21Déc 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Morimoto Edge: Different Design That Works

Morimoto Edge: Different Design That Works

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A lot of microbrand watches out there offer great products at competitive prices but are usually a variety on a familiar theme. Chronographs and diver watches seem to be the most popular, but also "design watches" hold quite a bit of the market. The vast majority (read about all of them) are minimalist designs, and that is why Edge is so exciting! When I first saw it, it reminded me of the golden age of creative watch design. In the 1950's and 1960's mainly the American watch companies created the most amazing designs, of which the Hamilton Ventura is perhaps the most famous. These designs were often asymmetrical, and so is the Edge. This watch is not an homage to the past. The hands and numerals are prominently placed on…
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20Déc 2016 by Jonathan Kopp No Comments
Introducing the MAEN Classic Moonphase Watch

Introducing the MAEN Classic Moonphase Watch

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Moon phases play an important role in the natural world, so it’s quite logical that they are also important when it comes to the watch market. A friend of mine recently told me: “My next watch will definitely be a moon phase watch” and then, it was exactly at the same moment that the guys from MAEN Watches contacted me. The brand was launched by two Dutch guys living in Stockholm and the brand name “MAEN” is taken from an old Dutch word meaning Moon and is inspired by the Dutch ship, Halve Maen (Half Moon), that discovered what is known today as New York City back in September 1609. So in tribute to this ship, the founders of the brand decided to debut their collection with a classic moon…
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19Déc 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
MTM Status: Toughen Up Your Apple Watch

MTM Status: Toughen Up Your Apple Watch

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There might be a way for Apple to increase the sales of their Apple Watch, and that is by introducing a tougher version of it. We recently already talked about the Rhino band, but LA-based brand MTM takes it even a step further with their Status. Does the name sound familiar? Probably because MTM also makes tactical military watches.   The approach they take is entirely different. They offer an aluminum or titanium cover to go over you Apple Watch 2. The construction gives your watch the look of a Terminator. Especially since the case of the MTM comes with two places in which you can add a compass, analog clock or digital clock/date. This can be especially handy when you are using your Apple watch for other things. The…
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15Déc 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Meet The Swiss Smart Watch/Bike Speedometer By Moskito

Meet The Swiss Smart Watch/Bike Speedometer By Moskito

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Innovation has a lot to do with your ability to think outside the box. Moskito did this by creating a smart watch that can double as a bike speedometer. Just attach a special mount on your bike, click the watch out of its case and secure it on the mount and you are ready to go! When you first look at the Moskito, you don't expect it to be such an advanced watch with a twist. Its dial design follows the less is more principal, but a closer look shows indications of a vast array of additional features. The innovative movement that is used in the watch was developed together with Swiss movement manufacturer Soprod and tells you your current speed, the distance traveled, your average speed, and can even track…
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14Déc 2016 by Martin Green 3 Comments
Creating Your Own Watch With Initium

Creating Your Own Watch With Initium

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How nice would it be to not only have a watch custom made, but custom make it yourself? Initium offers just that with their classes in their workshop in Le Noirmont, Switzerland. Under the skillful guidance of a watchmaker, you will assemble your own watch, after an introduction into mechanical watches and their inner workings. The watches are all mechanical and all variations of the famed ETA/Unitas calibers that were initially developed for pocket watches, but later on also used in larger wrist watches. Normally these movements came in different finishes. Interesting is that Initium seems to almost entirely bypass these standard versions of the movement completely and offers skeletonized versions in different variations and finishes. Of course, those who want a really classic watch can still get it in…
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13Déc 2016 by Jonathan Kopp 1 Comment
Affordable at Auction: Rarities from Swatch

Affordable at Auction: Rarities from Swatch

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Something special for Swatch collectors just before the holidays. Squiggly.com auctions 190 Swatch limited edition and early prototype in an online auction. The lots contain some very rare items. Based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Squiggly is a specialist dealer of vintage Swatch watches. They sell watches with official warranty, instructions, and original packaging. Although Swatch is in general quite an affordable watch, you can find at this auction some pieces going for more than what you are probably used to, which is the proof that a Swatch is a collectible item. At this auction, you can also buy some rare posters. In the 80’s Swatch was extremely active to get the name of the brand known everywhere. The marketing strategies were different on every continent. Something that was completely abandoned…
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12Déc 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Balticus Star Dust: Star Struck

Balticus Star Dust: Star Struck

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Creativity runs strong with most affordable micro brands, and Balticus is no exception. With the Star Dust they have created a sports watch with a strong profile, yet that is not even the main attraction of the watch. Credit for that goes to the extraordinary dial. While I reported earlier on the launch of this watch, we have now one at hand to go deeper into the details that set the Star Dust apart from its peers. That dial is crafted from a special kind of granite that not only has a deep blue color, but also little specks in it that reflect light. It kind of make you feel as if you are standing in the Enterprise and stare into the depths of space. It is very captivating, and…
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08Déc 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Lundis Bleus: The Elegance of Excellence

Lundis Bleus: The Elegance of Excellence

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Many new micro brands pop up every year, and we cover quite a few here at Watchisthis?! Although many of them are quite refined, few reach the level of Lundis Bleus, especially not with their very first watch. Perhaps also not a fair comparison, because Johan Storni and Bastien Vuilliomenet are veterans of the Swiss watch industry, with experience working with brands that charge for a strap what Lundis Bleus wants for an entire watch. They poured all that experience into Lundis Bleus, but fortunate for us they also gave it a far more accessible price tag. The first thing that strikes you when you see the watch is that everything is custom made. Lundis Bleus is very straight forward in where their source their parts from, and which of…
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08Déc 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Smart Watch Wars: Fitbit Acquires Pebble

Smart Watch Wars: Fitbit Acquires Pebble

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Pebble, once a Kickstarter favorite is no longer. Competitor Fitbit bought the company. In essence, this is not strange. Fitbit has been anxious to make an impact on the smartwatch market themselves but cannot put up a significant fight yet against Apple and Samsung. By acquiring Pebble, they can assimilate its technology, experience, and people while at the same time eliminate a smaller competitor. [caption id="attachment_2315" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Fitbit Blaze[/caption] Fitbit seems to make haste with taking advantage of its latest acquisition because it has immediately stopped the production and support of all Pebble products. That means that the Pebble Time 2, Pebble Core, and Pebble Time Round Kickstarter Editions will never be produced and the people that bought one will get a refund. Also, all repairs, software update, and…
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07Déc 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Boston & Stewill Tourer: British Understatement

Boston & Stewill Tourer: British Understatement

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Boston & Stewill is putting the final touches on their latest model, the Tourer. Sounds familiar? Yes indeed, in 2015 they successfully funded the Tourer II on Kickstarter. Originally this model would have come out first, but the tides in micro brand world sometimes force you to make a different decision. Good call on the part of Boston & Stewill, because the Tourer II was quite a success and the new Tourer seems to have more than enough potential to live up to the same expectations. The key to that potential is the movement. Typically we find in watches at this price point Miyota and Seiko movements. Fine and reliable choices, but not Swiss. The Tourer is actually fitted with ETA's 2895-2. A rare movement to find in a micro…
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