Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. FounderFest, Time+Tide’s Music-Inspired Collection of Seven Collaborative Watches
A Festival may be an unusual way to launch new watches, but this new collection proves that collaboration can still produce genuinely fresh ideas.
Over the past decade, Time+Tide has evolved from an Australian online watch publication into one of the influential platforms dedicated to watchmaking, and independent watchmaking in particular. Alongside its editorial content, the company has expanded into retail with its Watch Discovery Studios in Melbourne, London and New York. This year, the company is launching FounderFest, a new event that combines the atmosphere of a watch fair, a collector gathering and a music festival. Held simultaneously across its three Discovery Studios on 19 and 20 September 2026, FounderFest puts the founders of independent brands centre stage, with presentations, interviews, live performances, and discussions replacing the more traditional exhibition booth format. And of course: watches, with seven collaborations being launched simultaneously. New York will serve as the festival’s live headquarters, while visitors in London and Melbourne will enjoy their own launch events and concerts, with the entire programme also streamed online.
Naturally, the event revolves around watches, as mentioned. Time+Tide invited seven independent brands to develop exclusive Studio Editions inspired by the music that has influenced their founders, whether through colours, materials, memories or cultural references. The watches will be available worldwide through a limited online order window beginning 22 September 2026, before becoming permanent exclusives of Time+Tide’s three Watch Discovery Studios. And just to make things clear, there is one quartz-powered watch in the series we will not be focusing on, as MONOCHROME is all about the love for mechanical watchmaking. Here’s a preview.
Baltic Heures du Monde “Horizon Line”
Baltic’s contribution is perhaps the most travel-oriented of the collection. Based on the French brand’s compact Heures du Monde, it introduces a new forged-carbon dial, replacing the stone dials used on the standard collection. The layered carbon structure creates a unique pattern on every watch, while colourful blue and orange accents highlight London, Melbourne and New York on the world-time display. It is a nod to Time+Tide’s international footprint, but also gives the otherwise monochromatic watch a dose of colour. The compact dimensions remain unchanged, and power comes from the automatic Soprod C125 calibre. It will retail for EUR 1,450.
Quick Facts – 37mm x 11mm x 45mm – stainless steel case – forged-carbon dial – double-domed sapphire crystal – 100m water-resistant – Soprod C125 automatic – GMT and world-time display – approx. 42h power reserve – Marine Nationale style elastic strap – EUR 1,450 (excl. VAT)
Awake Son Mài Frosted Leaf “Ultraviolet”
Awake, one of the most interesting dial specialists among young independent brands, adds the Ultraviolet to the festivities, with its dial built from successive layers of natural lacquer, silver leaf, and purple pigments. The constantly changing surface is shifting from almost black to vibrant violet depending on the light. Housed in a 38mm steel case and paired with a Jean Rousseau Alcantara strap, it is powered by the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement with its generous 68-hour reserve. The price is set at EUR 2,400.
Quick Facts – 38mm x 11.5mm x 44.75mm – stainless steel case – Vietnamese S?n Mài lacquer dial with silver leaf – sapphire crystals front and back – 100m water-resistant – La Joux-Perret G101 automatic – approx. 68h power reserve – Jean Rousseau Alcantara strap – EUR 2,400 (excl. VAT)
Furlan Marri “Songlines”
The second collaboration between Furlan Marri and Time+Tide is a noticeable evolution from the earlier Outback Elegy. The new Songlines comes with a richly lacquered chocolate dial combining grained and circular brushing beneath its glossy surface. Another significant addition is the three-link steel bracelet, giving the watch a more versatile everyday character, while a hunter-style caseback conceals a sapphire display back revealing the La Joux-Perret G100 movement. Warm earthy tones inspired by the Australian landscape remain central to the design. This one retails for EUR 2,000.
Quick Facts – 39mm x 12mm x 47mm – stainless steel case – lacquered chocolate dial – sapphire crystal & display back beneath hunter cover – 100m water-resistant – La Joux-Perret G100 automatic – approx. 68h power reserve – steel bracelet plus leather strap – EUR 2,000 (excl. VAT)
Serica Ref. 7505 “Sunburst”
Serica focuses on what it does best: subtle refinement. The familiar Ref. 7505 receives a new two-tone enamel dial inspired by the tobacco sunburst finishes of vintage guitars, fading gently towards an almost black outer edge. The dial adds warmth and depth without compromising the clarity that defines Serica’s design language. Inside the compact 35mm case beats the chronometer-certified Soprod M100 movement. The Bonklip bracelet and 200m water resistance ensure the watch remains every bit as capable as the standard model. It is priced at EUR 1,190.
Quick Facts – 35mm x 9.6mm x 41.5mm – stainless steel case – two-tone brown sunburst enamel dial – double-domed sapphire crystal – 200m water-resistant – chronometer-certified Soprod M100 automatic – approx. 42h power reserve – Bonklip bracelet – EUR 1,190 (excl. VAT)
Beaucroft “The Punk”
Every collection needs one watch that breaks the rules, and that role belongs to The Punk. Based on Beaucroft’s Arc, it pairs a black PVD-coated case with a translucent pink sapphire dial and matching sapphire display back. The contrast between the stealthy case and the vibrant dial creates a design impossible to ignore while still retaining the architectural lines of the original Arc. Behind the bold styling lies a practical everyday watch, equipped with the slim Miyota 90S5 automatic movement. Water-resistant to 100 m, worn on a black FKM rubber strap. It retails for EUR 645.
Quick Facts – 38mm x 10.3mm x 43.5mm – black PVD-coated stainless steel case – pink sapphire dial – sapphire crystal & pink sapphire display back – 100m water-resistant – Miyota 90S5 automatic – approx. 42h power reserve – FKM rubber strap – EUR 645 (excl. VAT)
echo/neutra Rivanera Piccolo “Rosa d’Epoca”
One of the most unusual entries in the collection is also the smallest. Measuring only 26mm across, the Rivanera Piccolo is presented in a grade 5 titanium case housing a compact Sellita SW100 automatic movement. A restrained grey dial is accented with antique-rose details echoed in the stitching of the suede strap. With thoughtful proportions and restrained colours, it is a watch with real wrist presence despite its miniature dimensions. The price for this one is EUR 1,495.
Quick Facts – 26mm x 6.9mm x 33mm – grade 5 titanium case – grey grained dial with lacquered frame – sapphire crystals front & back – 30m water-resistant – Sellita SW1000 automatic – approx. 46h power reserve – suede strap plus black rubber strap – EUR 1,495 (excl. VAT)
The seventh watch in the FounderFest series, or should we say, lineup, the Dennison ALD Dual Time “Carnaby Blue”, is the only quartz-powered model in the collection, using two independent Ronda movements to display dual time zones beneath a mosaic blue mother-of-pearl dial inspired by London’s creative energy in the 1960s.
For more information, please visit TheFounderFest.com.
