Future Time – The Birth of Independent Watchmaking in Portugal
- Nuno Margalha
- Oct 13
- 4 min read
The Portuguese Independent Watchmaking Salon took place yesterday and was attended by over a hundred visitors. The audience had the opportunity to learn about nine micro-brands of independent watchmakers, attend the launch of the book " History of Watchmaking in the 17th and 18th Centuries " by Sílvio Pereira, and participate in a lecture dedicated to independent watchmaking.
“The future depends on what we do in the present.” — Mahatma Gandhi
On October 10, 2025 , Lisbon hosted an unprecedented event in the history of national watchmaking: Tempo Futuro , the first Independent Watchmaking Fair in Portugal . The event took place at the Medeiros e Almeida Museum , between 2 pm and 10 pm , and brought together creators, collectors, professionals and watchmaking enthusiasts, establishing itself as a historic milestone in the valorization of Portuguese production and in the strengthening of a new generation of independent watchmakers.
A new page in national watchmaking
Organized by the Portuguese Institute of Watchmaking (IPR) and the DezDez Forum , Tempo Futuro emerged with a clear purpose: to give a voice to Portuguese microbrands and independent watchmakers , bringing them closer to the public and creating a space for sharing, dialogue and recognition. This is the first show of its kind held in the country, and its realization symbolizes the maturation of a watchmaking community that, over the last decade, has been consolidating knowledge, technique and its own identity.
The protagonists of the Future Tense
For eight hours, the public was able to meet, talk and discover the projects of the main independent Portuguese watchmakers and microbrands , in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and discovery.
Among the exhibitors present were:
Bruno Moreira – @bmsmoreira
Contar (Eduardo Martins) – www.contarwatches.com
Exímio (João Batalha) – Exímio Watches
Fevers (João Vinhas) – @relojoeiro_joao_vinhas
Followay (João Pedro Dias) – Followay Watches
Isotope (José Miranda) – www.isotopewatches.com
Clock Museum (Eugénio Tavares d'Almeida) – www.museudorelogio.com
Monserrate - @monserrate_official
Les Tugas - http://institutoportuguesderelojoaria.pt/lestugas
This selection brought together representatives of different approaches and generations, from artisanal designer watchmaking to established brands with an international presence, demonstrating the diversity and vitality of the Portuguese watchmaking scene.
Launch of Les Tugas – The first Tuga watch
One of the most anticipated moments of the show was the official launch of the Les Tugas watch , a creation of the Portuguese Institute of Watchmaking that symbolizes the birth of a collaborative movement between artisans, designers, students and watchmaking enthusiasts.
Les Tugas are all of us.
The Les Tugas project aims to celebrate Portuguese identity in watchmaking and affirm that the quality of a watch does not depend on its country of origin, but rather on the competence of those who create it. The first model, currently in the prototype phase, incorporates a Swiss ETA 2824 movement modified in Portugal , with a decorated brass bezel , steel case , sapphire crystal , transparent glass back , pad-printed dial and national leather strap — almost all components are designed or finished in Portuguese territory .
Registration for the Les Tugas 2025 waiting list is now open, allowing you to reserve the right to purchase the watch upon its launch. The project is renewed annually , with new models developed collaboratively, consolidating its motto: Les Tugas are all of us. 👉 https://www.institutoportuguesderelojoaria.pt/lestugas
Book Launch: The History and Evolution of Watchmaking in the 17th and 18th Centuries
Tempo Futuro also hosted the launch of the book *History and Evolution of Watchmaking in the 17th and 18th Centuries *, by Sílvio Pereira , an IPR contributor. Published by Lisbon International Press , the work brings together two decades of research and collecting, revisiting the periods of greatest technical and aesthetic transformation in watchmaking. Prominent among the protagonists are Le Roy, Berthoud, Lepine, and Breguet , masters who shaped modern watchmaking, in a text that intersects mechanics, art, and historical context.
Training and independence: the conference
The program also included a conference on teaching and independent watchmaking , with the participation of Dann Phimphrachanh and Paulo Anastácio . Dann, a former student of the Watchmaking Technician Course at Casa Pia in Lisbon and member of AHCI – Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants , shared his training path and the experience of creating his entirely handmade watch, the Seconde Vive . Paulo Anastácio, master watchmaker and director of the course, presented Casa Pia's technical teaching model, highlighting the role of education in the preservation and renewal of Portuguese watchmaking.
The organizers
The event was a joint initiative of the Portuguese Institute of Watchmaking (IPR) and the DezDez Forum :
The IPR's mission is to promote watchmaking knowledge and training in Portugal , supporting creators, researchers and restorers.👉 www.institutoportuguesderelojoaria.pt
The DezDez Forum is the main Portuguese online community dedicated to watchmaking , with more than 700 active members , and provides a space for sharing between enthusiasts, collectors and professionals.👉 www.dezdez.pt
A movement with a future
Tempo Futuro wasn't just an event—it was the beginning of a movement . By bringing together independent creators, institutions, and the public, it ushered in a new era for watchmaking in Portugal: closer, more visible, and more aware of its cultural and technical value.
With the launch of Les Tugas , the country took its first concrete step toward developing a truly national watchmaking industry. From this show onward, Portugal once again inscribed its name in the history of watchmaking— not as an observer, but as a creator .
The future of Portuguese watchmaking began here. And time will confirm its importance.
Òtimo, adorei todo o conteúdo.
Excelente artigo!