Spring Sprang Sprung 2022 review
- Posted by Shaun Seah
- On 18/11/2022
- 1
The inaugural Spring Sprang Sprung event concluded over the weekend of 28-30 October and boy was it a blast! For those who don’t know, Spring Sprang Sprung is an initiative by two Singaporean watch enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, Sugi Kusumadi (Red Army Watches) & Lim Yong Keong (Feynman Timekeepers), with the goal of bringing the local watchmaking community together. The aim is to provide a platform that enables the large number of watch micro brands in Singapore to showcase themselves to the public.
The event saw more than 20 different local, and some foreign micro brands and booths on display in a space provided by XM studios. I was really busy that weekend but I still wanted to try my best to cover the event and I was able to make it down for a couple of hours each day before closing on the final two days.
In this post I will be showcasing the many brands that I was able to meet at the event. While I had hoped to cover every single booth, due to my schedule I unfortunately missed out on a couple of them simply due to time. If any brand that was present isn’t being featured here, I sincerely apologise as I wasn’t able to get to their booth before closing.
I am still pretty happy that I was able to cover a large majority of the brands which I will introduce now. You can either read the article in its entirety or use the following links to jump to whichever brand you like.
RZE
Orodeus
KEF Elements
Vario
Arcturus
Vilhelm
Mitch Mason
AVI-8
Atelier Wen
Lima
Gruppo Gamma / Venturo
Soldat / Rivelta
Feynman Timekeepers
Yi Leather
Gane
Havaan Tuvali
Konnii
Waldhoff Timepieces
Julian Michaels
RZE
RZE was started by a Pilot by the name of Travis Tan, creating titanium adventure watches at very affordable prices. The brand has been around for about 5 years now and they have quite a sizeable collection of models to choose from. With a mixture of time proven Miyota and Seiko movements, the entire collection currently sells for well under USD$1000 which is very attractive for a full titanium piece.
These watches will definitely appeal to the adventurer type or even the urban warrior looking for a tough, yet lightweight and affordable timepiece.
All watches are sold on their website and are backed by a 24 month international warranty with free worldwide shipping.
Orodeus (Red Army Watches)
Orodeus is a Singapore micro brand inspired by the works of Stanley Kubrick’s Space Odyssey and its related sci-fi objects. First conceived by a Singaporean comic artist, Orodeus watches display sci-fi comic inspired designs and are driven by reliable Miyota and Sellita movements at very reasonable prices under USD$1000.
These watches are sure to capture the attention of the sci-fi comic fan as well as those who are looking for something particularly unique.
Orodeus is currently being retailed in Singapore by Red Army Watches as well as on their website. All watches carry a 2 year warranty for peace of mind.
KEF Elements (Red Army Watches)
Another brand on display at the Red Army Watches booth is their very own KEF Elements. These are simple, constellation inspired designs and are available in whatever zodiac sign you may want.
While these watches aren’t meant for adventure and rough use, for under USD$700 I can see them being highly personal, casual everyday watches. They run on Miyota 9039 calibre movements and are backed by a 2 year warranty period from Red Army Watches itself.
https://www.redarmywatches.com/shop/products-listing/kef-elements
Vario
Vario is yet another homegrown Singapore brand originally started by Ivan and Judy to create watch straps that they wanted for themselves. Since 2016, Vario has grown to offer more accessories than just watch straps and they even created several collections of watches.
Vario’s watch collections are mostly classic and vintage inspired designs such as their 1918 Trench watches and their 1920s inspired Empire collection. Using Japanese Miyota movements and coming in at great prices, many under USD$500, these make for great stylish everyday watches.
The watches come with a 1 year warranty with free shipping options and can be ordered along with their accessories on their website.
Arcturus
Arcturus was founded in 2018 in Singapore by Alexander Ian Loh with the belief of making well-designed, top quality watches accessible to everyone. With a bold design philosophy incorporating classic style elements, their first model, the Lion City 1, was fully funded on kickstarter in one hour and sold out at a price of USD$800.
Arcturus is currently in the midst of producing their next line of watches which will be a tourbillon and you can check it out on their website.
https://www.arcturuswatches.sg/
Vilhelm
Started in 2018 by Nop Srinara and Elshan Tang(founder of Zelos), the idea was to create contemporary and masculine timepieces with materials used in luxury watches and offer them at an affordable price. Their designs are very masculine, seemingly Spartan inspired and really do look the part of a luxury sports watch. I am particularly fond of their armour like bracelet design and the uniquely shaped display case back on their Prism series.
Given their build quality and use of Sellita movements, it is little wonder that at around USD$1000-$1200 the majority of their watches are currently sold out. All watches come with a 1 year international warranty and what’s left in stock can be purchased on their website.
https://www.vilhelmwatches.com/
Mitch Mason
Founded in 2019 by Benedict Ong, Mitch Mason is one of the younger micro brands on display here. The aim here is to empower vintage design for contemporary purpose and create timeless timepieces by not adhering to the rules.
Their first design, an all purpose field style watch named “Chronicle” is already sold out and they are currently selling their new line of “Maelstrom” 300m dive watches. These watches utilise Miyota 9000 series movements and come in at just under USD$600.
I think these are a great option for a stylish everyday tool watch for someone who wants something different while not looking overly radical. At the risk of sounding biased, I will admit that these were one of my favourites at the show but that is entirely down to personal taste.
All watches come with a 1 year warranty and can be purchased on their website.
AVI-8
Coming to our first foreign micro brand, the Hong Kong based AVI-8 founded in 2012 offers British inspired aviation timepieces. Like the pilot watches they are inspired by, these are not small watches but they do wear quite well on smaller wrists for their size.
The AVI-8 catalogue is quite extensive and comes in a large variety of quartz, automatic and meca-quartz options. Priced very reasonably at well under USD$500 even for their more expensive options, this is definitely an interesting option for pilot watch lovers looking for something new.
All watches come with a 2 year international warranty and can be purchased in Singapore through BigTimeSGP or from their website.
Atelier Wen
Atelier Wen is another foreign micro brand, specifically a French and Chinese creation. Started by Robin and Wilfried who share a passion for both watchmaking and Chinese culture, they teamed up with Chinese designers Li Mingliang and Liu Yuguang to produce Chinese culture infused timepieces.
Moving on from their initial line of Porcelain dial watches, Atelier Wen has been preparing to ship their latest “Perception” collection. Along with the cultural design elements, this watch stands out for being made of 904L stainless steel and for its handcrafted Guilloché dial done by China’s sole Guilloché master craftsman.
This watch does come in at a considerably higher price than the majority of watches on display here but at USD$2854 I think it is a very reasonable price for the level of craftsmanship that actually goes into them. They come with a 2 year warranty and international shipping and can currently be pre-ordered on their website.
Lima
An Indonesian micro brand started by Herman Tantriady, Lima watches emphasises on clean lines and basic geometric shapes for its designs along with a selection of various materials to create iconic and timeless designs. Lima watches all exhibit a minimalist and toy-like theme offering features such as user interchangeable bezels and even a key for winding the watch.
Also just as minimalist as the watches themselves are their prices. Despite using Seiko movements, these watches still come in at under USD$300 for their more expensive models and well under USD$200 for their simpler designs.
All watches come with a 1 year warranty and can be purchased on their website.
Gruppo Gamma/Venturo
Founded in 2013 by Naomi Tsukumo, Singapore based Gruppo Gamma has grown into a respectable and well known micro brand with sister brand, Venturo, being set up in 2018.
The Gruppo Gamma name and designs are inspired by the Italian frogman unit to create vintage inspired tool watches for daily and adventure use. Utilising Swiss ETA movements, these watches come in at under USD$1000 presenting a very solid value.
In keeping with trying to provide more value at an affordable price, sister brand, Venturo, offers more affordable options utilising Seiko NH movements to keep the costs even lower at under USD$400 while letting Gruppo Gamma focus on further refinement and sophistication.
All watches come with a 2 year warranty and can be purchased along with their line of watch straps on their website.
https://gruppogammawatches.com
Soldat/Rivelta
Soldat is another Indonesian micro brand on display here created by Jesse J(no not the singer). Soldat’s concept is to mix classical and timeless design with the greatest available craftsmanship and engineering. Their inspiration comes mainly from mid-century design, a period which saw many classic timepieces emerge from.
Soldat currently offers a range of automatic chronographs in 3 different colours, Green, Red and Blue. They run on Seiko SII movements and are priced from USD$1150-$1250.
At the show we were also introduced to a new micro brand called Rivelta which if memory serves me right is from Eastern Europe. I am told that Rivelta is being brought in soon and I am actually quite interested in the samples that were on display there.
The current line of Soldat watches can be purchased directly from their website.
Feynman Timekeepers
Founded in 2018 by Lim Yong Keong, despite being a relatively young brand, Feynman Timekeepers has already amassed quite a catalogue and a following for themselves. Since the inaugural Feynman One, this year they have come full circle and are currently delivering their 5th line, the Feynman One V2. Each line is a strictly limited quantity run and to date have pretty much sold out.
The inspiration behind these watches are from both the natural and urban environment around us, bringing abstract aesthetics to everyday functionality. Feynman uses an assortment of Swiss ETA movements in all their watches paired with leather straps from the local leather crafter, Yi Leather.
They also have a line of accessories called Fahren Concepts which are also made by local Singaporean leather craftsmen. All watches come with a 1 year warranty and you can purchase them and their accessories on their website.
Yi Leather
One of the few non watch micro brands on display here, sharing a booth with their partner brand, Feynman Timekeepers, is the local leather crafting house, Yi Leather. Founded in 2014 by Ng Shuyi, Yi Leather was created out of the passion for handcrafting leather products to suit every individual.
Apart from a variety of high quality watch straps, their catalogue also features other leather items such as cardholders, watch pouches and earphone organisers.
A lot of their products are made to order and can be purchased from their website.
Gane
Founded by Raymond who was born in Malaysia and came to Singapore for his studies, Gane(pronounced “Gain”) is taken from the Japanese word for “Steel”. Partnering with Swiss manufacturers and utilising proven Japanese Miyota movements, Gane currently offers their Type-C line with their latest Type-D line currently taking pre-orders.
The brand draws its inspiration from many different natural and industrial elements to achieve what they call “rugged artistry”. Gane watches exhibit an industrial aesthetic paired with elegant stylings and elements to create strong yet elegant everyday pieces at well under USD$500.
All watches come with a 1 year warranty and can be ordered from their website or on their ongoing kickstarter campaign for the Type-D.
Havaan Tuvali
A micro brand from Taiwan founded by Eric Yeh, Havaan Tuvali is a very interesting brand in the way that they repurpose old materials to create new timepieces. From handcrafted cigar leaf dials to unused vintage movements and cases, Havaan Tuvali creates some truly unique watches.
Due to the limited supply of these vintage materials and movements, the different models on offer are produced in very limited quantities with some even being one of a kind. At very reasonable prices ranging from USD$350-$800, Havaan Tuvali is no doubt a project borne from pure passion with each dial and watch being handmade upon order.
All watches can be ordered online from their website.
Konnii
A micro brand from Malaysia, Konnii has one of the most unique takes on watches on display here. Founded by Alfred Chia, Konnii is especially known for its use of miniature figurines to create artistically themed dials such as Koi fish swimming in a pond or a sheepdog rounding up sheep on a meadow.
All watches are either limited edition or can be completely custom and commissioned based on the buyer’s vision for the watch. Of course it does come with a price tag but the results on display have been truly mesmerising. As the figurines are artistically integrated into the movement of the watch dial, telling the time at a glance can be challenging. However that is not the point of this watch which was made to be a work of art much more than just being a time telling tool.
If you have an idea for a watch and would like to have it commissioned, you can contact them through their website.
Waldhoff Timepieces
Waldhoff Timepieces was born in 2015 from a partnership between a Swiss watch designer and a German watch manufacturer to bring the best of Swiss design and German engineering to watchmaking. Starting off as a kickstarter and Indiegogo campaign in 2017, Waldhoff Timepieces now boasts an impressive catalogue of highly intricate and well crafted timepieces.
Since 2020 in partnership with Fung Chi Yeung, an expert in complex movements from the far east, Waldhoff Timepieces has further developed their catalogue as well as their movements to produce some truly remarkable watches. Their latest upcoming pieces appear to be firmly focused on tourbillon movements and come in at very reasonable prices for the type of watch.
You can view their many collections and order them from their website as well as their local retailers such as Red Army Watches in Singapore.
https://manufaktur-waldhoff.de
Julian Michaels
Founded by Yang in 2022, Julian Michaels is one of the newest micro brands around. Borne out of his desire to preserve the memory of his father as well as to leave a message for his son, Julian Michaels is one of the most touching stories I have heard in watchmaking to date.
My fragile heart aside, the samples on display truly caught my eye and piqued my interest in the brand. I call them samples because the brand is so new that they have not even begun to deliver their first batch of watches until 2023 and is still open for pre-order. The website even has a section that promotes awareness of mental health and seeks to offer help and sharing of issues faced by people with emotional suffering, simply heartwarming stuff.
Back to the watches, they utilise materials such as 316L stainless steel, sapphire glass and a Seiko NH movement and comes in at a reasonable $400 price point. The watches are available for pre-order on their website.
https://www.julianmichaelswatches.com
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