TW Steel Grandeur Diver Quartz Watch

Sad but true, these little Invictas can’t compete with Seikos in the lume department. On the other hand, considering price, they ain’t half-bad. Accuracy among both brands can be a little if-y on occasion, but overall, can’t beat ‘em. Like to know how your Regulating efforts play out—I’ve got a Seiko that needs it too.

So after a few months, they’re not too bad. The most disappointing thing, surprisingly, is the NH35 in the black dial one is running at +30 a day - and I hate to say it but that’s on Seiko. That said, all my other Seiko movements in actual Seiko watches (6 total) are all +5 - +15. Looks like it’ll be my first victim on learning how to regulate. Oh, and the lume sucks. It’s like a child’s glow stick farted. [image] [image]

Zelos. 2 watches from them, both in bronze, and Elshan Tang (the owner) was an absolute pleasure to deal with especially considering what a pain in the rear I am. It’s also the only two watches I own where I’m already ahead in terms of price. I got my ZX-5 auto chrono for $730, my horizon gmt for $650. Both are selling for as much or more on the USED market and have a decent volume of trade in the forums - you don’t see endless listings of people looking to dump, nor is there only 1 or 2 postings. If you get in on a preorder, you’re pretty much guaranteed to not lose money should you want to sell. Most of the other microbrands are just as you and Ray said, pretty much marketing machines that happen to sell watches. So far Aquacy, Pantor and Spinnaker have been meh to disappointing for me. Straton Watch seems to have had a few interesting chronos, and Phoibos seems nice especially if you like their octopus logo. When I’m looking at microbrands, I like to see that they’ve produced a few different watches, and also that there is a fair bit of trade/selling on the forums/used market.