In this episode of The Analog Explorer, I sat down with José Miranda, founder and design mind behind Isotope Watches, live from the inaugural Vancouver Timepiece Show. If you’re someone who thinks all watches are starting to look the same—José is here to flip that narrative.
From his early inspiration with a childhood Timex to creating a brand that fuses form, function, and fearless creativity, José doesn’t just design watches—he reimagines how we tell time altogether. Isotope’s timepieces aren’t based on heritage homages or vintage revival. They’re bold, round, ergonomic expressions rooted in science fiction, 1930s streamlining, and a spirit of playful disruption.
We talked about his newest dials (as of September) made from straw marquetry—yes, actual dyed and pressed straw sourced from a single artisan in Burgundy, France, and hand-assembled under a microscope and apnea by one of only three micro-marquetry artists in the world. Each dial takes up to three weeks to complete and is “100% vegan” (as we jokingly brought up in the episode), making every piece a one-of-one in both material and mood. And while these dials could easily command luxury pricing (José saw a similar piece go for 70,000 CHF at Watches & Wonders), his watches start at just around €4,000.
That balance of innovation and accessibility is core to Isotope. Whether it’s their “donut crystal” chronograph with pusher-perfect ergonomics, a dual-disc GMT, or the upcoming OVNI (where the entire dial jumps), Isotope watches don’t just break molds—they refuse to acknowledge them in the first place.
We also touched on the tough stuff—like how recent U.S. tariffs on Swiss-made watches have created hesitation in the American market, which makes up 70% of Isotope’s customer base. Still, José is committed to honoring pre-orders at the same price and finding ways to soften the impact for his collectors. “We shouldn’t be supporting a 10% tariff,” he says, “It’s absurd.”
So why watches? His answer was simple, “I don’t know how to build cars.” But beneath that joke was a deeper truth. For José, a watch is a wearable expression of mindset, of identity, of the way we see the world. In his world, color, creativity, and comfort are non-negotiable.
To explore more of José’s unconventional and beautiful timepieces, visit isotopewatches.com or follow @isotopewatches on Instagram.
Thanks again to the Vancouver Timepiece Show—check timepieceshow.com to see where it’s heading next.
