Chrono24 Adds a Permanent Home for Independent Watch Brands

Chrono24 official campaign image showing five independent-brand wristwatches in different case, dial and strap designs against a dark blue background.
Official Independent Brands campaign image. Photo: Chrono24

Chrono24 has launched a permanent Independent Brands section, introducing it with a five-week campaign featuring Fears, Airain, Maen, Dwiss and Rönkkö. The company announced the initiative in Karlsruhe on October 29, 2026. Dedicated brand pages bring together company histories, watchmaking stories and selected marketplace listings.

Five makers, with a story each week

The launch campaign gives each participating maker a weekly feature. Its format combines a brand landing page, an article in Chrono24 Magazine and a selection of watches, supported by newsletter and social-media coverage. The permanent category will remain available after the initial campaign ends.

Chrono24 says independent watchmakers were already present on its marketplace, but buyers often needed to know their names to find them. The new category groups their watches with information about the businesses behind them, including design approaches and manufacturing.

The campaign spans different kinds of independent production. Fears traces its origins to Bristol and its revival to Nicholas Bowman-Scargill. Airain is associated with French military Type 20 flyback chronographs. Maen’s presentation centers on neo-vintage design and integrated-bracelet cases assembled in Switzerland.

Dwiss develops unconventional time displays, including wandering hours. Rönkkö is a one-person watchmaking studio in Espoo, Finland, whose designs draw on the Kalevala. The wider directory also lists makers beyond the five launch participants, organized with their countries of origin.

Finding watches offered by the brands

Chrono24’s buyer guidance explains how to distinguish watches offered directly by a manufacturer: shoppers can choose “Official Brand” in the seller-type filter. The platform says purchases follow its usual process, including Buyer Protection.

The hub also lists watch events where independent brands exhibit, including Watch WOW Tokyo on November 7 and Micro Praha on November 28–29.

  • Announcement: October 29, 2026
  • Platform: Chrono24
  • Launch participants: Fears, Airain, Maen, Dwiss and Rönkkö
  • Campaign: Five weeks, with one brand featured each week
  • Long-term format: Permanent Independent Brands category
  • Direct-brand listings: Identified through the Official Brand seller filter

Sources: Chrono24, official release, October 29, 2026; Chrono24, Independent Brands hub; Chrono24, buyer guidance.