Alterum
Alterum is an American independent watch brand founded in 2016 by Justin Walters and based in Dunedin, Florida, known for its focus on meticulous hand-finishing and high-end artisanal craftsmanship. The brand gained significant attention with the release of its inaugural model, the World-Diver, which showcases a distinctive design language blending architectural lines with traditional horological techniques. Key features of Alterum timepieces often include movements with extensive hand-applied decoration, such as anglage, black polishing, and frosted finishes, which are typically reserved for high-luxury watchmaking. By emphasizing small-batch production and a deep commitment to the decorative arts of watchmaking, Alterum positions itself as a specialized studio dedicated to creating modern tool watches with an elevated level of hand-executed detail.
The Unemployed Philosophers Guild
The Unemployed Philosophers Guild is a USA-based company specializing in creative and humorous novelty timepieces that are often categorized as “smart and funny gifts.” The brand is distinguished by its conceptual designs that reference figures and ideas from history, science, art, and pop culture, positioning their watches as unique conversation starters. Key watches in their collection include the Ptolemaic Watch, which depicts the ancient, disproven geocentric universe model with the sun and moon acting as hands orbiting the Earth, and the Relativity Watch, which visually represents Albert Einstein’s theory by featuring the numbers rotating around the dial. Another popular design is the Ministry of Silly Walks Watch, which uses the contorted legs of the Monty Python character as the watch’s hands. These accessible timepieces typically feature Japanese quartz movements and are presented as non-waterproof wristwatches with cases often made of zinc alloy.