Tempo Futuro - The future of independent watchmaking in Portugal

Nuno Margalha
6 days ago
11 min read

On October 10, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Lisbon will host a unique event that puts independent watchmaking in the spotlight. This is an exhibition-market dedicated to national microbrands and independent watchmakers who develop their own timepieces.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Medeiros e Almeida Museum in Lisbon, the public will have the opportunity to interact directly with the protagonists of independent Portuguese watchmaking, learn about their creative processes, and purchase exclusive pieces—a gesture of direct support for the flourishing of this art in Portugal. The program also includes the launch of the book "History and Evolution of Watchmaking in the 17th and 18th Centuries ," by Sílvio Pereira, and a conference on teaching and independent watchmaking , with confirmed participation by Portuguese watchmaker Dann Phimphrachanh and Master Paulo Anastácio .

Exhibition and exhibitors

The exhibition stands will be open all afternoon, allowing the public to chat with the designers and discover watches designed with precision, identity, and a unique vision. Each participant presents the result of a signature work, often in limited series or unique pieces, reinforcing the initiative's exclusive nature.

Confirmed exhibitors:

Les tugas - IPR - Portuguese Institute of Watchmaking
Bruno Moreira – @bmsmoreira
Tell (Eduardo Martins) – contarwatches.com
Excellent (João Batalha)
Fevers (João Vinhas) – @relojoeiro_joao_vinhas
Followay (João Pedro Dias)
Isotope (José Miranda)
Clock Museum (Eugénio Tavares d'Almeida)
Monserratte - Zac Manuel

Launch of the book History and Evolution of Watchmaking in the 17th and 18th Centuries

At 5:30 p.m., the book "History and Evolution of Watchmaking in the 17th and 18th Centuries " by Sílvio Pereira , a collaborator at the Portuguese Institute of Watchmaking, will be launched . Published by Lisbon International Press in 2025, the book brings together and revises articles published on the IPR website over two decades of research and collecting.

The book covers two decisive centuries for European watchmaking, highlighting names such as Le Roy, Berthoud, Lepine, and Breguet , and interweaving mechanics, art, and historical context. The result is a solid foundation for understanding the legacy that continues to inspire contemporary watchmaking.

Conference: Education and Independent Watchmaking

Between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm, a conference dedicated to watchmaking education and the independent world will take place, with two prominent participants:

Dann Phimphrachanh , former student of the Watchmaking Technician Course at Casa Pia in Lisbon and current member of AHCI – Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants , will present his training and professional journey, as well as the manual construction process of his Seconde Vive watch .

Paulo Anastácio , Dann's former teacher and current director of the same course at Casa Pia, will explain how watchmaking education is organized in Portugal, present the existing pedagogical structure and outline the main challenges facing training today.

Les Tugas are all of us

The Les Tugas brand was registered by the Portuguese Watchmaking Institute. The name was chosen to clearly establish the association between a watch's quality and its country of origin. Many international watch brands produce a significant portion of their components in Portugal, without this being specifically mentioned, and even in foreign factories, it's common to find teams made up primarily of Portuguese people.

As the most recognized watchmaking brands come from French-speaking countries, the choice of a French name makes a statement: the best watchmaking is made by Portuguese hands: the foundation of the best watchmaking is laid in Portuguese hands .

The Les Tugas logo , inspired by the universal tally system, has a profound symbolism: it represents the patient wait of several generations of Portuguese who dreamed of the day when the declared and assumed manufacture of watches in Portugal would become a reality. It evokes time measured in successive strokes, as if marking the days, months, and years, until the moment when the opportunity finally materializes. Each stroke is also a tribute to all those who dedicated their lives to the watchmaking industry, whether in the meticulous work of specialized workshops or in production factories, without ever seeing their efforts recognized. Today, the symbol has become an emblem of perseverance and affirmation, celebrating the transition from simple executors to protagonists of watchmaking made in Portugal.

Thus, Les Tugas aims to be a tribute to all Portuguese people dedicated to watchmaking around the world.

The 2025 model already has prototypes in the testing phase and will be based on the

Swiss ETA 2844 movement , chosen for its reliability. Part of the production process, such as the dial construction, is handled directly by IPR, while other stages are entrusted to Portuguese artisans and companies. The goal is to maximize national participation, promote local production, and consolidate a Portuguese watchmaking ecosystem.

Bruno Moreira – The patient art of construction

One of the emerging names in independent watchmaking in Portugal, Bruno Moreira began his career at the Portuguese Institute of Watchmaking , where he acquired the technical skills that enabled him to create his first watch. His work reveals a constant pursuit of precision and detail, in which every decision—from the case design to the final finish—is made with rigor and aesthetic awareness.

Bruno employs demanding processes and techniques that combine tradition and innovation, always aiming to achieve harmony between form and function. His creations are distinguished by their artisanal character and coherent execution, demonstrating how an independent project, developed on a small scale, can have the same ambition and complexity as those of major watchmakers.

Its presence in Tempo Futuro symbolizes the path that Portuguese watchmaking can forge through perseverance and attention to detail. It represents proof that patience, technical knowledge, and dedication can transform a personal vision into a piece capable of engaging with tradition and, at the same time, projecting the future of watchmaking in Portugal.

Counting – Eduardo Martins and the everyday clock

The Contar brand , founded by Eduardo Martins , is known for producing reliable, robust, and independent watches. Its first model, the Field MK I , is inspired by classic military watches, particularly the famous British Mark XI and the "Dirty Dozen" series. The black dial contrasts with markers and hands coated in luminescent BGW9, ensuring clear readability in any light condition.

The Field MK I's construction features details designed for comfort and ergonomics: the 316L steel case features a low relief on the back for a better fit with the bracelet, ensuring a more snug fit on the wrist. It measures 40 mm in diameter (47 mm with lugs) and is 12.5 mm high (with sapphire crystal). The bezel is unidirectional and has 120 clicks, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and a screw-down crown at 3 o'clock.

As for its internal features, the watch offers water resistance to 100 meters / 10 atm , uses a Japanese VD78 movement , and comes equipped with an olive-green nylon strap with a marked steel buckle. Contar offers the watch to order, with shipping from Portugal, reinforcing the brand's independent and local nature.

With the Field MK I, Eduardo Martins didn't just want to produce another watch: he wanted to present a piece of character, a blend of military functionality and national identity, which aims to mark the beginning of the brand's history in the independent Portuguese watchmaking scene.

Exímio – João Batalha and creative affirmation

From an early age, João Batalha was drawn to watchmaking. A few years ago, he decided to part ways with his professional life to pursue this passion. Today, he is the founder of the Exímio brand , a student at the British Horological Institute , and a member of the British Clock & Watch Makers .

For João, Exímio was born with a clear ambition: to produce exceptional watches, timeless design pieces, and not just another brand on the market. The idea is to design, develop, and build watches that spark curiosity and amazement, using proven, reliable movements. Components are selected according to rigorous criteria to ensure performance and aesthetics consistent with the brand's identity.

To date, Exímio has launched two collections: one in 2018 and another in 2020. The 2018 collection includes the Abissal model , which houses an ETA 2824-2 movement in a 44 mm 316L surgical steel case, water resistance to 50 ATM (500 meters) and a ceramic bezel. There is also the Prestige model , with a 39 mm case, housed in an ETA 2824-2 movement and water resistance to 10 ATM, ideal for formal wear but equally versatile.

The 2020 collection brought new models such as the Doctor's Watch , with a Seiko NH35A movement , 40mm case, and pulsometer scale on the dial, and the Farey MKIII , built on a Seiko NH35A in a 40mm case, with the plane that crossed the Atlantic (Gago Coutinho / Sacadura Cabral) engraved on the back. With the Exímio, João demonstrates that Portugal can produce signature watches with a strong concept, extended warranties (3 years as standard, plus 2 years after workshop service), and a commitment to quality.

Febres – João Vinhas and the “watchmaking follies”

At Tempo Futuro, João Vinhas presents the Febres project , born in 2023 from a simple principle: to breathe new life into high-quality mechanical movements that, for decades, had been sidelined due to various failures. Calibers such as the AS 1130, AS 1156, or Unitas 6310, 6325, and 6425 are carefully restored and transformed into watches with a renewed look, always taking care to preserve their unique and unrepeatable character. The result is numbered, vintage-style pieces, with over 25 units created over two and a half years.

Each Febres watch carries not only the restored mechanics but also a photographic and documentary record: João keeps an album with images of each piece sold, numbered and signed by the respective purchaser. This gesture creates memories and strengthens the bond between watchmaker and collector. Confidence in the quality of the movements leads him to offer a four-year warranty , underscoring the reliability of these reborn machines.

In addition to the Febres project, João will present three watches signed JV , created between 2009 and 2011, which reveal original mechanical modifications applied to Unitas 6425 movements. JV No. 1 was transformed into a regulator, with separate hours, minutes, and seconds. JV No. 2 , dubbed The Time Fool , displays hours and minutes rotating in opposite directions. JV No. 3 adds a third hand with a power reserve indicator, a solution to a practical problem faced by the watchmaker as a user.

João Vinhas presents these pieces as "curiosities" of a passionate amateur, without comparison to the grand complications of established brands. He sees them as "watchmaking quirks," the fruit of his imagination and the joy of working with wheels and sprockets. His participation in the event brings freshness and authenticity, demonstrating that independent watchmaking is also built with passion, humor, and personal creativity.

Followay – João Pedro Dias and the authorial path

Followay , founded by João Pedro Dias , was born with the ambition of creating a designer watch brand. The journey began with the development of bold prototypes, such as the F M1 Groundbreaking , which combined an NH-35 automatic movement with an aluminum case and robust dimensions. The brand also presented designs for the F M0 Stadium model , designed in a digital environment, which included complications such as a one-minute tourbillon, double hairspring, and a three-day power reserve.

Over time, Followay has evolved and taken on a new position: today, it operates primarily as a watchmaking service atelier , offering specialized technical support to those seeking maintenance, repairs, or the development of specific projects. It also accepts custom watchmaking orders , putting its accumulated experience at the service of customers seeking personalized and exclusive pieces.

This transformation allows Followay to remain active in the national watchmaking scene, with the versatility of someone who masters both the creative and service aspects. Its presence at Tempo Futuro confirms this dual identity: a brand born from the desire to create and now also a technical partner for new watchmaking projects.

Isotope – José Miranda and recognition beyond borders

ISOTOPE - OVNI JUMPING HOUR (FOUNDERS EDITION)

Founded in 2016 by José Miranda , Isotope has become one of the most recognized Portuguese brands outside the country. Its philosophy combines bold design, a strong visual identity, and limited production, with rigorous attention to movement reliability and aesthetic originality.

In recent years, the brand has stood out with the Hydrium collection , which featured limited edition versions with striking designs such as Wasabi, Ooh La La, Coconut Island, and British Racing Green. These models, designed for diving, combine technical robustness with a playful and irreverent side that has become Isotope's trademark.

Another milestone was the launch of the OVNI Jumping Hour Founders Edition , created to celebrate the brand's tenth anniversary. This model explores the jumping hour complication on an innovative dial, reinforcing Isotope's ability to reinvent timekeeping and surprise the public with distinctive visual solutions.

More recently, the collaboration with the special edition Mercury Vitreous brought the “grand feu” enamel technique to the brand's universe, confirming the ambition to unite artisanal tradition with a contemporary aesthetic language.

Isotope's work has been recognized internationally, with awards given to models such as the Mercury Shadow and the Chronograph Moonshot Terra Maris , distinctions that reinforce the brand's design quality and creativity. José Miranda thus demonstrates how Portugal can make a mark on the global map of independent watchmaking, whenever it combines innovation, consistency, and personality.

Clock Museum – Eugénio Tavares d'Almeida and living memory

Under the direction of Eugénio Tavares d'Almeida , the Clock Museum has built its own identity as a brand, with launches that celebrate watchmaking in Portugal through special editions with a strong cultural character.

One of the most iconic models is the Inverso , a mechanical watch distinguished by requiring backward winding, thus subverting the wearer's usual gesture. This unusual feature has made it a collector's item and a landmark of creativity, inspiring other Portuguese watchmakers to explore less conventional paths.

Other editions featured original solutions in both design and conception, always with limited and numbered series that reinforce exclusivity. Over the years, these creations have proven that it is possible to build a watch brand from Portugal, with its own identity and a direct connection to the country's cultural imagery.

Its presence at Tempo Futuro places the Clock Museum alongside other independent brands, not as a guardian of memory, but as an active player in the creation of pieces that add diversity and originality to contemporary Portuguese watchmaking.

Monserrate – The Portuguese legacy on your wrist

Monserrate was born from Zac Manuel's desire to create a watch brand that conveys the soul of Portugal through time. Founded with the ambition to transform each piece into a testament to national identity, the brand draws inspiration from the travels, challenges, and triumphs of Portuguese history. More than a simple instrument for measuring time, each watch aims to be an object of memory and beauty , uniting the precision of watchmaking with the poetry of our cultural heritage.

The inaugural model, the Monserrate , pays homage to the architectural style that became a symbol of Portuguese creative genius in the 15th and 16th centuries. The visual elements evoke the arches of the Jerónimos Monastery , the carved ropes of the Belém Tower , the lateen sails of caravels , and the texture of Lioz limestone . The result is a watch that encapsulates the symbolic richness of this period, presenting a distinctive aesthetic that celebrates one of the most significant eras in our history on the wrist.

With Monserrate, a proposal emerges that combines identity design with watchmaking execution, establishing itself as a proudly Portuguese brand committed to transforming architectural and cultural heritage into high-quality contemporary creations.

FUTURE TENSE

a meeting point for creators and enthusiasts

Tempo Futuro – Salão de Relojoaria Independente is a meeting place for creators and enthusiasts, a living portrait of the current state of Portuguese watchmaking. For the first time, microbrands and independent watchmakers are presenting together, sharing the stage and affirming their identity to the public.

The diversity of exhibitors confirms the vitality of this movement: from the unifying project of Les Tugas , to small-scale artisanal projects like João Vinhas' Febres , to the internationally recognized proposals of Isotope , to the ingenuity of Followay , the technical rigor of Exímio , the conceptual creativity of Monserrate , and the boldness of the Clock Museum 's editions . Each participant adds a piece to the mosaic of a sector that, until recently, seemed nonexistent in Portugal.

The program, enriched by the launch of Sílvio Pereira 's book and the conference led by Dann Phimphrachanh and Paulo Anastácio , completes the vision of an event that aims to be both a celebration and a catalyst. Tempo Futuro inaugurates a period in which Portuguese watchmaking ceases to be merely a legacy and memory, and assumes an active present and a promising future.

Technical Sheet – Future Tense

Event name: Tempo Futuro – Independent Watchmaking Show

Date and time: October 10, 2025 (Friday) 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Location: Medeiros and Almeida Museum, Rua Rosa Araújo, 411250-194 Lisbon – Portugal

Organization: Portuguese Institute of Watchmaking (IPR) and Dez Dez Forum

Concept: Exhibition-market dedicated to national micro-brands and independent watchmakers, with direct contact with designers, sale of exclusive pieces, conferences and book launch.

Program:

2:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Exhibition and exhibitor booths
5:30 pm: Launch of the book History and Evolution of Watchmaking in the 17th and 18th Centuries , by Sílvio Pereira
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Conference “Teaching and Independent Watchmaking”
- With Dann Phimphrachanh (AHCI) and Paulo Anastácio (Casa Pia Lisbon)