After having already introduced you to some of the best watch brands from Japan, Germany, or Italy, we now invite you to turn your attention to another continent. While they are not necessarily well known for their horological culture, the United States has been present in this market for many years. So here is a selection of 10 American brands to know if you love beautiful watches.
Timex
Here is undoubtedly the most iconic brand of American watchmaking… and one of those that has had the most tumultuous history. Founded in Connecticut in 1854, Timex was then named the Waterbury Clock Company. However, rapid growth and poor management led it to the brink of bankruptcy, and the company changed hands several times, even falling under Norwegian ownership in the 1950s… at the very moment when it took the name of Timex.
Although it now belongs to the Dutch holding company Timex Group BV, the brand is still imbued with its American history. It stands out for its very diverse collections, its collaborations of all kinds (Disney, Coca-Cola…) and its very affordable prices, starting from 50€.
Nixon
For some purists, Nixon is not a “real” watch brand. In fact, it positions itself more in a lifestyle universe, with its collections inspired by surfing and the music scene.
The Time Teller is the most iconic model from the Californian company, this fashion accessory is infinitely available, powered by a Japanese quartz movement and generally priced under 150€.
Bulova
It was a close call for Bulova to become one of the most well-known brands in the world. One of those that contributed to changing the history of watchmaking. But here’s the thing: before Bulova, it was Omega that had the honor of placing its hands first on the Moon and the “other” American moonwatch remained in the shadow of the legendary Speedmaster.
Founded in New York in 1875, Bulova remains an important figure in American watchmaking history. After a long walk in the desert, the brand was bought by the Citizen group in the mid-2000s but still struggles to carve out a place for itself here. It’s a pity, because its production is not without interest.
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Brew Watch Company
The story of Brew Watch Company is quite unique. During its launch on Kickstarter, its founder Jonathan Ferrer explained that he was inspired by the industrial espresso machines so popular in New York. More than the machine itself, it’s the ritual of the coffee break, this moment when we just try to take our time, which guided him in the development of his project.
Thus, Brew Watch watches stand out with their crown engraved with a coffee bean! And if you’re English-speaking, you would have translated the brand name yourself, “brew coffee” meaning “ground coffee”!
Today, this micro-brand mainly attracts us with its vintage-inspired models, usually powered by a mecha-quartz movement and offering excellent value for money.
J.N. Shapiro
An artisan in pursuit of perfection. This is how Joshua Shapiro presents himself, founder of the eponymous brand. With a master’s degree in American history, he took his first steps in watchmaking by creating guilloché dials for other houses.
It was in 2018 that he finally decided to embark on the adventure himself, with his first Infinity Series, a collection that saw the arrival of the first wristwatch made of tantalum manufactured outside of Switzerland! Four years later, he unveils his new Resurgence, a luxury watch entirely designed in the United States, which has little to envy some prestigious European models.
Autodromo
His name sounds Italian, yet it is in the United States that Bradley Price gave birth to Autodromo. What this name rightly evokes, however, is the inspiration that its creator drew from car racing.
Passionate about beautiful vintage cars since his earliest childhood (especially the family’s Austin Healey), the young man wanted to design a watch for himself that would reflect his love for cars. The personal project eventually turned into a business for the general public, and the first Autodromo watches were launched in 2011.
In just a few years, the brand has established itself as a benchmark for all lovers of beautiful automotive and horological mechanics. Even Ford has called on the services of Bradley Price to design an exclusive customizable model for new Ford GT owners!
Vaer
If you love toolwatches and models that are not afraid to go on an adventure, then Vaer might just have the watch you need. This young brand was founded by Ryan Torres and Reagan Cook in 2016 with a clear objective: “To make the perfect everyday watch. One that could be worn on the ocean as well as in the office and everywhere in between.”
The Vaer collections shine with their diversity, since the field watches rub shoulders with diving watches and chronographs, these models can be powered by quartz movements, solar, or automatic (Miyota). With prices generally ranging between 300 and 1000 euros, these American watches deserve to be known on the Old continent.
Waltham
Like many of its counterparts, the Waltham Watch Company has had a very eventful history. Founded in 1850 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, it gained a strong reputation at the start of the 20th century, equipping notably the American army as well as railway companies in 52 countries around the world. Waltham was then considered the largest watch brand in the world!
Things have unfortunately changed a lot in the second half of the century, and it was only in 2021 that the brand made a comeback… thanks to the Swiss Watch Angels. The reissue of a Field & Marine watch faithful to a 1918 model was supposed to allow Waltham to come back to the forefront, with the intention of completely relocating production to the United States in the medium term.
Weiss
Cameron Weiss loves to remind people that he has had a passion for watchmaking since his earliest childhood. His parents love to tell the story about how the young boy would go to bed with a watch and tried to fix his first timepiece at the age of 5!
Regardless, when he embarked on business studies at the University of Southern California, it was certainly with the intention of entering the watch market afterwards. Which he did in 2013, after honing his skills in Switzerland with the craftsmen of Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet. Cameron Weiss thus designed and assembled his first 10 watches in his living room, all by himself, by hand.
Today, he continues to make his field watches in a traditional way, timeless models animated by revised and corrected Soprod automatic movements. Produced in small quantities, these Weiss watches are real gems.
RGM
We conclude this overview of American watch brands with a favorite. Roland G. Murphy created his brand in 1992 after following the training and education program of the Swiss watchmakers WOSTEP.
RGM productions are approaching high-end European watchmaking, often with very elaborate dials, and several models have specifically been nominated for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Special mention goes to the Model 25 Yosemite, which marked RGM’s first steps in the arts and crafts, with its stone marquetry dial.
Proof that the United States also have a say in watchmaking, this list could still have welcomed many names. We think, for example, of Ritmo Mundo, Nodus, Shinola, Kobold… not to mention Elgin, a historic brand that has now disappeared. Finally, if it now belongs to the Swatch Group based in Switzerland, one must remember that Hamilton was founded at the end of the 19th century in Lancaster, Pennsylvania… just like RGM!