NEW YORK, March 4,
Reported Hodinkee, the online wristwatch magazine, “The three-year luxury-watch slump in the United States is over.”
Henry, a collector of vintage wristwatches for 30 years who maintains a personal collection of more than 1,500 classic timepieces, believes that the revival of luxury watches and resulting skyrocketing prices have led to the evolution of microbrands – those small companies that produce batches of lower-price, high-quality watches numbering in the hundreds, rather than the tens of thousands of units manufactured by large global brands.
“Many microbrands have been created by timepiece enthusiasts and watchmakers,” said Henry. “Similar to the impact of small, local clothing designers, microbrands bring a fresh, independent look to a previously rigid, consolidated market. “Because microbrand founders generally come from within the watch community, they create models that better reflect the aspirations of the collectors who are major influencers of this market,” Henry said.
This revolution in microbrands is the result of several factors, according to Henry: interest among digital natives, low operating costs (sale through e-commerce), wide distribution (global couriers), and low-cost or no-cost spending for marketing (social networks). “As a result,” said Henry, “microbrands focus their resources on manufacturing and deliver high-quality product at an affordable cost.”
Henry created his own microbrand after receiving several offers to purchase parts of his collection that he had posted on Instagram. This response led Henry to create an online database for his collection at www.timeline.watch, and to design his own microbrand, DanHenryWatches.com, inspired by his favourite timepieces.
Henry’s designs are vintage inspired, but the movements are current-day and production technology is cutting edge. Henry’s microbrand has expanded from four models in 2016 sold to a small group of customers into a broad line of 16 timepieces in multiple
“The success of new microbrands is not the result of traditional corporate marketing,” said Henry, “but rather in the competence of microbrand entrepreneurs in creating an desirable affordable product, based on their connection to their audience.”
Instragram: @danhenrywatches
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danhenrywatches
Harlan Lebo – Phone (310) 871-4744
SOURCE Dan Henry