AgeeknamedJ
Apprentice WIS
I am a long time watch collector who just recently decided to embrace the "micro"brand movement.The time has passed when I would only buy a time piece based on prestige and house and family history. I have been pleased overall with the direction of development of the offerings of each brand Ive come across. One thing though that sticks in my mind is the lack of transparency of the company owners. A deliberate search on the internet yields no tangible results. A google search yields no stories of passion or development only an impersonal webpage of " buy me now!" flavor. Who are the people behind these micro brands ? Are they real? Do they go to watch shows, conventions or participate on blogs or a Youtube video here and there? They seem as faceless as any massive corporation.
One notable exception to this is Steinhart Watches. A very quick search will easily render a picture of Gunter Steinhart busy being himself. This in itself, quietly speaks volumes about the company as a whole when its leader can be identified and admired or derided based on the patrons individual experience. No matter the feeling of any of his customers no one can argue his existence, but the same does not go for many of the newer brands. Prometheus, Borealis, Phoibos, Helson, Armida are some of the few that come to mind. Call this post a mere request to all Microbrand companies to connect with and embrace your customer base and show the true face or corporate machine of your brand, what ever the case may be.
One notable exception to this is Steinhart Watches. A very quick search will easily render a picture of Gunter Steinhart busy being himself. This in itself, quietly speaks volumes about the company as a whole when its leader can be identified and admired or derided based on the patrons individual experience. No matter the feeling of any of his customers no one can argue his existence, but the same does not go for many of the newer brands. Prometheus, Borealis, Phoibos, Helson, Armida are some of the few that come to mind. Call this post a mere request to all Microbrand companies to connect with and embrace your customer base and show the true face or corporate machine of your brand, what ever the case may be.
