Marrying springs and silicon isn’t easy. Every millimeter counts inside a mechanical case. Battery efficiency, component miniaturization, and long-term durability remain obstacles. Many brands are now collaborating with electronic startups and fintech engineers to co-develop modules that don’t interfere with a movement’s heartbeat.

President Trump just announced a 100% tariff on China effective Nov 1, 2025—an immediate, seismic blow to microbrand watchmakers using Chinese supply: costs double, margins vanish; triage cash, lock suppliers, diversify now.

The short-term effects of Trump’s tariffs are dramatic: surging prices, falling demand for new imports, and existential risk for small brands. In the longer term, the industry will see deeper global integration in secondhand sales, more diversified sourcing and manufacturing, and unpredictable pricing dynamics as both trade policy and consumer response evolve.

AI has become a bridge between microbrands and individual collectors, building unprecedented intimacy.

My first microbrand was a Kickstarter find, a simple field watch with a clean dial, a Miyota movement, and a price that didn’t make me sweat.

There’s a perfect storm right now: collectors are more open to small brands, the retail landscape is more accessible, and the global supply chain shake-up has leveled the field in ways we didn’t expect.

Trump’s administration has imposed a 39% tariff on imports from Switzerland, sending shockwaves through one of the country’s most iconic industries: watchmaking.

Independent watchmaking is not a trend. It’s a philosophy. These are creators who work without the backing of corporate giants. Some are solo artisans who assemble, polish, and adjust every component themselves.

With microbrands leading the charge and Chinese movement makers enabling the affordability, more collectors than ever before can now experience the magic of a tourbillon on their wrist.