Casual Friday: Why we’re having our first ‘Indie Explorer’ event and what it’s all about
Andrew McUtchenWhen I started Time+Tide, back in 2014, I was interested in microbrands. This afternoon, six years later, we will have our first ‘Indie Explorer’ event at Time+Tide. Better late than never. In the Casual Friday ethos, it will be a very chill kind of deal. Watches. A beer or two. And almost certainly good people. Tonight is sold out, but to register for future events, hit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/indie-explorer-part-1-laventure-lundis-bleu-eza-doxa-tickets-95324031745
Back to 2014, I remember one particular bronze Stowa pilot’s watch. And I distinctly remember the process before a purchase I went through. Where you’re looking intently at every photo you can find. Watching the WHOLE 24-minute Worn & Wound video review (when I met the guys, a few years later, I could still practically recite the script). Thinking and dreaming about it.
I never pulled the trigger on the Stowa in the end. And, as it turns out, the brand didn’t need my business. Stowa have continued to do pretty well without me. But they are now joined by an increasing proliferation of micros that are exploding in popularity. And that is not an overstatement. There is no other word for it. The speed with which an increasing number of indie brands have entered #sexpiles and GTG wristchecks is explosive. Astonishing. Exciting, no matter what price point you’re at in your watch journey.
This is part of the reason we created NOW – The Watch Buying Guide. We wanted to help watch lovers discover this great shiny plethora of microbrand offerings that fly, almost entirely, under the radar. And now, these microbrands are jumping right off the pages of NOW Magazine into our office. This afternoon, after work, we’re spicing up our casual Friday with a small collection of brands that we think are great. Today, they are Laventure, Lundis Bleu and Eza.
Like I said, tonight is unfortunately sold out. However, if you’d like to join us at the next one, you can sign up here.
Onwards and Indie-wards!