MrWatchMaster Meets…Henrik Rye
- Details
- Category: Haute This Issue
- Published on Wednesday, 01 April 2026 11:14
- Written by MrWatchMaster
Next we meet Henrik Rye, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MICROMILSPEC, who produce custom Swiss Made timekeeping instruments for SOF, first responders and military units, who offers his fascinating view on the watch industry.
Founded by a team with extensive experience in watch design, production and military operations, they offer customised timepieces unique to their clients with the highest of standards true to the great tradition of Swiss watchmaking.
MrWatchMaster Meets… Interview with Max Busser
We hear Henrik's fascinating views on business priorities, the watch industry, his favourite watches and what the future holds for the company.
MWM: How is business?
HR: We're lucky, as we are busier than ever. It has been a year of surprises in a good way. Since the launch of the Milgraph (see below – which has already sold out) we have been blown away by the support of the watch community and the collector alike! We have only just recently ventured out into the public eye, and with the expansion into Time + Tide Watch Discovery Studio in London and Melbourne it has been a good way to wrap up the year.
MrWatchMaster Meets . . . An Interview with Antonio Calce
MrWatchMaster Meets…Louis Jalaber & Simon Szleper
MWM: What are your current business priorities?
HR: The main business priorities for us is to change our business model from made to order being able to service each retailer with stock. We have grown from a small business into a medium sized business, so we need to begin to change our processes to make sure we are fit to continue to grow and go upwards.
MWM: Tell us something we don't know about MICROMILSPEC.
HR: We are a team of misfits! None of us come from the watch world or even wear watches in the office. We just have a passion for problem solving and enjoying what we do. We are just a couple of Norwegian's in Oslo who are trying to leave a mark on the Swiss watchmaking world.
MWM: Which watch do you wear?
HR: To be honest I am not someone who wears a watch on my wrist. From working on the design to finally getting the product to consumers you always end up looking at what could have been done better, which is a never-ending question as we try to seek the optimum design. So outside of the office I would rather just switch off and keep the watches in a drawer somewhere out of sight.
MWM: Which watch would you like to own?
HR: I have a four-year-old who is really into watches. In all colours and unicorn variations. She draws them on my hand, I would have to say she makes my favourite watches. Who knows we might have a new head designer.
MWM: What do you like best about the watch business?
HR: It is such a social industry. You tend to get instant feedback in a positive way. Like with every industry you have your characters, but it is a welcoming one. The fact that the company is only 5-years-old, given the success of this year, I am not too sure the same model in a different industry would be as warmly received. The industry is also very welcoming to individuals who 'break the mould' and like to do things differently. It is what the watch industry has been looking for the last couple of years. Have some fun and stand out and be daring, be different.
MrWatchMaster Meets…Leon Leong
MWM: What don't you like about the watch business?
HR: The industry sometimes takes itself too seriously. We need to remember the client is the most important aspect of the business at the end of the day. We are not doctors; we are not saving lives. We are all here to create something special and unique that hopefully creates an emotional feeling for the potential clients who wish to purchase the watch.
MWM: What's next on the horizon for you?
HR: Our very first custom military watch was a pilot. We haven't created one for civilians…yet. However…
Henrik Rye is a Friend of MrWatchMaster
MrWatchMaster Meets…André Clémençon
Bio: MrWatchMaster
MrWatchMaster (MWM) presents a uniquely authoritative resource, covering news, opinion, reviews, and entertainment about the watch sector. We share our opinions and new 'points of view' from a range of leading watch makers, industry professionals, collectors, and other practitioners of horology. We keep you updated with the most interesting developments and provide our own take on new watches, trends, and anything else that will define the future direction of the sector. Andrew Canter is the Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of MrWatchMaster and a hugely passionate horologist and collector of watches and clocks. His fascination with watches started at an early age and purchased his first watch when still at school. He is a member of the Alliance of British Watch & Clock Makers, British Horological Institute (BHI), Antiquarian Horological Society (AHS), National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC), Horological Society of New York and RedBar Group.
