Great value Swiss boutique watches

oxocube

Bought my first desk diver (Steinhart Ocean One black) with recommendations from this sub.

I've been so impressed with the quality and time keeping I'm looking for more recommendations on Swiss made boutique watch makers that compare to Steinhart on price and quality. Any ideas?

Ionised

Do they have to be Swiss?

(Steinhart are German hence the question)

oxocube

Ionised wrote: »

Do they have to be Swiss?

(Steinhart are German hence the question)

Not at all. Steinhart have a Swiss made movement (ETA 2824-2). Just looking for recommendations on quality Swiss made watches on a budget.

Footoo

Not a boutique brand (in fact the opposite) but Hamiltons Khaki Field or Jazzmaster range of watches are the best bang for your buck Swiss made automatics out there at that price range imo.

There are absolutely loads of good quality micro brands out there at that price range. Not sure how many of them are "Swiss made" but some would use Swiss movements. However the majority of micro brands seem to be using cheaper Japanese Seiko/Miyota movements.

Ionised

I'll second Hamilton as a choice.
Maranez do some nice designs too and extremely well made with a quality Seiko movement. Not Swiss in any way but just some of my favourites.

Glycine make some crackers as do Alpina.

Homer

I'll happily throw Stowa in the mix https://www.stowa.de/en/shop/

German hand made watches in small numbers 2500-3000 pieces per year.
I picked up a Stowa marine original last year and its a fantastic watch for the money. Even better if you can nab one pre owned!

Footoo

Homer wrote: »

I'll happily throw Stowa in the mix https://www.stowa.de/en/shop/

German hand made watches in small numbers 2500-3000 pieces per year.
I picked up a Stowa marine original last year and its a fantastic watch for the money. Even better if you can nab one pre owned!

I have that exact watch also (with the brown strap). Beautiful piece.

Ionised

Of course you could just get another Steinhart!

Thirdfox

Borealis do very nice dive pieces which are inspired/homages of other famous pieces. I rate them highly and only sold my sea hawk because I "got the real thing" (at 6x the price...)

art

Ionised wrote: »

Of course you could just get another Steinhart!

Agreed! Don't think there really is, at the moment, anything close to what Steinhart are doing: high quality, good movement, lots of interesting designs - and making their own movements too for some models! They are the pinnacle of the boutique brands I think. As Footoo says above, most of the "micro-brands" are lashing out quite similar stock, and just about all based on one or two Miyota movements; often at surprisingly ambitious prices too.

Were I to think of a real Steinhart competitor, I wouldn't think "micro" at all, just the opposite - Seiko's domestic models are blazing good value, the Alpinist, Cocktail time, Presage models for example, are between $300 to $500 and, whilst not Swiss admittedly, these are respected, high quality, interesting designs and, basically, just lovely.

https://www.seiyajapan.com/collections/movement-1

If I was determined to go with a Swiss movement though, perhaps look at Junghans (especially the Max Bill line); they use customised ETA movements.

blue5000

oxocube wrote: »

Not at all. Steinhart have a Swiss made movement (ETA 2824-2). Just looking for recommendations on quality Swiss made watches on a budget.

What is your budget? Hour Passion in KV might be worth a look for a watch in the swatch group.

893bet

There is a lovely Stowa on TZ that has my arsehole tingling!

Bluefoam

What's a boutique watch?

893bet

Bluefoam wrote: »

What's a boutique watch?

I guess it's a non mainstream brand that only watch enthusiasts really have an interest in i.e not main stream like Rolex, omega etc or not "fashion" branded Michael kors, Gucci etc.

(Stowa on route.....will be for sale within the month).

Homer

Ooh which Stowa?! The one from TZ? Was very tempted by that.

893bet

Homer wrote: »

Ooh which Stowa?! The one from TZ? Was very tempted by that.

Yeah the antea creme.......don't worry......you will get tempted again no doubt within the month!

Homer

I'll keep an eye out here and on adverts so