Microbrand Watches: What You Need to Know

Microbrand watches have recently gained a lot of attention and interest within the wristwatch industry. This trend harks back to the early days of luxury watchmaking when Swiss watchmakers began their journey as small-scale manufacturers who were recognized mainly within their communities. During this time, watches from renowned brands such as Zenit, Ulysses Nardin, Blancpain, and Audemars Piguet were accessible to the general public, rather than being reserved for the wealthy elite.

However, the rise of mass production and globalization in the twentieth century led to a shift in the watchmaking industry. Big brands dominated the market, and smaller manufacturers struggled to compete. But with the advent of the internet and social media, the barrier to entry for small watch brands has been lowered, and this has led to the emergence of microbrand watches.

Microbrand watches are typically produced in small quantities and offer unique designs and features that appeal to enthusiasts and collectors. These watches are often manufactured by independent watchmakers who have a passion for horology and want to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship.

The appeal of microbrand watches lies in their exclusivity and the ability for collectors to own a piece that is not mass-produced. Additionally, microbrands offer an opportunity to own a high-quality watch at a reasonable price compared to traditional luxury watch brands.

In summary, microbrand watches have become a popular trend due to their unique designs, limited production, and reasonable price point. These watches evoke nostalgia for the early days of luxury watchmaking and offer enthusiasts and collectors a chance to own a piece that is not available to everyone.

Microbrand Watches – How did it all begin?

The emergence of microbrand watches is a relatively new phenomenon in the watch industry that gained momentum only in recent years, particularly at the beginning of the current millennium. The Internet played a significant role in the development of this trend by providing access to information that was previously difficult to obtain.

Thanks to the Internet, watch enthusiasts who dreamt of launching their own watch brand were able to access countless websites with information on watchmaking, movements, watch bodies, straps, and bracelets. They could research and learn about these topics from the comfort of their own homes or offices and decide on the direction they wanted to take their company.

The Internet also eliminated the physical distance between watch enthusiasts and suppliers and manufacturers in Europe and China. Regardless of where you are located in the world, it has become much easier to connect with suppliers through a few email messages and order the required parts for assembling your own watch.

Furthermore, the Internet has enabled small watch brands to market themselves to a global audience without the need for a physical store. Through social media and e-commerce platforms, microbrands can showcase their unique designs and reach potential customers worldwide.
Overall, the internet has been a crucial factor in the development and growth of microbrand watches.

It has facilitated the process of creating and launching new watch brands and provided access to a global market. As a result, the world of watches has become more diverse, offering consumers a broader range of options to choose from.

Starting a microbrand is not for the faint of heart. It’s a journey that requires passion, dedication, and a lot of hard work. But for those who are truly passionate about watches and have a deep desire to create something unique, the process can be incredibly rewarding.

Starting your own Microbrand

First and foremost, it all starts with a love for watches. You need to have a deep appreciation for the artistry, craftsmanship, and history of watchmaking. You also need to have a clear vision of what you want to create – whether it’s a unique style, a specific complication, or a particular design element that you haven’t seen in other watches.

Once you have your idea, it’s time to start designing your watch. If you have design experience, you can create a sketch yourself. If not, you’ll need to work with a designer who can help you bring your vision to life. This is an important step, as the design of your watch will be the foundation for everything else that follows.

With your design in hand, it’s time to start sourcing components. You’ll need to find a manufacturer for the movement, as well as a supplier for the case, dial, hands, and other components. This can be a time-consuming and challenging process, as you’ll need to find suppliers who can produce the quality and quantity of components that you need.

Once you have all the components, you’ll need to assemble the watch. This can be done either by you, if you have the necessary skills and equipment, or by a professional watchmaker. You’ll also need to create packaging and marketing materials to promote your brand and your watch.
Throughout the process, there will be many challenges and obstacles to overcome. From design revisions to manufacturing delays, there are countless ways that things can go wrong. But with persistence and determination, you can create a beautiful and unique watch that you can be proud of.

Finally, it’s time to sell your watch. You’ll need to establish a brand identity and create a marketing strategy that will help you reach your target audience. This can involve everything from social media advertising to attending trade shows and events.

Starting a microbrand is a challenging and rewarding experience that requires a deep love of watches, as well as a willingness to take risks and overcome obstacles. But for those who are passionate about the craft, it can be an incredible journey that leads to the creation of something truly special.

Kickstarter And Microbrand Watches

The emergence of Kickstarter as a platform for crowdfunding has significantly impacted the growth of microbrand watch companies. Kickstarter allows watch enthusiasts to showcase their creative ideas and garner support from the public to bring their dreams to life. By presenting their designs, plans, and visions, these enthusiasts can appeal to a larger audience and gain financial backing without investing their own money.

However, while Kickstarter has proven to be a significant source of funding for many microbrand watch companies, it’s important to note that not all projects on the platform have been successful. In fact, some have failed to deliver the promised products, which can be disappointing for both the backers and the creators. Therefore, it’s essential to carefully evaluate a project before making a pledge to support it. One must assess the credibility of the creator, the feasibility of the project, and the potential risks involved.

Despite these risks, Kickstarter has been an invaluable tool for microbrand watch companies. It has allowed passionate watch enthusiasts to pursue their dreams and establish their brands without the need for significant financial backing or the support of larger watch companies.

With Kickstarter, they can reach out directly to their target market, build a loyal community of supporters, and establish their brand in the competitive world of watches.

In summary, Kickstarter has become a significant growth engine for microbrand watch companies. It offers an opportunity for enthusiasts to showcase their creativity and gain support from the public. However, potential backers should exercise caution and carefully evaluate each project to ensure they are making a wise investment.

Defining a microbrand watch can be a challenging task as there is no single, widely accepted definition. Many manufacturers are hesitant to label themselves as a microbrand, perhaps due to the perceived association with lower quality or being made in China. However, in recent years, the definition has become increasingly difficult to pin down.

One way to approach the definition of a microbrand watch is to consider the brand’s persistence and continuity. A brand can only be called a “brand” once it has marketed the second series of its watches, indicating an ongoing commitment to watchmaking.

With regards to production quantity and volume, there is no definitive answer. Some microbrands produce watches in large quantities, such as Zelos, while others create limited editions of only 50-150 units.

Pricing is also a tricky factor to consider when defining a microbrand. While some might argue that microbrand watches should fall within a certain price range, it’s difficult to say who determines this range. Some microbrands offer watches at lower price points than luxury Swiss brands, but others may produce watches that are just as expensive.

Ultimately, the definition of a microbrand is subjective and may depend on individual perception. Watch enthusiasts often rely on their intuition and experience to identify a microbrand watch. Despite the lack of a clear definition, microbrands continue to grow in popularity and are making a significant impact on the watch industry.

It’s common to see articles on microbrand watches that feature a list of prominent brands. However, we’ve chosen not to include such a list in this article. One reason is that every list is bound to be incomplete, and we don’t want to offend or leave out any deserving brands. Additionally, we believe that many watch enthusiasts who are interested in microbrands are already familiar with some of the more well-known and established ones. Instead, we want to focus on the concept of microbrands itself and what it means for the watch industry. Ultimately, we believe that the value of this article lies not in a list of specific brands, but in the insights and information we provide about the microbrand movement.

The Big Difference between Microbrands and “Traditional” Brands

What sets these brands apart from traditional luxury watchmakers is their direct relationship with the end customer.

One of the defining features of microbrands is their active presence on social media and other online platforms. These brands often have direct connections to their founders, who are accessible and responsive to customer feedback and requests. They frequently participate in watch enthusiast groups and forums, and are eager to engage with their customers in a more personal way.

This direct relationship between microbrands and their customers offers several benefits. For one, it allows customers to feel more connected to the brand and its products, creating a sense of loyalty and community. It also means that customers have a greater say in the design and production process, with microbrands often taking feedback and suggestions from their customers into account.

In contrast, traditional luxury watchmakers can feel more remote and inaccessible, with limited opportunities for direct customer engagement. While they may have a strong reputation and a loyal following, they may not be as agile or responsive to customer needs and preferences.

So if you’re looking for a watch that’s not just stylish and well-crafted, but also offers a more personal connection to the brand and its founders, consider checking out the world of microbrands. You may just find the perfect timepiece that’s tailor-made to your preferences and tastes.

Bringing It All Together

It is true that the term “microbrand” lacks a clear and objective definition. However, despite the lack of a formal definition, many watch enthusiasts have a general idea of what a microbrand is. Perhaps, it can be defined as a small, independent watch brand that produces watches in limited quantities and often relies on crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter to launch their products.

Despite the ambiguity of the term, the concept of microbrands has gained popularity in recent years. Many watch enthusiasts appreciate the creativity and originality of these small independent brands. Microbrands often offer unique and unconventional designs that are not found in the mainstream watch market.

When thinking of a microbrand, one might imagine a small team of passionate watchmakers and designers, working tirelessly to bring their vision to life. The brand might have a distinct identity and a strong connection with their customers, often engaging with them on social media platforms.

The lack of a formal definition for microbrands leaves plenty of room for interpretation and debate. Some might argue that a microbrand should produce watches in limited quantities, while others might argue that a microbrand should focus on unique and original designs.

Regardless of the definition, the concept of microbrands has brought a new level of excitement and diversity to the watch industry, and it will be interesting to see how it evolves in the future.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the term “microbrand” and what comes to mind when you hear it. Do you have a clear definition for this term or do you think it’s a vague and subjective concept? Have you had any experiences with microbrand watches, either as a consumer or perhaps as a creator? Share your comments with us, here on this article or on our social media channels – we’ll be happy to hear from you!