Where have all the indie brands gone???

[stusk1]

I remember when I first stumbled across this site there seemed to be loads of new boutique brands springing up daily and bringing out new designs, some are still in the mix but don't seem to be making much new, am talking Benarus - which seems to churn out endless versions of the Moray/Megalodon (not being critical, if people want them then why not - so don't flame me) and yes I know they are making watches with Raven but not with the variety that they used to, Halios - been ages since the Laguna and Puck, Kremke, Korsbek and Orsa seem to have fallen off the earth.

Or maybe it's just me possibly I am suffering from watch fatigue (oh the horror!!!) but nothing seems to be new and interesting anymore.

Anyone else feeling the same?

[U5512]

They're still around but it takes time, $$$, and ideas to come out with new watches.

[MrGone]

There are only so many new & original designs. And when you're small, you have to turn a profit on what you have before getting into the next thing so that you can start to be self funding.

Want more new stuff from micros? Vote with your dollar and buy more micros. But getting original new designs takes time, sweat, blood & tears, from the sounds of it.

[ChrisGalbraith76]

In my opinion, what you're seeing is purely Darwinism being applied at the diver's watch indie scene.

[ManMachine]

Patience, man. It takes you 5 minutes to browse pictures and pull the trigger, it takes artists/designers/engineers months and years to come up with robust products.

Enjoy what you have, and if you can't wait, try to design/build on your own.

I look forward to the next release from Halios. I wouldn't want to rush Jason. Meanwhile, I might try something affordable from Russia with love.

[Graeme]

Hi Stusk1
Many of us are out there working on our next designs, but unfortunately it takes time to get from the drawing stage to a completed model. After I finish all the designing which can take some time ;) I draw up all the technical drawings for all the different companies, case, crystal, dial, hands, etc. it then takes around 12 months before I will have anything to show. It's a long process but I believe it's better than simply picking ready made parts from a catalogue and having a product out in 1-2 months.

I think a lot of small brands started around the same time so there was a boom of different watches released all at the same time. Now I think it will be more spread out, but we are still here :)


Regards
Graeme

[epezikpajoow]

Hi Stusk1
Many of us are out there working on our next designs, but unfortunately it takes time to get from the drawing stage to a completed model. After I finish all the designing which can take some time ;) I draw up all the technical drawings for all the different companies, case, crystal, dial, hands, etc. it then takes around 12 months before I will have anything to show. It's a long process but I believe it's better than simply picking ready made parts from a catalogue and having a product out in 1-2 months.

I think a lot of small brands started around the same time so there was a boom of different watches released all at the same time. Now I think it will be more spread out, but we are still here :)


Regards
Graeme

Thank God you are all still here, all these relatively new brands have made many of us very happy the last years. And I know they will keep doing just that in the next years, be patient and you will be rewarded!

Eric

[primerak]

As mentioned when new on the scene its natural to introduce and release more. The market seems to be maturing so you will see the pace slow down. Helson seems to be the exception who continue to pump out designs new and old and couple relatively new startups like H20 and Hexa have interesting designs of late you just have to dig a little deeper.

[MrGone]

Hi Stusk1
Many of us are out there working on our next designs, but unfortunately it takes time to get from the drawing stage to a completed model. After I finish all the designing which can take some time ;) I draw up all the technical drawings for all the different companies, case, crystal, dial, hands, etc. it then takes around 12 months before I will have anything to show. It's a long process but I believe it's better than simply picking ready made parts from a catalogue and having a product out in 1-2 months.

I think a lot of small brands started around the same time so there was a boom of different watches released all at the same time. Now I think it will be more spread out, but we are still here :)


Regards
Graeme

This is one of the coolest things about Micros. You can get into a discussion with the owners and hear directly from them. Very few other industries have I experienced that.

Very cool :)

[sapcmc]

We are around and released this year 3 models so far (not all diver watches). Like everyone else we would release more models if economy helped with sales and ETA didn't play its destructive monopolistic baton.

Like us majority of companies around is finding it harder to find Swiss Made Mechanical movements and I guess in less than a year more and more watches will use less and less ETA movements.

Was even talking today on the phone with one of my suppliers in Switzerland that mentioned those concerns. Overall industry in Switzerland is drying out of movements and smaller companies have to adapt fast to new realities.

Like it or not we will see in future more and more offerings with movements from Soprod, Valanvron* in Switzerland, and Sea-Gull, Hangzhou, Shanghai in China in many watch brands besides Miyota and Seiko Time Module. This last two are not a definitive replacement as supplies are also limited.

Do not see it as a negative step though as will bring out fresh air and rethinking of current designs and processes.

*polemic aside it is legally labelled as Swiss Made and fulfills all requirements from the Swiss Watch Industry.