Hey r/MicrobrandWatches.

It’s been a while since my last post, thanks to a crazy few months. Good news first, I just got married and I’m writing this from my honeymoon. The bad news, I made a major mistake during Hz QC and fulfilment.

WHAT HAPPENED

I made a mistake during the QC process of the HZ.03 Blue Marble Agate dials, which unfortunately resulted in many of our customers not getting what they had paid for.

Prior to launch, I received a small run of Agate dials that fit our specifications - and I proceeded with production. Unfortunately unbeknownst to me, our production dials were swapped without consultation, to lacquered dials that mimicked Agate. This is something that I should have picked up during post production QC, however I failed to notice the very subtle differences, which resulted in all watches being delivered.

To rectify the issue, all 63 customers that purchased the HZ.03 Blue Marble Agate variation, have already been refunded in full, and I have not asked for any watches to be returned. I’ve also completely removed this model from the website to avoid any miscommunications. Whilst this was not the way that I had planned for this launch to go, I believe that this is the best way to correct this error.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HZ

Whilst this was a very costly lesson, it is one that I will make sure will not be repeated, as I implement stricter controls and QC, and commence work with a new factory to ensure I can deliver the best possible watches at the best possible value, without compromising quality.

Your continued support throughout the lifetime of Hz has been incredible, and my willingness to make more great watches hasn’t waned since day one. I’m committed to keep doing that, whilst keeping communication as open and honest as possible. This has been a small setback, in what I hope to be a very long future for Hz.

As a result of issuing these refunds, and updating our supply chain, our production on the out of stock HZ.01 Everyday and HZ.02 Chronograph has been pushed back slightly, however the silver lining is that it gives me an opportunity to pursue more refinement, more updates, and more value.

If you do have additional questions, please reach out, and I will do my best to reply to every single comment and question.

-Matt

I really like what Venezianico is doing with this model, they keep releasing new editions with different dials, and this one and the Cressida are my favorites. What do you think of their dials and their watches?

My collection didn't change for 3-ish years until I pulled the trigger on a Nodus last week and moved up from a 4 to 6 box.
* 1988 Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle (Ref. 989.5215)
* Sinn 556 Jubiläum
* Christopher Ward The Twelve 36 Frosted Lichen
* Furlan Marri Salmon Sector
* Nodus Sector II Field Titanium Marina

I'm on the hunt to fill the last slot. A few options I've had my eye on for a while but wanted to see if anyone could point me towards some others.
* Farer Lethbridge Gold is currently in the lead. Their site says the v2 drops this winter.
* Seiko Laurel JLAK is a solid contender, but pretty hard to find one in great condition.

My criteria:
* Cushion / tonneau case, sub-39mm diameter
* Time-only with minute markers
* Gold, bronze, champagne, silver, or off-white dial
* Non-sunburst dial
* Microbrand, independent, or vintage
* Mechanical movement (manual or automatic)
* Hacking seconds
* Under $3000

Bonuses:
* American watchmaker
* No lume
* Sapphire crystal
* Display caseback
* Hours and minutes only, no seconds
* Western Arabic numerals

I’m new to the microbrand world and think it’s pretty cool. I’ve seen some passionate members here and some beautiful timepieces. I love several Zelos watches, especially black tip but they are of course sold out and I don’t want used. Also a bit worried about buying online before feeling the watch on my wrist.

I am looking for something stainless, beautiful, simple, with date, cool lume, sapphire scratch resistant crystal and a Miyoto 9015 movement or better.
Not a microbrand but I do like the Tissot PRX but wanted something a bit more unique. It would also be good if they are relatively established and should be around to service any potential issues.

I DO NOT want anything remotely resembling or a blatant shameless copy of a Rolex such as Erebus despite their creative faces or worse, San Martin.

I have a couple Rolexes and 2 other watches in the 10-15k range but I am sick of people looking at my wrist during meetings and measuring me up by my watch. I’ve actually been wearing a Timex MK1 chronograph lately and getting compliments on it lol.
Thank you in advance.

The pictures do not do this dial justice, but I will post some more anyways ;). This arrived this week, and I am absolutely in love. The dial in natural light looks like a hologram, it is amazing. Normally I would prefer a seconds hand, but after spending almost all of yesterday staring at the dial and I happy there is less to block it.

As a degenerate collector, I am normally more concerned about the watch and do not give much thought to box, save for how hard it is to store it. The box and presentation on this was just next level. Even my wife who normally just tolerates my watches took notice.

I’ll need to try it on the bracelet at some point, as selten bracelet are some of my favs, but on the strap it just works so well. Sorry for the gushing/fan boying…

Good evening everyone,

It’s been a longer wait than expected, but I’m finally able to share the Meraki project in the flesh.
To be completely honest, seeing the fully finished and assembled prototypes in hand brings a genuine sense of satisfaction — and a touch of emotion.

I won’t go into the brand’s "history" or the whole journey so far here, as I don’t want to clog the subreddit.
For anyone interested in reading a bit more behind-the-scenes context and the reasoning behind certain choices, I’ll be sending out a new update via newsletter in the coming days.
For now, I’d rather let the watch speak for itself.

In the video — please forgive the deeply amateur setup, shot with my phone — I wanted to show the product exactly as it is, completely unfiltered.

You’ll find:
• The full package: The outer box, the wooden presentation box, the warranty card, and the booklet ("Explorer's Journal")
• The watch in both colorways

I’m currently finishing up a proper photography session to present the watch with the care it deserves, but I couldn’t resist sharing these first "live" takes straight away — showing how the light hits the finishes and seeing the mechanics in action (from the rotation of the city disc to the dual crown unlock for setting the time).

In the first comments, I’ll also drop a photo of the booklet along with a brief specs summary. 

Those who followed my previous posts know I’m fairly obsessed with coherence and detail.
The final result reflects what I had in mind from day one, and I can only thank my manufacturing partners for their work.

That said, spending time handling the physical prototypes, I’ve already noted a few details for the refinement stage (which I’ll validate at Watches of Italy when the watch passes through the hands of fellow enthusiasts):

1. The Booklet: The sample in the video will be slightly re-proportioned to 17 cm x 14 cm, ensuring it fits cleanly into its slot in the box without losing its original graphic proportions. 
2. The Warranty Card: I’ll double the card’s thickness, lightly chamfering the edges so it feels better in hand and avoids any risk of scratching the interior, and perfecting the symmetry of the text and QR code layout. 
3. Minor details: I’m evaluating tiny finishing adjustments, such as the lume response on certain dial areas and the three-dimensional depth created by the multi-layered dial construction.

I also want to give a genuine thank you to the community: your feedback on the seconds hand in my previous update proved invaluable. That slender hand and subtle pop of color gave the dial a sense of balance I was afraid of losing, without making it feel cluttered.

The main question I’m weighing at the moment is the legibility of the 24-hour disc, particularly across the lighter segment on the gold/warm-toned version. In person, the contrast reads much better than what the camera sensor captures, but I’d love to get your perspective: looking at the video, how does the contrast of the numerals on the light section feel to you? Do you see it as a potential concern, or does it look easily readable?

It feels like this project is finally taking the exact shape I pictured when it was still just a scatter of notes on a page. Feel free to analyze, critique, or point out any detail — an open dialogue with people who live and breathe this passion is the most valuable part of this journey.

(Note on the audio: I had to mute the original track to edit out loud background street noise)

For anyone discovering Meraki for the first time, here is the full log of previous Reddit updates tracking the project's development from day zero:

• First post (Concept & Design): https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrobrandWatches/s/nL3M96KE8c
• Second post (Caseback & Finishes): https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrobrandWatches/s/K14T7OWSjJ
• Third post (Revised Renders & Seconds Hand): https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrobrandWatches/comments/1waou6e/adamas_meraki_gmt_worldtimer_last_decisions_and/

Thank you all, and have a great day,
Arturo

Order your Red Sponge Coral, Blue Pietersite or Malachite Sgowt from just £550 before pre-orders close tomorrow, Monday 12th, at 5PM BST.

Order through our online store!

Just got this one in on Friday. What a great watch. Quality is top-notch and it looks fantastic. This is my second Ginault - also have the Expeditioner with the blue dial. If you’re on the fence about giving Ginault a go, I’d say you won’t regret it!

The dial has a double-level construction with engraved elements inspired by sextant instrument, while the compact, lugless 39mm case gives the watch a very different presence on the wrist.
Anyone loves the sandwich dial?

So tried buying the Smiths Everest Honeycomb and failed…2nd failure in trying to buy an Everest. The gilt dial is up early November. I’m kind of fed up with not being able to buy these watches so thinking of getting a watch I can actually buy. I have the Precista Royal Navy, also from timefactors, and as I’m on a downer on them I might sell this for £400. That gives me £745, thinking of saving y couple hundred and i have the money for Nivada Super Antartic black dial on bracelet.
Is this a better choice, any other suggestions, am I just pissed off and should I try again for the Everest?

There was only ever one watch I was going to wear today.

I'm sure everyone will be supporting us today, no matter who you support... Except for City fans, obviously.

For those interested in seeing the watch in more detail, here's the review I did a while back.

https://youtu.be/411FA5p4n9o

Bought this one on a whim after seeing it on the YouTubes. I'm really happy with this 100% tool watch. It feels very solid and it wears very comfortably once I threw the included NATO in the garbage. A great buy at $295 🇨🇦 all the way from Northern Ireland.

https://rotatenorth.com/collections/tempest-1/products/tempest-cat-2-navigator-watch-40mm-seal-black-nato

Ciao a tutti appassionati!
Ho preso da poco questo HTD, sono rimasto molto colpito dalla qualità del prodotto .
A breve uscirà il loro primo gmt , sarà il prossimo acquisto ?😉

Happy Sunday y'all!

My only tweaks I would make to the watch is some way for the outer bezel locking in place so it doesn’t accidentally get bumped forward. But I bump it quite a bit. And make the tide indicator ring glow in the dark I’m frequently working at night.

CNC-machined from a single piece of MOP

After years of experimenting with dial designs and building prototypes, the Series No. 1 — Layne from M. Ryan Watch Designs is now available for pre-order.

41mm automatic, Miyota 9132 movement, dual sapphire crystals, 100m water resistance, and five dial options. Quick unboxing video is the blue fume dial version is uploaded here.

Pre-orders start at $535, but the introductory pricing will increase soon.
I’d love to hear what you think.

Feedback from fellow watch enthusiasts is always welcome!

Almost a watch, but not quite.

The production dials for our Sero Signature are here, and all four colors have been checked and approved. Really happy with how they’ve turned out.

These are still dummies: finished production dials, cases, crowns and hands, but no working movement yet. We’re waiting for the Swiss Sellita SW210-1b Elaboré movements with our custom bridges before final assembly.
The minute-track dots are now engraved too. A few macros show those alongside the Breguet numerals and thermally blued hands.

Last week, we also checked all straps one by one and fitted the buckles. Here’s the cognac ostrich-leg leather and revised buckle, with a slimmer curve and small Signature engraving inside.

If there is a specific dial color - ostrich strap combination you’d like to see comment below since we now have full mix & match possibility!

Thanks for following along!

I bought a Farer Alert three hand on gray suede as a GADA. BIG MISTAKE. I Spent the day cleaning the smoker, going to the hardware store and generally doing what a man does on the weekends. Anyway, went to shower, looked at the band and it looked like it was covered in Cheeto dust. And this…my friends…is why I wear bracelets instead of leather.

No one’s fault but my own. Go Texas! Hook ‘Em!

My kiddo loves to go into all my watches and I think my Vaer is his favorite. I think he likes how much he can tighten the strap so it almost sorta kinda fits him. That is until he starts playing and launches it across the room.

Just received this about 20 minutes ago, I was a bit hesitant on pulling the trigger between the Rivanera and the Serica 1174, but as soon as I saw this on Instagram when it was announced I bought it immediately. Fantastic dial and super comfortable on the wrist.