History and Interesting Facts about Xeric Watches

Xeric Watches is an independent American watch brand known for its unconventional approach to watch design. While most brands rely on traditional hands and dials, Xeric experiments with unique ways of displaying time — from orbital indicators to special discs. Their watches are often considered small mechanical works of art. The brand gained popularity primarily thanks to crowdfunding campaigns that helped bring it to the attention of customers worldwide.

Foundation of the Brand and Philosophy
Xeric was founded in 2013 in California by two brothers, Mitch and Andrew Greenblatt. Initially, they started with the online store Watches.com (formerly Watchismo), where they sold unusual and design-focused watches from other manufacturers. Over time, they felt the urge to create their own brand that would embody their passion for creative watchmaking. Thus, they founded Xeric, with the goal of making watches that not only tell time but also spark conversations and capture attention with their looks.

Their philosophy is to create watches with an unconventional aesthetic that combines intriguing mechanics, unique ways of reading time, and often limited editions.

Design and Technological Solutions
What sets Xeric apart the most is its approach to time display. Instead of classic hour and minute hands, they use for example:

• Orbital indicators – small wheels or hands that rotate along specific paths to indicate hours or minutes.

• Retrograde indicators – hands that move along a scale and snap back to the start once they reach the end.

• Disc systems – rotating discs instead of traditional hands, with time read through markings or windows on the dial.

The brand is known for unusual dials, often with a three-dimensional look, and frequently uses skeletonized elements that reveal parts of the movement.

Typical features of Xeric watches include:

• bold case shapes

• unique complications and time displays

• strong emphasis on aesthetics and originality

• limited edition production

Crowdfunding and Success on Kickstarter
One key reason for Xeric’s popularity is its success on Kickstarter. Even in its first campaigns, the brand attracted significant interest and raised millions of dollars to fund watch production. For example, the Xeric Halograph project raised over $1 million, making it one of the most successful watch projects on Kickstarter at the time.

Crowdfunding allows them to maintain affordable pricing despite creating pieces that look like high-end design watches.

Model Lines and Notable Collections
Xeric offers several intriguing collections, such as:

• Halograph – models using orbital arcs along which small hands travel to display time.

• Trappist-1 – inspired by space, featuring designs reminiscent of telescope domes and planetary systems.

• Soloscope – unique single-hand watches with minimalist dials.

• Vendetta – models with retrograde indicators and a luxurious aesthetic.

Interesting Facts

• The name Xeric comes from the Greek word “xēros” (dry) and alludes to extreme environments, symbolizing their difference from mainstream brands.

• Xeric watches are often produced in highly limited runs, for example only 999 pieces.

• They have collaborated with various designers for special editions, including models inspired by sci-fi and architecture.

• Many Xeric models feature hand-wound mechanical movements, though the brand also makes quartz versions.

Conclusion
Xeric Watches is a brand that proves watches can be not only practical instruments but also artistic expressions and conversation starters. Through their unconventional approach and willingness to experiment, they have carved out a place among independent watchmakers eager to offer something genuinely different. Thanks to their success on Kickstarter and original designs, Xeric has established itself as a brand that appeals to anyone seeking a watch with a story and distinctive looks.

You can see our full range of the most popular watches below.