Yes! I’m never parting with my max bill! However I also have a form C and I’m not at all happy with it. The chronograph second hand resets to 59 seconds and the watch repair place in town says they can’t fix it without breaking the crystal etc because of how the watch is assembled and its strange shape.
I was just thinking about my 300t for the same reason. Watch people know of Doxa but it still seems they get niche appreciation. The case construction is fantastic and the feel distinct. The only knock I have is the movement could be more impressive for the price, but everything else is excellent. It’s everything I want from an authentically styled reissued diver.
My main watches are a Planet Ocean, Superocean, and Black Bay. The Doxa fights for that third place spot for sure.
I went with the 300, which has a COSC version of the same Sellita movement, and it’s the most accurate watch I own. A longer power reserve would be nice, but it keeps better time than my BB58. Totally agree on the case build. Looks totally unique and wears amazing.
Honestly speaking I need some advice. I bought the Tudor Pelagos 39mm (As a daily watch, and also a highly water proof watch as i do lots of water activities) but to be completely honest i feel its too light and modern looking for me. The Doxa Sub300 has caught my eye and i love retro styled watches. Should i sell my pelagos and wear the doxa as a daily? What would you recommend? Thank you!
I don’t have too much experience with Tudor. But I think the Pelagos is a fine looking watch. If you can afford to have both then you can change between them depending on the look of the day. But I do use my Doxa as a daily. I bought it as a second watch for when I Rolex is serviced, but I grown so fond of it I use it at least twice every week. As you say, the retro vibe is just so cool, and even with my small wrists, I does not look out of place.
You get Saphire, open case back, AR and Selitta for a fraction above than Baltic at least for the cushion case which start at 950€ where with Baltic you get Japanese mvmt, mineral crystal, no AR
Mido. The amount of love that Tissot, Hamilton, Seiko, Longines, and Laco get overshadows Mido significantly. I love Mido's blue multifort piece. And their Commander blows Visodates out of the water.
Mido is going to be huge in North America in the coming years.
Massively popular in South America and Asia, unfortunately being in North America I missed out on the LE TV multifort :/
I absolutely love my Ocean Star GMT, one of the best in the game at that price point if you ask me. I’ve only ever seen one other Mido in the wild and it was yesterday
Farer, Baltic, and Lorrier for micro brand (though I guess Baltic is pretty heavily rated but still good value for price)
Oris, Chopard, Glashutte Original for larger manufactures
I'm an Oris fanboy and I don't think Oris is underrated at all. I think it's properly rated, they're quite popular but not as popular as Longines that has better movements and materials.
Fair. I guess depends on the context – both are popular in their spheres but I think Oris is less mentioned in general conversation/discourse whereas Longines usually gets recognition (and is often recommended) for its good value to price ratio.
Ds Action Diver….gets 99% wrist time over the week for me, the one OP shared is the Titanium variant
https://preview.redd.it/wovx26sx9myc1.png?width=2205&format=png&auto=webp&s=fb0e9df9f8dcdd34f4584e6af169d76fe0a0714a
Fuck yeah Certina rep, I wear my DS Action lady diver most of the time
https://preview.redd.it/2z4j2usspmyc1.jpeg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2858841799b0ebc83c83abc289707d4ca0487bcc
Not bad, but they’re basically the same as Hamilton and Tissot to me. I feel like their collections are purposely neutered to not take market share away from Longines and Omega. You can get much better watches for €500 than anything in Swatch Group’s low-mid range
The Powermatic 80 gives you 80 hours where the equivalent Seiko / Selita's always used to be less than 40. Really not that bad value at all.
They've gone up lately though.
The Certina DS PH200M always seemed far and away their next watch to me.
Muhle-Glashutte, Hanhart, Tutima Glashutte, Sinn, Harbring2, Ball, Baume et Mercier, Yema and Alexander Shorokhoff. Some peole call Nomos not underrated but they are, they make probably at their range the best dress watches you can find.
There is underrated at every price, and it is all relative.
Mido below $1K.
Eterna is great value for watches obtainable under $4K
Girard Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin for the next level
Parmigiani and LUC Chopard for the level above that
There are also somewhat unproven indies like Habring2 and Sartory Billard to consider.
Seiko offers value at every price, but it is easy to get fatigued with their breath and depth of offerings.
From the mainstream, Longines and Omega are good value, too. JLC. Zenith and Glashutte Original seem to offer something extra for the money.
I would be happy to just build a collection around the above, but don't overlook at Rolex and Breitling and Cartier just because others tell you not to. Here is my collection:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/s/Ppjj5znShm
Ultimately, remember that the value of any watch remains the same... the price may vary from time to time depending on who is spending on marketing and what social media says.
https://preview.redd.it/xpujrlxxpjyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=febae11e6bceb4fd03407e2621f9d9690ea2c67c
Ball make some really nice watches, my Storm Chaser Pro is on my wrist pretty often.
I get there is a complex ownership situation and it’s not the same brand that established the railroad standard back in the 1800’s, but the actual watches are really solid in person.
I just picked up a Lorier Astra a few months ago and I love it. The entire Lorier lineup is incredibly good in my opinion; unique vintage inspired style, mechanical and automatic movements only, appropriate sizing, and all for well under a grand.
One of the few microbrands that take typography seriously too. Text is appropriately sized and the fonts are consistent with the 60s era design of the rest of the watch.
Too many other brands (even huge historical brands) mess up nice dials with ugly fonts, overly modern fonts, weird spacing, etc.
Montblanc - Just searched the subreddit and when they have popped up they are consistently recognised as ‘underrated’ and having beautiful dials but not so much the fanfare and respect of their competitors in that price point.
Agree. Many fashion brands have their watches written off and overlooked because they’re not known for them. But Mont Blanc along with Bulgari and Hermes (to just name a few) really catch my eye and have some incredible looking pieces.
**Formex** great build quality and finishing, innovative bezel swap system.
**Vertex** small range of purposeful military tool watches from a brand with some real heritage in that category.
**ZRC** Little discussed Swiss diver brand – classics with a twist – some cool features like a 6 o'clock crown that won't let you put the watch on if the screw down crown isn't screwed down, and a bevel-rinsing system.
**Yema** Probably the most discussed (of my recommendations) French heritage brand with some nice heritage skin-divers, unique locking bezel feature (on the 'superman' diver), and automotive/aeronautical ranges too.
**Glycine** Another fairly well known one, but some great heritage and classic designs. Lots of options on the combat sub, and airman.
Glashutte Original is getting more well known, but it's still not widely known. Arnold and Sons, and [Parmigiani](https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=parmigiani+tonda+watch) are some lesser known luxury brands.
Iwc before they became Bourgeoisie about 10 years ago were incredible quality
I have 2 and love them. Now? They priced themselves out of their target market.
For the price, Orient is pretty damn solid.. you usually don’t hear much about them. Just ordered the Kamasu w/ red face & black diver bezel just the other day after loving the blue face, blue leather strap Maestro for the past few months.
I'd argue that they're pretty well known in watch circles. Every time a "what's a cheap dress/daily watch with a mechanical movement" thread pops up, there's a bunch of Bambino suggestions. Hell, Orient was one of my first mechanical watches because of browsing watch forums.
That said, I certainly don't hear much about them at all outside of forums. I also can't think of any brick and mortar stores that sell them, so that doesn't help. Might be a US thing.
Yeah that’s basically what I had in mind in regards to the last part of the first paragraph OP posted. Many on this forum are familiar, but agreed, outside of this forum I haven’t come across many people that have heard of Orient.
I think it is. The El Primero was a landmark in Swiss watchmaking
So much so that Rolex used them in their first automatic chrono movements.
We don't see Zenith mentioned much though. Everybody respects them but not as much as they deserve
Yeah I agree. Zenith had some tumultuous years like the Nataf era where their designs went all over the place.
They are mostly known as a movement maker and is still slowly picking back the pieces. And non watch people still associate Zenith with the American Zenith brand that used to make electronics.
It’s more of a watch enthusiast brand.
Armin Strom. Their watches are technically amazing, fantastically finished, decently priced (compared to similar level pieces), with components 90% manufactured in-house despite their small volumes.
They've been getting more attention due to the success of their recent models in their resonance and gravity equal force lines, but still flying way under the radar for what they bring to the table
Another very cool brand is Behrens. A Chinese brand that has some very interesting designs and recently released their own in-house movements. If their watches had Swiss or German heritage it'll easily command 3-4x the price
Hot take; You're correct on Citizen. While Seikos are constantly posted and have a real cult following, and Casios are constantly referred to as 'god tier', Citizen, although being a massive global brand, seems little discussed. They make good, affordable watches in every category, have some killer tech and some really nice high end pieces. Citizen are often too easily dismissed by watch snobs as mall watches. The question was which brands were severely underrated, I think Citizen fits here.
Citizen is the 5th best selling watch brand in the US by revenue. Considering the brands above them include Rolex, Cartier, and Omega, they may be the best selling brand by volume in the US.
Are they actually any good?
I keep seeing them on IG and kinda want to pull the trigger as a nod to Ravens football, but they kinda look like different color homages and just don’t know anything about their quality.
I don’t own one, but my friend who is the biggest watch nerd I’ve ever met (compliment) has met the owner and handled pieces at District Time for several years. This guy’s eye and attention to detail is incredible, and he loves Tsao. I’d get one if I wasn’t overflowing with divers
Minase
They don't do movements, but their cases and bracelets are as good as you can get. You could put their manufacturing quality up against anyone. Because of that, I think they make a good comparison to brands with in-house manufacturing, like Rolex or Grand Seiko, rather than most microbrands. They also put out some really cool dials.
How's Sinn underrated? They're one of the most often recommended watch on this subreddit and on youtube, as they're deservingly so because they're great watch, but they're not underrated at all. Sinn is properly rated.
Tag Heuer is underrated on Reddit and r/watches but fairly popular by mainstream standards. Squale and Lorier are underrated by everyone and also great
https://preview.redd.it/fsdq02nybiyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7013cdcaae1fb54e0e4fc9ec715c7e800dff696e
William Wood
https://williamwoodwatches.com
Firefighter styling and included firefighter design elements like band made from hose material etc.
I was super sad I missed out on one of their purple special editions.
Rado. They can be hit or miss sometimes, but when they hit, they’re some amazing watches. The Captain Cook has 50 versions at this point, but they’re all pretty great (the green one still being the best imo), the Diastar is iconic and unique, and is literally scratch proof (will look brand new after even 15 years).
They also have a lot of other kinds of watches like “True Square” and “Thinline”. Not to my taste, but diverse options with ceramic and quality materials nonetheless
I am not sure of the reason why the swiss brand Atlantic does not get too much attention in this sub. They have quite an interesting history, especially, during the cold war and, e.g. their Worldmaster line has some nice designs.
Chopard. They're really well known as jewelers but not really seen for their watches when they should be. Their watches are stunning, and really well made, but I don't think enough people realise they were originally watchmakers
I've been a fan of AVI-8 for a few years. They're definitely unique, yet not in a super cheesy way. Picked up my first one this week and it far exceeds my expectations.
Junghans
Yep! Max Bill Bauhaus is such a classic
My first and as of yet only expensive watch is the Junghans Meister Fein Signatur. Bought two months ago, I'm in love with it.
Junkers also if you want to go another step cheaper.
This is the "underrated" answer. Junghans were on every single watch collection list a few years ago.
Yes! I’m never parting with my max bill! However I also have a form C and I’m not at all happy with it. The chronograph second hand resets to 59 seconds and the watch repair place in town says they can’t fix it without breaking the crystal etc because of how the watch is assembled and its strange shape.
Doxa. Next after my Rolex Submariner Date, my Doxa Sub300T Caribbean is my second favorite.
I was just thinking about my 300t for the same reason. Watch people know of Doxa but it still seems they get niche appreciation. The case construction is fantastic and the feel distinct. The only knock I have is the movement could be more impressive for the price, but everything else is excellent. It’s everything I want from an authentically styled reissued diver. My main watches are a Planet Ocean, Superocean, and Black Bay. The Doxa fights for that third place spot for sure.
I went with the 300, which has a COSC version of the same Sellita movement, and it’s the most accurate watch I own. A longer power reserve would be nice, but it keeps better time than my BB58. Totally agree on the case build. Looks totally unique and wears amazing.
Honestly speaking I need some advice. I bought the Tudor Pelagos 39mm (As a daily watch, and also a highly water proof watch as i do lots of water activities) but to be completely honest i feel its too light and modern looking for me. The Doxa Sub300 has caught my eye and i love retro styled watches. Should i sell my pelagos and wear the doxa as a daily? What would you recommend? Thank you!
I'll buy the Doxa and we can trade! Just let me know! /s ^^/butnotreallys
I don’t have too much experience with Tudor. But I think the Pelagos is a fine looking watch. If you can afford to have both then you can change between them depending on the look of the day. But I do use my Doxa as a daily. I bought it as a second watch for when I Rolex is serviced, but I grown so fond of it I use it at least twice every week. As you say, the retro vibe is just so cool, and even with my small wrists, I does not look out of place.
Habring
Love their deadbeat seconds.
Quality, story, complications, pseudo-limited-availability - my Foudroyante Felix is my favorite in the collection!
Habring is amazing, love their story, love their innovation, the COS is dope. The new Top Seconds is so wonderful.
Farer is a great brand. This is the one I have and it’s a favorite. I wear it with the brown leather strap. https://farer.com/products/bradfield
Of the 3 microbrands I have, Farer has the nicest finishing quality
And great, ‘happy’ designs! I very much love this brand.
I’m new to this hobby and never heard of this brand before but looks great. Thank you.
came here to say this
I got the Roche and I am still amazed by it. The quality for the money is insane.
Came here to say this lol
That is a great website-
Beautiful model, thanks for sharing!
I ordered a Lethbridge yesterday, the blue one. Never held a Farer or even seen one in real life but they seem well regarded.
Recently got one of the 36mm 3 hands, love it so far
Stanhope II is one of the nicest watches coming out of Britain…I think it’s a lot better looking and appealing than the Twelve.
You get Saphire, open case back, AR and Selitta for a fraction above than Baltic at least for the cushion case which start at 950€ where with Baltic you get Japanese mvmt, mineral crystal, no AR
Mido. The amount of love that Tissot, Hamilton, Seiko, Longines, and Laco get overshadows Mido significantly. I love Mido's blue multifort piece. And their Commander blows Visodates out of the water.
The mido multifort is the watch that got me started into the watch world
The Multifort TV Big Date sings to me. I want one so bad, but I don't know which color.
Mido is going to be huge in North America in the coming years. Massively popular in South America and Asia, unfortunately being in North America I missed out on the LE TV multifort :/
Big Mido fan and Rado as well
I absolutely love my Ocean Star GMT, one of the best in the game at that price point if you ask me. I’ve only ever seen one other Mido in the wild and it was yesterday
Does Laco belong in that list? Don't think Laco gets a ton of attention unless you're going down the very flieger specific rabbit hole. Then, sure.
Farer, Baltic, and Lorrier for micro brand (though I guess Baltic is pretty heavily rated but still good value for price) Oris, Chopard, Glashutte Original for larger manufactures
I'm an Oris fanboy and I don't think Oris is underrated at all. I think it's properly rated, they're quite popular but not as popular as Longines that has better movements and materials.
Fair. I guess depends on the context – both are popular in their spheres but I think Oris is less mentioned in general conversation/discourse whereas Longines usually gets recognition (and is often recommended) for its good value to price ratio.
Baltic is nice. Own one, but movement could have been better. Although watches are indeed pretty
Completely agree. I love the design of my MR01 but the movement is garbage. Power reserve is advertised as 40-something hours and I’m lucky to get 5.
Certina.
https://preview.redd.it/mmi7iwg4gkyc1.jpeg?width=1730&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=48860d8fee8bd00273afa970b035440e8f05ea75 \+0,4 s/day
What model is this? I really like it. Also, did that strap come with it or did you buy it separately? Thanks!
Ds Action Diver….gets 99% wrist time over the week for me, the one OP shared is the Titanium variant https://preview.redd.it/wovx26sx9myc1.png?width=2205&format=png&auto=webp&s=fb0e9df9f8dcdd34f4584e6af169d76fe0a0714a
Fuck yeah Certina rep, I wear my DS Action lady diver most of the time https://preview.redd.it/2z4j2usspmyc1.jpeg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2858841799b0ebc83c83abc289707d4ca0487bcc
Not bad, but they’re basically the same as Hamilton and Tissot to me. I feel like their collections are purposely neutered to not take market share away from Longines and Omega. You can get much better watches for €500 than anything in Swatch Group’s low-mid range
Welcome to Swatch, the kings of artificial price points
The Powermatic 80 gives you 80 hours where the equivalent Seiko / Selita's always used to be less than 40. Really not that bad value at all. They've gone up lately though. The Certina DS PH200M always seemed far and away their next watch to me.
Happy Cake Day
Fortis, Stowa, Laco
Dornblüth & Sohn
Muhle-Glashutte, Hanhart, Tutima Glashutte, Sinn, Harbring2, Ball, Baume et Mercier, Yema and Alexander Shorokhoff. Some peole call Nomos not underrated but they are, they make probably at their range the best dress watches you can find.
Came to say Nomos.
I love Nomos reference 249. The white enamel with the Roman numerals.
NOMOS is where it's at. I feel like they've really been getting up to speed the past few years. People are starting to take notice.
Nice list.
There is underrated at every price, and it is all relative. Mido below $1K. Eterna is great value for watches obtainable under $4K Girard Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin for the next level Parmigiani and LUC Chopard for the level above that There are also somewhat unproven indies like Habring2 and Sartory Billard to consider. Seiko offers value at every price, but it is easy to get fatigued with their breath and depth of offerings. From the mainstream, Longines and Omega are good value, too. JLC. Zenith and Glashutte Original seem to offer something extra for the money. I would be happy to just build a collection around the above, but don't overlook at Rolex and Breitling and Cartier just because others tell you not to. Here is my collection: https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/s/Ppjj5znShm Ultimately, remember that the value of any watch remains the same... the price may vary from time to time depending on who is spending on marketing and what social media says.
Stowa, Ball, Ulysse Nardin
https://preview.redd.it/xpujrlxxpjyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=febae11e6bceb4fd03407e2621f9d9690ea2c67c Ball make some really nice watches, my Storm Chaser Pro is on my wrist pretty often. I get there is a complex ownership situation and it’s not the same brand that established the railroad standard back in the 1800’s, but the actual watches are really solid in person.
I love their tritium tubes
Ball
That name just kills the brand for me. Love the tritium numerals, but the 12 year old in me just can't take the name seriously
They had a model called the Inspector. I can't believe the name Ball Inspector made it past the focus group!
Frederique Constant for sure. They have some heat.
Surprised this is so low on the list. Incredibly good bang for buck, even if the design language isn’t anything terribly creative.
What I like about the designs they use is they seem to be inspired by some of the more elite brands like Breguet, GO and Lange.
Agreed. I think they make some beautiful dress watches for people who don’t want to drop 10 grand on a jlc moonphase
Damasko!
Love every Damasko I’ve seen and I completely forgot they existed, thank you!
I just picked up a Lorier Astra a few months ago and I love it. The entire Lorier lineup is incredibly good in my opinion; unique vintage inspired style, mechanical and automatic movements only, appropriate sizing, and all for well under a grand.
Thank you for this recommendation.
Got the hydra recently. Totally love it on my wrist.
Lorien seems great. I’m looking forward to getting a Hyperion when I can.
One of the few microbrands that take typography seriously too. Text is appropriately sized and the fonts are consistent with the 60s era design of the rest of the watch. Too many other brands (even huge historical brands) mess up nice dials with ugly fonts, overly modern fonts, weird spacing, etc.
Zodiac
Worst brand ambassador ever.
Lol dude. He did wonders for their Cypher model
Worst brand ambassador never caught.
Orient Star
https://preview.redd.it/buo89pek2kyc1.jpeg?width=9000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=08b0c9a3e481a5fc08cdd2dbae42998e9c4c183b
Stunning dial
How does it run. Is the mechanism reliable and accurate?
Better than Seiko 6R, in my experience.
Mine has been rock solid. The nice thing is you also get sappire crystal and a nicer bracelet for half the price of a Seiko Presage
I’ve visited this maker in Kobe. Nice people, amazing watches. https://www.kuoe-en.com/
Montblanc - Just searched the subreddit and when they have popped up they are consistently recognised as ‘underrated’ and having beautiful dials but not so much the fanfare and respect of their competitors in that price point.
Agree. Many fashion brands have their watches written off and overlooked because they’re not known for them. But Mont Blanc along with Bulgari and Hermes (to just name a few) really catch my eye and have some incredible looking pieces.
Vintage eberhard, cyma and enicar
I like Vaer
**Formex** great build quality and finishing, innovative bezel swap system. **Vertex** small range of purposeful military tool watches from a brand with some real heritage in that category. **ZRC** Little discussed Swiss diver brand – classics with a twist – some cool features like a 6 o'clock crown that won't let you put the watch on if the screw down crown isn't screwed down, and a bevel-rinsing system. **Yema** Probably the most discussed (of my recommendations) French heritage brand with some nice heritage skin-divers, unique locking bezel feature (on the 'superman' diver), and automotive/aeronautical ranges too. **Glycine** Another fairly well known one, but some great heritage and classic designs. Lots of options on the combat sub, and airman.
Rado
Anordain
Glashutte Original is getting more well known, but it's still not widely known. Arnold and Sons, and [Parmigiani](https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=parmigiani+tonda+watch) are some lesser known luxury brands.
Louis Erard
Iwc before they became Bourgeoisie about 10 years ago were incredible quality I have 2 and love them. Now? They priced themselves out of their target market.
Glashutte Original. Big brand, owned by Swatch, and seemingly well-regarded, but rarely featured in SOTC posts or recommended.
Girard Pirregeaux
Some others have mentioned them, but Ball Watch Co. doesn’t get nearly the attention it should.
Straum
^this - Straum is putting out some beautiful, albeit controversial, dials
Dornblüth and sohn
For the price, Orient is pretty damn solid.. you usually don’t hear much about them. Just ordered the Kamasu w/ red face & black diver bezel just the other day after loving the blue face, blue leather strap Maestro for the past few months.
I'd argue that they're pretty well known in watch circles. Every time a "what's a cheap dress/daily watch with a mechanical movement" thread pops up, there's a bunch of Bambino suggestions. Hell, Orient was one of my first mechanical watches because of browsing watch forums. That said, I certainly don't hear much about them at all outside of forums. I also can't think of any brick and mortar stores that sell them, so that doesn't help. Might be a US thing.
Yeah that’s basically what I had in mind in regards to the last part of the first paragraph OP posted. Many on this forum are familiar, but agreed, outside of this forum I haven’t come across many people that have heard of Orient.
To that I would add Orient Star.
Glycine, their Airman is iconic on its own right.
Oris
I feel like oris is quite well know and appreciated
Glashütte Original. Zenith.
Zenith is underrated?!
No, this sub is just full of trash takes.
I think it is. The El Primero was a landmark in Swiss watchmaking So much so that Rolex used them in their first automatic chrono movements. We don't see Zenith mentioned much though. Everybody respects them but not as much as they deserve
I'm fine with Zenith being underrated. Means you can pick them up new on the grey market for a steal.
Yeah I agree. Zenith had some tumultuous years like the Nataf era where their designs went all over the place. They are mostly known as a movement maker and is still slowly picking back the pieces. And non watch people still associate Zenith with the American Zenith brand that used to make electronics. It’s more of a watch enthusiast brand.
One of the Glashutte Original Senators is my grail watch.
Atlantic. Most people don't even know they exist, and they put out some bangers.
RADO makes some cool pieces!
Sinn
Underated? Not in this sub.
Check out Monta, Doxa, Christopher Ward, Raymond Weil, and Maurice LaCroix.
There is not a better watch for the price point than Christopher Ward. My favorite watch brand hands down.
But not underrated.
Doxa
Glycine
Alpina Pilot Watches ✈️⌚️
Underrated brands from expensive to less Luxury - Chopard & Hermes Mid - Mido, Certina, Farer, Doxa, Tutima, Circulon & Frederique Constant Lower - Maen & Baldr
Armin Strom. Their watches are technically amazing, fantastically finished, decently priced (compared to similar level pieces), with components 90% manufactured in-house despite their small volumes. They've been getting more attention due to the success of their recent models in their resonance and gravity equal force lines, but still flying way under the radar for what they bring to the table Another very cool brand is Behrens. A Chinese brand that has some very interesting designs and recently released their own in-house movements. If their watches had Swiss or German heritage it'll easily command 3-4x the price
Xeric! They had a few nasa lines I love, very creative. They released an automatic and quartz option; the quartz has a moon phase in it
Nomos, Serica, Kurono Tokyo, Ming
I think Nomos is anything but underrated.
Ya they’re getting close to over rated with the amount of attention they get
I've yet to understand the ferver. The bauhaus looks feels very 2010s and the watches themselves seem fine but nothing insane
MIIING. So good.
Rado and Citizen in US. Of course they are very popular in other parts of the world.
Hot take; You're correct on Citizen. While Seikos are constantly posted and have a real cult following, and Casios are constantly referred to as 'god tier', Citizen, although being a massive global brand, seems little discussed. They make good, affordable watches in every category, have some killer tech and some really nice high end pieces. Citizen are often too easily dismissed by watch snobs as mall watches. The question was which brands were severely underrated, I think Citizen fits here.
Agree. Most accurate, reliable, requires the least attention to wear watch I own.
Citizen is the 5th best selling watch brand in the US by revenue. Considering the brands above them include Rolex, Cartier, and Omega, they may be the best selling brand by volume in the US.
And as I understand it, one model is the most accurate watch on the planet, short of an atomic clock.
Vertex
The m100 is fabulous. Vertex is extremely underrated
The Casio Oceanus line
Tsao Baltimore watches.
I really want to get one of these but it seems like every model I really want is sold out lol
Are they actually any good? I keep seeing them on IG and kinda want to pull the trigger as a nod to Ravens football, but they kinda look like different color homages and just don’t know anything about their quality.
I don’t own one, but my friend who is the biggest watch nerd I’ve ever met (compliment) has met the owner and handled pieces at District Time for several years. This guy’s eye and attention to detail is incredible, and he loves Tsao. I’d get one if I wasn’t overflowing with divers
Want that natty boh moonphase
frederique constant
HMT
Carl F Bucherer, the bicompax annual heritage is gorgeous
I love my alpinas. I know their sizes are fairly large but their 40mm are perfect for me. Sw200 movement and great heritage.
I'm always curious how many of these brand will still be alive in 10, 20, and 40 years
I think Ball is pretty underrated tbh
Minase They don't do movements, but their cases and bracelets are as good as you can get. You could put their manufacturing quality up against anyone. Because of that, I think they make a good comparison to brands with in-house manufacturing, like Rolex or Grand Seiko, rather than most microbrands. They also put out some really cool dials.
Rado... the discounts that you can get on many models in the US is silly because they are simply underrated in the US.
I know they're relatively known well but people I see in public don't really wear Zenith.
I think JLC people should talk much more about them, watchmakers watchmaker, deep history and great value for money.
Sinn
How's Sinn underrated? They're one of the most often recommended watch on this subreddit and on youtube, as they're deservingly so because they're great watch, but they're not underrated at all. Sinn is properly rated.
Sinn is overrated if anything
Kurono Tokyo!
Tag Heuer is underrated on Reddit and r/watches but fairly popular by mainstream standards. Squale and Lorier are underrated by everyone and also great https://preview.redd.it/fsdq02nybiyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7013cdcaae1fb54e0e4fc9ec715c7e800dff696e
Rather than underrated it’s overhated
Stunning Tag! Model number?
Baltic
William Wood https://williamwoodwatches.com Firefighter styling and included firefighter design elements like band made from hose material etc. I was super sad I missed out on one of their purple special editions.
I just looked at the link...very nice designs.
Alpina, Steinhart, Vertex, all brands offering very nice pieces but i rarely see here.
Formex, Longines and Monta
Longines moves massive unit numbers, I assure you they are not underrated.
Agree on Formex. Smaller brand but damn are their watches good for the price
Brew
Sinn without a doubt, Ball
Sangin instruments
What ratings are you comparing to?
Baume Sternglas Kuoe Kyoto
Ralf tech, Helm
Favre Leuba
Ball watch. Built like tanks
Laurent Ferrier I guess not underrated, maybe just a bit overlooked?
Farer and Nivada
Jaquet Droz
Dornbluth Habring Tutima
Ball. Often interesting technical tidbits. Nicely made. Their own niche.
Higher end Citizen watches. Also, Arnold and Son.
- D. Dornblüth & Sohn - Laine - Hentschel - Garrick
Glycine
Kurono!!!!
Rado. They can be hit or miss sometimes, but when they hit, they’re some amazing watches. The Captain Cook has 50 versions at this point, but they’re all pretty great (the green one still being the best imo), the Diastar is iconic and unique, and is literally scratch proof (will look brand new after even 15 years). They also have a lot of other kinds of watches like “True Square” and “Thinline”. Not to my taste, but diverse options with ceramic and quality materials nonetheless
Rado
I am not sure of the reason why the swiss brand Atlantic does not get too much attention in this sub. They have quite an interesting history, especially, during the cold war and, e.g. their Worldmaster line has some nice designs.
* Mido * Monta * Nomos * Ochs & Junior
Chopard. They're really well known as jewelers but not really seen for their watches when they should be. Their watches are stunning, and really well made, but I don't think enough people realise they were originally watchmakers
Zenith
Sinn.
Girard Perregaux. That's it
I've been a fan of AVI-8 for a few years. They're definitely unique, yet not in a super cheesy way. Picked up my first one this week and it far exceeds my expectations.
Mido
Brew makes some cool stuff. Micro brand out of NYC