Venezianico
Venezianico is an Italian watch brand founded in 2017 by brothers Alberto and Alessandro Morelli, rooted in the cultural and architectural heritage of Venice. Originally established as Meccaniche Veneziane before rebranding in 2022, the company focuses on combining traditional Italian craftsmanship with modern mechanical watchmaking. Its logo, a Renaissance cross, is inspired by the clock tower in St. Mark’s Square, symbolizing the passage of time. Key collections include the Nereide, a diving watch inspired by a 1913 Venetian submarine that often features technical materials like tungsten bezels or decorative elements like aventurine glass. The Redentore collection reflects the neoclassical lines of the Basilica del Redentore, while the Arsenale line offers integrated-bracelet sports watches inspired by the city’s historic shipyards. In 2025, the brand advanced its technical capabilities by introducing the V5000, its first proprietary movement designed and manufactured in Italy.
Undone
Undone is a Hong Kong-based watch brand founded in 2014 by Michael Young that distinguishes itself through extensive customization options and a prolific series of pop-culture collaborations. The brand utilizes a mix of Japanese automatic movements and meca-quartz hybrid chronographs to offer vintage-inspired aesthetics at an accessible price point. Their core catalog is anchored by the Urban Chronograph, a customizable series inspired by mid-century dress watches, and the Basecamp, a utilitarian tool watch with dive and field characteristics. Beyond these staples, Undone is widely recognized for its limited-edition partnerships with major franchises such as Batman, Peanuts, Disney, and Hello Kitty, as well as unique artistic ventures like the ukiyo-e-inspired Shunga collection and material-focused collaborations with Simple Union. These timepieces often feature modern materials like 316L stainless steel, Grade 2 titanium, and bronze, paired with retro design elements like domed K1 crystals and California dials.
Laps
Laps is a Parisian watchmaker founded in 2015 by Antonin Mercier that distinguishes itself through an artistic and artisanal approach to horology. The brand is notable for its “Fabrique a Paris” label, with all timepieces designed and assembled in its workshop located in the historic Marais district. Laps focuses on transforming the watch dial into a canvas for creative expression, utilizing diverse materials such as fine art photography, rare wood species, and exotic textiles. Its catalog is primarily divided into two main segments: the Editions collection, which features quartz-powered rectangular watches like the Signature, Prima, and Oria models known for their pop-art aesthetics and vintage-inspired cases, and the Studio collection, which introduced the brand’s first automatic model, the Arche. The Arche features a 37.5mm architectural stainless steel case and a Miyota 9015 movement, marking a shift toward more complex mechanical specifications while maintaining the brand’s signature focus on unique textures and limited-production runs.
Humbert-Droz
Humbert-Droz is a French independent watch brand based in Besancon, the historical heart of French watchmaking. Established in 2016 by Julien Humbert-Droz, the brand builds upon the legacy of Reparalux, a family-run watch repair and assembly workshop founded by Marcel Humbert-Droz in 1956. Representing four generations of horological expertise, the brand emphasizes regional craftsmanship through its partnership with the Swiss manufacturer La Joux-Perret, which allows for the assembly of high-quality movements within their Besancon workshop. Their catalog is organized into functional families, such as the HD1 field watch, the HD4 with its distinctive rectangular case and disc-based time display, and the HD9 Deep Pro, a robust diving model designed for professional use. Known for a design language that prioritizes legibility and durability, Humbert-Droz timepieces often feature stainless steel cases, sapphire crystals, and a variety of dial finishes including sunburst and Clous de Paris textures.
Harding
Harding is a Swiss-based watch brand founded in 2014 that specializes in robust, performance-oriented timepieces inspired by aviation, maritime activities, and automotive racing. The brand distinguishes itself through a design philosophy that balances traditional Swiss horological standards with modern, aggressive aesthetics, often utilizing materials like 316L stainless steel and anti-reflective mineral crystals. Its catalog is primarily defined by several key collections, including the Jetstream series, which offers pilot-style watches in automatic and chronograph variants, and the Aqua-Pro line, designed for water resistance and professional aquatic use. Notable models include the Jetstream Flyboy, featuring Japanese quartz or automatic movements with clear military influences, and the Aquapro HA0206, a high-impact chronograph known for its oversized 48mm case and silicone strap. By pairing technical functionality with a bold, adventure-focused identity, Harding positions its watches as durable instruments for enthusiasts seeking a mix of sports-driven style and precision engineering.
D1 Milano
D1 Milano is an Italian watch manufacturer founded in 2013 by Dario Spallone during Milan Fashion Week. Based in Milan, the brand is recognized for its contemporary “sport-chic” aesthetic, characterized by geometric octagonal cases, sharp chamfers, and integrated bracelets that draw inspiration from 1970s design codes. The brand distinguishes itself through the use of diverse materials including 316L stainless steel, high-tech ceramic, and lightweight polycarbonate, often featuring ultra-thin profiles and Japanese movements from manufacturers like Seiko. Its core collections include the Ultra Thin series, the durable and colorful Polycarbon, and the mechanical Automatic and Skeleton ranges. Beyond its standard lineup, D1 Milano is noted for its frequent collaborations and limited editions, such as the artistic Sketch series and technical partnerships with firms like Giugiaro Design.
Zodiac
Zodiac is a historic Swiss watchmaker founded in 1882 by Ariste Calame in Le Locle, Switzerland, and is currently a subsidiary of the Fossil Group with manufacturing based in Biel-Bienne. The brand is most renowned for its pioneering role in the development of professional tool watches, particularly with the 1953 launch of the Sea Wolf, which was one of the first purpose-built dive watches manufactured for the mass market. Other key pieces in Zodiac’s historical and contemporary catalog include the Super Sea Wolf, which offered increased water resistance for naval use, the Aerospace GMT, designed for mid-century travelers, and the avant-garde Astrographic featuring its signature floating “mystery” hands. Today, the brand continues to focus on reviving these milestone designs with modern materials and Swiss-made automatic movements, maintaining a reputation for technical innovation and bold, vibrant aesthetics at an accessible luxury price point.
Yema
Yema is a historic French watchmaking brand founded in 1948 by Henry Louis Belmont in Besançon, the traditional heart of French horology. Now based in Morteau and managed by the Bôle family under Groupe Ambre, the brand has established a reputation for producing high-performance tool watches designed for diving, aviation, motor racing, and space exploration. Yema is perhaps most recognized for its flagship Superman model, a diver’s watch introduced in 1963 featuring a signature bezel-lock mechanism that has become a hallmark of the brand’s technical identity. Other historically significant pieces include the Rallygraf, a racing chronograph famously worn by Formula One champion Mario Andretti, and the Yachtingraf, designed for regatta timing. The brand’s heritage is further distinguished by its connection to space travel, notably the Spationaute I, which became the first Western European watch in space in 1982. In recent years, Yema has focused on vertical integration by developing its own Manufacture Morteau (CMM) calibers, reinforcing its position as a leading representative of modern French fine watchmaking.
Zeroo Time
Zeroo Time is a Japanese watch brand established in Tokyo in 2017 by designer Syuu with a mission to redefine the traditional wristwatch through innovative design and high-complication movements. The brand is particularly known for its focus on skeletonization and making complex horological features, such as tourbillons, more accessible to a broader audience. Their catalog is organized into several distinct series, including the flagship T Series which features full-skeleton tourbillons like the T4 The Archer and the T9 UFO. Other notable collections include the M Series, which focuses on skeletonized mechanical automatic movements like the M2 Subaru and M3 Lyra, and the DT Series, which showcases advanced complications like the DT1 Gemini double tourbillon. By utilizing modern materials such as Damascus steel and sapphire crystal cases alongside traditional Japanese craftsmanship, Zeroo Time emphasizes a design philosophy that balances futuristic aesthetics with mechanical transparency.
Zelos
Zelos Watches is a Singapore-based microbrand founded in 2014 by Elshan Tang, initially gaining traction through successful Kickstarter campaigns for models like the Helmsman and the Abyss. The brand has since become prominent in the enthusiast community for its distinctive design language and the use of unconventional materials such as meteorite, bronze, forged carbon, tantalum, and Timascus. Zelos offers a diverse range of timepieces, from rugged dive watches like the Hammerhead and Mako to more refined pilot and field watches like the Skyraider and Comet. While many of its core models utilize reliable movements from manufacturers like Seiko and Miyota to maintain accessible price points, the brand also ventures into high-end horology with its Mirage collection, which features skeletonized movements and Swiss-made tourbillons. Managed as a lean operation, Zelos is known for its frequent, limited-batch releases and a strong emphasis on providing high-specification components and unique aesthetics that typically command much higher prices in the luxury watch market.