OUR STORY
Instinct Time began in Melbourne in 2018 with a simple goal. Create the watches we wanted to wear.
At the time, finding an automatic watch with premium materials, reliable Japanese movements and timeless design often meant spending thousands of dollars. The alternatives were mass-produced fashion watches or low-quality imports.
So we started building our own.
What began as a small watch modding project has grown into a trusted Australian watch brand, with thousands of watches shipped to collectors across Australia and around the world.
Today, every Instinct Time watch is still assembled with the same attention to detail that started it all.
FIND YOUR NEXT WATCH
WHY INSTINCT TIME?
More Than Just Another Watch Store
When you buy from Instinct Time, you're dealing directly with the people behind the brand.
We don't operate from a giant warehouse.
We don't outsource customer service.
We don't build thousands of watches every week.
Every watch is carefully assembled, inspected and shipped from Melbourne. If you email us, you're speaking directly with the founder or a member of our small team.
That's why many of our customers come back for a second, third and even fourth watch.
HOW OUR WATCHES ARE BUILT
Premium Components. Proven Reliability.
Every Instinct Time watch is built using carefully selected components designed for everyday wear and long-term reliability.
โ Japanese Automatic Movements
Trusted by watch enthusiasts worldwide for their durability, accuracy and serviceability.
โ Sapphire Crystal
Highly scratch resistant and significantly more durable than standard mineral glass.
โ 904L Stainless Steel
Premium corrosion-resistant steel used in some of the world's most recognised luxury watches.
โ Hand Assembled in Melbourne
Every watch is individually assembled, inspected and tested before dispatch.
AUSTRALIAN OWNED & OPERATED
Fast Local Shipping. Local Support.
All Instinct Time watches are shipped directly from Australia.
No overseas waiting times.
No hidden import fees.
No uncertainty.
Most in-stock orders are dispatched within 24 business hours, with fast Australia-wide shipping available through Australia Post.
Need help after your purchase?
We're only an email away.
OUR PROMISE
Every watch is backed by:
โ 12 Month Movement Warranty
โ Australian Based Support
โ Premium Components
โ Hand Assembly in Melbourne
โ Fast Australia Wide Shipping
Because buying a watch should be exciting, not risky.
Let customers speak for us
I purchased the vintage gold day date and its looks amazing. From my first enquiry to my purchase, Vincent responded with helpful information and photos to help me with my purchase decision. The watch looks and feels great on the wrist. A heavier weight bracelet option for an increased price would make it even better, but that's a personal view and obviously a price point decision. As it is, I would recommend it to anyone wanting a special looking watch at a very reasonable price. Very pleased and will be a repeat buyer in the future.
I recently received my custom watch from Vincent at Instinctive, and I couldn't be happier with both the experience and the finished product.
From the initial discussions through to the final build, Vincent was responsive, professional and genuinely passionate about his craft. Communication was excellent throughout, and the watch arrived exactly when promised.
The attention to detail, quality of assembly and overall presentation exceeded my expectations. It's refreshing to deal with someone who takes such pride in creating something unique rather than simply selling another off-the-shelf watch.
I did mention one small observation regarding the dial sitting slightly further back from the crystal than I personally prefer. To be clear, this is simply a design characteristic and not a fault with the watch. Vincent welcomed the feedback with genuine appreciation, which says a great deal about his commitment to continually improving his products.
If you're looking for a bespoke timepiece and enjoy supporting a talented independent watchmaker, I would highly recommend Instinctive. I'll be proudly wearing mine throughout my upcoming European trip and look forward to seeing what Vincent creates in the future.
The quality on the watch is incredible, i couldnt ask for better. Vincent is very professional, quick response time and the mastermind behind it all.
I purchased my first two watches & admittedly was a bit nervous of being scammed but Vincent replied very quickly to my emails & so I ordered.
Well the watches were beautiful & I wear them all the time. I have ordered another two watches which are at the post office ready for pick up.
Thanks Vincent
Bought two watches off Vincent. Very happy with the watches.
Vincent was also more than happy to amend the bracelet sizes for me without a fuss.
I have purchased 3 custom watches from Vincent now and they have all been amazing. Not only the actual product, but the service that Vincent provided throughout all the builds was remarkable. See the video below for how beauitful this watch turned out! I will be ordering more watches in the future to come from Vincent.
Absolutely love it. The dial looks even better in person and the attention to detail is spot on. I was also really impressed that it came with a toolkit, case, and a cleaning cloth. it genuinely felt like a complete package, not just a watch in a box. You can tell a lot of care goes into these.
Vincent is truly an artist with his watch builds. I ordered a custom rose gold 39mm seiko day-date with an ombre dial and I am blown away by the quality of it. It has an excellent weight to it and it feels like top quality. It catches the light in all the right places and I find myself just admiring it on my wrist throughout the day.
Vincent is amazing with communication and his attention to detail means that you're getting a watch that has genuinely been built with passion.
If you're on the fence about ordering a watch, then take this as a sign to place that order. You'll be so glad that you did. Thanks again Vincent.
Gosh- how can I make another genuine review like the first one I made earlier this year? Had my eyes on the Batman jubilee and of course the quality is second to none. Vincent has impeccable response time to his emails to answer any questions and he gets the watch shipped out in no time! Got my watch delivered in Sydney a couple days later and Iโm truly happy (I got compliments thinking it was a Rolex on my wrist)
Arrived fast, beautifully packaged and the included sizing tool was a nice touch.
Picked up the Blue SeikJust during the Black Friday sale and couldnโt be happier. The finish is insane for the price and it even came with a tool kit so I could size it perfectly myself. Honestly one of the best watch buys Iโve made.
This is my second watch from Instinct Time and the quality is just as good as my first. Love that every order comes with a proper adjustment tool kit, makes it easy to get that perfect fit. Great customer service too, super responsive.
Absolutely love this watch. The two-tone finish is classy without being too flashy, and the size is really feminine. Iโve already been asked where I got it twice.
Really enjoyed the service and the product is amazing! Will look to buy more from here! Thank you Vincent!
Absolutely amazed with the watches that I have purchased! Will definitely be returning for more! Vincent is always prompt with his service and it made the whole process so smooth. Highly recommend!!
HAND-ASSEMBLED WITH PRECISION
Built from the ground up using trusted Japanese movements and quality parts. Each watch is custom assembled by hand for collectors who value precision and individuality.
WHY CHOOSE US
Expertly Assembled In Australia
Proven Japanese Movements
Quality Guaranteed
PREMIUM COMPONENTS
Japanese Movement
Automatic, self-winding, 40+ hour power reserve, trusted in the watch industry for its accuracy.
Water Resistance
3 ATM water resistance, perfect for daily wear, rain and water splashes.
Sapphire Crystal
Fitted with sapphire crystal, clear and scratch resistant.
Stainless Steel
Crafted from 904L stainless steel, the same grade used in luxury watch brands. Built to shine.
NEED HELP?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you offer Afterpay?
Yes. We offer Afterpay, allowing you to split your purchase into manageable instalments. Simply select Afterpay at checkout.
What is the power reserve of the automatic movement?
When fully wound, the movement has approximately 30โ40 hours of power reserve. If the watch has stopped after not being worn, simply unscrew the crown and wind it clockwise several turns before wearing it again.
How accurate are automatic watches?
Automatic watches are mechanical devices and will naturally gain or lose a small amount of time each day. The Seiko NH35 movement typically performs very well for daily wear and is widely regarded as a reliable and robust movement.
What crystal do you use?
We use sapphire crystal on our watches. Sapphire crystal is highly scratch resistant and offers excellent clarity compared to standard mineral glass.
Do your watches come with a warranty?
Yes. All Instinct Time watches include a 12-month warranty covering manufacturing defects and assembly-related issues. If a warranty issue occurs, simply contact us and we'll organise the repair process.
How long does a custom build take?
Most custom builds take approximately 10โ14 days to complete. Once your watch has been assembled, tested, and quality checked, it will be shipped via Australia Post with tracking provided.
Can I design my own custom watch?
Absolutely. We specialise in custom-built watches and can often source different dials, hands, bezels, bracelets, and case styles to create a unique build. The best way to get started is by sending us reference photos or design ideas. We'll review what's possible, provide recommendations, and send through a quote before you order.
What movement do your watches use?
Most Instinct Time watches use the Seiko NH35 or NH36 automatic movement. These movements are highly regarded for their reliability, serviceability, and long-term durability. Some GMT models use Seiko GMT movements, while chronograph models use the VK63 meca-quartz movement.
How waterproof are your watches?
Standard builds are water resistant to 30 metres. For customers wanting additional protection, we also offer optional 100m pressure testing on many custom builds. This involves testing the completed watch after assembly to verify water resistance. Please note that water resistance can vary between custom configurations, so feel free to contact us if you'd like a build tested to 100m.