Sgd $1600 for this China movement not really commonly known brand watch is quite expensive.
The base cost of a Swiss drop in movement isn't that much more, but people are willing to pay such prices, even premium for a Black Bay ETA.
$4-5K for ETA2824? Vs $1.6K for Seagull? There would be still people who like it enough.
I started out looking at this piece when one of the guys I follow on IG posted pics of it that were gorgeous. Sure, not wholly original but there's enough injected DNA for me for it to be considered its own interpretation.
Then I started looking at YouTube, and this interview convinced me that I should support the brand. I think Sean is quite serious about improving on what he does. He assembles the later Movas pieces in house, and it seems that he also does (or takes part in) the servicing and maintenance of pieces that make their way back to him, which you can't say for many other brands, including the more popular mainstream ones. And I respect him for sticking to his guns and using Chinese movements despite the flak they get. If you follow his IG, I think you can see the passion he has for his designs and concept.
That said, I have a soft spot for local brands - I have tried numerous Zeloses (and kept 2 of them), Boldrs, Vilhelms, a few Gruppo Gamma, and am waiting for a Reverie on the way that's stuck in the Netherlands.
Really quite proud that we have a number of solid microbrands, and I don't see why we should hold it against the brands that target a niche market banking more on design rather than just pure movement or the value route. I do classify movas in the same category as Azimuth, which I do hope to be able to try some day too. Premium priced? Sure, but no less logical than RM or vintage Rolex, branding aside.