The MicrobrandWatch Movement - Issue 4

The monthly newsletter from Microbrand Watch — discovering the independent watchmakers creating real value.

I hope you’ve had a brilliant break and you’re heading into 2026 feeling refreshed, optimistic, and maybe already plotting the next addition to the watch box.

This year feels like it’s going to be a really exciting one for microbrand watches and for the Microbrand Watch channel. I’ve got a cracking line-up of reviews coming, some bigger ideas I’m keen to try, and most importantly, I want this to be a year where the community feels even more connected.

And on that note, one of my personal goals for 2026 is to meet as many of you in person as I can at watch fairs, meet-ups, and events. If you ever spot me hovering around a table, wrist-rolling something suspiciously obscure, please come over and say hello. I’m always up for a chat about watches.

Right, let’s get into this month’s update.

I finally spent proper time with the Christopher Ward Twelve, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise: it’s an objectively brilliant watch. The finishing is superb, the design is properly considered, the whole thing feels like it’s punching well above its price. On paper, it should’ve been a slam dunk.

And yet, I just didn’t connect with it.

It’s one of those rare reviews where my brain is nodding along enthusiastically while my gut is basically shrugging. And judging by the comments, I wasn’t alone. Loads of you said the same thing in different ways: you can respect it, admire it, even recommend it… but you wouldn’t necessarily buy it.

That’s what I love about this hobby. Specs matter. Quality matters. But the watches we keep are the ones that make us feel something.

If you haven’t watched the review yet, it’s worth it just for the discussion in the comments. It turned into a proper “heart vs head” debate.

The full review is live on the channel.

Massive congrats to the December winners. Prizes this month were a watch-inspired poker game, a selection of straps from Golby Watches, a Mirage Watch Roll, and a Ghost watch from 85 Watches.

Winners:

What an international community we have!

And a quick shout as well to Mark, who won the Case In Time doughnut case from an earlier giveaway this year - and thanks for the picture of your awesome Nomadic watch in the case!

And just a reminder: only newsletter subscribers are entered, so if you’re reading this… you’re already in.

A few absolute bangers on the horizon. Here’s what’s queued up:

If there’s one you want me to prioritise first, just hit reply and tell me.

Sponsor Spotlight

Before we properly kick off 2026, I wanted to look back at what you all watched the most last year. These were the three biggest videos on the channel in 2025, based on views:

It’s a cracking mix: one opinion piece, one broad round-up, and one proper brand story. If that doesn’t sum up what Microbrand Watch is becoming, I don’t know what does.

Alright… this is the fun bit. Mid-month, we’ve got the biggest giveaway we’ve done yet, courtesy of our friends at Golby Watches.

Same deal as always:

But this time there’s a twist:

So if you’ve got watch mates, group chats, forum friends, or anyone who loves microbrands, please share the newsletter sign-up link below.

Newsletter sign-up page: Click here.

I’ll share full details mid-month once everything is finalised — but trust me, you’re going to want to be in this one.

If you’ve got a watch you think I have to review this year, hit reply and tell me what it is and why. I’m always looking for the ones that don’t just look good on a spec sheet, but actually feel special on the wrist.

Thanks for being here, and as ever, I hope this newsletter helps you discover a microbrand that you will want to watch.

Dave
Microbrand Watch
YouTube.com/@MicrobrandWatch
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/MicrobrandWatch

Sponsor Spotlight