Watch Brands Flying Under the Radar

[Waggy]

I know that watches are highly personal, but even with this in mind I am looking for what you think are the overlooked brands out there that deserve more attention and/or are fun to repair and/or collect. For example, I recently did a Zodiac watch and really enjoyed the quality and style and began to wonder how come this brand had slipped under my radar and I hadn't been aware of them previously? We all know about brands like Rolex etc. and they are great watches, but I am interested in brands that may not be so obvious that have their own charm that I haven't come across yet. For example, I have an Enicar on the way and I have never worked on one or even had one in my hands before, but based upon what I see online (YT Horology Biology) maybe there is something to his passion about this brand and they are another undiscovered gem that I am currently unaware of?? 

So here is your chance to shine the spotlight on your under-the-radar brand(s) or brand(s) that may be well-known but are under-rated and why you think they are deserving of more (or additional) attention from your fellow WRT users.

[markr]

Ball.

[Waggy]

On 6/21/2023 at 1:39 PM, markr said:

Ball.

Ball??

[Nucejoe]

On 6/21/2023 at 5:09 PM, markr said:

Ball.

Ya sure Ball is high grade but expensive to have it serviced.

[mikepilk]

In my fairly limited experience (about 100 watches),there's a couple of makes that impressed me by their quality, over what I was expecting (Omega, Universal, Cyma etc I was expecting quality) :

 Longines (up to 70s) - not really a surprise. But I think I'd take a manual wind Longines over an Omega !

Revue. I have a couple of Vertex Revue, the movements are nothing fancy, but everything just fits so nicely. One is a Calibre 59 (as used in the Revue version of the Dirty Dozen watches). Basic, but lovely movement.

From another thread,  @nickelsilver  and @Nucejoe have recommended Pesuex as a quality brand.

[Waggy]

21 hours ago, Nucejoe said:

Ya sure Ball is high grade but expensive to have it serviced.

Will have a look at them and maybe see if I can pick up a bargain.

[RichardHarris123]

Nomos?

[Nucejoe]

Kings Seiko 5625 & 5626 are chronometer

(high grade)  movements, some are officially certified chronometer watches, I have seen used ones for $500  & up   on ebay. 

I don't know if a non chrono balance complete is ever made to fit them yet make sure you get one with good balance complete, or have the option to return.

That I think is the least expensive chronometer watch money can buy for the quality  

 

[Razz]

I think the Croton, Croton Nivada Grenchen, and or NIvada Grenchen "family" of vintage watches are somewhat under the radar. Many aquamatic models have ETAs and have great dials and cases.

[Razz]

On 6/24/2023 at 9:49 PM, Razz said:

I think the Croton, Croton Nivada Grenchen, and or NIvada Grenchen "family" of vintage watches are somewhat under the radar. Many aquamatic models have ETAs and have great dials and cases.

Here is an example I probably posted somewhere else. SS case with drilled lugs, lovely dial, and an ETA automatic. I really like the way the crown fits into the case. 33.4mm wide, 41mm lug to lug. Works well on my small wrist.

[markr]

Picked mine up a couple of weeks ago.  Yard sale.  8 watches for $100

[SpringMangler]

Wow, that is an beauty and an absolute bargain. It's hard to pick one up under £2000. 

[mikepilk]

2 hours ago, markr said:

Picked mine up a couple of weeks ago.  Yard sale.  8 watches for $100

What a bargain. What's the movement ?

[broccolini]

I found one of those in my box of trash watch parts.

 

 

[markr]

17 hours ago, mikepilk said:

What a bargain. What's the movement ?

Valjoux 23