Underd0g, Second Hour Watches, Farer are a few of my favourite brands that I own and enjoy. I am definitely drawn into Norqain the Freedom 60 GMT is so good.
Monta makes great watches. Visited their St Louis Hq last summer while driving thru town. Had a nice visit with Justin, the company president, talked watches and checked out their entire line up. Justin adjusted the bracelet for me and signed the watch box too. Try getting that level of service from a established luxury watch brand! Left with the silver dial Triumph on my wrist, but really they had no bad choices on offer. My wife wears the limited edition turquoise Noble too. To top it all off, hands down Monta has the best bracelet and adjustable clasp you can buy without spending twice as much.
Nice video Britt! I have the Zelos Aurora, but the mosaic mother of pearl one. It's a really nice watch. P.S., don't worry about the drama that is being cause by, well, you know. Just keep doing you.
Man! I really love the Zelos! Congrats on owning such a great watch! 😍💕 As for the drama. Thank you. 😔 I’ve been pretty down about it. But I’ve decided I need to keep on going, keep talking watches! And I hope people keep enjoying the content. 💕✨
I love Brew and Studio Underdog! Brew has the metric steel dial in stock. It looks a little sterile but the blue and white look so good on it. Studio Underdog is just genius. He understands a whole generation's sense of humour and we get it. He is basically making the same watch over and over and changing the colors. Like I said genius. Christopher Ward smashed it this year with the Bel Canto. So many microbrands that are making waves in the watch world this year! 2022 is the year of the microbrand!
The Monta Atlas is my favorite of the bunch, but I am glad you took a look at all these micro brands. I'm anxious to see what their new Ocean King looks like. I'm glad you got some Monta time, and hope they send you more watches to feature. I liked the format with a bunch of watches in one video. I think that works, since micros aren't your main thing. Such a shame about your boy band career being cut short before it took off.
I now have 2 Zelos watches and love both of them. I have a bronze Hammerhead 3.. with a MOP dial. It is rugged and very cool looking with great patina. My newest is the Aurora with the MOP mosaic dial. It is beautiful in sunlight and stealthy cool in lowlight. It is tough but nice enough to wear with a suit. They punch way over their price in quality. You do need to jump on them at th moment they release for the most part. My Aurora sold out in under 5 minutes, the Hammerhead in 30 minutes. The more common dials can last a little longer. I plan on buying more in the future.
I have that orange Zelos - Aurora. Basic or Underwhelming are adjectives for it generally and probably for every other Zelos based on the components and design language. Of course, the watch is orange, and so that gets noticed. The value in that is that the NEXT watch you wear, which likely deserves the attention, is more likely to get noticed because you've already set your wrist apart.
Hope you will do another video for Zelos Aurora series for the dial ‘TEAL’ and ‘Mother of Pearl’ . Is quite unique for micro brand to come out such a incredible design.
Hi Brittany, The Underd0g watches are amazing and a lot of fun. Zelos is probably my guilty pleasure. I extremely like the designs in titanium. I’ve got a Halios Seaforth V2 in my personal collection. The dial colour is called abyss - a very dark, nearly black, blue. I don’t know whether Formex is still a micro brand but I like their designs too. Especially the Essence. I got a 42 but love to get a 39 instead. Best regards, Claus
I got a sky blue Halios Seaforth several years ago, it’s my only microbrand piece. Really like it, just a couple of design choices that bother me a little but nothing bad. The sky blue dial and Zulu bezel got me, for about $700. He changes up his designs regularly so every piece is a limited edition in effect. It fills the “Canadian watchmaker” space in my collection. They’re hard to buy, he usually puts you on a pre-order list prior to a manufacturing run for the next model. They tend to hold resale value on eBay for that reason - cult following and hard to get. I’m keeping mine.
Excellent choice : underdog watches win the beauty and freshness contest even if they are only Chinese watches customized to the European taste. More new micro-brands: it's very pleasant to think outside the box...
I am a new horo hobbyist and your channel is great. I love the Metric and even tho you made this vid 2 years ago, they look to be in stock now. Before I knew I could get obsessed with watches, my fav watch had a black bracelet which seems to be hard to come by. It would be cool if you thought that would be a worthy vid of watches avail in a blackout and black bracelet vs leather. I think my next watch will be the Henry Archer Meteorite in black and purple. It looks like Metro offers a Metric - Black & Gold Carbon but black and gold is not my vibe.
Hey Britt, just want to say I’ve been watching more of watch videos recently and you were definitely one of my gateway youtubers to the hobby. I also have a 5.5 inch wrist so I’m always glad if I can watch your reviews. That being said you sound a little under the weather lately? Take care! 🫶
The micro brands I have are: Traska, Lorier & Vaer. 4 Traska watches: 1 is a 3, 6, 9 Explorer inspired watch but with its own identity so it’s not a clone called the summiteer & 3 no date Commuters (black, white & mint green) which are 36mm Oyster Perpetual inspired - all Miyota 9xxx movements & all use a special scratch resistant steel. The Lorier is a Art Deco dress type watch called the Zephyr & it’s *chef’s kiss*. The Vaers are OK: 2 are vintage Explorer 1016 inspired, each 36mm - one quartz, one Automatic & a Swiss made SW200 movement diver
I fell in love with micro brands about 4 years ago and have many in my collection. So much watch for the price. I used to own a Zelos Blacktip with a stunning teal dial, but ultimately sold it because I felt it was too blingy for my taste. It was a stunning watch, but as a dive/tool watch it looked too much like jewelry you wear to the dance club
Hi Britt Gringa P I love the semi sandwich dial on the Zelos and I have a Studio Underd0g Goofy Panda on order & due in March. Great show done very well. Most enjoyable. 👍👏👏👏
@@BrittPearceWatches Yes I was lucky to be able to order one at World Time as I missed the launch date somehow having waited for it for months. Also got to meet Richard & see Andrew & Graham from Zero West a much loved brand for me. A great afternoon spent with many friends at the show. 👍
My microbrand watches: a Mr. Jones "Perfectly Useless Evening", an antidote to the pretense surrounding watches at times. If you try hard you can even tell the time on it. a Daniel Henry 1975 skin diver at 37mm, something for summer, a quartz watch ticking at 4 beats per second.
Gringa!! 45K Subs are almost there!!!! Great video about some up and coming brands. I am one for more conservative watch styles, but it is nice to see your opinion and thoughts. Long Live the Cult(s).
The Brew Metric is the funnest watch that I own, by far. Obligatory purchase for those in the coffee industry, itinerant coffee shop hangabouts, and even run-of-the-mill caffeine addicts. (Count me in the middle group.) I'd like to buy one for my favorite barista, but haven't decided who that is yet. Nice video, Britt! As far as other worthy micros, please tell us what you think about Serica, Christopher Ward, and revival brands such as Aquastar and Nivada Grenchen.
These were a good pick of popular microbrands. I wouldn’t be opposed to a Britt Pearce list of microbrand models that do it better and for cheaper than their big named competitors.
I’m really liking what Serica are doing at the moment. It’s such a deep rabbit hole! Great vid Britt. Now leave the garage and get those hairy toes back in front of the log burner!! …or were they James’s🤔. Naah.
Awesome video Britt! I ordered myself a go0fy panda from studio underd0g a while ago. Cant wait to insepct that seagull movement in person and compare it to other handwound chronographs i have.
You absolutely MUST have the Studio Underd0g X Fratello Eggplant! Then do a review with lots of clips of you wearing it out and about! (Imagine: Gringa wearing the Eggplant on the beach in Tahiti! Or hiking in view of Mount Denali in Alaska!) Seriously! This watch suits you. It suits your playful personality. And the colors make it just plain cute! I know it’s sold out (and officially called “Aubergine”) but use your insider connections! Get one! I personally lean toward the “Pumpkin” (even though purple is my favorite color) but to each their own. 😎⌚️🍸
I own 1 Baltic, 2 Clemence, 3 Farer and 4 Marloe's last one I purchased was the Farer Swan. I think you get value for money and unique looking watches take the Marloe Burt and buoy all for £269.
Good review here, Britt! I think Monta are headed somewhere good and I hear their finishing is top notch. Did you see that too? Question: can you include lume reviews in these videos for next time? It’s a place that I find micro brands tend to skimp on and would be great to see how the lume does on these. Thanks!
Ouuu thisbis good feedback! I need to improve on my lume shots as well. 🙈 Monta is top notch! I’d say their finishing and feel of their watches is pretty comparable to Tudor!
I love micro brands. I also recommend Traska, Long Island Watches, Hemel, Venezianico. And perhaps another category, the mod watcches like Koda ( I recently bought awatch from Koda, mod by George, australian guy very creative)
Traska is a great brand - you get a lot of watch for $5-600. Its designs are pretty solid, if clearly inspired. The Summiteer is a very good Explorer alternative; and its scratch resistance of the case and bracelet is top notch.
I'm late to the party, but I am a big fan of micro brands. As a guy who earns a very average wage, I find the value being offered by micro brands outweighs the value of brand name. Sure a BB36 would have Tudor on the dial, but a CW C63 offers essentially the same wearing experience/durability, but with a date, and for less than half the cost.
Many Microbrands have absolutely cool looking watches. For some movement nerds (like me), that generates a problem. Watch looks supercool, is 1-2.000€ and .... some cheapo Movement in it. Or even worse, a Quartz. (Brew) That said, i bought 2 Kickstarter Watches this year regardless. You should totally check out the Namica Shirahama Neo Tokyo Black DLC. Dimensions are contained, the dial is absolutely stunning. Overall color scheme is also damn cool. And the stealth looking black case does the rest. Received mine a few days ago, and i'm as hyped about it, as i am about my BB Pro. :)
Great video, nice to see you're including micros and independents. You should check out Formex watches. They offer so many features, a lot of engineering, and unique designs.
Micros are awesome, but long-term support is uncertain. This is understandable as carrying inventory for years is very expensive; but it is essential for me as I don’t sell my watches. Case in point: with my Seiko, TAG Heuer and Omega watches I had to replace a crystal, bezel and bracelet clasp respectively… no problem, despite these watches being well over 20 years old. When I tried to buy a bracelet for my three year-old Christopher Ward that I had purchased on a rubber strap, I was told it had been discontinued. No more for me.
Lets get it loved the video as always full of fun a very enjoyable video god to be early on another video, love Micro brands because they don't have such frigid stiff way of making a watch the possibilities are almost endless great to see you talk about micro brands and you watches are not basic at all just more traditional like so many other watch enthusiast and there is nothing wrong with that traditions is what built the watch community after all.
There are some interesting German micro brands... H20, Heinrich, Circula, D Dornbluth und Sohne, Kudoke, Daniel Malchert and Borgward spring to mind. Don't forget Habring 2 from Austria either. Some of these are well known of course, but the EU is a goldmine of microbrands which make some fabulous watches 🙂.
@@BrittPearceWatches ill be honest, incredible build quality but my 6.6 inch wrist cant handle them. Maybe a Titanium model! They take a lot of cues of from Sinn like ISO certification.
A lovely selection of watches, you should delve deeper. I noticed Farer have had a shout out in the comments and I'd add Christopher Ward (are they still considered a micro brand?)
![[DRIP] ‘Love, Maybe’ PREVIEW](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U7hwHp95m1k/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for including the Underd0g in this video Britt, what a wonderful surprise! Dick Benc0 is HIRED, no questions asked...!
LMAOOO! Richard watching my video?!?! STAHP! 😂🙈💕💕💕 Dick is excited to join the team!
I have the eggplant! The story is too personal, not for sale!😉
Thank you Britt for focusing on these microbrands. As someone who has always empathized with the underdog, I love to see these smaller independent watchmakers get the attention they so richly merit. In an industry cluttered with horological juggernauts like Rolex, Omega, Audemar Piguet, Patek Philippe, etc. its nice to see nascent watchmakers, who are really devoted to the craft, make a name for themselves. I find that when you don't have the luxury of coasting on legacy, the way these aforementioned watchmakers can, you have to have more grit and innovation behind you. Brands like Zelos, Monta, Farer or Christopher Ward are names that are not synonymous with prestige, so they must focus on bringing value for money to their consumers. People who buy these watches don't buy them to flex. They purchase them for their superior craftsmanship relative to their modest price point.
I love that you took the higher ground and did not allow someone who loves to create drama to suck you into it. Kudos for you continued awesomeness. I wish you were stateside, I would totally lend you a Skyquest!
I kinda felt in a weird position with all of it! I didn’t want to poke the bear. And I genuinely just want to talk about watches! But after someone made quite the big deal about it, I thought I should somewhat address it. But in the shortest way humanly possible! 🙈✨
@@BrittPearceWatches That individual has a history of mysogony, drama seeking, and knocking people down to pry himself up. In this case he hit all three. You handled it like a pro. Hopefully between this and other events, people will stop paying him any attention. I look forward to the day your channel passes his in terms of subs. :-)
@@BrittPearceWatches you handled it perfectly, reading the comments on your’s and other TH-camrs comments it’s obvious that he’s desperate and no one will lend him watches any more, people watch it as a car crash 😂
@@BrittPearceWatches I’ll also add - thank you for focusing on the watches. I couldn’t care less about which watch TH-camr likes/doesn’t like who. Keep up the fantastic content!
Love your channel, your honesty, and your editing of videos is top notch by the way!
Def in my favorite watch TH-camrs list!
Great job covering the micros, Britt. You’ve hit a couple of my favorites (Brew and Monta), and highlighted Nomadic, which I wanted to know more about. I’ve got the exact Monta Skyquest GMT you’ve featured on order, and I’m so pumped to get it.
Thanks for this video. I like microbrands when it comes to watches, clothing, shoes, restaurants, stores, just about anything!
That was a terrific little thumbnail sketch on a fun subject. You picked some really good ones too. Incidentally, I don't know how comfortable it was for you to wear, but that pocket shot of that kind of burnt orange colored Zelos looks perfectly reasonable on you inspite of its heft.
It does doesn’t it!? It’s pretty comfy as well due to the low weigh titanium…. I think BP can definitely pull it off.
You know, I was surprised how good it looked on the wrist! Especially with that 49mm lug to lug. It is a bit heavier than your typical titanium piece - but the material makes it a lot more wearable!
I was thinking the same thing... and it's light too.
@@BrittPearceWatches yeah...maybe that bad boy's a keeper.
Not a great watch but I will say that it wears smaller than its dimensions would indicate.
I’ve just received my first Zelos watch today (blacktip Ti coal black) and its quality has blown me away! Great video 😊
Nice one... 👍. My Blacktip Frost will hopefully me with me in a couple of days... can’t wait...
Welcome to the micro brand club! Most of these brands are affordable and available. They make collecting watches fun again!
I was attracted to the Zelos Aurora, but it is sold out, so obviously not available. You should see if the brand will come on your channel and discuss their watch making philosophy.
I love how accessible these are - ESPECIALLY in terms of the movements. The conversation is so often about heritage and history, in history JLC and some others made movements for basically everyone. But now people are always looking at in house and common movements as inferiority. Kind of goes against all the history the same people shout about to some degree. These movements and the adventurous steps these micro brands can take are great! It allows one to buy with more confidence in terms of servicing down the line. I recently bought an Isotope Hydrium Burnt Tangerine and I’m still marvelling at how great it is on the wrist. Going to be a great summer watch in an orange which matches our company colour.
Looking at the watches of espionage emails I’ve seen another one made by US marines (Sangin) - there’s always another brand around the corner and it’s SO much fun to learn about them and study the detail of all their design choices!
I can attest to the quality of Monta. I recently bought the Skyquest and it hasn't left my wrist. It's so comfortable and the fit and finish are superb. It's also running at COSC standards. You get a lot of watch for your money and in my opinion they are up there with the big brand names. I'm also a fan of anOrdain, Astor+Banks and Direnzo. There's great style and value in the microbrands.
Ahhhh I am DYYYYING to see the sky quest in person! But you’re so right: the quality and finishing is honestly … like… Tudor quality!
Amazing brand. 💕
@@BrittPearceWatches Tudor is a perfect comparison. It's right up there. That Zelos really suits you BTW. Very cool.
Zelos makes absolutely amazing watches. They sell out immediately after release and become horribly overpriced on eBay etc, but they are undeniably amazingly well made and beautiful watches. Have a 42mm bronze case Swordfish with ETA movement and black meteorite dial. Breathtakingly gorgeous watch with unbelievably Lume that you can absolutely beat the hell out of. Love Zelos
I want to see a swordfish in person sooooo bad!!!! (The watch, but the fish would be cool too) 😂🙈
I wouldn’t mind seeing a swordfish as long as I wasn’t in the water.
Jody's a huge fan too
The packaging that came with my Zelos was fantastic too!
@@BrittPearceWatches Isn’t swordfish on the menu at the Pub? 😎🥃
Great review as always Britt! Love micro brands. I have traditional Omega and Longines but my work watch is a tough SWC BUNKER and I just ordered the Formex Essence SPACE ROCK . The Essence ,IMHO, goes head-to-head with Monta.
Britt, the quality of your videos just keeps getting better!
I’m sure I’ve said it before but I’d love to see a walkthrough of the Farer range.
Love what Monta are doing and that Zelos is lovely.
Ouuuu I gotta get in touch with the Farer people and see if I could be a horrible pest and borrow some watches!
@@BrittPearceWatches get pestering!
Hell yea!
I was looking for the Farer mention.🤞for an upcoming video.
I paid attention when you said 'maybe you can see my breaths' . Keep the good work up.
Enjoyed the vid Britt. I find the Montas particularly interesting also, as well as the Nomadics. I've recently ventured into the world of microbrands myself. I like that they often are quite unique, but use solid dependable movements.
Monta is a solid brand that offers very good design aesthetics and quality build/finish. I own the Monta Noble (Blue Dial), and would contend its one of best alternatives to the Rolex OP.
Look forward to your review of the Atlas - such a great GMT with some unique design quirks!!
The Monta is one of the best micros out there. Great watches.
Like the focus on micro brands. I can actually afford these. Happy holidays.
Fantastic list, Britt. You failed to mention that the Zelos Aurora also comes in 38mm, although sadly, not in orange. It would be a perfect fit for your wrist size
Gringa Sunday is back 🎶
Epic video Britt 🙌🏻
The Studio Underd0g Watermelon it’s like wearing summer on the wrist ☀️
I think all of this watches give great value for money 😎
FERNAAANNNDO! The covid free 👑 😜✨✨✨ thank youbsoooo much! I’m so glad you enjoyed!
As for the studio underdog you are sooo right! Just pure summer and joy on the wrist!
Big fan of microbrands. I have Farer, Christopher Ward, Zelos, Henry Archer, Radcliffe, Ugly Watch co and a couple of Kickstarter specials. I love the variety and choice available in the microbrand space, and the inventiveness that keeps brands pushing forwards.
Great video as always Britt - I love Baltic and own the blue gilt Aquascaphe - not the most accurate movement but that’s the compromise of a micro brand at this price point - exceptional dial, super wearable and an all round great diver
Britt - I luv your videos and your refreshing outlook on life / watches - I have always said that micro brands are very fun to follow (especially BREW) - I think that a very underappreciated brand is Astor + Banks - they have some phenomenal colored dials - maybe you can do a PART TWO micro brand review ? Cheers !
For me in regards to micro-brands, it was the Serica 5303. It's one of the best-looking and high-value watches that I've seen outside of the established brands in a very long time. Unique styling that's imo a near-perfect blend of modern and classic retro combining to look both fresh and immediately classic. The dimensions are perfect, and the attention to detail - especially the bracelet - just blew me away.
Oh Serica is SOOOO COOL! I am dying to see one in person!
I am one of those 'not wealthy' watch enthusiasts who has one or two pieces that are expensive and mainstream - but doesn't have the ability to realistically look at Pateks and Daytonas and think about when I'll be getting them (whilst we all sigh and say "Well... maybe one day") - but discovering microbrands has given me a surge of excitement that is about the watches. I don't care that people who aren't watch geeks don't know what they are. I love the idea of small companies existing in small ecosystems, identifying the tiny details that they can improve on (like on-the-fly clasp micro-adjustments and bracelet details) and who express new design ideas without going all Hublot, Jacobs & Co or Richard Mille over indulgent (on what seems like an exercise in how to make the most expensive watch). Micro-brands have literally changed my list - that list that I'm working down for my collection. Don't get me wrong - that list still has a couple of hefty Omegas on there (omg that Apollo 8 Dark Side of the Moon), and yes, it will include a Rolex one day (long after the stupidity is over) - but OMG the whole concept of the micro-brand has allowed me to enjoy watches so much more.
I'm saving up for a Fears Brunswick. At 38mm, their cushion case design is stunning.
Ahhh the Brunswick is amazing!! I’ve gotta pester Nicholas to see if he’d ever let me come and film at the Bristol show room!
Haha, love the dig at Oisin O Malley😆
Who????? 🤔😂
BAHAHA! 🙈 no dig, I promise! I just felt it somewhat had to be addressed for those following the gossip! 😜 but I also didn’t want to give it more oxygen than it deserved. Hopefully we can all just move on, make good videos, for the love & joy of watches!
@@BrittPearceWatches watch beef is really unnecessary ;)
@@p4ndorA I couldn’t agree more. We are already this niche weird community. 😂🙈 whats the sense in fighting over tiny differences of opinion…?
Micro brands can be hit or miss. I have a few that I love and some I’m looking to sell. A vintage style homage can do the trick rather than the cost and risk of buying vintage 😎. Hope you and Watch Papi have a great holiday season.
Thank you 🙏🏼 and wishing you and your loved ones a truly magical holiday period ❤
I sooo agree! They are super hit or miss for me too. Hope you have a gorgeous holiday season too!
absolutely love my Boldr Venture green dusk, it's my go-to daily watch
Micro brands are the frontier of creativity in horological design. Not for the high horological junkie but definitely for watch enthusiasts. I love the fun factor in the watches you featured in this video. Britney and micro have a common spirit of joy.
Finally got my Brew 8-bit Retrograph after a long wait. A nice, funky, slightly less serious take on the the Metric. I love it. Next stop, Zelos. Love some Micros.
Love that orange crystalline dial Zelos!! Love the Brew Metric even more!! Thanks Britt, now got some more new brands to research and explore 🧐
Maaaan! I love the brew metric!!!! I wish they were easier to get ahold of. 🙈 the Zelos has really knocked my socks off! What a watch.
Micro brands are great as they represent the watch enthusiast who enjoys the hobby. It’s fantastic to see how the micro brands have taken off. Brew, Studio Underd0g, Second Hour Watches, Farer are a few of my favourite brands that I own and enjoy. I am definitely drawn into Norqain the Freedom 60 GMT is so good.
Monta makes great watches. Visited their St Louis Hq last summer while driving thru town. Had a nice visit with Justin, the company president, talked watches and checked out their entire line up. Justin adjusted the bracelet for me and signed the watch box too. Try getting that level of service from a established luxury watch brand! Left with the silver dial Triumph on my wrist, but really they had no bad choices on offer. My wife wears the limited edition turquoise Noble too. To top it all off, hands down Monta has the best bracelet and adjustable clasp you can buy without spending twice as much.
Nice video Britt! I have the Zelos Aurora, but the mosaic mother of pearl one. It's a really nice watch. P.S., don't worry about the drama that is being cause by, well, you know. Just keep doing you.
Man! I really love the Zelos! Congrats on owning such a great watch! 😍💕
As for the drama. Thank you. 😔 I’ve been pretty down about it. But I’ve decided I need to keep on going, keep talking watches! And I hope people keep enjoying the content. 💕✨
I love Brew and Studio Underdog! Brew has the metric steel dial in stock. It looks a little sterile but the blue and white look so good on it. Studio Underdog is just genius. He understands a whole generation's sense of humour and we get it. He is basically making the same watch over and over and changing the colors. Like I said genius. Christopher Ward smashed it this year with the Bel Canto. So many microbrands that are making waves in the watch world this year! 2022 is the year of the microbrand!
I loved this whole comment and I couldn’t agree more! 2022 was the year of the micro brand wasnt it!
The Monta Atlas is my favorite of the bunch, but I am glad you took a look at all these micro brands. I'm anxious to see what their new Ocean King looks like. I'm glad you got some Monta time, and hope they send you more watches to feature. I liked the format with a bunch of watches in one video. I think that works, since micros aren't your main thing. Such a shame about your boy band career being cut short before it took off.
Always enjoy your fresh take on ⌚ content.
Love the video! Definitely want a Monta one day. Love the vent GMT hand
Man Monta is sooo great! 😍💕✨
I now have 2 Zelos watches and love both of them. I have a bronze Hammerhead 3.. with a MOP dial. It is rugged and very cool looking with great patina. My newest is the Aurora with the MOP mosaic dial. It is beautiful in sunlight and stealthy cool in lowlight. It is tough but nice enough to wear with a suit. They punch way over their price in quality. You do need to jump on them at th moment they release for the most part. My Aurora sold out in under 5 minutes, the Hammerhead in 30 minutes. The more common dials can last a little longer. I plan on buying more in the future.
Gringa Sundays 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽❤️❤️❤️ love it, nice little round up BP. 😘
💕💕💕 heeeey baaabay!
I have that orange Zelos - Aurora. Basic or Underwhelming are adjectives for it generally and probably for every other Zelos based on the components and design language. Of course, the watch is orange, and so that gets noticed. The value in that is that the NEXT watch you wear, which likely deserves the attention, is more likely to get noticed because you've already set your wrist apart.
I own a Brew Retrograph... Love it.
Monta and Zelos are on my shortlist. I currently own a Farer and it's amazing, the brand really knows how to use color.
Hope you will do another video for Zelos Aurora series for the dial ‘TEAL’ and ‘Mother of Pearl’ . Is quite unique for micro brand to come out such a incredible design.
Hi Brittany,
The Underd0g watches are amazing and a lot of fun. Zelos is probably my guilty pleasure. I extremely like the designs in titanium.
I’ve got a Halios Seaforth V2 in my personal collection. The dial colour is called abyss - a very dark, nearly black, blue.
I don’t know whether Formex is still a micro brand but I like their designs too. Especially the Essence. I got a 42 but love to get a 39 instead.
Best regards,
Claus
I like them. But past this now. Just buy a Tag!!
Holly Trinity Rocks.
Nice video mate 🥃
I just love a good underdog.
They fight, they push. Maybe they will not win or stay alive but by God they will have lived. 😎
I got a sky blue Halios Seaforth several years ago, it’s my only microbrand piece. Really like it, just a couple of design choices that bother me a little but nothing bad. The sky blue dial and Zulu bezel got me, for about $700. He changes up his designs regularly so every piece is a limited edition in effect. It fills the “Canadian watchmaker” space in my collection. They’re hard to buy, he usually puts you on a pre-order list prior to a manufacturing run for the next model. They tend to hold resale value on eBay for that reason - cult following and hard to get. I’m keeping mine.
Halios! Coming thru for CANADA! 💕💕✨ I love their watches. I need to bug them and see if they’d let me review one!
Excellent choice : underdog watches win the beauty and freshness contest even if they are only Chinese watches customized to the European taste. More new micro-brands: it's very pleasant to think outside the box...
Brittany! Ive been with you since the Rolex executive parodies. Waaayyyyy back.
My favs are the Studio UnderdOg watermelon and Brew. Brew gives off a very 70's vibe.
I am a new horo hobbyist and your channel is great. I love the Metric and even tho you made this vid 2 years ago, they look to be in stock now. Before I knew I could get obsessed with watches, my fav watch had a black bracelet which seems to be hard to come by. It would be cool if you thought that would be a worthy vid of watches avail in a blackout and black bracelet vs leather. I think my next watch will be the Henry Archer Meteorite in black and purple. It looks like Metro offers a Metric - Black & Gold Carbon but black and gold is not my vibe.
I have a Smiths Commando which I am now listing on Ebay. Bought a Tudor Black Bay 36 blue dial so need to make room by selling the Smiths.
You had me at Monta.
My favorite microbrand!!
It is the king of micros! I cannot believe the quality! I have a entire dedicated Monta video coming soon! 😱✨
@@BrittPearceWatches I hope you will review the new skyquest GMT 😁
Yeh! There is awesomeness outside the mainstream! (It’s about time😉☝🏻😄).
I proudly own a Phoibos, Avi-8, and a few Islanders.
I love it! 😍
From 4:11 was my favourite part tbh 😂
4:31 was the kindest way I could put it. 😂
@@BrittPearceWatches 😂😂
Timeless watch channel is eating his words. Great video.
Hey Britt, just want to say I’ve been watching more of watch videos recently and you were definitely one of my gateway youtubers to the hobby. I also have a 5.5 inch wrist so I’m always glad if I can watch your reviews.
That being said you sound a little under the weather lately? Take care! 🫶
Whaaaat! Honoured to be apart of your gateway into the hobby! 😱😭💕 fellow 5.5 inch wrist! It’s not easy being in the small wrist crew
Nice vid, thanks Brittany 🙂👍
The micro brands I have are: Traska, Lorier & Vaer. 4 Traska watches: 1 is a 3, 6, 9 Explorer inspired watch but with its own identity so it’s not a clone called the summiteer & 3 no date Commuters (black, white & mint green) which are 36mm Oyster Perpetual inspired - all Miyota 9xxx movements & all use a special scratch resistant steel. The Lorier is a Art Deco dress type watch called the Zephyr & it’s *chef’s kiss*. The Vaers are OK: 2 are vintage Explorer 1016 inspired, each 36mm - one quartz, one Automatic & a Swiss made SW200 movement diver
I fell in love with micro brands about 4 years ago and have many in my collection. So much watch for the price. I used to own a Zelos Blacktip with a stunning teal dial, but ultimately sold it because I felt it was too blingy for my taste. It was a stunning watch, but as a dive/tool watch it looked too much like jewelry you wear to the dance club
Good Morning Britt! Merry Christmas!
Hi Britt Gringa P I love the semi sandwich dial on the Zelos and I have a Studio Underd0g Goofy Panda on order & due in March. Great show done very well. Most enjoyable. 👍👏👏👏
YOU HAVE A GOOFY PANDA?!?! 😱💕 I am sooo jealous! Hopefully the time goes by nice and fast!
@@BrittPearceWatches Yes I was lucky to be able to order one at World Time as I missed the launch date somehow having waited for it for months. Also got to meet Richard & see Andrew & Graham from Zero West a much loved brand for me. A great afternoon spent with many friends at the show. 👍
Have the Brew Metric. Micro brands are fun. Great way to enjoy a watch.
My microbrand watches:
a Mr. Jones "Perfectly Useless Evening", an antidote to the pretense surrounding watches at times. If you try hard you can even tell the time on it.
a Daniel Henry 1975 skin diver at 37mm, something for summer, a quartz watch ticking at 4 beats per second.
Gringa!! 45K Subs are almost there!!!! Great video about some up and coming brands. I am one for more conservative watch styles, but it is nice to see your opinion and thoughts. Long Live the Cult(s).
@watchgringa But, but, but....I feel like I do not even know you anymore......HAHAHAHAHA
If your microbrand isn't doing something unique or fun, I don't care... Just picked up the Brew Metric and love it.
its a whole new quirky watch - love a good micro quirky
Right?! Me too!
The Brew Metric is the funnest watch that I own, by far. Obligatory purchase for those in the coffee industry, itinerant coffee shop hangabouts, and even run-of-the-mill caffeine addicts. (Count me in the middle group.) I'd like to buy one for my favorite barista, but haven't decided who that is yet. Nice video, Britt! As far as other worthy micros, please tell us what you think about Serica, Christopher Ward, and revival brands such as Aquastar and Nivada Grenchen.
These were a good pick of popular microbrands. I wouldn’t be opposed to a Britt Pearce list of microbrand models that do it better and for cheaper than their big named competitors.
Love Micro brands as they offer so much for what you pay
My first micro purchase will for sure be the Oak and Oscar Humboldt GMT. Thinking around tax return time 2023 😂. Great video!!
I passed out when I saw CW shown and didn't come to until the Studi0 Underd0g segment...
I’m really liking what Serica are doing at the moment. It’s such a deep rabbit hole! Great vid Britt. Now leave the garage and get those hairy toes back in front of the log burner!! …or were they James’s🤔. Naah.
Thanks for making a video like this. I’m always on the lookout for something other then Rolex although I love Rolex lol😊
Awesome video Britt! I ordered myself a go0fy panda from studio underd0g a while ago. Cant wait to insepct that seagull movement in person and compare it to other handwound chronographs i have.
Ouuu HOOOOO! When is it due to arrive?! 😱😱 I love the Go0fy Panda!
@@BrittPearceWatches I hope it'll arrive in March/April!
Great video, great information, keep up your great work.
Whaaaat! This has made my day! Thank you. 💕
You absolutely MUST have the Studio Underd0g X Fratello Eggplant! Then do a review with lots of clips of you wearing it out and about! (Imagine: Gringa wearing the Eggplant on the beach in Tahiti! Or hiking in view of Mount Denali in Alaska!) Seriously! This watch suits you. It suits your playful personality. And the colors make it just plain cute! I know it’s sold out (and officially called “Aubergine”) but use your insider connections! Get one! I personally lean toward the “Pumpkin” (even though purple is my favorite color) but to each their own. 😎⌚️🍸
I own 1 Baltic, 2 Clemence, 3 Farer and 4 Marloe's last one I purchased was the Farer Swan. I think you get value for money and unique looking watches take the Marloe Burt and buoy all for £269.
Good review here, Britt! I think Monta are headed somewhere good and I hear their finishing is top notch. Did you see that too?
Question: can you include lume reviews in these videos for next time? It’s a place that I find micro brands tend to skimp on and would be great to see how the lume does on these. Thanks!
Ouuu thisbis good feedback! I need to improve on my lume shots as well. 🙈
Monta is top notch! I’d say their finishing and feel of their watches is pretty comparable to Tudor!
@@BrittPearceWatches thank you! Good work!
I love micro brands. I also recommend Traska, Long Island Watches, Hemel, Venezianico. And perhaps another category, the mod watcches like Koda ( I recently bought awatch from Koda, mod by George, australian guy very creative)
I gotta look into these! Micro brands aren’t always my area of expertise! So I love getting some more names to look into 💕✨
Traska is a great brand - you get a lot of watch for $5-600. Its designs are pretty solid, if clearly inspired. The Summiteer is a very good Explorer alternative; and its scratch resistance of the case and bracelet is top notch.
Traska are fantastic build quality and design.
I'm late to the party, but I am a big fan of micro brands. As a guy who earns a very average wage, I find the value being offered by micro brands outweighs the value of brand name. Sure a BB36 would have Tudor on the dial, but a CW C63 offers essentially the same wearing experience/durability, but with a date, and for less than half the cost.
I have a Tsao Constellation. You should look into the Tsao Baltimore brand. They are terrific quality and a beautiful watch with a great story.
Great video keep up the Micro braids
Many Microbrands have absolutely cool looking watches. For some movement nerds (like me), that generates a problem. Watch looks supercool, is 1-2.000€ and .... some cheapo Movement in it. Or even worse, a Quartz. (Brew)
That said, i bought 2 Kickstarter Watches this year regardless.
You should totally check out the Namica Shirahama Neo Tokyo Black DLC. Dimensions are contained, the dial is absolutely stunning. Overall color scheme is also damn cool. And the stealth looking black case does the rest.
Received mine a few days ago, and i'm as hyped about it, as i am about my BB Pro. :)
Great video, nice to see you're including micros and independents. You should check out Formex watches. They offer so many features, a lot of engineering, and unique designs.
I have a Brew metric , love it. I have had mine 15 months
Micros are awesome, but long-term support is uncertain. This is understandable as carrying inventory for years is very expensive; but it is essential for me as I don’t sell my watches. Case in point: with my Seiko, TAG Heuer and Omega watches I had to replace a crystal, bezel and bracelet clasp respectively… no problem, despite these watches being well over 20 years old. When I tried to buy a bracelet for my three year-old Christopher Ward that I had purchased on a rubber strap, I was told it had been discontinued. No more for me.
That Monta looks just like my Bolex GMT Master II Coke. Only paid £750 more than the Monta retail price! 😝……. Back in 2001! 😜
I’ve got two watches from Sangin Instruments. Superb tool watch micro brand founded by Afghanistan veterans.
I’m starting to like the idea of getting a watch that have to wind. Other than my old Timex that is. Thanks
I think Farer deserves to be mentioned, they make fantastic watches. Not sure why, but the brew gives me anxiety.
Studio Underdog has my attention!
Amazing watches! 💕💕
Zelos is so high up on my list. Factoring in cost, I may want a Zelos more than a Tudor BB58.
Lets get it loved the video as always full of fun a very enjoyable video god to be early on another video, love Micro brands because they don't have such frigid stiff way of making a watch the possibilities are almost endless great to see you talk about micro brands and you watches are not basic at all just more traditional like so many other watch enthusiast and there is nothing wrong with that traditions is what built the watch community after all.
There are some interesting German micro brands... H20, Heinrich, Circula, D Dornbluth und Sohne, Kudoke, Daniel Malchert and Borgward spring to mind. Don't forget Habring 2 from Austria either. Some of these are well known of course, but the EU is a goldmine of microbrands which make some fabulous watches 🙂.
a watch called 'eggplant' - hell yes
Love micros Britt, cover some more of these! Helm is a really interesting one!
Oh man! I need to look into Helm!
@@BrittPearceWatches ill be honest, incredible build quality but my 6.6 inch wrist cant handle them. Maybe a Titanium model! They take a lot of cues of from Sinn like ISO certification.
A lovely selection of watches, you should delve deeper.
I noticed Farer have had a shout out in the comments and I'd add Christopher Ward (are they still considered a micro brand?)