From Submarines to Microbrand Watches: The Story Behind JWalker | Ryan Walker

How pOrtahl Is Building the Watches Missing From Your Collection

Most watch brands start by looking at what's already successful in the market. pOrtahl started with a different question: What watches are collectors missing? In this episode of The Micro Collector, I sit down with Jordi van Staveren and Alain van den Donk, co-founders of pOrtahl, to discuss how two marketers with no formal watch design background built a microbrand around creating "the watches you are missing." We talk about the five design principles that guide every pOrtahl watch, the story behind the brand name, and the development of watches like the Peacemaker and Zenmaster. We also dive into the challenges of bringing a first watch to market, how they built a community around the brand before launching, and why they believe the best watch designs come from thinking differently than the rest of the industry. Whether you're a watch collector, microbrand enthusiast, or aspiring founder, this was a fascinating conversation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode 02:20 Jordi and Alain’s Journey into Watchmaking 05:29 pOrtahl’s Design Principles and Philosophy 09:47 The Meaning Behind the pOrtahl 12:38 The Creation of the Peacemaker Watch 19:47 Introducing the Zenmaster Watch 25:28 Future Plans and Evolving Roles Learn More Website: https://portahl.com/ [https://portahl.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/portahl [https://www.facebook.com/portahl] Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/portahl [https://www.facebook.com/groups/portahl] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portahl/ [https://www.instagram.com/portahl/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@portahl [https://www.youtube.com/@portahl] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@portahl [https://www.tiktok.com/@portahl] X: https://x.com/portahlglobal [https://x.com/portahlglobal] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/portahl/ [https://www.pinterest.com/portahl/] Subscribe for more conversations with the founders and operators behind some of the most exciting microbrand and independent watch companies. #microbrandwatches #portahl #watchpodcast #watchcollector #independentwatchmaking

The Story Behind Feynman Timekeepers & Singapore’s Microbrand Boom | Lim Yong Keong (YK)

Singapore has quietly become one of the most exciting hotspots in the world for microbrand and independent watches — and few people have played a bigger role in that rise than Lim Yong Keong (YK) of Feynman Timekeepers. In this episode of The Micro Collector, I sit down with YK to talk about his journey from watch collector to founder, the inspiration behind Feynman Timekeepers, and the stories behind watches like the Feynman One and Feynman Q. We also dive into the rise of the Singapore microbrand scene and how YK has become one of the strongest advocates for independent watch brands through initiatives like Spring Sprang Sprung and Big Time Singapore. Whether you're into microbrands, independent watchmaking, or the growing Singapore watch scene, this was a fascinating conversation. Chapters 00:00 The Rise of Singaporean Microbrands 02:03 YK's Journey into Watchmaking 05:23 The Birth of Feynman Timekeepers 12:50 Challenges and Innovations in Launching Feynman One 19:16 Exploring the Feynman Collection 24:04 The Journey of Watch Sales and Brand Recognition 27:45 Innovative Designs and Inspirations in Watchmaking 32:23 The Story Behind the Feynman Q 39:52 Building a Microbrand Community in Singapore 44:06 Future Plans and Upcoming Events Learn More Feynman Website: https://feynman.watch/ [https://feynman.watch/]Feynman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/feynman.timekeepers [https://www.facebook.com/feynman.timekeepers]Feynman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feynman.watch/ [https://www.instagram.com/feynman.watch/] Spring Sprang Sprung Website: https://www.spring-sprang-sprung.com/ [https://www.spring-sprang-sprung.com/]Spring Sprang Sprung Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsspringsprangsprung [https://www.facebook.com/letsspringsprangsprung]Spring Sprang Sprung Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spring.sprang.sprung/ [https://www.instagram.com/spring.sprang.sprung/]Spring Sprang Sprung YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpringSprangSprungFair [https://www.youtube.com/@SpringSprangSprungFair] Big Time Singapore Website: https://bigtimesgp.com/ [https://bigtimesgp.com/]Big Time Singapore Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIGTimeSGP [https://www.facebook.com/BIGTimeSGP]Big Time Singapore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigtimesgp/ [https://www.instagram.com/bigtimesgp/] Subscribe for more conversations with the founders and operators behind some of the most exciting microbrand and independent watch companies. #microbrandwatches #feynmantimekeepers #watchpodcast #independentwatchmaking #watchcollector #singaporemicrobrands

Inside DuFrane: A Watch Brand Built Around Craftsmanship and Connection | Steven Lee

In this episode of The Micro Collector, I’m joined by Steven Lee, Founder of DuFrane Watches — an Austin-based independent watch brand known for its thoughtful designs, small-batch production, and hands-on approach to watchmaking. We discuss Steven’s unconventional journey from pilot and software sales into watchmaking, how trips through Europe studying independent brands inspired him to start DuFrane, and why he still designs, assembles, tests, and services every watch himself alongside his son. We also dive into: - The story behind the Bergstrom and other DuFrane models - Building a watch brand rooted in Austin culture and history - Marketing and growing a microbrand organically - The philosophy behind staying intentionally small - DuFrane’s unique appointment-only showroom experience - Upcoming releases and future plans for the brand Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Steven Lee and DuFrane Watches 03:59 The Journey from Passion to Brand Creation 06:44 The First Watch: Bergstrom and Its Significance 09:43 Marketing Strategies and Building an Audience 12:47 The Collection: Overview of DuFrane Watches 15:27 The Unique Showroom Experience 18:30 Growth and Maintaining Quality 21:08 Future Plans and Upcoming Releases Learn More About DuFrane Watches Website: https://www.dufranewatches.com/ [https://www.dufranewatches.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dufrane_watches/ [https://www.instagram.com/dufrane_watches/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv91OqHxcQe-eG_xXqVBRNA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv91OqHxcQe-eG_xXqVBRNA] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dufrane.watches [https://www.tiktok.com/@dufrane.watches] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dufranewatches [https://www.facebook.com/dufranewatches] DuFrane on Teddy Baldassarre with Kevin O'Leary: https://youtu.be/E2xQbL0Ahl0?si=cfzm6_QI_tWunfVK [https://youtu.be/E2xQbL0Ahl0?si=cfzm6_QI_tWunfVK] Subscribe for more conversations with the founders and operators behind some of the most exciting microbrand and independent watch companies. #DuFrane #MicrobrandWatches #WatchCollector #IndependentWatchmaking #TheMicroCollector

How Tessé Watches Is Bringing 1970s Watchmaking Into the Modern Era | Thomas Brissiaud

In this episode of The Micro Collector, I sit down with Thomas Brissiaud, Founder of Tessé Watches, to discuss his journey from chef to watch founder, his fascination with 1970s watchmaking, and how Tessé has developed one of the most distinctive design languages in the microbrand space. We also dive into Swiss manufacturing, the challenges of achieving high-end finishing as a microbrand, and what’s next for the brand. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Thomas and Tessé Watches 01:28 Thomas's Journey from Chef to Watchmaker 05:02 Inspiration Behind the Michel GMT 09:47 Exploring the Tessé Collections 21:03 Design Language and Brand Evolution 25:58 Utilizing Kickstarter for Brand Visibility Learn more about Tessé Watches: Website: https://tesse-watches.com/ [https://tesse-watches.com/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tesse.watches/ [https://www.instagram.com/tesse.watches/]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064090002561 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064090002561] Subscribe for more conversations with the founders and operators behind some of the most exciting microbrand and independent watch companies. #tessewatches #microbrandwatches #watchpodcast #watchcollector #watches

The Story of Brew: The “Silent Success” Behind a Top Microbrand

Jonathan Ferrer, founder of Brew Watches, joins The Micro Collector to share the full story behind one of the most recognizable microbrand watch companies today. What started as a creative experiment—designing a watch inspired by café culture—has grown into a globally recognized brand with a distinct design language and a deeply engaged community. In this conversation, we explore Jonathan’s journey from industrial design and early experience at Movado to building Brew into a standout name in the microbrand space. We discuss the origins of the brand, the breakthrough moment with the Brew Metric, and his approach to designing watches that feel both nostalgic and new. We also dive into the realities of scaling a microbrand, the tradeoffs that come with growth, why Brew avoided the traditional department store path , and what’s next as the brand looks to build deeper relationships with its community. For more conversations like this with founders in the microbrand and independent watch space, subscribe to The Micro Collector. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:02 Jonathan Ferrer's Background and Early Influences 06:11 The Birth of Brew Watch Company 08:57 Design Philosophy and Early Models 11:57 The Brew Metric: A Turning Point 14:50 Building a Recognizable Design Language 17:51 Growth and Challenges in the Microbrand Space 21:02 Maintaining Brand Identity While Scaling 23:55 Future Directions for Brew Watches Learn More About Brew Website: https://www.brew-watches.com/ [https://www.brew-watches.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brewwatches/ [https://www.instagram.com/brewwatches/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brewwatches [https://www.tiktok.com/@brewwatches] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrewWatches/ [https://www.facebook.com/BrewWatches/] X: https://x.com/BrewWatchCo [https://x.com/BrewWatchCo] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/BrewWatches/ [https://www.pinterest.com/BrewWatches/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brewwatchco [https://www.youtube.com/@brewwatchco] #microbrand #watches #watchcollector #watchcommunity #entrepreneur #founderstory #design #brewwatches