Definitive List of Microbrands?

I don't know if anyone has ever thought to do that.

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, around the world. Some of these exist in a particular country and we in other countries may have never heard of them.

The League of Microbrands group on Facebook (started and run by several owners) refer to this database as their source - https://mbwdb.com/

Search this site: https://www.extropian.co/

I’m sure you can find it in Teddy Baldassarre’s blog along with a ton of other good reading.

https://teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/watches/microbrand-watches-complete-guide

No doubt true. Just a thought!

Outstanding!

Thank you!

He is a huge resource. Good idea.

https://www.youtube.com/c/JustOneMoreWatch

Jody is the reason I got into microbrands. Not really a list per say, but at least you can search the thumbnails and get a feel if you’re hunting for anything.

@AllTheWatches hosts a March Madness tourney to find the best microbrand. Farer won the first year, can’t remember who won last year. Anyway you could probably find his posts somewhere on here.

Anyway he probably knows of most of the microbrands and is the resident micro-brand subject matter expert.

Try extropian.co or teddy baldessares web site.

Oh man. That sub is hard to turn down. I’m a fan of the black dial with black bezel. It’s classic and understated.

Which Cartier did you get?

I think Cartier makes the best skeletons IMHO

Not an extensive, all inclusive list, but the Microbrands Book is a great reference for enthusiasts. There are two editions so far and I believe a third is soon to be released. Here's the first book, on Amazon https://a.co/d/0luSzOX

You are too kind Drew! Yani, hit up the #microtournament feed. Tons of good discussions.

In terms of lists. I resisted initially replying, but here are my two cents, well maybe a little more than two cents worth, which makes any list very challenging. There is much debate over what makes a microbrand vs. independent. Both are a bit nebulous, but hope this works.

• For watches from some of the channels above, especially JOMW, they are largely kicked out by the same couple Chinese companies. These are massive companies and they are far from micro, unless one counts price.

• Eliminating those, that leaves micro vs. independent. Some microbrands, largely smaller brands utilize a private label manufacturers. They may use them to design, produce, and distribute watches. Quality and originality may vary depending on the private label and budget. Their origins will also vary.

• Other microbrands were started by industry professionals branching out on their own. They may or may not partner with a private label, or in many cases know how to source their own parts, but may partner with someone on build or distribute. OR, they may do all of that in house.

• Then there are independents, they may have full integration. They have dedicated supplies, or machine their watches, down to the movement. Think anything from Oris, CW, to Habring, Dornbluth, etc.

To my earlier point; there are folks who will insist every brand on Ali or kickstarter are microbrands. I would argue, if one company is making them all and just slapping new labels on them, they are not. Others may argue if someone simply puts up a bunch of cash and lets someone do all the work, it is hardly a brand either. There is much debate over all these topics.

It is tough to sort through, but we do our best to research, educate, and ultimately buy watches we like. Absolutely nothing wrong with any of the approaches above, regardless if they are Ali or a handmade Austrian brand. What I like about WC use we can appreciate all, but it is near impossible to get folks to agree on what it means, nevermind having a list we’d agree on.

That said, not looking forward to coming up with 64 worthy brands this year.

UGH... TEDDY... he starts off well, stating that a microbrand doesn't make a lot of watches per year and doesn't have in-house ability, noting Christopher Ward, "which produces a relatively high number of pieces year after year and has access to some in-house production capabilities" falls into a category outside of microbrands... then goes and puts CW in his microbrands list anyway. AND YOU WERE DOING SO WELL, TEDDY.

Honestly I find a lot of microbrands on Pinterest, just found out about sternglas by an interesting watch https://www.sternglas.com/

It largely depends on the definition of what is a microbrand, because it's either defined by sales volume, or physical presence, or control over chain of manufacturing, supply and service. There is not always an overlap of these definitions which is why CW or Yema, for example, may or may not be classified as microbrands.

Any of these lists will just show (some) major ones, as its impossible to track them all

As other have already mentioned, there are problems with defining microbrands, thus I think it's impossible to compile a "Definitive List of Microbrands".

Oceanictime is another good site

There are just way too many micro brands these days to keep up. Seems a couple of enthusiasts together and the next thing you know they have a watch out on the market. Just like Relax Watches.

Just how is micro brand defined? By the quanity of watches produced? If so, do high end ateliers like MB&F qualify? They produce a couple hundred watch a year albeit at 6 figure each so income is 10's of millions of dollars. By dollar volume, if that is the metric, they would not qualify.

BTW, I have 40+ "micro brands" saved in bookmarks.

Lots and lots, who & what do I buy from a micro brand?

BTW, Island Watch company pretty much stocks nothing but micro brands, like Zeppelin. They also cary Seiko which doesn't qualify.

Thank you ATW! Your 2 cents is exactly what we're looking for here!