These 5 Watches ARE The “Best Of The Best” AFFORDABLE Microbrand Divers!

really good video

Very compelling list. Since you asked for other contenders for the best, I'll suggest the Proxima PX1697. I've had the white dial for the past month and it's really something. The beautifully sculpted case is what sets it apart, along with a beautiful double dome sapphire crystal. Add a fantastic white enamel dial, very well executed oyster bracelet, excellent lume and a well regulated PT5000 movement at $260 when NOT on sale.

The forteller isn't available for sale ?

Forteller was a steal, given all that came in the package. 👍

A watch should never cost more than 200$ , same as for clothes, affordable is bellow that number not above! Only rich and stupid people buy this watches, you are paying for the brand and not for the watch itself (the cost is maximum 100$ to made).

any inside info on the next restock for the Forteller Cambrian? Checking their site daily since this video came out. Really want ;)

Hoping Forteller will release another batch of Cambrian as I’ve missed the boat first time round 😢

Great review Gary. Much appreciated. Noel

Helm wasn't too bad on me. Less than two years for my khuraburi. All these are good micro divers indeed

Thank you - the greatest problem of the Microbrands are the "Sold out". Please show watches only, if 70% are in depot. The nicest watch is nothing, if you are not able to buy it and your video is at least "for free".

Happy with my steeldive 1953

A serious contender would the Clemence 'Photic' in any of the colour variations -- they're a British company operating out of Edinburgh and do exquisite work, headed up by Tom Clemence who used his time during the lockdowns to design and build a piece that's an utter joy to own and wear daily.

I wonder how many of these brands will be around in 5 years?

How about the Namica Neo Tokyo? Amazing Lume and novel colour choices. (I do agree with the Cambrian being the value choice though. Definately a Norwegian labour of love.)

Good to see RLG getting some attention - I can't understand why this watch is still available! I have this very model and love it. The dial in particular is just fabulous. The lume is outrageously good too... except in the bezel but hey, you can't have everything.

I'm still enjoying the Houtman Pilbara I won in your giveaway, Gary. It's an absolute keeper!

That WISE is very NISE 😊

I bought the white dial Cambrian after watching your review and it really is amazing!

Thanks for the video Gary. I just ordered an Aragon Divemaster 4 Evo full lume watch. It cost me $139, there were other colours available for $119. They represent great value for money however I think the size and weight could put a lot of people off.

The Wise Hitman is an impressive watch! They offer quite a few options, each available with either white or black date wheel and I believe all of them come with regulated movements.

Just subscribed your channel. Would love to see a comparison of the Pelagos options...Tudor, Octopus, San Martin, and ??

Walking through alley express, I'm Leary of hyped up complications with ultra low prices. Before you judge, I'm VERY mechanically inclined and only so much can go into a product at cost. I understand that cheap labor is used to produce these watches. If they're a $150 and close to $500 watch........ Sounds to good to be true. I buy shoes for more to help my feet and they're cut by machine and assembled. Watches are not the same as for machine production. And I get watch parts are CNC made BUT take a lot of manpower to program and those machines ARE NOT CHEAP. So with that lots of great looking stuff but I need not to bite than looks. You could buy a cavalier or you could buy Camaro what's going to die first. JMO. 👍

Great selection. The Cambrian reminds me a thicker, more modern and more "diver" version an AliX all-star, the Proxima PX1697. Key difference, and why I really like wearing that Proxima, it that it is a very thin watch with a hi-beat movement. The thin depth and thin retro bezel, along with the paper/slightly cream white dial with athe same 6 o'clock date (for symmetry 💛) really won me over. So nice I'm considering buying twice (one for NATOs, keep one on brac.? - too weird🤷🏼) BTW 6 o'clock date/no day looks SO much more classy than at 3 o'clock IMHO.

I agree so much with Forteller being near perfect and insane value. My full lume dial quickly became one of my favourites. I was so pleased to see that the hands were a dark gunmetal colour which worked so well with the white dial. I agree that it would have been better at 200m if it was thinner. One of the few watches I own where I've strongly considered buying a second.

Never cared for the Zelos logo . Where is your review of the Houtman ?

Helm, I. Believe is the best value for the money. Great build quality, great lume, and great looks.

My favorite brands for dive watches would be revelot (hexmariner) zelos, wise, direnzo and the last changes regularly.

I got a Forteller for Christmas from my wife thanks to your review. Blue dial, beautiful watch. It’s currently my favorite watch.

Great selection 🎉

I alternate wearing my Seiko King Turtle and my Steinhart OVM. For similar money as the Turtle the Steinhart is a great microbrand watch.

The Odyssea is really nice. Just wish the light blue one was still in stock. Love the 39mm case size! And I have to mention the Zelos swordfish. I have the titanium with the "satin" (brushed titanium) dial. It's a fantastic watch.

I know you said Zelos. I love the Swordfish 40mm Ti Salmon. Spec monster and extremely comfortable on wrist. They still have the green dial version in stock.

Ivw got the Foreteller Cambrian in blue....what a watch...I love it. I originally joined the unsuccessful Kickstarter campaign. I'm so pleased with the watch. The value is phenomenal. The whole package is exceptional. I wish they'd made the green version they were planning.

I only have a couple of microbrands in the collection and those are the Traska Freediver and Tuseno Shellback and they compete very well for ‘wrist time’ with the higher end watches that I have. NTH is a good brand too and the Nodus Avalon is worthy of mention.

Have the blue Forteller and the bezel is super stiff, even after baby oil, WD-40, so not number 1 for me.

Great list and video! In addition to these awesome watches I'd inclue the Dryden Pathfinder, Dufrane Travis and Long Ilsand Watches Port Jefferson Skindiver. Vanbanner makes an awesome 200m diver, Parking Master 2.0 but all our sold out, but he has mentioned a 3.0 is in the works. Also Signum makes an excellent diver, supreme lume on their titanium full lume divers. Just my opinion but I really like the looks of the HELM Vanuatu but not the 3-4yr wait. San Martin does a close homage that is really good for the money. SN012-G, which you reviewed on your channel, I believe. I'd take the Miyota 8315 over the NH35, but that's, again, my opinion.

I have a forteller cambrian and I don't wear it anymore because it's thick for it's proportions, the lume is unevenly applied, and that watch made me hate the NH35 movement, my watch averages -30 seconds a day.

You missed the J&G Exciton II on this list! I've never heard of Fortellers before but I'm sure to have a look at them now. Great video, thanks!

After seeing your review of the Cambrian I wanted to pick one up, but they are all sold out and Forteller aren't making any more of them. 😑

I have the Forteller with blue dial and I agree that it is an absolutely fantastic watch (and yes, it is on the taller side and the clasp could be better, but I am nitpicking here).

Wise makes nice watches, beautiful finish. No gimmicks just real quality. I have a diver and a dress and highly recommend this brand.

What are your thoughts on Aragon watches

Having owned both the wise and the forteller I'd recommend the wise. The extra money is justified with the superior finishing, bracelet and clasp but they are both great watches and unbelievable value for money.

Hi Gary, do,like the Houtman and the Hitman, but, on the dressy side, I would go for the Wise Adamaskus AD8 red dial. Only fail, appart of being more expensive, is the lack of a bracelet. Regards

Love the Phobios, very cool pick of watches ⌚️

What about the two that James produced with you? They're top tier material for this list as well.

The zelos mako and swordfish are models you should take a look at 40mm excellence imo.

Surprised Aquatico didn't make the list. I don't know why Phoibos don't sell the Kranken anymore, would have liked to get one. Plus, they discontinued the Eagle Ray in orange too. The best-looking wise hitman was the stainless steel bezel with grey dial HIT-S1, but it was limited and sold out. They should make more stainless steel bezel versions of the Hitman.

I heard helm is just about the best micro brand but I've been on the list so long I don't think I'll ever know for sure. Great show by the way