Hi there, and welcome to Fratello Talks. Would you rather buy a watch from a microbrand or an entry-level legacy brand? That’s the question Nacho, Thomas, and Lex ask themselves today. As we’ve begun to see microbrands develop and offer better quality and undeniable value while entry-level big-name brands stand relatively still, this has certainly become a valid thing to ponder. But do specs and value always trump a household name? And what about the difference in post-sales support? A legacy brand promises to be able to service a watch 20 years down the line. But can a micro/independent deliver on that promise? Clearly, there are many factors to consider, so tune in, listen to what we have to say, and then join the debate in the comments section below. But before we get into it, it’s time for a wrist check.

Oris Diver's Sixty-Five Momotaro wrist shot

Wrist check

We start with Lex, who complements his Canadian tuxedo with an extra dose of denim on his wrist, courtesy of the Oris Divers Sixty-Five Momotaro edition. As you can see, Lex is an indigo-inclined individual who can’t help but go all in when it comes to dressing in denim. He’s never not jonesing for jeans. And therefore, no watch quite suits his style as nicely as this desk diver in denim does.

VPC Type 37HW wrist shot

Thomas is, rather unsurprisingly, rocking his VPC Type 37HW on his wrist today. As I’ve said before, when you own a watch brand, you wear what you make. Thankfully, Thomas debuted VPC with three colorways for this watch, so he can mix things up even when sticking to his brand’s offerings. Today, he’s opted to dress down the Type 37HW Forest Green with a matching wool overshirt.

Omega Seamaster 300M 2254.50 on mesh bracelet, pocket shot

Finally, Nacho is wearing his trusty Omega Seamaster 300M ref. 2254.50.00. But whereas he normally wears it either on the OEM bracelet or a NATO strap, today, he’s opted to wear it on the brilliant Arroway Modular Bracelets AMB-001 Milanese mesh. He’s experimented with mesh bracelets before but never quite found one that ticked all the boxes — until now. He’s still putting it through its paces, so stay tuned for a comprehensive review coming your way soon.

Entry-level legacy brands, Tissot PRX on wrist

Fratello Talks: Microbrands Vs. Entry-Level Legacy Brands

Today, more than ever, when buying watches up to a certain price point, you are faced with a choice: do you go for something from a microbrand or opt for a watch from one of the many entry-level legacy brands? Price-wise, these watches can be quite comparable. And often, when it comes to specs, they’re not too far off. But does a price/specs relationship always come out ahead of a well-known and respected brand name? Can the right value proposition trump brand heritage and the romance of a specific brand? We think that these are all valid questions to ask. So today, we do just that and talk through our different perspectives.

When you want your money to stretch far, microbrands can be a great bet. But the appeal of a heritage brand is undeniable. Does it come down to personal preference? Or are there other factors to consider? Today, we hop into the discussion and cover the topic. However, we’d also love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Let us know in the comments section below. And, of course, tune in next week for a new episode of Fratello Talks!

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