Microbrand Spotlight - Xeric Watches

5 Jul

If traditional Swiss watches are the equivalent of a three-piece suit, Xeric watches are like a velvet blazer worn with neon socks. And that’s precisely why people love them.

Xeric (pronounced zeer-ik, if you were wondering) is a US-based microbrand that’s built its cult following through unconventional design, a hefty dose of horological ambition, and perhaps most intriguingly, Kickstarter. Yes, they’ve raised millions by getting watch lovers to back their bizarre, beautiful creations before they hit production. So, if you’ve ever wanted to feel like a venture capitalist in a leather strap, now’s your chance.

Watches With a Twist (Sometimes Literally)

Founded by Mitch and Andrew Greenblatt, Xeric doesn’t just tell the time, they reinvent how it’s displayed. From orbiting moons and planetary gears to jump hours and wandering hands, Xeric timepieces are as much conversation starters as they are functional accessories.

But don’t let the flamboyant designs fool you. These watches are genuinely wearable, durable, and surprisingly affordable, given their specs and limited runs.

Let’s take a quick tour through the most successful models that helped Xeric carve out their corner of the horology map.

The Top 3 Most Successful Xeric Watches (aka Kickstarter Royalty)

1. Xeric Halograph Automatic

This was the breakout hit. A mechanical watch that looks like it was nicked off a steampunk time traveller, the Halograph uses floating hour and minute markers, with hands that resemble jet trails. It raised over $930,000 on Kickstarter and for good reason. It’s funky, futuristic, and unlike anything you’ll find in a high-street jeweller’s window.

2. Xeric Trappist-1 Moonphase

What do you get when you cross NASA nerds with a love of mechanical watches? This lunar-inspired marvel, complete with a domed crystal resembling a spacecraft window, and a moonphase complication to track celestial rhythm. It smashed its funding goal, pulling in over $750,000. One small step for Xeric, one giant leap for your wrist.

3. Xeric Vendetta Regulator

Probably the boldest design to date, the Vendetta features three separate dials for hours, minutes, and seconds, all encased in an art-deco-meets-Blade-Runner body. It's the horological equivalent of ordering the entire cocktail menu. Over $500,000 was raised for this one—proof that weird sells.

New Kid on the Block: The Retroscope Jump Hour

Now, Xeric has dropped their latest piece of time-twisting wizardry: the Retroscope Jump Hour.

This isn’t your standard “tick-tick” ticker. The Retroscope ditches conventional hands altogether in favour of a retrograde minute hand and a digital-style jumping hour display. Translation? It’s like the ‘80s and the 2080s had a baby.

Available (naturally) via Kickstarter, this release continues Xeric’s trend of turning vintage inspiration into something entirely new. With curved sapphire crystal, Miyota movement and a design that looks more at home in a concept car than a watch box, it’s another reminder that Xeric isn’t here to play safe.

And yes, it’s already racking up pledges faster than you can say "horological rebellion".

I’m a huge fan of this, particularly in this colour way… so I’ve bought one!

Why Xeric Works (Especially for UK Watch Lovers)

In a world full of bland smartwatches and copy-paste dive watches, Xeric dares to be different. Their Kickstarter model allows for creativity without the constraints of corporate groupthink. You’re not just buying a watch—you’re backing an idea, joining a community, and occasionally being asked to explain “how the hell do you read that thing?”

Plus, with worldwide shipping and a growing fanbase in the UK, Xeric is quickly becoming a darling among British collectors who fancy something a little offbeat without breaking the bank.

Final Thoughts

Xeric watches won’t be for everyone, and that’s the point. If you like your timepieces buttoned-up and buttoned-down, look elsewhere. But if you’re after a bit of mechanical madness, wrapped in a box of daring design and fuelled by community hype, Xeric might just be your next wrist obsession.

You can explore their latest releases, including the glorious new Retroscope Jump Hour on Kickstarter, or check out past models on their official website.

Just don’t blame us when your friends ask if your watch came from outer space.

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