Enter the watch rabbit hole

WATCHES & BRANDS DISCOVERY HUB.

Exploring the world of watch (micro)brands
and the stories of watch makers. Enjoy the ride.

Trending Brands

Jaeger-LeCoultre is a prestigious Swiss luxury watch manufacture founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre in Le Sentier, known in the industry as the Watchmaker of Watchmakers for its history of supplying movements to other elite horological houses. The brand is defined by its vertically integrated production and a legacy of over 1,200 calibers, ranging from the worlds smallest mechanical movement, the Calibre 101, to highly complex grand complications. Its most iconic timepiece is the Reverso, created in 1931 with a unique swiveling case designed to protect the glass during polo matches, which remains a cornerstone of the collection alongside the elegant Master Ultra Thin series. Other key pillars include the Polaris, a line of versatile sports watches inspired by a 1968 diving alarm, and the Atmos clock, a technical marvel that draws energy from minute atmospheric pressure and temperature changes. Integrating high craftsmanship with technical mastery, the manufacture continues to produce acclaimed complications such as the Gyrotourbillon and various perpetual calendars within its Atelier d’Antoine.

More on the brand »

San Martin is a Chinese watch manufacturer established in 2016 by Liao JiaMing that has gained significant recognition within the enthusiast community for its focus on high-specification builds at accessible price points. The brand is primarily known for its extensive catalog of “homage” watches, which recreate the aesthetics of iconic luxury timepieces from brands like Rolex, Tudor, and Seiko using premium materials such as sapphire crystals, ceramic bezels, and 316L stainless steel. While the company has begun introducing original designs, its reputation is built on popular models like the SN0121 (a Pelagos-style diver), the SN004 (a vintage-inspired Submariner homage), and the SN017. These timepieces typically house reliable third-party movements, including the Seiko NH35 or the high-beat PT5000 and Miyota 9000 series, and are often praised for finishing quality and bracelet construction that rival watches in significantly higher price brackets.

More on the brand »

Watch of the day

Part of the brand’s Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) “Classic Line,” this model has quietly earned a stellar reputation among global collectors who appreciate understated, versatile design. The “59A” designation refers to its pristine, silvery-white dial, which strikes a perfect balance between a formal dress watch and a casual everyday piece. It was introduced to offer

10 Best Microbrand Dive Watches Under $1,000

Finding a capable and stylish dive watch under $1,000 used to mean settling for basic specifications, but the microbrand revolution has completely changed the landscape.

More on the brand »

Audemars Piguet is a prestigious Swiss manufacturer of luxury mechanical watches, headquartered in Le Brassus and founded in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet. As the oldest watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families, the brand is celebrated for its mastery of high complications, including minute repeaters, perpetual calendars,

More on the brand »

Watch of the day

Top 20 Watch Microbrands – Independent Watchmaker Guide

Microbrands have completely changed the landscape of modern watch collecting. By utilizing a direct-to-consumer business model and cutting out traditional retail middlemen, independent microbrands are

Discover other watch brands

Jacques Bianchi is a Marseille-based independent watch brand founded in 1982 by the master watchmaker of the same name, who established his reputation servicing timepieces for the French Navy and renowned divers like Jacques Cousteau. The brand is best known for its functional tool watches, most notably the JB200, a "skin diver" originally released in 1982 that features a distinctive "destro" left-side crown and a silhouette of a frogman on the dial. Following a successful relaunch in 2021, the company has expanded its catalog with modern mechanical re-editions such as the JB200 Poulpro and the JB300, a 300-meter diver inspired by 1990s military models. These timepieces emphasize legibility and durability, often utilizing Swiss automatic movements and high-grade materials like Grade 5 titanium, while maintaining a strong connection to the brand's Mediterranean diving heritage and French military roots.

Most liked watches this week

Maker of the week

Georges Brunet

CEO & Owner

Georges Brunet is the CEO and Owner of ZRC (Zuccolo Rochet & Cie), representing the fourth generation of company’s leadership. The company was founded in 1904 in Geneva by his great-grandfather, Joseph Rochet, and Edmond Zuccolo, and historically established its reputation as a premier manufacturer of watch straps and bracelets. After completing his studies in business and management, Georges Brunet joined the family business. Under his tenure, the company has maintained its dual identity, keeping its headquarters in Geneva while preserving strong industrial and design roots in the Annecy region of France.

The most significant milestone of his leadership occurred in 2015. While ZRC had spent decades focusing on its role as a leading supplier of metal bracelets and components, Brunet spearheaded a strategic pivot to return the company to its origins as a full-fledged watchmaker. He orchestrated the re-edition of the Grands Fonds 300, an iconic diving watch originally created by the brand in 1958. This model was notably used by the French Navy (Marine Nationale) from 1964 to 1982. This relaunch successfully repositioned ZRC within the high-end “tool watch” market.

Under Brunet’s supervision, ZRC has integrated several patented technical innovations into its timepieces, specifically designed for professional diving. The Crown Protection System™, a security feature that prevents the bracelet from being closed if the crown is not fully screwed down, ensuring water resistance and the ECS™ (Easy Clean System) allowing the interior of the rotating bezel to be rinsed with fresh water to remove salt crystals and impurities.

Today, Georges Brunet oversees the international expansion of ZRC, structuring distribution networks across Europe, Asia, and the United States. He remains committed to maintaining the brand’s status as an independent manufacture, focusing on historical legitimacy and technical performance.