Micro-Brand Digest: Single Hand Watches, Tough Tools, and a New Take on Solar Power

Welcome to the Worn & Wound Micro-Brand Digest, a semi-monthly roundup of all the new micro-brand news we’re following, from concepts that show promise, to kickstarter launches to restocks, and everything in between. Small independents, and affordable micro-brands spurred the creation of Worn & Wound over 10 years ago, and they still drive our enthusiasm in a big way.

Here’s what’s caught our eye this month.

If you’ve come across a project, you think qualifies, hit us up at [email protected] for inclusion.

Canister Fieldmaster

The Fieldmaster is Canister’s inaugural wristwatch. Its inspiration comes from a career as an active-duty member of the Canadian Armed Forces, and first-hand knowledge of the consequences when tools and equipment fail. As a result, Canister’s aim is to make rugged and dependable tools built for a purpose. As such, the Fieldmaster has been rigorously tested in Brandon, Manitoba, where extreme winter conditions of minus 40 are common, as are 14-hour workdays. 

The Fieldmaster is made of 316L stainless-steel, has a flat sapphire crystal and a ceramic bezel insert. Powering it is the upscale Miyota 9015 automatic movement and the dial numerals and hands are coated with a generous amount of C3 SuperLumninova. The size is 41mm in diameter, 50mm from lug-to-lug, 12mm thick and its lug width is 20mm. It is also water-resistant to 200m.

Three dial colors are available (black, blue, and white) and it comes with a stainless-steel bracelet, a rubber strap, and a NATO style strap. Instead of a standard box, all will come in a small tubular canister (fitting) and wrapped inside a quality canvas watch roll. Price is $399 and can be purchased at www.canisterwatches.com.

Fieldstand Mohinora

Fieldstand is the brainchild of Cesar Morales from Mexico and to say that he walks to the beat of his own drum would be a slight understatement. Their first watch, or line of watches, is called the Mohinora, named after Cerro Mohinora, an extinct volcano in the state of Chihuahua.  Single hand watches are not new, nor are watches that can interchange cases and neither is aluminum a new material. 

However, combining all the above, along with other unconventional materials and a crownless design certainly is novel. There are four outer case materials you can choose from: aluminum, brass, copper, and carbon composite. There are 10 different dial designs, available in multiple colors and all can be had in your choice of surrounding material. Some do not even use a hand, but a marker that goes around the dial, on the outside of the hour track. 

You can also choose the color of the strap to go through the pass-through lug design, either tan, light tan or black. All watches house a single hand quartz movement, which is adjusted by depressing a magnetic spot on the back of the watch, therefore negating the need for a crown. Prices are $49 for straps, 99$ for any of the displays and the cases range from $279 to $389, depending on material. For more information and to play around with their interactive builder tool, please visit www.fieldstand.com.

York & Front Burrard

York & Front began when two work colleagues discovered they shared a similar passion for horology. Their bond was instantaneous, and the impetus for the Burrard came shortly thereafter. This Canadian micro-brand brings robust value, exquisite craftsmanship (far exceeding its price-point) and nuanced details. You can tell they have a deeply rooted admiration for Seiko and Grand Seiko.

The Burrard Series 001 is a 38mm dressy field style watch, with a thickness of 12mm and a lug-to-lug length of 44mm. Powering this watch is the Swiss STP 1-11 automatic movement and at their request, STP has removed the date feature, therefore eliminating the phantom date setting position. This movement claims an accuracy of -0+15 sec/day, it has 26 jewels and a power-reserve of 44-hours. It is also water-resistant to 100 meters.

The dial on this designed in Canada, made in Switzerland watch, is where it really shines. All of the applied numerals are vertically brushed, as are the hands, which increases the light play and brings them to life. There are two dial colors available, black, or white, and the Burrand comes on your choice of brown or black leather strap. The retail price is $625. For more details visit www.yorkfront.com.

Eska Amphibian “250”

Eska was founded in 1918 and they were a major player in the early dive watch days of the 1950-60s. Their famous model was the Amphibian “600”, which had an iconic countdown bezel and oversized numerals. Unfortunately, Eska was yet another casualty of the quartz crisis and shut their doors in the early 1980s. That is until now. The brand is being resurrected by two French entrepreneurs and their initial offering will be a remake of the Amphibian dive watch.

Having received over 100% of their Kickstarter funding goal, the project is now inevitable. This one will be called the Amphibian “250”, as it is water-resistant to 250 meters, though they say it will be tested to 300. Powering it will be the Seiko NH38, which is the no-date version of the NH35. They have done everything they can to retain its timeless aesthetics, while combining modern materials and performance. 

The Amphibian “250” is 40mm in diameter, giving it a more universally appealing proportions, which should adapt to nearly every wrist size. The oversized countdown bezel pays homage to the original, but this time it is in sapphire, with lumed numerals and markings all around. The dial also retains its oversize markings and is a mix of sandwich cut-outs and painted numbers. The overall package honors the original quite thoroughly. The price is 888 Euros, and more information can be found at the brand’s Kickstarter here. 

Exotheia Watches

Exotheia is an all-new Swiss brand created by two players in the watchmaking industry, combining 40 years of expertise. The fruit of their experience is the world’s first exoskeleton solar powered wristwatch. Each photovoltaic sapphire dial can generate enough energy to power the watch for up to 8 months, while the design pays homage to space engineering.

The exoskeleton case is made of stainless steel, and is very robust and light, as it has multiple cut-outs. The bezels are made of either high-tech ceramic or carbon composite, which also contributes to its light weight. All the dials pay tribute to celestial manifestations and are quite literally out of this world, as are the engravings on the case backs. 

The dimensions are 40mm in diameter and a very svelte 9.8mm thick, with a lug-to-lug length of just under 47mm. There are a multitude of variations available, from your choice of dial color, bezel material and case finishing, the sky is quite literally the limit. There are even 3 bold NASA editions, in black, blue and red. Prices start at CHF 424 and with their Kickstarter funding having more than quadrupled their goal, this is as surefire as the sun coming up in the morning. For more information, visit www.exotheia.com.