Colton James
Colton James is a South African watch brand founded in Cape Town in 2016, specializing in accessible, minimalist timepieces inspired by vintage trench watches and aviation horology. Operating through a direct-to-consumer approach, the brand equips its watches with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, Italian leather straps, and Japanese movements from Miyota and Seiko Epson. Its catalog features key models such as the Monarch, which incorporates a fluted bezel, sunray dial, and date magnifier, alongside the minimalist Vanguard and Maverick collections designed for everyday legibility and versatility.
Uhuru
Uhuru Watches is an independent microbrand that introduced its timepieces to the market through crowdfunding. One of the brand’s key models is the Impi, a distinct casual timepiece featuring a tool-style case paired with an internal rotating bezel operated by a protected crown located on the left side to prevent unintended adjustments. The Impi integrates cultural design elements into its aesthetic, most notably through a 24mm nubuck leather strap embossed with traditional Zulu patterns. Available in variants such as the Ivory Impi, the watch combines robust case construction with unique visual details.
Straton
Straton Watch Company is a microbrand founded in 2015 by Kyle Schut, an enthusiast whose design philosophy is deeply rooted in 1970s automotive history and classic racing culture. Based in Switzerland, the brand has established a distinct niche by creating vintage-style chronographs that often feature bold, vibrant color palettes and retro case shapes. Their catalog includes a diverse range of models such as the Speciale, known for its “TV style” case and scratch-resistant DLC coating, and the Syncro, a chunky diver-style chronograph with 200m water resistance. Other notable collections include the Curve Chrono, which pays homage to the Targa Florio road race, and the Legera, which notably offers a “bullhead” configuration with pushers located at the top of the case. Straton typically provides customers with a choice between high-end Swiss automatic movements, like the Valjoux 7750, and more accessible Seiko meca-quartz hybrid movements, ensuring their automotive-inspired aesthetics are available at various price points.