Hands On Horology 2025 - Early Bird Tickets Live

Guides Watches

The Best Microbrand Watches to Buy for August 2025

Horizon x Selten Nemo Reissue

Horizon x Selten Nemo Reissue Teal

The Horizon x Selten Nemo Reissue is proof the most unique designs in watchmaking are currently born from the micro-scene. Featuring a mother of pearl guilloché dial, uniquely styled indexes and numerals, a ghost-like grey bezel and a butterfly clasp steel bracelet with micro-adjustment. Move fast as there’s only the teal version left.

Price and Specs:

Model: Horizon x Selten Nemo Reissue
Case: 40mm diameter x 11.85mm thickness, stainless steel
Dial: Mother-of-pearl guilloché
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: Miyota 9039, automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 42h
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Strap: Steel bracelet with butterfly clasp and micro-adjustment
Price: $800 (approx. £590)

More details at Horizon.

Alpharo Model 1

Alpharo Model 1

Have you ever seen a watch with curved hands? Well, the Alpharo Model 1 is here to buck the straight hand trend – showing that when a founder pours love into a watch, the results are epic. The turbine-esque dial, elegant proportions and unique caseback result in one of the best maiden watch launches I’ve seen.

Price and Specs:

Model: Alpharo Model 1
Case: 38mm diameter x 9.8mm thickness, stainless steel
Dial: Grey, blue or white
Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: Miyota 9039, automatic
Power reserve: 42h
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Strap: Leather
Price: TBC

More details at Alpharo.

Galvin Watch Company Loimu Tundra Tuxedo

Galvin Watch Company Loimu Tundra Tuxedo

Featuring a wonderfully delicate lilac guilloché dial, framed by a bolder purple surround, the Loimu Tuxedo Tundra from Australian brand Galvin proves the haute horology aesthetic needn’t bankrupt watch fans. With a style more akin to a luxe brand like Laine, it’s a major value proposition. Enabled by its ubiquitous Miyota 9039 movement.

Price and Specs:

Model: Galvin Loimu Tundra Tuxedo
Case: 38mm diameter x 11.6mm thickness, stainless steel
Dial: Lilac guilloché
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Miyota calibre 9015, automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 42h
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Strap: FKM rubber strap with stainless butterfly clasp
Price: £391

More details at Galvin Watch Company.

Aerotec Atlantic Star Coastal Drift

Aerotec Atlantic Star Coastal Drift

A 200-meter depth rated skin diver with striking dial variants, Aerotec’s Atlantic Star has a strong vibe with its broad, brushed bezel and chunky lugs. The Coastal Drift dial especially manages to capture the nautical vibe, with its ‘sun breaking through the rippling surface’ effect.

Price and Specs:

Model: Aerotec Atlantic Star Coastal Drift
Case: 40mm diameter x 12mm thickness, stainless steel
Dial: Blue gradient
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: Seagull calibre ST1731, automatic
Frequency: 21,600 (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 38h
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
Price: Super early bird $249 (approx. £180), RRP $499 (approx. £370)

More details at Aerotec.

Akrone C-02 Nérée Sunrise

Akrone C-02 Nérée Sunrise
Akrone C-02 Nérée Sunrise

It’s official! Microbrands have reached peak colour with the Akrone C-02, featuring bold, almost clashing fume colours, a newly redesigned 39mm case that features an optional sapphire exhibition back with 100m water resistance or a solid caseback for full 200m water resistance. The Nérée Sunrise with its orange-yellow display is one of the more striking.

Price and Specs:

Model: Akrone C-02 Nérée Sunrise
Case: 39mm diameter x 11.5mm thickness, stainless steel
Dial: Orange-yellow fume
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar) (exhibition back) / 200m (20 bar) (solid caseback)
Movement: Sellita calibre SW200, automatic
Power reserve: 40h
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Strap: FKM rubber
Price: €540 (approx. £460)

More details at Akrone.

Leave a Comment

*

*

About the author

Tom Pettit

Tom is the co-founder of Oracle Time and leads its creative direction. He’s drawn to utilitarian watches, bold colour palettes, and design that does something different, with tastes shaped by the outdoors, sport, adventure, futurism, and mid-century modern design, from Ercol furniture to the Pacific Northwest modern. His collection is varied, but he’s still saving for his grail: the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto Blue Titanium.