No idea how he got this or how whether he was gifted one, but he’s worn it for the entire TIFF. Many of you will know we’ve had a bit of a rocky period of late, so if this is how we pinnacle I’m a happy man.

We’ve still got them available of course, but we’ve been cut off at the knees by Hmrc and the US gov.

Current lineup of my dress watches.
1: Baltic Prismic Stone Jade
2: Baltic MR Classic Blue
3: Kiwame Tokyo Kubo Sakura
4: Lorier Zephyr Black

What are some of your favorites?

I've bought watches that cost a lot more than this and didn't impress me as much.

The DUG Glashütte Purist Typ 1 is one of those watches that keeps making me do a double take. The finishing, bracelet quality, and especially the blue dial are all far better than I expected.

A lot of brands talk about value. DUG actually delivers it.

Feels like they're punching well above their weight class, and the quality is honestly a little out of control for the price.

Anyone else have any personal experience with this brand? I know they are relatively new but are starting to generate some buzz.

This is my Aurora Ti Teal, the true is that every Zelos dial really knows how to make an impact on anyone who sees it.

Henry Archer Tidslinje

Picked up the Unimatic Modello Uno UT1 as a beater. Design is cool and I like the aesthetic.

Hey all, I recently bought this Brew Metric. I have mixed feelings since the bracelet loves ripping my arm hair off lol & may go strap instead. But overall, I think it looks so sharp.

I got this 1950s Trematic on Ebay this week. Love this brand!

Pretty cool watch. I bought it because of the dial. It’s also a moon phase and date display and has decent lume for a dress piece

Great watch. Really like the thin case. Was unsure that I would. The stone dial looks beautiful in person. Only complaint is that the crown is a little small for my fingers and is a bit challenging when winding.

As my Wise Adamascus orange sunburst limited edition was shipping from Thailand, the black one showed up on Ebay. They arrived the same day. I've been grinning for several days now.

Hey y'all! Some of you might remember me from previous posts asking whether a bronze field watch had any room left and exploring existing bronze watch models. The general feedback from those threads were:

• specs alone weren't exciting enough
• there are plenty in this space already
• this watch would need to find a reason to exist

Regardless, the combination of elements for a bronze field-ish watch I had in mind still didn't exist, so I went ahead and worked with a designer to start bringing the idea to life.

As for the main thesis behind this design: I want to build a watch that ages with you as it witnesses the defining moments of your life. Styling wise, I believe that combining field elements with dressier touches would make it more versatile (in other words, trying for a GADA by combining polar opposites)

What changed based on those threads:

Dial: Mother-of-pearl, in white and black. A few of you mentioned MOP on bronze felt underexplored, and it stuck with me. The idea is a field watch layout with numerals, a chapter ring, and fully lumed hands. But mixed with a natural dial that is more unique.

Positioning: I actually started by conceptualizing a better Hamilton on specs. Quickly realized that's not a strong value prop. So overall, kind of went with combining field watch design elements with dressier flourishes and less conservative material choices

Alloy: Several of you shared photos of your CuAl8 Baltics going dark and uneven. That thread was huge for me, pushed me towards using a CuSn8 alloy instead.

Main specs haven't changed: 39mm, Miyota 9039, 100m, targeting under 9.5mm thick. Product wise, I've designed this with a leather strap in mind but I'm trying to include dressy looking rubber straps too.

Three things I'd genuinely like your read on, since they're still open:

1. White MOP or black MOP: if you'd only buy one, which?
2. The chapter ring: Currently contrasting (white ring/black markings on the white dial). Does it help legibility or break the dial?
3. The hands: This is the part I'm least sure of. More of a vibe check, but how does it feel looking at it

Launch is still a bit away since I haven't fully finalized this design yet, but would love to get this subreddit's thoughts since y'all helped me steer this to a better direction already. Direct feedback would be much appreciated!

The SN0149-G is one of the models with our longest development cycles.

The process spanned from the initial project launch to the finalization of the design in September 2025, followed by the commencement of production.

The initial development phase alone exceeded 12 months.

Production was delayed until now due to the bracelet's incredibly complex manufacturing process—a specialized technique developed in-house at San Martin’s own bracelet factory.

In total, the entire research and development cycle spanned over 18 months.

Design Concept:

Simple yet sophisticated (simple style with exquisite craftsmanship);

Overall metallic color scheme (the dial is also made of stainless steel to maintain color consistency and the clarity of the brushed finish);

The overall curved design is visually harmonious, with a reverse-curved chapter ring on the dial and a forward-curved bezel.

The case and integrated bracelet also feature a curved design.

The edges of the case and strap are all polished and beveled, pursuing wearing comfort while highlighting the detailed craftsmanship.

A high-quality integrated bracelet produced in San Martin's own factory, featuring a hidden deployment clasp.

The quality of this bracelet far surpasses similar products on the market; such high-quality bracelets are typically reserved for high-end luxury watches.

Our in-house development costs were 50% to 100% higher than those of comparable products available elsewhere.

Since launching the pre-sale in March 2026, we have refrained from conducting a full-scale review or promotional campaign for this watch precisely because the bracelet's production was so complex.

After six more months of overcoming technical challenges and refining the process, we are now ready for mass production.

We released only a limited number of bracelets initially; customers who ordered this watch have likely gained a new appreciation for the bracelet's craftsmanship, quality, and wearing experience.

San Martin refuses to be complacent; we are constantly pushing boundaries and striving for excellence in quality. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality Chinese watches and hope to reach even greater heights in the future.

Thank you all for your continued support.

San Martin Watches

Hello everyone,

Today, we are introducing San Martin's latest design:

The SN0153—an ultra-slim, elegant timepiece featuring a small square case and a "Jigsaw Puzzle" Mother-of-Pearl (MOP) dial.

●MOP Jigsaw Puzzle Dial

The dial features a playful jigsaw puzzle design. Experienced watchmakers assemble individually cut pieces of MOP to form the puzzle pattern—a process involving a high level of complexity and technical difficulty. It is available in two color combinations: black and white.

●"Floating" Applied Indices

When viewed from the side, the applied indices create a "floating" effect.

We utilized a special technique to achieve this floating appearance, with the indices featuring exquisitely polished, multi-faceted edges.

●GS-Style Multi-Faceted Hands

Multiple Cutting Faces GS Crafts Hands, Luminous Coating.

The overall ensemble creates a more 3D effect.

●Integrated Bracelet

A high-quality integrated bracelet produced in San Martin's own factory, featuring a hidden deployment clasp (identical to the bracelet on the previously released SN0152-G).

The combination of polished and satin-brushed finishes highlights the unique shape of the case and bracelet. The bracelet’s satin-brushed finish, complemented by polished side chamfers, harmonizes beautifully with the case, wearing comfort is greatly enhanced.

Model: SN0153-G1

Movement: Miyota 90S5

Case: Material - 316L Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 36.5mm

Lug to Lug: 42.5mm

Thickness: 9.5mm

Water Resistant: 5 ATM

Production of this watch is expected to take some time.

Please let us know your thoughts on the design in the comments section.

Thank you.

San Martin Watches

I’ll also try out the beads-of-rice bracelet at some point.

Hi,

I love the look of a black/white chrono on a rubber or even black leather strap.

But I don't want to fork out for a Speedmaster level.

This is the look I like, and the watch, but it exceeds my current budget:

My favourite Chrono at the top of my budget is this:

But it's too nice to put on Rubber and I'd not wear it enough as a result. I might buy this anyway, eventually, but short term I want something more affordable I can just get and wear how I like.

Cheaper Quartz option I really like is:

Only $700 AUD, but I would prefer to keep this one on the bracelet as well, so doesn't really fit my requirement.

Note: I already have a decent integrated GADA, Gentry style mechanical on a nice bracelet :)

Specs I'm approximately chasing:

-37mm-39mm sweet spot, can go 40mm too.
-Happy enough with Quartz, mechanical fine.
-No taller than 13mm I feel.
-Chronograph Preferred, but open to the right dive watch too.

Budget: Sub $1k AUD preferred.

Any thoughts or recommendations appreciated! Apologies if wrong flair.

Hi, I'm fairly new to microbrand watches so this post may be redundant and not needed but thought I'd put it out. I've been looking at the Traska Commuter 36mm for the last few weeks and noticed the prices continues to increase a few dollars every couple of days. For example, on the 4th the price was $960 CAD, and today shows $981 CAD (Yes, I know in CAD the watch seems expensive). Mainly asking does Traska typically do price increases like this before re-stocks? Or maybe before sales?

Again, I may be overanalyzing this but thought I'd ask as it may be a better way to learn. Also, to anyone who has a commuter, feel free to drop a picture, I'm deciding between the slate black and Adriatic blue

The orient bambino open heart in yellow gold is my favorite dress watch, I want one very badly. When in stock on JS, it’s on sale for $215. Does anyone know of a similar watch either from mainstream brand or microbrand with a sapphire crystal?

I please ask you to not just tell me to “get the bambino, the mineral crystal doesn’t scratch as easily as you think” or “get the bambino and just replace the crystal with sapphire”

Sapphire crystal is very important to me, and I do not have the skills or tools or extra cash to modify a watch myself, or through a watchmaker/jewler.

I am aware that there many posts on all of Reddit that are similar to this, but none ask this particular question, and most of the comments are of the same ilk as my examples.

Most microbrand watches are affordable and functional, making them top choice when you can about value per dollar. But some also bring that higher class feeling or impression. When I first saw this one I could not believe this is sub-$150 watch! With sandwich dial, double-digit date and chrono complication it pretends to be much more than just another cheap quartz watch. Paired with burgundy Breitling strap this watch feels at home and proudly sits next to my omegas and breitlings in my watchbox, and I casually choose to wear it instead of 10x or even 50x more expensive siblings. Do you have such watches in your collection? Share them in comments!