Today we are going to review the Best American made watches you can find on the market, according to the different budgets and the activities you require from your timepiece. Some brands are well-known, other brands are new, but all are innovative in design and features.
1. Timex
Starting from the American made top brand watches, Timex is for sure the most known American brand with their headquarters in Middlebury, Connecticut. They make sporty and elegant watches with both quartz and automatic movements.
If you are looking for something elegant then the Marlin series from Timex is the perfect watch. With a price tag of only $249, automatic movement and a diameter of 40mm this watch is great option. On the contrary If you are looking for a field watch, the new Expedition North titanium is an interesting option. This watch is 41mm and has a price tag of just €349 and thanks to the titanium case, this timepiece is exceptionally light on the wrist.
2. Towson Watch Co.
The second top American watch brand I want to suggest is Towson Watch Co. Based in Maryland, Towson creates luxury watches with a timeless design inspired by German watches. They have just released two pilot automatic watches called Recruit and Cadet with a price tag of just $1.250 using Sellita SW200-1 base movement and their collection is extensive. Another interesting model is the GMT Martin – 130 Powered by a Valjoux Caliber 7750 made in-house this watch costs $3.950. If you are looking for something special and unique, Towson is an excellent choice.
#towsonwatchco
3. Dufrane
The Third best American made watch brand I want to suggest is Dufrane. Despite the design of their watches being remarkably like famous Japanese watches, the Dufrane brand was founded in Austin, Texas in 2016 and is better known as a Microbrand. With an attractive design and very affordable price, Dufrane makes four styles of watches (dress, dive, GMT and pilot). If you want a good diver, Travis is a nice 39mm dive watch that has a price tag of $699 and features a Sellita SW200-1 movement and sapphire insert on the bezel.
#dufrane_watches
4. Vortic
Based in Fort Collins, another very interesting and very unique American watch brand I want to suggest is Vortic. With a different approach to the watchmaking, Vortic restores vintage timepieces with a USA-made strap, case, spacer, and crystals. The idea started by giving new life to old American pocket watches that were in extremely bad condition.
#vorticwatches
5. RGM
The Fifth American watch brand I want to suggest is RGM, founded in Mount Joy by Roland G. Murphy in 1992, these watches are characterized by their vintage style and design. Probably the most interesting timepiece from RGM is the Pennsylvania Tourbillon. An incredible watch that shows elements of traditional watchmaking typical of RGM. Another great model from RGM is the 500-GMT which is the first RGM with a bi-directional-turning GMT bezel.
#rgmwatches
6. Detroit Watch Co.
Talking more about classic and vintage styles, founded in 2013 Detroit Watch Company creates nice dress, diver and chrono watches using Swiss Eta and Sellita automatic movements. The design of the Detroit watch company’s dress watches are inspired by French timepieces. The collections start at a price of around $1.000 up to around $2.000 for the chronos. Different dials are available in a wide range of colors. There are also exceptionally good sizing options starting from 39mm to the 43mm for the divers.
#detroitwatch
7. The Sacred Crafts
Another interesting but younger American watch brand is The Sacred Crafts, near Los Angeles. This brand makes very cool 43 mm divers and uses recycled materials. The watch bracelets and cases are manufactured from recycled, abandoned fishing nets, and propellors, while the wooden packaging cases are made from recycled wood taken from abandoned boats. They use Sellita movements for their watches and prices are around $1.300.
8. Weiss
The Weiss watch company is family owned and specializes in mechanical field watches. Founded in Los Angeles in 2013, by Cameron Weiss, Weiss watches have a starting price of $2.200. These hand/self-wound watches are perfect for everyday use. Three sizes are available, 38mm, 39mm and 42mm. Weiss has also just introduced their first dive watch in assorted colors.
#weisswatchcompany
9. Kobold
Talking about more complicated watches, Kobold makes very well-made high-level timepieces. This is the recommended brand for adventurers, who want to have a unique watch on their wrist. The Phantom series is the most expensive (around $48.500). Kobold watches use varied high-end case materials like platinum, titanium, gold and while the platinum case is for sure not lightweight, the weight reduction is achieved thanks to the skeletonized chronograph movement, which is present for all the models of the Phantom collection.
#Koboldwatches
10. Brew
Brew watches are the last American watch brand I want to suggest to you for two reasons: price and design. Brew watches are based in New York. Brew’s unique timepieces are designed to celebrate and capture enjoyable coffee-house experiences by taking inspiration from industrial espresso machines. Their starting prices range from $375 to $425. These watches are all based on meca-quartz movement (the automatics are sold-out) and for the price you are getting a unique timepiece with a modern look.
#brewwatches
Final consideration
Upon review the most interesting (considering the quality/price ratio) is Brew watches, The Sacred Crafts and Timex. Brew watches for their innovative design and very affordable price; The Sacred Crafts for their concept of recycling materials and the story behind the watch and Timex for the versatility of their watches, variety of models offered and very affordable prices.
This article was written by Giuseppe Marasco aka Mrwatch93 – the Author of the Microbrands book
