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The Summit Collection: A Strong First Step for New Brand Earthen

Earthen Company is one of the freshest names to enter the watch market, founded in Hong Kong in 2025 by a group of passionate collectors and enthusiasts. Co-founder Jonathan Chan, also a key figure behind The Horology Club, explains that the team approached this project as collectors first, not as traditional watchmakers. 

The result is a debut that doesn’t chase trends but instead offers something unique, a series of ceramic, field- and pilot-inspired watches at an accessible price point. With the launch of the Summit Collection, it’s clear Earthen intends to make an impression from day one.

Introducing Monbrey Launches the Elegant Kenkyū Collection

7 new releases take inspiration from the era of the samurai

Monbrey is a small brand that was founded in 2021 by Hong Kong-based industrial designers Henry Kwong and Austin Lee, who began their journey in the watch industry back in 2002, creating timepieces for prestigious global brands. They hold the belief that modern watches should offer more than just function, and they aim to continuously explore fresh design horizons. 

The brand now unveils the Kenkyū collection, a tribute to the era of the samurai, inspired by the artistry of samurai weaponry and armor. The collection features seven distinct dial options, each unique in its own way.

The watch features a 316L stainless steel case with a 37.5mm diameter and a slim 9.5mm thickness, complemented by a 45mm lug-to-lug measurement. It showcases a combination of brushed and polished finishes, and a box sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating protects the dial. The stainless steel caseback ensures water resistance up to 100 meters.

The collection offers dials in Ice Blue, Dark Olive Green, and Blossom Pink, colors inspired by Bishamon, the warrior and dispenser of justice who symbolizes protection. These dials feature the Bishamon-kikko pattern, which is CNC-machined 3D patterns.

In contrast, the Starry Blue, Fumé Brown, and Black dials are crafted from a material that mirrors the raw beauty of Tamahagane, also known as Jewel Steel, the core material used in Japanese sword-making. All dials in the collection share a simple, time-only display with Super-LumiNova applied to the hands and indexes.

The watches are powered by the Miyota cal. 9039, an automatic movement operating at 28,800 vph (4Hz) with a 42-hour power reserve. Each timepiece comes with a 316L stainless steel bracelet and a black Italian genuine leather strap. The pre-order price is AED 1,821, with the original price at AED 2,432. Deliveries are expected from the end of March to early April 2025.

For more information, you can visit Monbrey’s official website. 

Technical specifications: Monbrey Kenkyū
  1. Case: 316L stainless steel, brushed and polished, box sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, stainless steel caseback
  2. Diameter: 37.5mm
  3. Thickness: 9.5mm
  4. Lug to lug: 45mm
  5. Water resistance: 100 m
  6. Dial: Ice Blue, Dark Olive Green, Blossom Pink, Starry Blue, Fumé Brown, Black, Super-LumiNova hands and indexes
  7. Movement: Miyota cal. 9039, automatic
  8. Power reserve: 42 hours 
  9. Frequency: 28,800 vph (4Hz)
  10. Functions: hour, minute, seconds
  11. Bracelet / Strap: 316L stainless steel bracelet, black Italian genuine leather strap
  12. Price: pre-order AED 1,821, original price AED 2,432

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