Microbrands You Should Know...from A to Z - Part 3
Y'all asked for more after the initial post... https://www.watchcrunch.com/ChronoGuy/posts/microbrands-you-should-know-from-a-to-z-448227
and Part 2... https://www.watchcrunch.com/ChronoGuy/posts/microbrands-you-should-know-from-a-to-z-part-2-450432
So here we go with Part 3 of microbrands you should know...
AnOrdain - from the heart of Glasgow, Scotland comes this amazing microbrand that makes their own hand fired enamel dials...founded in 2015 by Lewis Heath, AnOrdain has become enormously popular and currently has a multi-year waiting list to order many of their popular watches...the dials are all handmade...and completely gorgeous...
Aquatico - primarily producing dive and pilot watches, Acquatico was founded in Hong Kong in 2017 by Calvin Lee after learning his craft at Bulova Hong Kong. The watches clearly are inspired by the classics, but avoid being homages. Great quality and value for money...definitely worth checking out for great watches under US$500...
https://www.aquaticowatch.com/
Bern Watch Co - a microbrand from Down Under...founded by two brothers Amin and Amyn Tharani in Auckland, New Zealand...the Milford Diver is their main reference...it is a dressy dive watch that is well built and comes in a variety of colors and metals for a very reasonable price...they made prototypes for the Ayrton and Imola models but these never reached production. Fortunately for me, the brothers were willing to sell to me the unique prototypes (see a few below)...
Corniche Watches - founded in 2012 in Stockholm, Sweden by Niklas Roja and Felix Winqvist they launched their first watch in 2013. They selected the name "Corniche" for its association with the beautiful mountain roads in the South of France. The designs follow the inspiration of aspiring to the wealth of the French Riviera, but at a reasonable price. Using the ubiquitous Seiko VK63/64 mecaquartz movements and taking their design cues from vintage Patek and Vacheron with the Breguet-style numerals and classic chronograph layouts...these are very handsome watches that are well made, with small production runs, and priced quite reasonably...
Dificiano Watches - launched on Kickstarter in 2019 with its Marlin reference, Dificiano is based in Hong Kong and has been producing a small line of dive-style watches since that auspicious beginning...
https://www.dificianowatches.com/
Dumoreau - founded by Californian product designer and architect, Carlos Aiello, in Huntington Beach, CA in 2020. The integrated bracelet design of the DM01 was clearly inspired by Gerald Genta and has a Miyota 9039 under the hood. The subsequent DM02 was fully manufactured in Switzerland and runs a manual Sellita SW 210-1...these are gorgeous watches and were produced in very small runs...stunning watches at a very reasonable price...
echo/neutra - this Italian microbrand based in the Dolomites was founded in 2019 by two friends Nicola Callegaro and Cristiano Quaglia and has produced some stunning chronographs in their Cortina 1956 line which is a tribute to the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Swiss made and finished beautifully, these watches are at the top table of microbrands...
Magrette Timepieces - another microbrand from the Antipodes, and also based in Auckland, New Zealand. Magrette founded in 2007 by Dion Wynyard McAsey has a strong thematic connection to Maori artwork and the company's logo is in fact the "koru" design common in Maori art, carving and tattoos. The carving theme is also carried forward in the hand engraved limited edition cases (like the one show below)...these are truly beautiful watches that retain their own originality in case design and form...you can purchase the regular editions for under $1,000 or reach deeper in your wallet for these unique hand-engraved treasures...
Second Hour - staying in the Antipodes, we turn to the Melbourne, Australia microbrand Second Hour founded by Peter Sargison. Launched via Kickstarter in the middle of Covid, Peter braved all the challenging supply-chain issues and lockdown delays finally delivering the first run of the Gin Clear Divers in 2021. And it has been success ever since. With a great selection of dive watches and the beautiful Mandala dressy sports watch...Second Hour is a top microbrand that started with Swiss made Sellita movements and also has used the slender top of the line Miyota movements...these are truly beautiful watches that show the love and passion that Peter and his wife have put into the company...
https://www.secondhour.com.au/
...and that concludes Part 3...
Again, Part 4 depends on your desire to have me continue this pet project. Let me know if you'd like some more.
Enjoy!
I really like chronographs especially vintage ones.
I'm finding this really interesting, so please continue if you can 👍
Many of these nicrobrands are new to me so thank you Mel 🤝.
Super impressed and would love to see more.
Bruv, those green watches are amazing looking!!! 😍
That’s is a truly amazing summary. You have all these various pieces? How do even come across some of these smaller brands?
Amazing, Mel! All are terrific but Second Hour resonates the most with me. Thanks for all this effort. We need part IV!
Thanks a lot! Learning from your posts 👍🤝
My vote is to keep these going as long at you can or want to. For most people these watches are only experienced in Fratello articles or perusing websites.
I was originally going to ask if you have ever accidentally bought the same watch twice. However, upon reflection I very much doubt that you ever have. I have been reading and interacting with your posts long enough to know that part of the purpose of each WRUW post is a documentation of the watch. The lighting, background, and usually the angle are the same and allow details in the dial to be seen and highlighted. I presume that they are put into a spreadsheet or database of some sort. Because you also know what is going to be released and roughly when, I don't think that you would impulsively or accidentally double up.
Well written and very detailed, fun read Mel.
Of course there are some we all know, but it’s always surprising to hear about so many new ones!
I remember when Magratte was first releasing those hand carved moana pacific divers and was quite tempted to grab one since I happened to be in New Zealand at the time (racing triathlon masters worlds)
Anyway - I’m excited to investigate some of that list that I’ve never read about before.
Yes..yes..Yes...More input!! Deficinato Narwhal is back in stock 🙌 she mine!!
Awesome post, Mel. Keep 'em coming.
That 2nd Aquatico is calling me.
& I think I read on another forum AnOrdain has new orders to be ready in 2029?
If that's correct, it's crazy. 😲
Amazing...
Geez! Dials! Dials! Dials!
Melllllll! Class has frequently been in session lately on WC and I'm here for it!
Yeah this was a great read! Thanks for doing the work!
That’s is a truly amazing summary. You have all these various pieces? How do even come across some of these smaller brands?
Thank you Alan! Yes - I have all of these pieces (the ones without a wrist shot are in the process of getting to me - that's something you have to learn to live with when purchasing microbrands...it could take up to a year or more sometimes before you get the satisfaction of having the watch in hand).
I try and consume as much watch content as possible and I, of course, check out what all of you are wearing. 😉
My vote is to keep these going as long at you can or want to. For most people these watches are only experienced in Fratello articles or perusing websites.
I was originally going to ask if you have ever accidentally bought the same watch twice. However, upon reflection I very much doubt that you ever have. I have been reading and interacting with your posts long enough to know that part of the purpose of each WRUW post is a documentation of the watch. The lighting, background, and usually the angle are the same and allow details in the dial to be seen and highlighted. I presume that they are put into a spreadsheet or database of some sort. Because you also know what is going to be released and roughly when, I don't think that you would impulsively or accidentally double up.
Thank Greg - I'll make sure to get Pook into the next one 😉
My wife thinks I'm buying the same watch over and over again 🤣...but you are correct, I have never duplicated other than when I am buying gifts for my buddies in our little Watch Crew (of which you are an honorary member).
And Yes, I try to document everything I can about the watches and the brands and keep them all in a database with photos and descriptions.
Awesome post, Mel. Keep 'em coming.
That 2nd Aquatico is calling me.
& I think I read on another forum AnOrdain has new orders to be ready in 2029?
If that's correct, it's crazy. 😲
Thank you for the kind words Pete!
I know - I routinely kick myself for not ordering the plum and the blue fume dials when they were still available and affordable. Such are the mistakes we make in life.
More please!
Keep it coming!!!
I love the echo neutra. I especially love the new cortina chrono gmt. Haven’t pulled the trigger because I prefer an automatic, but I’m considering it.
Magrette looks amazing. Using his Maori heritage for inspiration is beautiful. Finally something other than the typical European design
Really enjoying your series! Thank you
Keep going. Please. I support NZ microbrands.
If I ever get to tick the "moon phase" and "Tank homage" boxes in my collection, it'll probably be with brands included in this post (echo/neutra Averau Big Moon and Second Hour Memoir).
Dumoreau gets me completely. The black one and the blue one particularly.
The EcoNeutra is nice
I see you have the same Second Hour Mandala (grey/gilt) as I have.😉Nice! Keep these posts coming, they're very nice for learning more about different brands.👍
Thank you all for the kind words and the encouragement.
I'll start work on Part 4 soon...
Thank you for this!!