Micro Mondays Archives - Page 2 of 35

MICRO MONDAYS: The Artel Rotec Sky Series combines ’70s bravado with Art Deco chic

23.01.23

7461

MICRO MONDAYS: The Artel Rotec Sky Series combines ’70s bravado with Art Deco chic

In our review of Artel Rotec’s previous V watch, Borna touched on how the high-tech exotic sports watch wasn’t a niche that every collector was…

Micro Mondays

16.01.23

8299

MICRO MONDAYS: The Le Jour Delmare delivers a 1970s-inspired dive watch for a great price

Le Jour aren’t what you would typically consider a microbrand. They weren’t funded through a Kickstarter campaign, nor were they founded by a young visionary…

Micro Mondays

09.01.23

8531

MICRO MONDAYS: The Canopy Wake One is an affordable luxury diver with Goldilocks dimensions

As business ventures, microbrands can sometimes seem a little bit soulless. All it takes is one person with some starting capital and a catalogue of…

Our favourite Micro Mondays from 2022: Part 2

Lists

02.01.23

11778

Our favourite Micro Mondays from 2022: Part 2

We’ve already counted down our top 5 from our Micro-Mondays series in 2022, but the independent goodness just keeps on coming. Each passing year sees these…

Our favourite Micro Mondays from 2022: Part 1

Lists

26.12.22

18948

Our favourite Micro Mondays from 2022: Part 1

It’s that time of year where we can look back and be astounded at the sheer quality and quantity of microbrand releases yet again, with…

Micro Mondays

19.12.22

7445

MICRO MONDAYS: The Peren Nera Rogue BW is a keenly priced dive watch with a stealth-driven look

Peren can be a confusing brand for people who are new to their concept, but despite a rather baffling backstory including a ransomed prototype, the…

Micro Mondays

12.12.22

9577

MICRO MONDAYS: The RZE Ascentus GMT delivers serious bang-for-buck in a titanium case

RZE cemented themselves in my mind as one of the best value microbrands when they released their Valour 38 field watch for under US$300, and…

Micro Mondays

05.12.22

8578

MICRO MONDAYS: The Funder Måne delivers a modular moonphase collection in a single watch

What is great about the independent watch market is that there is more room to do things differently. By offering more value for less money or…

Micro Mondays

28.11.22

8326

MICRO MONDAYS: The Vario Versa is two-faced in the best possible way

Let’s not beat around the bush. If you’ve spent any time lusting over releases from Jaeger-LeCoultre, chances are that you’ve fallen in love with a…

Micro Mondays

21.11.22

7196

MICRO MONDAYS: The Trafford Watch Co. Crossroads

Trafford are shaping up to be a brand who are impossible to pin down, but if their releases continue the trend of happy surprises then…

Micro Mondays

14.11.22

9645

MICRO MONDAYS: The Varon Chiri Blazer is a dressy everyday watch for a remarkable price

It’s no secret that microbrands can often provide incredible watches for the money, but that doesn’t mean that they can get away with putting no…

Micro Mondays

07.11.22

6415

MICRO MONDAYS: With a design that’s clean and serene, the Wolter Classic lets every detail breathe

For the last few years, watchmaking has really been throwing off the shackles of stylistic repression across independent and large-scale manufacturers, leading to some of…

Micro Mondays

31.10.22

11278

MICRO MONDAYS: Our favourite watches from the past 6 months

Starting Micro Mondays was originally about shining a light on some of the great independent watchmakers who have been able to be supported through the…

Micro Mondays

24.10.22

8719

MICRO MONDAYS: The GANE Type D is deceptively simple yet utterly distinctive

Designing a new watch from the ground up is always going to be a difficult task, given that there’s over a century’s worth of designs…

Micro Mondays

17.10.22

11757

MICRO MONDAYS: The Maen Hudson 38 GMT shows the value of gradual evolution

The concept of evolution over revolution is more than a catchy phrase, it also shows the dedication that a company has to perfecting a concept.…

Micro Mondays

10.10.22

8574

MICRO MONDAYS: The Dumoreau DM02 is designed by an award-winning architect and it shows

The watch microbrand game has become incredibly alluring over the last few years, with some examples rising from humble Kickstarter origins to sky-high profits and…

Micro Mondays

03.10.22

8137

MICRO MONDAYS: The Manime La F is a watch dedicated to the theme of friendship

The most popular watches at the moment are often surrounded by a contextual suffering. Military watches have quite a dark theme, and you could make…

Micro Mondays

26.09.22

11193

MICRO-MONDAYS: The Circula ProTrail is a high-tech field watch combining toughness and style

There’s little that can beat a field watch when it comes to day-to-day wear. Divers are often too chunky, and dress watches too delicate, but…

Micro Mondays

19.09.22

9466

MICRO MONDAYS: The Hemel HFT20 Series delivers affordable pilot’s watches with a real attention to detail

As a microbrand, Hemel have very much found their niche and stuck to it. Regarding military watches as the forefront of horological development throughout history,…

Micro Mondays

12.09.22

9568

MICRO MONDAYS: The Orator Sportsman Diver is the resurrection of a forgotten ’60s gem

With a name like Orator, you would expect this brand to have a good story behind it. Thankfully it delivers, as one of watchmaking’s forgotten…

Micro Mondays

05.09.22

12935

MICRO MONDAYS: The Olto-8 Infinity II is a high-octane extravaganza of a watch

For those who buy watches to wear in different situations, what context best suits the Olto-8 Infinity II? It could be in the seat of…

Micro Mondays

29.08.22

8330

MICRO MONDAYS: Julian Michaels’ new releases show the value of breathing space and balance

It’s getting harder and harder to stand out as a microbrand as dozens seem to pop up every week, but the most distinctive examples are…

The Baltic x Peter Auto Tricompax is a racing chronograph with retro swagger

Micro Mondays

19.08.22

12871

The Baltic x Peter Auto Tricompax is a racing chronograph with retro swagger

The art of the vintage-inspired watch, especially when done by a young brand such as Baltic, is in honouring the allure of the past while…

MICRO MONDAYS: The CIGA Design Blue Planet won a GPHG award, yet is still surprisingly affordable

Hands On

15.08.22

12098

MICRO MONDAYS: The CIGA Design Blue Planet won a GPHG award, yet is still surprisingly affordable

During my time at Time+Tide, the flow of curious timekeepers coming across my desk has been constant, yet, the CIGA Design Blue Planet stands out…

Micro Mondays

08.08.22

14633

MICRO MONDAYS: The RZE Valour 38 delivers a titanium field watch for under $300 USD

It’s hard to believe RZE have only been around for two years, but they are one of the ultimate microbrand success stories. Having released their…

Micro Mondays

01.08.22

8280

MICRO MONDAYS: The Retter 22 channels the style of Vacheron’s iconic 222

It’s quite common for microbrand watches to become a competing list of specifications trying to undercut each other on price, with buzzwords thrown around that…

Micro Mondays

25.07.22

14962

MICRO MONDAYS: The Monchard Skytrain Telemeter Chronograph

Vintage military-inspired watches can sometimes seem like an easy path for microbrands to go down, but there are plenty of pitfalls and traps along the…

Micro Mondays

18.07.22

12748

MICRO MONDAYS: Bold and experimental, the Angles Chain of Time is a truly maverick watch

While historically popular watch brands have proven over decades if not centuries that they’re capable of greatness, there’s one edge that microbrands will always have.…

Micro Mondays

11.07.22

7420

MICRO MONDAYS: The Circula Supersport delivers a reimagined Super Compressor diver at a great price

There are plenty of watch brands that have been resurrected from the past. But Circula set themselves apart with their authentic German heritage and the…

Micro Mondays

04.07.22

11208

MICRO MONDAYS: Put your zest foot forward with the new Vaer A3 Atlas Orange

It’s the middle of the year and already a ton of watches have been released. So much so that we decided to look back for…

Micro Mondays

27.06.22

9539

MICRO MONDAYS: The timeless design and affordability of the Waldan Heritage Collection

Upon entering this crazy hobby of ours, one tends to immediately be pulled by the allure of timeless design. Watches from the ’60s and ’70s…

Micro Mondays

20.06.22

9972

MICRO-MONDAYS: The Wolkov W22 shapes up with a truly innovative design

You’ve heard of square watches and rectangular watches. Even octagonal watches are essentially common these days. With around a century of experimentation since wristwatches were…

Micro Mondays

13.06.22

8079

MICRO MONDAYS: The Genesis collection from Adam Benedict can actively help you to feel less stressed

What is the main purpose of a watch? Many would say it’s to simply tell us the time. But I think there are too many…

Micro Mondays

06.06.22

7908

MICRO MONDAYS: The York & Front Burrard combines military vintage with contemporary style

Eschewing the influence of diving or sports, the pure military inspiration behind the new York & Front Burrard is pretty close to being the perfect…

Micro Mondays

23.05.22

9074

MICRO-MONDAYS: The Biotic Formicidae delivers an original field watch inspired by (wait for it…) ants!

Microbrand releases can often be just an eclectic mix of design trends thrown together, or a wild attempt at doing something different without considering what…

Micro Mondays

16.05.22

10992

MICRO MONDAYS: The Sovrygn Calendar delivers multiple complications and a super-fresh look

Few watches can claim to be truly unique designs, except for those within the wild west that is Kickstarter. Instead of massive brands guessing at…

Micro Mondays

09.05.22

10994

MICRO-MONDAYS: The AERONOM AeroOne is a street-tough brute of a watch

The AERONOM AeroOne is born from concrete jungles, hardened beneath derelict overpasses and finessed in underground clubs. The brand’s origin, after all, is credited to…

Micro Mondays

02.05.22

10266

MICRO MONDAYS: The Artel Rotec V2 offers futuristic watchmaking at an accessible price

You’re already familiar with the formula. Exotic material for the tonneau case, openworked dial with a complication or two, a rubber strap and a price…

Micro Mondays

25.04.22

10329

MICRO MONDAYS: The Makina Gabriel delivers singular looks at a bargain price

The popularity of microbrands is predominantly down to two main reasons. Firstly, there is the fact that they’re often far more affordable than established watch…

Micro Mondays

18.04.22

11700

MICRO-MONDAYS: The Audric Strider is a stylish diver with hefty wrist presence for under $600 (if you’re quick)

Audric launched their first watch in 2020, deep in the throes of the global pandemic. The SeaBorne stood out from the crowd of Kickstarter-funded dive…

Micro Mondays

11.04.22

8671

MICRO MONDAYS: ROYTER expands its custom offerings with the DR-02 Chrono Sport

What differentiates a high-end watch from an entry-level watch? Is it the movement that’s used? Is it the inclusion of precious metals? Or could it…

Micro Mondays

04.04.22

26015

MICRO MONDAYS: The Maen Manhattan 37 delivers an integrated-bracelet watch at a bafflingly great price

In case you haven’t received the memo, stainless-steel, integrated-bracelet watches are white-hot. Scratch that: more like a Texas-sized asteroid flying straight into the centre of…

Micro Mondays

28.03.22

13500

MICRO MONDAYS: The Galvin Watch Company Loimu is a funky-dialled sporty watch at a great price

Galvin Watch Company, a notable Kickstarter success, present their newest creation: the Loimu collection. Affordably priced and with a high-beat Japanese automatic movement, the release…

Micro Mondays

21.03.22

13386

MICRO MONDAYS: A Double Drop with the RZE Resolute 2022 and RZE Resolute Supercompressor

RZE has always created watches that complete the checklist of even the most fervent microbrand fan. Exotic and robust materials. Specifications that place them at…

Micro Mondays

14.03.22

11551

MICRO MONDAYS: MW Timepieces and the musically inspired Legatodiver

Music is one of my many passions. Zoning out on a couch, listening to songs that got me through life, to me, is a Saturday…

Micro Mondays

07.03.22

7962

MICRO MONDAYS: Get red-faced and bronze-cased with the William Wood Valiant Bronze Ruby

Editor’s note: Having turned five last week, we wanted to point out the great timepieces and charitable efforts by our friends at William Woods watches.…

Micro Mondays

28.02.22

14162

MICRO MONDAYS: The Héron Gladiateur delivers tough, Spartan looks elevated by a cracker of a bezel

How on earth can anyone be expected to choose their next watch these days? It almost seems like there are hundreds of new Kickstarter microbrands…

Micro Mondays

21.02.22

25414

MICRO MONDAYS: The Cyberpunk 2077 x Błonie watch

There’s no shortage of watches that divide opinion and create controversy, but such polarising views are by no means exclusive to the watch world. Polish…

Gane takes on minimalist design with the Type C

Micro Mondays

14.02.22

10146

Gane takes on minimalist design with the Type C

The everyday watch is an enigma of design. It’s the guiding principal of most designers to create a purpose-built watch. So when you tell them…

Micro Mondays

07.02.22

18572

MICRO MONDAYS: Australia’s border is (finally) opening up again. To celebrate we’re looking back at one of our favourite microbrand GMTs

Editor’s note: Big news today out of Australia today. The hard border closure (in place since March 2020) will be removed as of February 21!…

Micro Mondays

31.01.22

12688

MICRO MONDAYS: Horon Watches makes a splash with the Ocean Hunter, a collection of 300m divers at an affordable price

There is a reason why many microbrands choose a diver as their first offering. It’s a category of watches that is not only robust but…

Micro Mondays

24.01.22

7048

MICRO MONDAYS: Gravithin delivers a stellar performance with the ArgoMatic Series

The stars and navigation have always been linked. As a year progresses, certain constellations command the night sky, aiding those at sea with navigation. On…

Micro Mondays

17.01.22

25707

MICRO MONDAYS: The Phantasos Triclops is that rarest of things – a truly original watch

EDITOR’S NOTE: We have been advised by readers that this watch has allegedly not been sent to consumers despite repeated promises. We have contracted the brand…

Micro Mondays

13.12.21

9812

MICRO MONDAYS: Betting on black with the Brellum Wyvern GMT LE.1 Ghost Chronometer

What would you do if you were an independent brand and created a specced out sports watch? A sports watch made with limited production and…

Micro Mondays

06.12.21

11354

MICRO MONDAYS: Well blows me down, it’s the Vario ИAVI x POPEYE Nautical Watches

There are certain mechanisms that bring a sense of child-like wonder to the eyes of a watch collector. There is the twisting and turning of…

Micro Mondays

29.11.21

11542

MICRO MONDAYS: The RZE Fortitude delivers a rugged pilot’s watch for under $500

What is it about pilot watches that makes them so popular? Is it their historically superior legibility? Maybe it’s the incorporation of aeronautical elements into…

Micro Mondays

22.11.21

10798

MICRO MONDAYS: The Maurice de Mauriac L3 Sees Red Chronograph exploits coloured sapphire crystal for dazzling effect

In the world of microbrands, it can be hard to stand out amidst the barrage of vintage-style divers and explorer’s watches. What isn’t hard to…

Micro Mondays

16.11.21

11389

MICRO MONDAYS: Get red-faced and bronze-cased with the William Wood Valiant Bronze Ruby

Perhaps it’s something we take for granted, but one of the things we can always count on is the valour and bravery of our local…

Micro Mondays

15.11.21

14131

MICRO MONDAYS: The Mancheront Pacer delivers an ingenious twist on the Pulsometer function

It’s easy to forget that this hobby we love had its origins in life-changing situations. These watches we wear were once more than just physical…

Micro Mondays

08.11.21

10795

MICRO MONDAYS: The Isotope Watches Hydrium Burnt Tangerine and Will Return are fresh, bold and unlike anything else

NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect Isotope Watches recently making a change to the movement within both the Hydrium Burnt Tangerine and the…

Micro Mondays

25.10.21

9607

MICRO MONDAYS: Typsim Watches go all in on vintage with the 200M & 200M-C

How do you make enough noise in the large microbrand watch scene to be noticed? Do you ride a wave, presenting a design collectors have…

Micro Mondays

18.10.21

8758

MICRO MONDAYS: The Circula SuperSport brings real Super-compressor Diver funtionality

Super-compressor styled divers exist in many microbrand catalogues. The wearability of the design and the integration of the timing bezel are two of the main…

INTRODUCING: The DWISS M3W Wandering Hour Limited Edition

Micro Mondays

12.10.21

7246

INTRODUCING: The DWISS M3W Wandering Hour Limited Edition

How should a watch brand celebrate its 10 year anniversary? In an industry where peers disappear left and right, something extraordinary should mark such a…