Micro Praha Festival 2025: The Essential Microbrand Watch Showcase in Prague
- December 5, 2025
Introduction
Every winter, Prague’s historic train station transforms into a haven for microbrand and independent watch enthusiasts thanks to the Micro Praha Festival. This two-day event, taking place this year in the atmospheric Fantův sál at Fantova budova, is a celebration of craftsmanship, passion, and innovation brought to life by watch aficionados Bhanu Chopra and Ondrej Vislocký. With over 79 microbrands from around the globe, Micro Praha has quickly become an unmissable platform for collectors seeking unique timepieces away from mainstream channels.
At the Micro Praha Festival 2025 you’ll find stalwarts like the legendary German pilot watchmaker Laco, the award-winning heritage revivalists Dennison, Dutch design minds at Maen, up-and-coming character-driven Elka, and the technical finesse of DUG Glashütte adding depth to an already rich tapestry. Alongside newcomers Ming and Direnzo, the festival perfectly balances revered names with exciting new voices, all under one roof in Prague’s heart. For me, this isn’t just about the watches but the stories (if not as much as the watch), the makers, and the palpable energy that only live discovery can bring. And believe it or not, even the super edited marketing materials look way worse than some of the amazing watches face to face.
Day 1 – A Promising Start
The day began with a crisp, beautiful morning as I made my way to the venue, anticipation building with each step through the historic streets of Prague. Fantův sál welcomed a vibrant crowd eager to explore a diverse collection of microbrands showcasing their latest creations. From first impressions to intimate wrist shots, Day 1 offered a treasure trove of unique timepieces that captured my attention.
Those are the watches I’ve tried on and loved from Day 1.
DUG Purist Typ 1 Granitgrau – €1,149
This was easily one of the stars of Micro Praha for me: the Purist Typ 1 in the new Granitgrau takes that ultra-clean Glashütte field-watch aesthetic and gives it a beautifully textured dial that looks even better in person, especially paired with the slim 40 mm case and in-house‑finished DUG 400 automatic visible through the sapphire back.
Specifications:
Brand: DUG Deutsche Uhrenmanufaktur Glashütte
Model: Purist Typ 1 Granitgrau
Case Material: 3‑piece stainless steel, brushed and polished
Case Dimensions: 40.0 mm diameter, 10.95 mm thickness
Water Resistance: 100 m (10 ATM)
Strap: Leather strap or steel bracelet, both with pin buckle / clasp options
Movement: DUG 400 automatic, based on Sellita SW400, hand‑finished in Glashütte
Power Reserve: Approx. 40 hours
Official store link here.
Havaan Tuvali Broadway 35 – €412.42
The Broadway 35 has that charming “reborn from the past” vibe, combining NOS 1970s cases, vintage Swiss movements, and handmade dials into a compact rectangular watch that feels quirky yet very wearable on the wrist.
Specifications:
Brand: Havaan Tuvali
Model: Broadway 35
Case Material: Stainless steel NOS case
Case Dimensions: 35 x 37 mm (width x height), 37 mm lug‑to‑lug
Strap: Leather strap (varies by variant)
Movement: Swiss A. Schild AS 5103 hand‑wound, 17 jewels, 21,600 vph
Power Reserve: 43 hours
Official store link here.
Vario 1918 Trench / 1945 D12 Bronze – €334 / €368
Vario’s 1918 Trench and 1945 D12 Bronze feel like love letters to early and mid‑century military design, with compact cases, bundled‑style straps, and excellent lume that massively overdeliver for the money.
Specifications:
Brand: Vario
Model: 1918 Trench (37 mm) and 1945 D12 Bronze
Case Material: 316L stainless steel (1918 Trench), bronze (1945 D12 Bronze)
Case Dimensions: 1918 Trench approx. 36.9–37 mm diameter, 11.4–12.1 mm thickness, 44–44.3 mm lug‑to‑lug, 18 mm lug width
Water Resistance: 100 meters (for both)
Strap: Leather straps (often Bund‑style on Trench); drilled lugs on D12 for easy strap changes
Movement: Miyota 82S5 or Seiko NH38A automatic depending on 1918 variant; Japanese automatic (Miyota‑based) in 1945 D12 Bronze
Power Reserve: Around 40–42 hours
Official store link here.
Awake Son Mài Fragments – €2,700
The Son Mài Fragments models are all about the dial: hand‑laid nacre fragments set under layers of Vietnamese natural lacquer, creating a mosaic that shifts from matte to iridescent as you tilt the 39 mm recycled‑steel case in the light
Specifications:
Brand: Awake
Model: Son Mài Fragments
Case Material: Recycled 316L stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 39 mm diameter, 10.9 mm thickness without crystal
Water Resistance: 50 m
Strap: Jean Rousseau calfskin straps with Alcantara lining, quick‑release spring bars
Movement: La Joux‑Perret G101 automatic, custom rotor
Power Reserve: Approx. 68 hours
Official store link here.
MD Watches Studio Connemara – €489
Connemara is one of those designs that stops you mid‑stride: a 40 mm case with a 6 o’clock crown, multi‑layered dial, and exposed dual balance wheels that give the automatic movement real visual drama on the wrist.
Specifications:
Brand: MD Watches Studio
Model: Connemara
Case Material: 316L stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 40 mm diameter, 12.6 mm thickness, 49 mm lug‑to‑lug
Water Resistance: 50 m
Strap: Fabric strap, leather‑lined, stainless steel buckle (other options available)
Movement: PTS S05B automatic with dual balance wheels, 26 jewels, 21,600 vph
Power Reserve: Approx. 32 hours
Official store link here.
Etien T04 (Blue, Violet, Aqua) – €1,626
Etien’s T04 line is all about accessible high craft: flinqué‑style guilloché under rich grand feu‑style enamel in Blue, Aqua, and Violet, wrapped in a versatile 39 mm case that feels every bit the modern dress watch.
Specifications:
Brand: Etien
Model: T04 (Blue, Violet, Aqua)
Case Material: Stainless steel, sapphire crystal front and back
Case Dimensions: 39 mm diameter (slim dress‑watch proportions)
Water Resistance: 50 m / 5 ATM
Strap: Leather strap with pin buckle
Movement: Hand‑wound ETA 7001
Power Reserve: Approx. 42 hours
Official store link here.
HTD Hesagraph – €1,859
HTD’s Tennis Sport and Hesagraph collections bring a playful Italian spin to vintage‑leaning sports watches, with compact cases, textured dials, and thin Miyota‑powered profiles that sit beautifully on smaller wrists.
Specifications:
Brand: HTD Watch Instruments
Model: Hesagraph (various colorways)
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 39 mm diameter (slim dress‑watch proportions)
Water Resistance: 50 m / 5 ATM
Strap: Three‑link stainless steel bracelet
Movement: Sellita Sw510M
Power Reserve: Approx. 42 hours
Official store link here.
Favre‑Bulle Genève – White Peaks, Ice Blue, Sunset – €2,700
Favre‑Bulle’s chronographs like White Peaks, Ice Blue, and Sunset pair minimalist case lines with carefully tuned dial colors, giving you a refined, almost architectural sports chrono that never tips into shouty territory.
Specifications:
Brand: Favre‑Bulle Genève
Model: White Peaks, Ice Blue, Sunset (chronograph line)
Case Material: Stainless steel, sapphire crystal
Case Dimensions: 41 mm
Water Resistance: 50 m / 5 ATM
Strap: Genuine leather (Alligator or Nubuck)
Movement: LaJoux-Perret L112
Power Reserve: Approx. 40–48 hours
Official store link here.
Sunrex 611 / 321 / 321 Artneun Edition ~ €480
Sunrex was a real revelation: the 321 and 321 Artneun Edition mix sharp, contemporary case lines with solar‑powered tech that can keep the watch running for months after a full charge, making them both visually and practically compelling.
Specifications:
Brand: Sunrex
Model: 611, 321, 321 Artneun Edition
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100 m
Strap: Rubber Strap and Environmentally tanned leather strap
Movement: Light-powered self-recharge quartz movement (EpsonVS76A)
Power Reserve: Full battery life for 5 months
Official store link here.
Beaubleu – Ecce Figura, Ecce, Seconde Française – €890 – €890
Beaubleu’s Ecce, Ecce Figura, and Seconde Française double down on the brand’s signature circular hands and lyrical dials, delivering a poetic, very Parisian kind of wrist presence that finally clicked for me when trying them on.
Specifications:
Brand: Beaubleu Paris
Model: Ecce Figura, Ecce, Seconde Française
Case Material: Stainless steel, sapphire crystal
Water Resistance: 100 m
Strap: Leather straps and bracelets depending on configuration
Movement: Miyota Automatic Movement 9015 Slim,
Power Reserve: Approx. 40 – 44 hours
Official store link here.
G‑Gerlach – m/s Piłsudski, Submarine, Poseidon ~ €500
G‑Gerlach’s m/s Piłsudski, Submarine, and Poseidon pieces pack in tons of Polish maritime and military history, wrapped in robust tool‑watch cases that feel purpose‑built rather than fashion‑driven.
Specifications:
Brand: G‑Gerlach
Model: m/s Piłsudski, Submarine, Poseidon
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100–200 m depending on reference
Strap: Leather straps and steel bracelets depending on model
Movement: Automatic movements from Seiko, Miyota
Power Reserve: 40 – 42 hours
Official store link here.
Straum Jan Mayen Titanium / Jan Mayen Arctic ~ €1,600
Straum’s Jan Mayen Titanium and Jan Mayen Arctic look as atmospheric in the metal as any press shot suggests, with sculpted, topographic‑style dials and a sleek integrated design that walks the line between adventure watch and refined daily wearer.
Specifications:
Brand: Straum
Model: Jan Mayen Titanium, Jan Mayen Arctic
Case Material: Grade 5 Titanium (Jan Mayen Titanium), stainless steel or titanium depending on Arctic variant; sapphire crystal
Water Resistance: 100 m
Strap: Integrated bracelet and rubber/leather options depending on configuration
Movement: LJP G101
Power Reserve: 40 – 42 hours
Official store link here.
Day 1 Conclusion
Day 1 at Micro Praha felt like a concentrated hit of everything that makes microbrands so addictive: fresh ideas, genuine passion, and watches that completely outpunch their spec sheets once they’re actually on the wrist. From the quiet confidence of DUG’s Granitgrau Purist to the electric colors of Etien, Awake, and Straum, the day was a reminder that independent watchmaking is thriving precisely because it dares to be different.
Walking out of Fantův sál that evening, the notebook was full, the camera roll was overflowing (and oh trust me the amount of clean-up that is due now is crazy), and the wish list had definitely grown longer, but more importantly, there was this lingering sense that some of the future “cult classics” were sitting right there on those tables. Day 2 had a lot to live up to, and that’s exactly the kind of problem any watch lover wants.
Day 2 – Still Going Strong
If Day 1 at Micro Praha 2025 set the tone, Day 2 was where everything really settled in: more conversations, more wrist time, and that familiar “I did not expect to like this so much” feeling popping up again and again. Fantův sál in Prague was buzzing just as intensely, but with a calmer, more deliberate rhythm, people circling back to brands they’d discovered the day before (including myself), dragging friends to tables they “had to see,” and adding a few last names to already dangerous wish lists. I’ve seen so many people being transformed in Microbrand lovers (awesome to see!).
For me, Day 2 was all about mixing long‑time curiosities with total unknowns: from Maen and Nivada Grenchen, which have been on the radar for years, to fresh encounters like Meridiano, Duckworth Prestex, and Rosenbusch that genuinely surprised on the wrist. Below are the pieces that stood out most, watches that didn’t just look good under show lights, but made a compelling case for real‑world wear.
Meridiano The Lost Astronaut – €320
The Lost Astronaut 38 mm is one of those pieces that instantly puts a smile on your face: a compact 38 mm stainless‑steel case, a starry lumed dial with a playful rocket seconds hand, and just enough texture and imperfection to retain that handmade, illustrated charm that feels very un‑corporate in the best possible way. On the wrist it wears flat and easy, helped by the short 44 mm lug‑to‑lug, while the Seiko NH38 automatic inside keeps things reassuringly robust and low‑maintenance as a daily fun piece.
Specifications:
Brand: Meridiano
Model: The Lost Astronaut (38 mm Automatic)
Case Material: 316L stainless steel, flat sapphire crystal, screw‑down crown and exhibition caseback
Water Resistance: 50 m (5 ATM)
Strap: Genuine suede leather strap
Movement: Seiko NH38 automatic, 21,600 vph, hacking and hand‑winding
Power Reserve: Approx. 41 hours
Official store link here.
Duckworth Prestex Parker & Bolton – €950 (Parker Automatic), ~€650 (Chronograph 42 & Bolton Automatic)
Duckworth Prestex was one of the big revelations of the whole weekend: a resurrected British name with genuine roots going back to Prestons of Bolton in 1869 and the original Prestex watches of the 1920s. They were kind enough to walk us through that history in person, how the family brand quietly disappeared in the 1960s and how Neil Duckworth brought it back to life with modern pieces that still echo those early pocket watches and rectangular dress models.
The new Prestex Parker, launched this year, takes an original 1930s rectangular design and gives it a contemporary twist: a slim polished case, beautifully balanced dial, and proportions that immediately made me think of a sweet spot between a JLC Reverso and a Cartier Tank, only with its own Prestex typography and character. On the wrist it felt super comfortable and suitably thin for a rectangular watch, especially in the new hand‑wound mechanical version that uses the ETA/Peseux 7001 with about 42 hours of power reserve.
The Bolton collection, meanwhile, was presented side by side with its original Prestex inspiration, showing how that early pocket‑watch language translated into a modern 39 mm cushion case with stylised numerals and a railroad minute track that pre‑date the 1960s originals. With a Miyota 9039 automatic, 200 m water resistance, double‑domed sapphire, and a relaxed but refined presence on Horween leather, it felt like a genuinely successful revival rather than a nostalgia exercise.
Overall, the quality was strong, the pricing felt fair, and the story behind the brand really sealed it for me, Duckworth Prestex ended up as one of my biggest pleasant surprise of Micro Praha, and it is absolutely a name I’ll be keeping on the wishlist and covering more in the future.
Specifications:
Brand: Duckworth Prestex
Model: Parker; Bolton Verimatic
Case Material: 316L stainless steel, double‑domed sapphire
Strap: Leather straps (Horween on many Bolton references)
Movement: Some models with Quartz, some Miyota 9039
Official store link here.
Maen Lunar Classic 36 ~ €1,560/1,150
Going into Micro Praha, the expectation was to gravitate toward the Manhattan again, but the real knockout from Maen this time was the Lunar Classic 36. At 36 mm across, 11.35 mm thick, with a 44 mm lug‑to‑lug, it sits in that sweet spot for a modern, compact moonphase, and the color combinations (champagne, silver, black, etc.) paired with a clean sector‑inspired layout make it incredibly easy to wear. Inside, the Sellita SW280‑1 keeps things solid and precise, giving you a proper Swiss automatic moonphase in a package that feels equally at home on leather or a slim bracelet.
Specifications:
Brand: Maen
Model: Lunar Classic 36
Case Material: Stainless steel, sapphire crystal, 36 mm diameter, 11.35 mm thickness, 44 mm lug‑to‑lug, 20 mm lug width
Water Resistance: 50 m
Strap: Flat link or rubber straps depending on configuration
Movement: Sellita SW280‑1 automatic moonphase, 28,800 vph
Power Reserve: 40 – 41 hours
Official store link here.
Arcange AS01: Polar Grey – €645
Arcange’s AS01 Polar Grey is one of those quietly elegant pieces that make instant sense when you see them in the metal. The 37.2 mm case, just 9.5 mm thick including the domed sapphire, keeps it wonderfully slim and dressy, while the Polar Grey sector dial, with its mix of tones and blued accents, feels very much in that early‑vintage, Baltic‑adjacent pocket of design language. It is the sort of watch that disappears under a cuff, but when it peeks out, it radiates that “considered but not shouty” energy that French independents do so well.
Specifications:
Brand: Arcange
Model: AS01 Polar Grey
Case Material: 316L stainless steel, domed sapphire crystal, 37.2 mm diameter, 9.5 mm thickness
Water Resistance: 100 m (10 ATM)
Strap: Full grain calf leather, 4 colors available or CTS rubber strap with magnetic clasp
Movement: Miyota 9039 automatic
Power Reserve: Approx. 42 hours
Official store link here.
Rosenbusch RB200: Light Blue – €1,050
Rosenbusch’s RB200 Light Blue is a perfect example of how an integrated design can still feel fresh in 2025. The 42 mm stainless‑steel case has a distinctive, almost hexagonal outline that flows into the bracelet, while the light blue dial, framed by a slim bezel and sapphire crystal, gives it a bright, contemporary edge. On the wrist it definitely has presence, too much for smaller wrists like mine, but the Sellita SW200‑1 automatic, 100 m water resistance, and quick‑release bracelet with an additional rubber strap make it a very compelling proposition if you enjoy bold geometry.
Specifications:
Brand: Rosenbusch
Model: RB200 Light Blue
Case Material: Stainless steel, sapphire, crystal, 42 mm diameter
Water Resistance: 100 m (10 ATM)
Strap: Stainless‑steel bracelet with double‑fold clasp, additional rubber strap, quick‑release
Movement: Sellita SW200‑1 automatic
Power Reserve: Approx. 41 hours
Official store link here.
Elka S Series “Black & White”: Monochrome Editions ~ €1,840
Elka’s Black & White limited S Series editions, created with photographer Christian Coigny, looked so much better live than any press photo suggested. Available in 36 mm and 40.8 mm cases, they lean into full monochrome, either deep, almost inky black or crisp white, under a domed sapphire crystal, giving the dials a deliciously rounded, almost filmic presence. Powered by the La Joux‑Perret G101 with a 68‑hour power reserve and limited to 100 pieces per model, they manage to fuse proper Swiss mechanics, strong design, and a concept that actually feels coherent rather than gimmicky.
Specifications:
Brand: Elka Watch Co.
Model: S Series “Noir et Blanc” / Black & White Monochrome Editions
Case Material: Stainless steel, domed sapphire crystal, 36 mm or 40.8 mm diameter
Water Resistance: 30 m
Strap: Leather strap
Movement: La Joux‑Perret G101 automatic
Power Reserve: Approx. 68 hours
Official store link here.
Venezianico Redentore Bellanotte – €700
The Redentore Bellanotte continues Venezianico’s exploration of richly finished dials and versatile 40 mm cases, and in person it really shows how much the brand has matured. A slim profile around 10 mm, sapphire crystal, and a Miyota 9039 automatic keep the technical side solid, but it is the Bellanotte dial, layered, nuanced, and paired with elegant markers, that makes it feel like a crossover piece between dress and casual. Alongside their engraved cases and more experimental pieces, this one speaks directly to collectors who want something refined but still distinctly “microbrand.”
Specifications:
Brand: Venezianico
Model: Redentore Bellanotte
Case Material: Stainless steel, sapphire crystal, 40 mm diameter, approx. 10 mm thickness
Water Resistance: 100 m
Strap: Stainless‑steel bracelet and/or strap set depending on configuration
Movement: Miyota 9039 automatic
Power Reserve: Approx. 42 hours
Official store link here.
Nodus Contrail GMT – $825 (approx.)
Nodus feels like one of those brands that has quietly figured out its design language, and the Contrail GMT is a great example. At around 40.5 mm in diameter with 200 m water resistance, a bidirectional 48‑click bezel, and plenty of BGW9 lume, it hits the modern sports‑GMT brief cleanly. The latest generation uses a flyer‑style Miyota 9075 GMT movement, giving you independent local hour setting in a case that still wears nicely balanced thanks to restrained lug‑to‑lug and well‑tuned bracelet geometry. Simple, legible, and more sophisticated in person than the specs alone suggest.
Specifications:
Brand: Nodus
Model: Contrail GMT
Case Material: Stainless steel, sapphire crystal
Water Resistance: 200 m
Strap: Stainless‑steel bracelet with tool‑less micro‑adjust clasp
Movement: Miyota 9075 “flyer” GMT automatic
Power Reserve: Approx. 42 hours
Official store link here.
Heinrich Radiance Guilloché – €1,150
Heinrich’s Radiance Guilloché is a watch that really needs to be seen moving to make sense, the interplay between the deep guilloché pattern and saturated colors like burgundy and turquoise is mesmerising. The case is compact at 39 mm and kept relatively slim thanks to the hand‑wound ETA 7001 inside, which also keeps weight down and makes it extremely comfortable on the wrist. Paired with a well‑engineered bracelet and 100 m of water resistance, it feels like a very considered blend of traditional dial craft and everyday practicality.
Specifications:
Brand: Heinrich Watches
Model: Radiance Guilloché
Case Material: Stainless steel, sapphire crystal, 39 mm diameter (slim profile with short lugs)
Water Resistance: 100 m
Strap: Stainless‑steel bracelet
Movement: ETA 7001 hand‑wound
Power Reserve: Approx. 42 hours
Official store link here.
Nivada Grenchen Aquamar – €1,095
Nivada’s Aquamar line delivers exactly what you would hope from a modern Nivada: compact, sturdy cases, fun dial colors, and a vibe that is equal parts neo‑vintage and modern daily beater. In person, the finishing on the cases and bracelets feels reassuringly solid, with good tolerances and satisfying clasp action, while the various dial hues, teals, blues, more muted options, give you plenty of room to match your own style. As an entry into the brand or just a versatile all‑rounder, it makes a strong case for itself.
Specifications:
Brand: Nivada Grenchen
Model: Aquamar (various colorways)
Case Material: Stainless steel, sapphire crystal
Water Resistance: 100 m
Strap: Stainless‑steel bracelet and/or rubber/strap options depending on model
Movement: Swiss automatic movement (Soprod / Sellita depending on reference)
Power Reserve: Approx. 38–42 hours
Official store link here.
Closing Thoughts – Micro Praha 2025
Stepping back after two full days at Micro Praha 2025, what really lingers is less a single “hero” watch and more the collective energy of the room: familiar faces from brands followed for years, new makers bringing their very first prototypes, and a community of collectors all geeking out over the same niche obsession – microbrand and independent watches.
It was genuinely uplifting to watch people light up over a detail on a dial, a movement choice, or a story from a founder’s mouth rather than a press release, and to see how many different ways there are to approach a 38 – 40 mm block of metal and sapphire. Micro Praha proves that this corner of horology is not only alive and well, but evolving fast, and if this year is any indication, the next editions are going to be even harder on our wallets (and even better for our wrists). And yes, after this experience, there’s absolutely no doubt I’ll be back for the coming years.
