Michele

Michele traces back to Maurice Barouh, a European-trained watchmaker who set up in Miami after the Second World War building watches to order. His son Jack continued the business, and named the modern brand after his daughter, Michele Barouh, who became its designer.

The signature is the strap system. Michele watches are built around quickly interchangeable straps in leather, silicone, alligator and steel, so the same head can be rebuilt to suit the occasion — a proposition aimed squarely at buyers who think of a watch as part of an outfit rather than a permanent fixture.

The Deco is the defining case, a rectangular art deco shape that has carried the collection since the 1990s, alongside round chronographs with heavily jewelled bezels.

Fossil Group acquired the company in 2004, and it sits within the group's owned brands rather than its licences.

Movements are Swiss quartz for the most part, with generous diamond setting; the appeal is the design system rather than the mechanics.

Michele holds 19 models, from £1,099 to £2,899. Half cost less than £1,899, and a quarter less than £1,649. 2 of 19 are automatic. Prices are checked nightly against the retailers’ own feeds.

1945

Maurice Barouh begins building watches in Miami.

1980

Jack Barouh continues and expands the business.

1990

The Deco case establishes the brand's look.

2004

Acquired by Fossil Group.

2010

Interchangeable straps become the brand's central idea.