There are, of course, so many watch brands to choose from out there but if you’re looking to keep away from the mainstream brands that you’ll see on every wrist, there are plenty of microbrand makers as well and, truth be told, these brands are typically amongst our favourites here at The Coolector. For those hunting a great-looking timepiece for under $1000, you’re in luck because we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the best men’s microbrand watches that fit into that price bracket below:
FARER EXMOOR WATCH ($995)
The Exmoor’s dial is designed to be both functional and stylish. The textured olive green dial creates a natural feel, while the overprinted numerals and brushed steel-infilled hands provide high-contrast visibility in dark environments. The burnt orange date pointer highlights the date as it moves around the outer date ring, and the month-end numbers are flipped in colour to remind you to reset the date using the quick date function.
BOLDR VOYAGE ANTARTIC WATCH (£378)
If you’re wondering why the dial of this watch looks familiar, it’s because it was inspired by the brass BOLDR Voyager. The Voyager is no longer in production, but we’ve brought back some of its best features for this tribute model.
In addition to the classic design, this watch also features a high dome sapphire crystal, a sapphire exhibition case back with custom artwork, and a sleek bracelet with 3 micro-adjustment folded clasps. The line art on the clasp symbolizes a steady stream of daily efforts, trickling down and slowly leading to favourable results.
VALIMOR AURORA OF ARTHUR WATCH ($250)
Available on Kickstarter right now, the Aurora of Arthur Watch from Valimor ($250) is one for fans of mythical legend and will really make an impactful styler statement on any man’s wrist. The Aurora of Arthur by Valimor is a watch that will capture your heart and imagination. Inspired by the valiant spirit of King Arthur, each independently developed component tells its own story. From the captivating fumé dial crafted from natural mother-of-pearl to the dragon scale casing, this timepiece is a work of art. It is also one of the most precise and beautiful watches you will ever see. Grab yours from Kickstarter now.
PAULIN MODUL A WATCH (£825)
The Modul watch is a compact and slim timepiece with a bold colour palette and a sleek tonneau-shaped case with a dual finish. The name Modul comes from its modular construction, which allows it to accommodate different movement calibres. The black steel body that houses the movement is distinct from the brushed steel outer case and is attached with two screws on either side. The watch is powered by the La Joux Perret D100, an improved version of the classic Peseux / ETA 7001 movement. The movement’s blued screws and Geneva stripes are visible through an exhibition caseback.
MARLOE TAY MARINE WATCH (£369)
The 35mm Tay Marine from Marloe is a small watch, but don’t let its size fool you. It’s a mighty piece, with a midnight blue dial and outer bezel. Marloe chose this colour because it’s softer than black and works well with the AR coating on the crystal to bring out multiple hues of blue.
The main dial features white pips at each hour, with a blue-on-white chapter ring that aligns with the tip of the minute hand. This ring of white makes it easy to read the time at a glance, without having to search around the dial for the markings. It also adds a bit of visual interest to the watch.
WILLIAM WOOD VALIANT GREEN WATCH (£820)
The watch straps on William Wood Watches are crafted from upcycled fire hoses that has been used by fire services around the world. They clean, cut and repurpose them into their striking and comfortable watch straps all fitted with quick-release functionality. Inside the Valiant Collection of watches lives a melted-down 100-year-old British brass firefighter’s helmet, once worn by firefighters in the 1920’s. The helmet is set inside the watch crown and is stamped with William Wood’s iconic logo.
AUTODROMO VALLELUNGA WATCH (£660)
The Vallelunga Automatic from Autodromo Watches is a stylised twist on racing tachometers witness in the late 1960s. Autodromo took the overall feeling from these instruments and abstracted them, subtracting detail until the design aesthetic was distilled to its essence. The result is pure magic on your wrist and one of our favourite watches under $1000 here at The Coolector. It boasts a sapphire box crystal and a polished gloss dial for astonishing depth. The robust Miyota 8315 offers a 60 hour power reserve.
TRINTEC NAV-01 GMT WATCH ($449.95)
The Trintec NAV-01 GMT Watch displays two time zones simultaneously: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the local time zone. UTC is the time standard used by most of the world, and it is the time that is used for air traffic control and international flight operations. The local time zone can be set to any time zone in the world. The second time zone is displayed using a separate hand, which can be set independently. This is useful for pilots who need to keep track of both UTC and local time.
REC TURBO PurpleNeon Watch (£695)
The TURBO craze of the 80s was a time when everyday cars were infused with the power and excitement of race cars. From hot hatches to supercars, everyone wanted a car with a turbo. The TURBO Collection from REC Watches is a tribute to this era, with its retro-cool design and evocative details. The 40mm case is made of recycled plastic, just like the rear window louvres of the cars it’s inspired by. The iconic TURBO badging is engraved on the dial, and the superluminova lower dial glows in the dark.
MR JONES BEAM ME UP WATCH (£545)
This Swiss-made Beam Me Up Watch from Mr Jones has a beautiful movement that you can see through the glass case back. The 40mm case is slightly larger than the original 37mm quartz design. The watch was designed by French author-illustrator Xavier Broche, who celebrates the unexplained through his artwork. This watch, called “Beam me up!”, depicts a visitor from outer space hovering above a farm, searching for life on our green planet. A mischievous piglet is running in an endless loop, trying to escape the beam from the UFO.
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