The Micro Collector

Justin Dorfman
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship

The Micro Collector is a podcast about the people behind today’s most interesting microbrand watches. Hosted by Justin Dorfman, a lifelong watch enthusiast and microbrand collector, the show features in-depth conversations with founders building independent watch brands around the world — from pre-launch projects to established microbrands with years of experience. Each episode focuses on the why behind the watch: the ideas, inspirations, and decisions that shape the final product. Conversations explore design philosophy, mechanics, materials, tradeoffs, and the realities of turning an idea into something you can wear on your wrist. Whether you’re a collector, a watch enthusiast, or considering launching your own microbrand, The Micro Collector offers a real-world look into what it takes to build a modern microbrand watch.

  1. 4d ago

    How Nodus Is Building More Than a Watch Brand | Wes Kwok

    Wes Kwok co-founded Nodus with his childhood friend Cullen Chen after the two spent years playing music, building things together, and eventually developing a shared obsession with watches. In this episode of The Micro Collector, Wes shares how that friendship turned into Nodus, what they learned from launching their first watch, and why their ambitions quickly expanded beyond simply building their own brand. We get into Nodus’s broader vision of strengthening the independent watch ecosystem — from developing technology that other brands can use through Nodus Extension, to collaborative projects through Design Lab, and bringing brands and collectors together through the Intersect Watch Show. Wes also shares how Nodus is using AI agents throughout its operations, including identifying warranty issues shortly after a product launches, and gives his perspective on the changing watch manufacturing landscape — why China remains so important, the risks brands need to consider, and why countries like Thailand, India, and Vietnam could play a bigger role in the future. We also discuss why Wes believes it may be easier than ever to start a watch brand but increasingly difficult to grow one into a real company — and what Nodus is working on next as it explores a significantly higher-end level of watchmaking. If you enjoy the episode, be sure to subscribe for more conversations with the founders, builders, and operators behind independent and microbrand watch companies. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:20 How Wes and Cullen met 06:16 Launching the first Nodus watch 09:24 The original vision for Nodus 13:01 Why Nodus wanted to help other watch brands 17:08 Nodus Extension, Design Lab & Intersect 21:23 How the Nodus team operates across multiple businesses 23:37 Using AI to run a watch company 31:51 China, Thailand & the future of watch manufacturing 40:45 Why starting a watch brand is getting easier — and scaling harder 43:30 What’s next for Nodus Learn More About Nodus Website: https://www.noduswatches.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noduswatches Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noduswatches YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaY-gUgkmcSOgyE-YjFwddg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@noduswatches Intersect Watch Show: https://www.intersectwatchshow.com/ #noduswatches #intersectwatchshow #microbrandwatches #independentwatchmaking #watchmanufacturing

  2. Oct 12

    Reviving Nivada Grenchen & Vulcain and Building SpaceOne | Guillaume Laidet

    Guillaume Laidet is one of the key figures behind the modern revivals of Nivada Grenchen and Vulcain, while also co-founding something completely new with SpaceOne. In this episode of The Micro Collector, Guillaume shares his journey from working at Zenith and Jaeger-LeCoultre to launching his first brand, William L. 1985 — and what he learned when that business went from early success to excess inventory, supplier debt, and having to let his team go. We get into how those lessons shaped the revival of Nivada Grenchen, what makes a heritage brand worth bringing back, how collector feedback has influenced product decisions, and when a revived brand earns the right to move beyond its archives. Guillaume also talks about reviving Vulcain, why Excelsior Park proved more difficult, and why he believes independent and microbrand watch companies are gaining ground as the traditional groups continue pushing prices higher. We then dive into SpaceOne — how it came together with independent watchmaker Théo Auffret, how quickly the brand has grown, and the story of a €1.2 million Kickstarter campaign that effectively disappeared overnight. We also discuss what’s coming next for Nivada Grenchen, Vulcain, and SpaceOne. If you enjoy the episode, be sure to subscribe for more conversations with the founders, builders, and operators behind independent and microbrand watch companies. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:27 Meet Guillaume Laidet 02:37 From vintage watches to Zenith and Jaeger-LeCoultre 07:00 Building — and nearly losing — William L. 1985 10:08 The idea to revive Nivada Grenchen 12:06 Why Nivada was a strong revival candidate 14:15 Letting collectors help shape the product 17:48 Reviving Vulcain and the challenge of Excelsior Park 21:08 When does a heritage brand move beyond its archives? 23:16 Is there still room for more watch brand revivals? 24:18 Why independents are gaining ground on the big groups 28:52 How SpaceOne came together 33:16 The €1.2M Kickstarter disaster 38:17 How the crisis tested the SpaceOne partnership 40:00 What comes next for Nivada, Vulcain & SpaceOne Learn More About Nivada Grenchen Website: https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nivadawatches/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NivadaGrenchenOfficial/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nivada.grenchen Learn More About Vulcain Website: https://vulcain.ch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vulcain_watches/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vulcainwatches?_rdc=1&_rdr# Learn More About SpaceOne Website: https://spaceonewatches.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spaceonewatches/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArgonWatches TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spaceone.watches #nivadagrenchen #vulcain #spaceonewatches #microbrandwatches #independentwatchmaking

  3. Oct 5

    Designing Watches That Make You Look Twice | Wolfgang Heinrich, HEINRICH Watches

    Wolfgang Heinrich is the founder of HEINRICH Watches, a German microbrand inspired by the bold watch design of the 1970s while developing a distinctive identity of its own. In this episode, Wolfgang shares how he got into watches and eventually built HEINRICH around a simple philosophy: create watches with enough character to make you look twice, while still being something you can wear every day. We talk about launching his first watch through Kickstarter, why he later moved away from crowdfunding, and what that taught him about building a direct relationship with customers. We also dive into the evolution of the HEINRICH collection, his design process, unusual materials including stone and American football leather, and how he balances vintage inspiration with creating something original. Wolfgang also explains the importance of German watchmaking to the brand, why he invested in bringing a full-time master watchmaker into the business, and his decision to open a showroom in Stuttgart while remaining focused on a direct-to-consumer model. If you enjoy the episode, subscribe for more conversations with the founders and operators behind today’s microbrand and independent watch companies. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Wolfgang’s Journey Into Watches 03:56 Lessons From His First Watch Brand 08:23 Creating a Distinctive Design Language 11:29 Launching the First Watch on Kickstarter 14:04 Moving Beyond Kickstarter 21:27 Inside the HEINRICH Collection 27:34 Evolving the Design Process 32:44 German Watchmaking & Bringing a Watchmaker In-House 38:17 Opening a Showroom & Staying Direct-to-Consumer 41:55 Closing Learn More About HEINRICH Watches Website: https://heinrich.watch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heinrichwatches Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heinrichwatches YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WolfgangHeinrich #heinrichwatches #microbrandwatches #germanwatches #independentwatchmaking #watchdesign

  4. Sep 28

    How an Aerospace Engineer Is Reimagining Watchmaking | Mickey Brown, Parivas

    Mickey Brown came to watchmaking from a very different world. A mechanical aerospace engineer by training, Mickey spent years working with additive manufacturing and designing lattice structures for aerospace applications. At the same time, watches had always been deeply personal to him, tied to a family tradition shared with his father and brother. Eventually, those two worlds came together to create Parivas. In this episode of The Micro Collector, Mickey shares the six-year journey behind the Exo.1 and why the team had to wait years for additive manufacturing technology to reach the level of refinement they believed watchmaking demanded. We go deep into how the Exo.1 is actually made, from its monolithic lattice case and integrated indices to the subtractive machining that follows the printing process. We also explore the customized movement and precision program developed with the Horological Society of New York, the unexpected Solar Dusted finish, and why Mickey and the team assemble and test the watches themselves. We also talk about what it means to enter watchmaking without knowing the traditional rules, how Parivas is building trust around a $7,500 watch from a new brand, and why Mickey believes additive manufacturing could open up an entirely new design landscape for watches. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Meet Mickey Brown and Parivas 03:12 Mickey’s personal connection to watches 05:24 From aerospace engineering to Parivas 09:48 Why the Exo.1 took six years to develop 12:49 Building the Parivas founding team 15:58 Additive manufacturing and how the Exo.1 is made 21:56 The movement and precision chronometer program 26:53 Discovering the Solar Dusted finish 31:05 Why Parivas assembles and tests watches in-house 33:27 The advantage of not knowing the rules 38:23 Building trust around a $7,500 watch 42:06 The era of additive watchmaking Learn More About Parivas Website: https://parivas.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parivas_watches/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parivaswatches YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parivas TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parivas_watches If you enjoy the episode, subscribe for more conversations with the founders and operators behind some of the most exciting microbrands and independent watch companies. #microbrandwatches #independentwatchmaking #watchmaking #watchcollecting #parivas #additivemanufacturing

  5. Sep 21

    How Mad Hudson Is Rethinking What a Watch Brand Can Be | Mad & Connor Hudson

    Mad and Connor Hudson spent more than four years helping build Projects Watches, learning how to translate the ideas of artists and creatives into functional watches. When that chapter came to an end in 2024, they decided to take what they had learned and build something of their own. In this episode of The Micro Collector, Mad and Connor share how that experience became the foundation for Mad Hudson Watches and why they wanted the new brand to feel broader, more playful, and less constrained by traditional ideas of what a watch should be. We talk about designs like the intentionally smashed-looking Broken Time and music-inspired CD Watch, alongside Mad Hudson Originals such as Eddie, Marshall, and Miami. The conversation covers how they find artists to collaborate with, how those ideas get turned into functional and manufacturable watches, and why the brand is attracting both seasoned collectors and people buying their first watch. We also explore their early move into clocks, the renewed interest in analog objects, and where Mad Hudson goes next. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to episode 01:14 Mad & Connor’s backgrounds and getting into watches 04:02 Building Projects Watches 07:07 From Projects Watches to Mad Hudson 10:20 What they wanted to do differently 14:37 What is Mad Hudson? 17:05 Broken Time and Mad Hudson Originals 20:12 Finding artists to collaborate with 24:18 Turning an artist’s idea into a functional watch 28:14 Who buys a Mad Hudson watch? 30:41 Watches, clocks, and collecting 34:25 The return to analog 37:05 What’s next for Mad Hudson Learn More About Mad Hudson Website: https://madhudsonwatches.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madhudsonwatches/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadHudsonWatches TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madhudsonwatches If you enjoy the episode, subscribe for more conversations with the founders and operators behind some of the most exciting microbrands and independent watch companies. #microbrandwatches #watchcollecting #watchpodcast #madhudson #watchdesign

  6. Sep 15

    How La Touraine Grew From $300 in Inventory to a Full-Time Watch Business | Dave Moggio

    Dave Moggio started La Touraine Watches in 2018 at his dining room table with about $300 worth of inventory. Seven years later, after building the brand alongside a career in technology and product management, he’s made La Touraine his full-time focus. In this episode of The Micro Collector, Dave shares the practical, iterative approach he used to grow the business without betting everything upfront — starting with accessible catalog-based watches before investing in proprietary designs, using preorders to test market demand and manage inventory, and building in public to communicate with customers and build trust at scale. We also talk about Dave’s journey from watch enthusiast to founder, the family story behind the La Touraine name, how his product management background shaped the way he approaches watches, the evolution of the collection, and what ultimately gave him the confidence to leave the corporate world and focus on La Touraine full-time. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to episode 01:39 Welcome to Dave Moggio 02:52 Dave’s background and first watch 05:05 From watch enthusiast to founder 07:20 The family story behind La Touraine 09:49 Starting with $300 in inventory 11:49 Catalog vs. custom watches 15:56 Applying the MVP mindset to watches 19:20 The La Touraine collection today 23:36 Using preorders to test demand and manage inventory 26:53 Building La Touraine in public 30:58 Leaving the corporate world to go full-time 33:43 What’s next for La Touraine Learn More About La Touraine Website: https://la-touraine.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@latourainewatches Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latourainewatches Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latourainewatches X: https://x.com/La_Touraine YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@latourainewatches If you enjoy the episode, subscribe for more conversations with the founders and operators behind some of the most exciting microbrands and independent watch companies. #microbrandwatches #watchcollecting #watchpodcast #latouraine #watchbusiness

  7. Sep 8

    How Christopher Ward Became One of the Most Exciting Modern Watch Brands | Mike Pearson

    Christopher Ward has become one of the most talked-about independent watch brands in the world — evolving from an early online disruptor into a serious force in modern watchmaking. In this episode of The Micro Collector, I sit down with Mike Pearson, Senior Vice President of North America and Global Retail at Christopher Ward, to talk about his path into watches, his time at Bremont and Zodiac, and what brought him to Christopher Ward. We discuss Christopher Ward’s growth in North America, its direct-to-consumer model, showroom strategy, community, pricing transparency, and how the brand is bringing more physical, human experiences to collectors. Mike also walks through the current collection — from the Sealander, Trident, and The Twelve to the Bel Canto, C12 Loco, and True GMT — and explains how Christopher Ward has evolved from being seen primarily as a value-driven brand into one showing real creative and technical ambition. The conversation is also a great look at Mike himself: his approach to the industry, how he connects with collectors, and what he’s learned moving from being one of the most recognizable individual voices in the enthusiast watch space to building and leading one of its most impressive teams. If you're interested in microbrand watches, independent watchmaking, direct-to-consumer brands, watch retail, watch design, or how modern enthusiast watch brands are built, I think you'll enjoy this conversation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:59 Mike’s Watch Journey 02:46 Bremont, Zodiac, and Industry Lessons 10:01 Joining Christopher Ward 13:45 Building the Team 15:12 Showroom Strategy 19:58 From Value Brand to Serious Watchmaking 20:55 Sealander, Trident, The Twelve, and the Core Collection 23:37 Bel Canto, C12 Loco, True GMT, and In-House Movements 25:30 The “Power of Three” Pricing Philosophy 29:40 Customer Service, Community, and Personal Learnings 31:05 Delegation, Team Building, and Finding “Your Trey” 34:53 What’s Next for Christopher Ward 37:37 Closing Thoughts Learn More Mike Pearson: https://www.instagram.com/mikepearson6/ Christopher Ward: https://www.christopherward.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswardlondon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherWardLondon X: https://x.com/ChrisWardLondon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/christopher-ward-london-limited/ 🎙️ Subscribe to The Micro Collector for more conversations with the founders and operators behind the world’s most exciting microbrand and independent watch companies. #christopherward #mikepearson #independentwatchmaking #watchpodcast #watchcollector #watchenthusiast

  8. Aug 31

    Building EONIQ, DIY Watch Club, and a Made-in-Hong Kong Movement | Quinn Lai

    In this episode of The Micro Collector, I’m joined by Quinn Lai, founder of EONIQ and DIY Watch Club. Quinn has built one of the most interesting and multifaceted modern watch businesses I’ve come across. EONIQ began as a platform for custom and personalized mechanical watches and has since grown into a broader expression of craftsmanship, personalization, and Hong Kong watchmaking. DIY Watch Club gives collectors the tools, components, and guidance to assemble their own watches at home. In this conversation, we talk about Quinn’s journey into watchmaking, the evolution of EONIQ, the story behind the Caliber 852 and his pursuit of a truly “Made in Hong Kong” mechanical movement, and how DIY Watch Club grew into a global community built around hands-on watch assembly. If you enjoy the episode, be sure to subscribe for more conversations with the founders, builders, and people behind independent and microbrand watch companies. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Episode 03:47 Quinn's Journey into Watchmaking 06:59 The Evolution of EONIQ 09:40 Craftsmanship and Customization in Watches 12:26 The Significance of the Caliber 852 Movement 15:15 DIY Watch Club: The Birth of a Community 18:25 The Popularity of DIY Watch Kits 21:12 Iterative Learning in Watch Assembly 23:55 Future Innovations in Watchmaking 26:43 Conclusion and Future Directions Learn more: EONIQ Website: https://www.eoniq.co/ EONIQ Signature Website: https://www.eoniqsignature.co/en/home EONIQ Atelier Website: https://eoniqatelier.co/ EONIQ Workshop Website: https://eoniqworkshop.co/ EONIQ Store Website: https://eoniq.hk/ EONIQ Signature Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eoniqsignature/ EONIQ Atelier Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eoniqatelier EONIQ Workshop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eoniqworkshop EONIQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EONIQ/ DIY Watch Club Website: https://diywatch.club/ DIY Watch Club Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diywatchclub DIY Watch Club Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diywatchclub DIY Watch Club YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/diywatchclub #microbrandwatches #watchmaking #watchcollector #watchcollecting #horology

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Micro Collector is a podcast about the people behind today’s most interesting microbrand watches. Hosted by Justin Dorfman, a lifelong watch enthusiast and microbrand collector, the show features in-depth conversations with founders building independent watch brands around the world — from pre-launch projects to established microbrands with years of experience. Each episode focuses on the why behind the watch: the ideas, inspirations, and decisions that shape the final product. Conversations explore design philosophy, mechanics, materials, tradeoffs, and the realities of turning an idea into something you can wear on your wrist. Whether you’re a collector, a watch enthusiast, or considering launching your own microbrand, The Micro Collector offers a real-world look into what it takes to build a modern microbrand watch.

Information

  • Creator
    Justin Dorfman
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Justin Dorfman
  • Show Website
    The Micro Collector

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